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THE SIXTH ORATION OF M. T. CICERO AGAINST MARCUS ANTONIUS. CALLED ALSO THE SIXTH PHILIPPIC. ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE.
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But if you are not afraid of brave men and illustrious citizens, because they are
prevented from attacking you by your armed retinue, still, believe me, your own
fellows will not long endure you. And what a life is it, day and night to be
fearing danger from one's own people! Unless, indeed, you have men who are bound
to you by greater kindnesses than some of those men by whom he was slain were
bound to Caesar; or unless there are points in which you can be compared with
him.
In that man were combined genius, method, memory, literature, prudence,
deliberation, and industry. He had performed exploits in war which, though
calamitous for the republic, were nevertheless mighty deeds. Having for many
years aimed at being a king, he had with great labor, and much personal danger,
accomplished what he intended. He had conciliated the ignorant multitude by
presents, by monuments, by largesses of food, and by banquets; he had bound his
own party to him by rewards, his adversaries by the appearances of clemency. Why
need I say much on such a subject? He had already brought a free city, partly by
fear, partly by patience, into a habit of slavery.
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