Cicero/Quotes from Cicero's pro Milone

Cicero defends his friend, Milo, who killed his enemy, Clodius.

The Latin quotes, nearly all of which are complete sentences, are selected for interest (int), language (lan), and beauty (bea), and are translated into English. The line numbers are from the Loeb edition, and start counting from line 1 of the section. All translations are the original work of Gus Wiseman (Nafindix), with the exception of any contributions from other users. The public domain sources of the Latin quotes are:

• Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, vol. XIV, 1931; Latin text with facing English translation by N. H. Watts.
• M. Tullius Cicero, PRO T. ANNIO MILONE ORATIO, http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi031
• M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO T. ANNIO MILONE ORATIO, https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/milo.shtml

Part 1.

1.1 lan/bea

"etsi vereor, iudices, ne turpe sit pro fortissimo viro dicere incipientem timere minimeque deceat, cum T. Annius ipse magis de rei publicae salute quam de sua perturbetur, me ad eius causam parem animi magnitudinem adferre non posse, tamen haec novi iudici nova forma terret oculos qui, quocumque inciderunt, veterem consuetudinem fori et pristinum morem iudiciorum requirunt."

Though I fear, judges, that it would be shameful to begin with a statement of fear, and indeed unworthy, seeing that T. Annius himself is moved more by the health of the state than his own, that I should be unable to bring to his case adequate zeal, yet the unprecedented form of this unprecedented trial terrifies my eyes, which search in vain for the procedures and traditions of the forum and the courts.

2.7 lan/bea

"quae si opposita Miloni putarem, cederem tempori, iudices, nec enim inter tantam vim armorum existimarem esse orationi locum."

If I thought these opposed to Milo, I would cede to the circumstance, judges, nor among such force of arms would I see a place for words.

3.6 lan/bea

"reliqua vero multitudo, quae quidem est civium, tota nostra est, nec eorum quisquam quos undique intuentis, unde aliqua fori pars aspici potest, et huius exitum iudicii exspectantis videtis, non cum virtuti Milonis favet, tum de se, de liberis suis, de patria, de fortunis hodierno die decertari putat."

The remaining multitude of citizens that you see looking on from every place where the forum is visible, waiting for the outcome of this trial, favors the virtue of Milo to a man, but also thinks itself, its children, its fatherland, and its property to be contested.

4.1 bea

"nam si umquam de bonis et fortibus viris, si umquam de bene meritis civibus potestas vobis iudicandi fuit, si denique umquam locus amplissimorum ordinum delectis viris datus est ut sua studia erga fortis et bonos civis, quae voltu et verbis saepe significassent, re et sententiis declararent, hoc profecto tempore eam potestatem omnem vos habetis ut statuatis utrum nos qui semper vestrae auctoritati dediti fuimus semper miseri lugeamus an diu vexati a perditissimis civibus aliquando per vos ac per vestram fidem, virtutem sapientiamque recreemur."

For if ever about good men, or about faithful citizens, you have received power to rule, and finally if ever a place is given to selected men of the highest ranks so that their devotion to brave and good citizens, often signified by face and words, should be decided by act and vote; then surely at this time you have the entire power to decide whether we, always given over to your authority, shall mourn miserably, or, long abraded by certain despicable citizens, finally through you, your trust, and your wisdom, shall be reborn.

5.5 bea

"equidem ceteras tempestates et procellas in illis dumtaxat fluctibus contionum semper putavi Miloni esse subeundas, quia semper pro bonis contra improbos senserat, in iudicio vero et in eo consilio in quo ex coniunctis ordinibus amplissimi viri iudicarent numquam existimavi spem ullam esse habituros Milonis inimicos ad eius non modo salutem exstinguendam sed etiam gloriam per talis viros infringendam."

I anticipated that Milo, seeing as he had always steered in favor of good men against bad, must undergo all storms and commotions arising in the fluctuations of public meetings, but in a trial where the most distinguished men from all the orders would pass judgement, I never thought Milo's enemies would have any hope, not only to extinguish his light, but even to use such men to break his glory.

