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[17]
Wherefore, O
Romans, wait now for the return of the ambassadors and devour your annoyance for
a few days. And when they do return if they bring back peace, believe me that I
have been desirous that they should if they bring back war, then allow me the
praise of foresight. Ought I not to be provident for the welfare of my
fellow-citizens? Ought I not day and night to think of your freedom and of the
safety of the republic? For what do I not owe to you, O Romans, since you have
preferred for all the honors of the state a man who is his own father to the
most nobly born men in the republic? Am I ungrateful? Who is less so? I, who,
after I had obtained those honors, have constantly labored in the forum with the
same exertions as I used while striving for them. Am I inexperienced in state
affairs? Who has had more practice than I, who have now for twenty years been
waging war against impious citizens?
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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