Sallust, Bellum Cataline, Chapter 18
Michael Augur Kilgore /
- Created on 2021-09-28 21:47:10
- Aligned by Michael Augur Kilgore
Latin source is Perseus text
Latin
English
Sed antea item coniuravere pauci contra rem publicam , in quibus Catilina fuit . [ 2 ] de qua quam verissume potero dicam . L . Tullo et M ' . Lepido consulibus P . Autronius et P . Sulla designati consules legibus ambitus interrogati poenas dederant . [ 3 ] post paulo Catilina pecuniarum repetundarum reus prohibitus erat consulatum petere , quod intra legitumos dies profiteri nequiverat . [ 4 ] erat eodem tempore Cn . Piso , adulescens nobilis , summae audaciae , egens , factiosus , quem ad perturbandam rem publicam inopia atque mali mores stimulabant . [ 5 ] cum hoc Catilina et Autronius circiter Nonas Decembris consilio communicato parabant in Capitolio Kalendis Ianuariis L . Cottam et L . Torquatum consules interficere , ipsi fascibus correptis Pisonem cum exercitu ad optinendas duas Hispanias mittere . [ 6 ] ea re cognita rursus in Nonas Februarias consilium caedis transtulerant . [ 7 ] iam tum non consulibus modo , sed plerisque senatoribus perniciem machinabantur . [ 8 ] quod ni Catilina maturasset pro curia signum sociis dare , eo die post conditam urbem Romam pessumum facinus patratum foret . quia nondum frequentes armati convenerant , ea res consilium diremit .
18
.
But
before
,
a
few
men
likewise
conspired
against
the
republic
,
among
which
men
was
Cataline
.
(
2
)
I
shall
speak
about
such
conspiracy
as
truthfully
as
I
shall
be
able
.
With
Lucius
Tullus
and
Manius
Lepidus
as
consuls
,
the
consuls-elect
Publius
Autronius
and
Publius
Sulla
,
prosecuted
under
the
laws
of
canvassing
,
had
received
punishments
.
(
3
)
A
little
later
,
Cataline
,
threatened
with
charges
of
extorting
provincial
monies
,
had
been
prohibited
to
seek
the
consulship
,
because
he
had
not
been
able
to
declare
as
a
candidate
within
the
lawful
period
of
days
.
(
4
)
There
was
,
at
the
same
time
,
a
young
adult
of
noble
rank
,
Gnaius
Piso
,
of
the
greatest
recklessness
,
impoverished
,
aggressive
,
whom
poverty
and
bad
morals
were
inciting
for
the
purpose
of
overthrowing
the
republic
.
(
5
)
Around
the
Nones
of
December
,
Cataline
and
Autronius
,
having
shared
the
conspiracy
with
Piso
,
were
preparing
to
assassinate
the
consuls
Lucius
Cotta
and
Lucius
Torquatus
on
the
Capitoline
Hill
on
the
Kalends
of
January
;
after
the
fasces
had
been
seized
for
themselves
,
to
send
Piso
with
an
army
for
the
purpose
of
occupying
the
two
Spanish
provinces
.
(
6
)
Since
something
evil
had
been
sensed
by
the
republic
,
Cataline
and
Autronius
had
transferred
the
conspiracy
of
death
backwards
to
the
Nones
of
February
.
(
7
)
Then
,
on
that
occasion
,
Cataline
and
Autronius
were
plotting
the
assassination
not
only
of
the
consuls
,
but
also
of
many
senators
.
(
8
)
But
if
Cataline
had
not
hurried
to
convey
the
sign
to
his
associates
in
front
of
the
senatorial
meeting
house
,
then
on
that
day
the
worst
crime
after
the
Roman
city
was
founded
would
have
been
accomplished
.
Because
sufficient
armed
men
had
not
yet
assembled
,
that
circumstance
frustrated
the
conspiracy
.
Sallust Bellum Cataline, Section 19
Michael Augur Kilgore /
- Created on 2021-09-28 22:27:10
- Aligned by Michael Augur Kilgore
Sallust Bellum Cataline; Section 19; Perseus Latin to Penguin Woodman translation
Latin
English
postea Piso in citeriorem Hispaniam quaestor pro praetore missus est adnitente Crasso , quod eum infestum inimicum Cn . Pompeio cognoverat . neque tamen senatus provinciam invitus dederat , [ 2 ] quippe foedum hominem a re publica procul esse volebat , simul quia boni complures praesidium in eo putabant et iam tum potentia Pompei formidulosa erat . [ 3 ] sed is Piso in provincia ab equitibus Hispanis , quos in exercitu ductabat , iter faciens occisus est . [ 4 ] sunt qui ita dicant imperia eius iniusta superba crudelia barbaros nequivisse pati ; alii autem , [ 5 ] equites illos , Cn . Pompei veteres fidosque clientis , voluntate eius Pisonem aggressos : numquam Hispanos praeterea tale facinus fecisse , sed imperia saeva multa antea perpessos . nos eam rem in medio relinquemus . [ 6 ] de superiore coniuratione satis dictum .
Afterwards
Piso
was
sent
to
Nearer
Spain
as
quaestor
with
praetorian
power
thanks
to
the
efforts
of
Crassus
,
because
he
knew
that
he
was
a
fierce
antagonist
of
Cn
.
Pompeius
.
And
yet
the
senate
had
not
been
unwilling
to
give
him
the
province
,
since
it
wanted
a
foul
individual
to
be
far
away
from
political
life
,
as
well
as
because
numerous
good
men
saw
in
him
a
bulwark
,
and
at
that
time
Pompeius’
power
was
already
a
source
of
fear
.