6.3 int/bea

"Nisi oculis videritis insidias Miloni a Clodio esse factas, nec deprecaturi sumus ut crimen hoc nobis propter multa praeclara in rem publicam merita condonetis, nec postulaturi ut, quia mors P. Clodi salus vestra fuerit, idcirco eam virtuti Milonis potius quam populi Romani felicitati adsignetis; sin illius insidiae clariores hac luce fuerint, tum denique obsecrabo obtestaborque vos, iudices, si cetera amisimus, hoc nobis saltem ut relinquatur, vitam ab inimicorum audacia telisque ut impune liceat defendere."

Unless you shall have seen before your very eyes malice made to Milo by Clodius, we will not beg you to condone this crime on account of Milo's much distinguished service to the republic, nor demand that, because the death of Clodius has helped you, for this reason you should assign it more to the virtue of Milo than to the good fortune of the Roman people; but if his crimes have been made clearer than the light of day, then finally we will beseech and implore you, judges, if we lose all else, to at least leave us this, that Milo be permitted to fearlessly defend his life from the effrontery and violence of his enemies.

7.6 lan

"Negant intueri lucem esse fas ei qui a se hominem occisum esse fateatur."

They deny it is the right of one who admits to killing to see the light of day.

9.1 int/lan/bea

"Quod si duodecim tabulae nocturnum furem quoquo modo, diurnum autem, si se telo defenderet, interfici impune voluerunt, quis est qui, quoquo modo quis interfectus sit, puniendum putet, cum videat aliquando gladium nobis ad hominem occidendum ab ipsis porrigi legibus?"

But if the Twelve Tables allow killing any thief at night, and even in the daytime if he uses a weapon, who would say that every person must be punished who kills another, whatever the circumstances, especially when we see sometimes the very sword for a man to be killed is conferred by the laws themselves?

10.1 int

"Insidiatori vero et latroni quae potest inferri iniusta nex? Quid comitatus nostri, quid gladii volunt? Quos habere certe non liceret, si uti illis nullo pacto liceret."

How can the death of a conspirator or brigand be unjustly inferred? What is the purpose of our bodyguards and swords? Swords would not be allowed here if it were never permitted to use them.

10.4 int/lan/bea

"Est igitur haec, iudices, non scripta, sed nata lex, quam non didicimus, accepimus, legimus, verum ex natura ipsa adripuimus, hausimus, expressimus, ad quam non docti sed facti, non instituti sed imbuti sumus, ut, si vita nostra in aliquas insidias, si in vim et in tela aut latronum aut inimicorum incidisset, omnis honesta ratio esset expediendae salutis; silent enim leges inter arma nec se exspectari iubent, cum ei qui exspectare velit ante iniusta poena luenda sit quam iusta repetenda..."

There is a law, judges, that is born, not written, and which we do not learn, receive, or read, but snatch, draw, and press from nature herself, and for which we are not taught but made, not instituted but imbued; namely, if our life shall fall into some snare, and if we face the violence and weapons of robbers or enemies, then every path is fair that preserves our safety; for laws are silent among weapons and do not expect themselves to be waited for, and those who would wait pay an unjust penalty before justice can pay her own.

12.1 int/lan

"Sequitur illud quod a Milonis inimicis saepissime dicitur, caedem in qua P. Clodius occisus esset senatum iudicasse contra rem publicam esse factam."

So often the enemies of Milo have pointed out that the slaughter in which Publius Clodius was killed was judged by the senate to have been contrary to the interests of the republic.

13.12 int

"Quia nulla vis umquam est in libera civitate suscepta inter civis non contra rem publicam."

No violence between citizens of a free state is ever undertaken that is not against the interests of the state.

