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[22]
“That is no
insult which a worthy man does.” Now, in the first place, what is the
meaning of “worthy?” For there are many men worthy of
punishment, as he himself is. Does he mean what a man does who is invested with
any dignity?1 if so, what insult can be greater? Moreover, what is the
meaning of “doing an insult?” Who ever uses such an
expression? Then comes, “Nor any fear which an enemy
threatens.” What then? is fear usually threatened by a friend? Then
came many similar sentences. Is it not better to be dumb, than to say what no
one can understand? Now see why his tutor, exchanging pleas for plows, has had
given to him in the public domain of the Roman people two thousand acres of land
in the Leontine district, exempt from all taxes, for making a stupid man still
stupider at the public expense.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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