Part 2

22.3 int/lan

"Tulit ut consularem necesse esset: credo, quod principum munus esse ducebat resistere et levitati multitudinis et perditorum temeritati; ex consularibus te creavit potissimum: dederas enim quam contemneres popularis insanias iam ab adulescentia documenta maxima."

He held it would have to be a consular: probably because he considered it the work of our leaders to resist the levity of the multitude and the temerity of the lost; of these consulars he brought you [Lucius Domitius] forth: for you had shown, on record, from your youth, how much you despised the popular fantasies.

23.1 lan

"Quam ob rem, iudices, ut aliquando ad causam crimenque veniamus,—si neque omnis confessio facti est inusitata, neque de causa nostra quicquam aliter ac nos vellemus a senatu iudicatum est, et lator ipse legis, cum esset controversia nulla facti, iuris tamen disceptationem esse voluit, et ei lecti iudices isque praepositus est quaestioni, qui haec iuste sapienterque disceptet,—reliquum est, iudices, ut nihil iam quaerere aliud debeatis, nisi uter utri insidias fecerit."

For this reason, judges, let me come to the case and the charge: if neither all confession of such a deed is unusual, nor has the Senate adjudicated anything in our case other than we wished, and if the very carrier of the law, though there be no controversy about the deed, wished the right to be deliberated, and if the learned jurors were selected and the president appointed to an investigation to examine these issues rightly and wisely, it only remains, judges, that you must ask yourselves which of the two conspired against the other.

26.1 lan

"Servos agrestis et barbaros, quibus silvas publicas depopulatus erat Etruriamque vexarat, ex Apennino deduxerat, quos videbatis."

You saw the rustic slaves and barbarians he had led down from the Apennines, which he had used to ravage the public forests and harass Etruria.

29.1 int/bea

"Fit obviam Clodio ante fundum eius hora fere undecima, aut non multo secus: statim complures cum telis in hunc faciunt de loco superiore impetum: adversi raedarium occidunt; cum autem hic de raeda reiecta paenula desiluisset, seque acri animo defenderet, illi qui erant cum Clodio, gladiis eductis, partim recurrere ad raedam, ut a tergo Milonem adorirentur; partim, quod hunc iam interfectum putarent, caedere incipiunt eius servos, qui post erant: ex quibus qui animo fideli in dominum et praesenti fuerunt, partim occisi sunt, partim, cum ad raedam pugnari viderent, domino succurrere prohiberentur, Milonem occisum et ex ipso Clodio audirent et re vera putarent, fecerunt id servi Milonis—dicam enim aperte, non derivandi criminis causa, sed ut factum est—nec imperante nec sciente nec praesente domino, quod suos quisque servos in tali re facere voluisset."

He meets Clodius before his farm in the eleventh hour, or not much off it: at once many with missiles attack him from higher ground: standing in the way of the coach they kill the driver; but when Milo jumped down and threw off his cloak, and began to defend himself with vigor, Clodius's band, swords drawn, in part ran back to the coach to assail Milo from the rear, and in part, because they thought he was already killed, began to slaughter the slaves, which were behind; of those slaves with faithful and present mind, part were killed, part, as they saw fighting by the carriage, unable to help their master and hearing and believing from Clodius himself that he was already dead, did- I speak openly, not to make a case, but as it happened- without orders or knowledge or presence of their master, what anyone would wish his slaves to do in such circumstances. [The implication here is that the slaves finished off Clodius, not that they fled.]

30.1 bea

"Haec, sicuti exposui, ita gesta sunt, iudices: insidiator superatus est, vi victa vis, vel potius oppressa virtute audacia est."

These, as I described, judges, are the facts; the villain was overcome, violence was defeated by violence, or rather daring was overcome by bravery.

30.7 bea

"Si id iure fieri non potuit, nihil habeo quod defendam; sin hoc et ratio doctis, et necessitas barbaris, et mos gentibus, et feris etiam beluis natura ipsa praescripsit,—ut omnem semper vim, quacumque ope possent, a corpore, a capite, a vita sua propulsarent,—non potestis hoc facinus improbum iudicare, quin simul iudicetis omnibus, qui in latrones inciderint, aut illorum telis aut vestris sententiis esse pereundum."

If it could not have happened legally, I have nothing I can defend; but- if it is instilled into doctors by reason, by necessity into barbarians, by custom into mankind, and even by nature herself into savage beasts, that we should always repel all violence, in every possible way, from body, head, and life- then you are unable to call this crime wrong, unless at the same time you say that all who meet with brigands are to perish, either by their weapons or your votes.

31.11 int

"Ita et senatus rem non hominem notavit, et Pompeius de iure non de facto quaestionem tulit."

Thus the Senate censured the deed and not the man, and Pompeius carried a process to determine the right and not the fact.

32.5 bea

"Itaque illud Cassianum 'cui bono fuerit' in his personis valeat; etsi boni nullo emolumento impelluntur in fraudem, improbi saepe parvo."

Let Cassius's test 'cui bono fuerit?' be applied to these characters; though no reward can compel a good man to fraud, bad men are often moved by a little.

33.1 lan

"An vero, iudices, vos soli ignoratis, vos hospites in hac urbe versamini, vestrae peregrinantur aures, neque in hoc pervagato civitatis sermone versantur, quas ille leges—si leges nominandae sunt ac non faces urbis, pestes rei publicae—fuerit impositurus nobis omnibus atque inusturus?"

Indeed, judges, are you strangers in this city, do your ears wander abroad, unaware of pervasive rumors, and are you alone ignorant of the laws (if that is what we should call these torches of the city and plagues of the state) that he intended to screw into us all?

33.15 bea

"Tu me tibi iratum, Sexte, putas, cuius inimicissimum multo crudelius etiam poenitus es, quam erat humanitatis meae postulare? Tu P. Clodi cruentum cadaver eiecisti domo; tu in publicum abiecisti; tu spoliatum imaginibus, exsequiis, pompa, laudatione, infelicissimis lignis semiustilatum, nocturnis canibus dilaniandum reliquisti. Qua re, etsi nefarie fecisti, tamen quoniam in meo inimico crudelitatem exprompsisti tuam, laudare non possum, irasci certe non debeo."

You think I am angry with you, Sextus, whose greatest enemy you punished much more cruelly than my own humanity could demand? You cast the bloody corpse of Clodius outside; you threw it into the highway; there, deprived of idols, of funeral, of procession, of praise, with poor fuel you partly burnt it, and left it to be mutilated by the dogs of the night. On account of which, since you applied your cruelty to my enemy, even though it was a shameful act which I cannot condone, certainly I should not be angry!

35.13 lan

"Quantum odium illius, et in homine iniusto quam etiam iustum fuisse?"

How great was his hatred, and, from the perspective of an unjust man, even how just?

Part 3

36.1 lan

"Reliquum est ut iam illum natura ipsius consuetudoque defendat, hunc autem haec eadem coarguat: nihil per vim umquam Clodius, omnia per vim Milo."

The argument remains that it is his very nature and lifestyle that defends Clodius, wile Milo's own nature hurts his case; for we are told that Clodius did nothing through force, Milo everything.

36.6 int/bea

"Quae fuisset igitur iusta causa restituendi mei, nisi fuisset iniusta eiciendi?"

What right cause for my return could there have been, if not that the exile itself was wrong?

36.7 lan

"Diem mihi, credo, dixerat, multam inrogarat, actionem perduellionis intenderat; et mihi videlicet in causa aut mala aut mea, non et praeclarissima et vestra, iudicium timendum fuit: servorum et egentium civium et facinorosorum armis meos civis, meis consiliis periculisque servatos, pro me obici nolui."

No doubt he had served me with a day to appear, demanded a fine, directed a motion of treason; and as if in a bad case or my own, not pristine and yours, the verdict was to be feared, for I wished my citizens, saved by my plans and perils, not to be vexed on my account by the weapons of slaves and of poor and dishonorable citizens.

38.1 lan

"Quid simile Milonis? Cuius vis omnis haec semper fuit, ne P. Clodius, cum in iudicium detrahi non posset, vi oppressam civitatem teneret; quem si interficere voluisset, quantae quotiens occasiones, quam praeclarae fuerunt!"

What then of Milo? His effect was always to prevent Publius Clodius, unable to be carried into court, from holding the state by force; if Milo had wished to kill him, there were many great and worthy opportunities!

40.6 int/lan

"Nuper vero cum M. Antonius summam spem salutis bonis omnibus attulisset, gravissimamque adulescens nobilissimus rei publicae partem fortissime suscepisset, atque illam beluam, iudici laqueos declinantem, iam inretitam teneret, qui locus, quod tempus illud, di immortales, fuit!"

Lately when the most noble youth M. Antonius had brought the hope of safety to all good men, and had bravely undertaken a very grave role in the republic, and now held that beast [Clodius] in his trap, struggling against the snares of justice, what a time and place [to kill him], ye gods, was that!

42.9 int

"Nihil est enim tam molle, tam tenerum, tam aut fragile aut flexibile, quam voluntas erga nos sensusque civium, qui non modo improbitati irascuntur candidatorum, sed etiam in recte factis saepe fastidiunt."

Nothing is so soft, so gentle, so now fragile, now flexible, as the will and public opinion of citizens, who not only grow angry about the misconduct of candidates, but are often hard to please even about things done rightly.

43.7 int/bea

"Quid? Quod caput est audaciae, iudices, quis ignorat maximam inlecebram esse peccandi impunitatis spem? In utro igitur haec fuit? In Milone, qui etiam nunc reus est facti aut praeclari aut certe necessarii, an in Clodio, qui ita iudicia poenamque contempserat, ut eum nihil delectaret quod aut per naturam fas esset, aut per leges liceret."

This is the height of audacity, for who does not realize that the greatest attraction to wrongdoing is an anticipation of impunity? In which of these two was this anticipation found? In Milo, who even now is on trial for a deed either worthy or at least necessary, or in Clodius, who thus had despised judgments and penalties that nothing either naturally right nor permitted though the laws could please him any longer.

49.7 lan/bea

"Atque ut illi nocturnus ad urbem adventus vitandus potius quam expetendus fuit, sic Miloni, cum insidiator esset, si illum ad urbem nocte accessurum sciebat, subsidendum atque exspectandum fuit: noctu occidisset; insidioso et pleno latronum in loco occidisset; nemo ei neganti non credidisset, quem esse omnes salvum etiam confitentem volunt."

As arriving in the city at night was to be avoided rather than sought out, thus Milo, that supposed conspirator, if he knew Clodius would approach by night, ought to have hidden and waited for him; he would have killed Clodius at night in a place insidious and full of brigands; no one would have mistrusted the denials of Milo, for all wished him, even admitting to everything, to be acquitted.

53.11 int

"Res loquitur ipsa, iudices, quae semper valet plurimum."

The facts speaks for themselves, judges, which indeed are always very powerful.

55.11 int/bea

"Cur igitur victus est? Quia non semper viator a latrone, non numquam etiam latro a viatore occiditur: quia, quamquam paratus in imparatos Clodius, tamen mulier inciderat in viros."

Then why was he defeated? Because the traveller is not always killed by the pirate, but sometimes the pirate is killed by the traveller; and because, although Clodius was ready for the unready, he was but a woman among men.

56.3 lan

"Semper ille et quantum interesset P. Clodii se perire, et quanto illi odio esset, et quantum ille auderet cogitabat; quam ob rem vitam suam, quam maximis praemiis propositam et paene addictam sciebat, numquam in periculum sine praesidio et sine custodia proiciebat."

Always he was deliberating how much interest there was to Clodius that he should perish, and how much Clodius hated him, and how much Clodius would dare to do. Therefore, knowing the greatest rewards were offered and had nearly overtaken his life, he never showed himself carelessly or without protection.

57.6 int

"Quid opus est tortore? quid quaeris? Occideritne? occidit. Iure an iniuria? nihil ad tortorem: facti enim in eculeo quaestio est, iuris in iudicio."

What use is the torturer? What do you expect him to ask? Whether Clodius was killed by Milo? He was. Rightly or wrongly? But that has nothing to do with the torturer. By torture the fact is extracted, the right is worked out in court.

58.7 lan

"Etsi id quidem non tanti est, quam quod propter eosdem non sanguine et volneribus suis crudelissimi inimici mentem oculosque satiavit: quos nisi manu misisset, tormentis etiam dedendi fuerunt conservatores domini, ultores sceleris, defensores necis. Hic vero nihil habet in his malis quod minus moleste ferat, quam, etiam si quid ipsi accidat, esse tamen illis meritum praemium persolutum."

Even this is not so great as the fact that, on account of the same slaves, it was not by his own blood and wounds that he had sated the mind and eyes of his cruelest enemy; unless he had released them from labor, these slaves, preservers of their master, avengers of evil, defenders of death, would have been surrendered to torture. Indeed, he had nothing in his legacy he hated less than that, even if something happened to him, at least a well-deserved reward had been dispensed to his slaves.

Part 4

61.8 bea

"Neque vero se populo solum, sed etiam senatui commisit; neque senatui modo, sed etiam publicis praesidiis et armis; neque his tantum, verum etiam eius potestati, cui senatus totam rem publicam, omnem Italiae pubem, cuncta populi Romani arma commiserat: cui numquam se hic profecto tradidisset, nisi causae suae confideret, praesertim omnia audienti, magna metuenti, multa suspicanti, non nulla credenti."

Not to the people only, but even to the Senate he had committed himself; nor only to the Senate, but even to public protection and armies; nor even only to these, but to the singular power of Pompeius, to whom the Senate had committed the whole state, all young men of Italy, and the entire military of the Roman people; to him Milo certainly never would have handed himself over unless he had been confident in his cause, especially to one hearing all, fearing much, suspecting many, believing some.

61.16 int

"Magna vis est conscientiae, iudices, et magna in utramque partem, ut neque timeant qui nihil commiserint, et poenam semper ante oculos versari putent qui peccarint."

Great is the force of conscience, judges, and so in both ways; for the innocent are fearless, while the guilty always think retribution hides before their eyes.

65.11 lan

"Non poteram in illius mei patriaeque custodis tanta suspicione non metu exanimari."

I could not but be shaken by such a great suspicion against the defender of myself and my fatherland.

66.7 bea

"Non poteram Cn. Pompeium, praestantissima virtute virum, timidum suspicari: diligentiam, tota re publica suscepta, nimiam nullam putabam."

I could not doubt the bravery of Gnaeus Pompeius, a man of singular courage; but, with the entire republic in his hands, I thought I could not be too careful.

66.10 bea

"Frequentissimo senatu nuper in Capitolio senator inventus est qui Milonem cum telo esse diceret: nudavit se in sanctissimo templo, quoniam vita talis et civis et viri fidem non faciebat, ut eo tacente res ipsa loqueretur."

Recently in a crowded Senate on the Capital a senator was found who said Milo carried a weapon: so he undressed himself in the most sacred temple, and, because the life of such a citizen and man was not enough for him to be trusted, in silence the truth spoke for itself.

68.3 bea

"Quod si locus Miloni datus esset, probasset profecto tibi ipsi neminem umquam hominem homini cariorem fuisse quam te sibi."

But surely, given the opportunity, Milo would have proven to your own satisfaction that no man had ever been more dear to another than you to himself.

69.1 bea

"Vide quam sit varia vitae commutabilisque ratio, quam vaga volubilisque fortuna, quantae infidelitates in amicis, quam ad tempus aptae simulationes, quantae in periculis fugae proximorum, quantae timiditates: erit, erit illud profecto tempus, et inlucescet aliquando ille dies, cum tu—salutaribus, ut spero, rebus tuis, sed fortasse motu aliquo communium temporum, qui quam crebro accidat experti scire debemus—et amicissimi benevolentiam et gravissimi hominis fidem et unius post homines natos fortissimi viri magnitudinem animi desideres."

See the varied and shifting path of life; see how wide and revolving is fortune; see how many betrayals there are in friendships; see how often lies are carried down in their moment; see how many companions flee in danger; see how many hesitate: the day will dawn when ye should yearn, in wellness, I hope, but perhaps by some motion of the common times (and we ought to have learned how frequently this happens), for the affection of a great friend, the loyalty of a true man, and the potency of one man's spirit before before all others.

70.1 int

"Quamquam quis hoc credat, Cn. Pompeium, iuris publici, moris maiorum, rei denique publicae peritissimum, cum senatus ei commiserit ut videret 'Ne quid res publica detrimenti caperet' (quo uno versiculo satis armati semper consules fuerunt, etiam nullis armis datis), hunc exercitu, hunc dilectu dato, iudicium exspectaturum fuisse in eius consiliis vindicandis, qui vi iudicia ipsa tolleret?"

But who would believe that Gnaeus Pompeius, skilled in constitutional law, precedence, and politics, when the Senate had charged him to 'see that the republic take no wear' (by which clause the consuls were always sufficiently armed, even without giving them weapons), with an army given to him and authority to levy, would have waited for a trial to exact vengeance on who would overturn the very ruling by force if he could?

70.8 lan

"Satis iudicatum est a Pompeio, satis, falso ista conferri in Milonem, qui legem tulit, qua, ut ego sentio, Milonem absolvi a vobis oporteret, ut omnes confitentur, liceret."

It is sufficiently prosecuted by Pompeius, sufficiently proven that those are lies conferred on Milo, since he has proposed a law by which, I think, Milo should be absolved by you, and by which you are clearly permitted to do so.

71.1 int

"Quod vero in illo loco atque illis publicorum praesidiorum copiis circumfusus sedet, satis declarat se non terrorem inferre vobis—quid enim minus illo dignum quam cogere ut vos eum condemnetis, in quem animadvertere ipse et more maiorum et suo iure posset? sed praesidio esse, ut intellegatis contra hesternam illam contionem licere vobis quod sentiatis libere iudicare."

That he sits there surrounded by state bodyguards is enough to prove that he does not wish to offend you- for what is more humble than to urge you to condemn a man whom he could have handled himself, either by precedent or his own inherent prerogative?- but it is for your own protection, in order to demonstrate that all of you have the right to speak your mind freely, unlike at yesterday's public meeting.

78.14 bea

"Non timeo, iudices, ne odio inimicitiarum mearum inflammatus libentius haec in illum evomere videar quam verius."

I fear not, judges, lest I, incensed by hatred of my enemies, should seem more freely than truly to spew these attacks.

79.2 int/lan

"Fingite animis—liberae sunt enim nostrae cogitationes, et quae volunt sic intuentur ut ea cernimus quae videmus- fingite igitur cogitatione imaginem huius condicionis meae, si possim efficere ut Milonem absolvatis, sed ita, si P. Clodius revixerit."

Picture in you minds- for, just as we hold in mind what we see with our eyes, our thoughts are free and study what they wish- the following modification to my stipulation: suppose I should be able to persuade you to acquit Milo, but only if Clodius lived again?

83.1 lan

"Quam ob rem uteretur eadem confessione T. Annius qua Ahala, qua Nasica, qua Opimius, qua Marius, qua nosmet ipsi; et, si grata res publica esset, laetaretur: si ingrata, tamen in gravi fortuna conscientia sua niteretur."

Thus Annius could use the same confession as Ahala, Nascia, Opimius, Marius, even myself used; if the state were grateful, he would be lucky; if ungrateful, however cursed was his fate, he could always rest on his own conscience, whether it supported him or not.

84.1 lan/bea

"Est, est profecto illa vis: neque in his corporibus atque in hac imbecillitate nostra inest quiddam quod vigeat et sentiat, et non inest in hoc tanto naturae tam praeclaro motu; nisi forte idcirco non putant, quia non apparet nec cernitur: proinde quasi nostram ipsam mentem qua sapimus, qua providemus, qua haec ipsa agimus ac dicimus, videre aut plane qualis aut ubi sit sentire possimus."

There is indeed that divine power; but there is not in our frail bodies a thing which drives and perceives but in which there is not found the great and clear working of nature; unless perhaps it is doubted for the reason that it is invisible to the eyes- as if we could see our own mind (by which we know, foresee, do, and say these very things) and say how it works and where it is.

90.7 int

"Templum sanctitatis, amplitudinis, mentis, consili publici, caput urbis, aram sociorum, portum omnium gentium, sedem ab universo populo concessam uni ordini, inflammari, exscindi, funestari? neque id fieri a multitudine imperita—quamquam esset miserum id ipsum—sed ab uno?"

The temple of sanctity, dignity, intellect, policy, head of the city, sanctuary of the allies, port of all peoples, the seat given to our rank by all, in flames, destroyed, defiled? And this not perpetrated by an ignorant mob- which would be disgraceful enough- but by one man?

90.14 lan

"In curiam potissimum abiecit, ut eam mortuus incenderet, quam vivus everterat."

Finally he threw the body into the Senate-house, so that in death he should burn what in life he had subverted.

Part 5

95.1 lan

"Nec vero haec, iudices, ut ego nunc, flens, sed hoc eodem loquitur voltu quo videtis. Negat enim, negat ingratis civibus fecisse se quae fecerit; timidis et omnia circumspicientibus pericula non negat."

He does not weep like me, but speaks with the same face you see. For he earnestly denies he did it for un-appreciating citizens; for afraid and paranoid, he does not deny.

96.1 lan

"Meminit etiam sibi vocem praeconis modo defuisse, quam minime desiderarit; populi vero cunctis suffragiis, quod unum cupierit, se consulem declaratum: nunc denique, si haec contra se sint futura, sibi facinoris suspicionem, non facti crimen obstare."

He even remembers lacking only the voice of the election crier, which he desired not; the common suffrage of the people, his only desire, declared him consul. He also remembers that, if this trial is going to go against him, it will be a suspicion of malice, not the charge of a crime that subverts him.

100.10 bea

"Quid habeo quod faciam pro tuis in me meritis, nisi ut eam fortunam, quaecumque erit tua, ducam meam? Non recuso, non abnuo; vosque obsecro, iudices, ut vestra beneficia, quae in me contulistis, aut in huius salute augeatis, aut in eiusdem exitio occasura esse videatis."

What do I have that I could do to repay you other than to count your own fortune, whatever it is, as my own? I do not apologize, not object; I beseech you, judges, as to the service you have conferred upon me, either let it bloom in Milo's acquittal, or in his conviction see it wilt away.

105.2 bea

"Sed finis sit: neque enim prae lacrimis iam loqui possum, et hic se lacrimis defendi vetat."

But let it be the end; for I cannot speak before tears, and by emotion Milo refuses to be defended.

105.6 int

"Vestram virtutem, iustitiam, fidem, mihi credite, is maxime probabit, qui in iudicibus legendis optimum et sapientissimum et fortissimum quemque elegit."

Of your virtue, your justice, and your good faith, trust me, he, who in selecting a jury picked the best, the wisest, and the most brave, will absolutely approve.

The speech was never delivered, and, for this reason (or so we hear), Milo was exiled.