But
he
was
the
Piso
who
,
during
a
journey
in
the
province
,
was
killed
by
Spanish
cavalry
whom
he
was
leading
as
part
of
his
army
.
There
are
those
who
say
that
the
barbarians
were
unable
to
tolerate
his
unjust
,
haughty
and
cruel
commands
;
but
others
that
the
cavalry
,
as
long-standing
and
loyal
clients
of
Cn
.
Pompeius
,
attacked
Piso
with
his
blessing
:
the
Spanish
had
never
done
such
a
deed
apart
from
that
,
they
say
,
even
though
they
had
previously
endured
many
savage
commands
.
We
shall
leave
the
matter
undecided
between
the
two
;
and
about
the
earlier
conspiracy
enough
has
been
said
.
Sallust Bellum Cataline, Section 20
Michael Augur Kilgore /
- Created on 2021-10-04 07:19:26
- Translated by Michael Kilgore
- Aligned by Michael Augur Kilgore
Woodman translation, lines 62-74
alignment of text for non-Latinists
Latin
English
Perseus Latin, Sallust Bellum Cataline, Chapter 20
Woodman translation, lines 62-74
20 . Catilina ubi eos , quos paulo ante memoravi , convenisse videt , tametsi , cum singulis multa saepe egerat , tamen in rem fore credens univorsos appellare et cohortari , in abditam partem aedium secedit atque ibi omnibus arbitris procul amotis orationem huiusce modi habuit :
[ 2 ] ' Ni virtus fidesque vostra spectata mihi forent , nequiquam opportuna res cecidisset ; spes magna , dominatio in manibus frustra fuissent , neque ego per ignaviam aut vana ingenia incerta pro certis captarem . [ 3 ] sed quia multis et magnis tempestatibus vos cognovi fortis fidosque mihi , eo animus ausus est maxumum atque pulcherrumum facinus incipere , simul quia vobis eadem quae mihi bona malaque esse intellexi ; nam idem velle atque idem nolle , [ 4 ] ea demum firma amicitia est .
[ 5 ] Sed ego quae mente agitavi , omnes iam antea divorsi audistis . [ 6 ] ceterum mihi in dies magis animus accenditur , quom considero , quae condicio vitae futura sit , nisi nosmet ipsi vindicamus in libertatem . [ 7 ] nam postquam res publica in paucorum potentium ius atque dicionem concessit , semper illis reges tetrarchae vectigales esse , populi nationes stipendia pendere ; ceteri omnes , strenui boni , nobiles atque ignobiles , volgus fuimus sine gratia , sine auctoritate , iis obnoxii , quibus , si res publica valeret , formidini essemus . [ 8 ] itaque omnis gratia potentia honos divitiae apud illos sunt aut ubi illi volunt ; nobis reliquere pericula repulsas iudicia egestatem . [ 9 ] quae quo usque tandem patiemini , o fortissumi viri ? nonne emori per virtutem praestat quam vitam miseram atque inhonestam , ubi alienae superbiae ludibrio fueris , [ 10 ] per dedecus amittere ? verum enim vero , pro deum atque hominum fidem , victoria in manu nobis est , viget aetas , animus valet ; contra illis annis atque divitiis omnia consenuerunt . tantummodo incepto opus est , cetera res expediet . [ 11 ] etenim quis mortalium , quoi virile ingenium est , tolerare potest illis divitias superare , quas profundant in extruendo mari et montibus coaequandis , nobis rem familiarem etiam ad necessaria deesse ? illos binas aut amplius domos continuare , nobis larem familiarem nusquam ullum esse ? [ 12 ] quom tabulas signa toreumata emunt , nova diruunt , alia aedificant , postremo omnibus modis pecuniam trahunt vexant , tamen summa lubidine divitias suas vincere nequeunt . [ 13 ] at nobis est domi inopia , foris aes alienum , mala res , spes multo asperior : denique quid reliqui habemus praeter miseram animam ?
[ 14 ] Quin igitur expergiscimini ? en illa , illa quam saepe optastis libertas , praeterea divitiae decus gloria in oculis sita sunt ; fortuna omnia ea victoribus praemia posuit . [ 15 ] res tempus pericula egestas belli spolia magnifica magis quam oratio mea vos hortantur . [ 16 ] vel imperatore vel milite me utimini : neque animus neque corpus a vobis aberit . [ 17 ] haec ipsa , ut spero , vobiscum una consul agam , nisi forte me animus fallit et vos servire magis quam imperare parati estis . '
[ 2 ] ' Ni virtus fidesque vostra spectata mihi forent , nequiquam opportuna res cecidisset ; spes magna , dominatio in manibus frustra fuissent , neque ego per ignaviam aut vana ingenia incerta pro certis captarem . [ 3 ] sed quia multis et magnis tempestatibus vos cognovi fortis fidosque mihi , eo animus ausus est maxumum atque pulcherrumum facinus incipere , simul quia vobis eadem quae mihi bona malaque esse intellexi ; nam idem velle atque idem nolle , [ 4 ] ea demum firma amicitia est .
[ 5 ] Sed ego quae mente agitavi , omnes iam antea divorsi audistis . [ 6 ] ceterum mihi in dies magis animus accenditur , quom considero , quae condicio vitae futura sit , nisi nosmet ipsi vindicamus in libertatem . [ 7 ] nam postquam res publica in paucorum potentium ius atque dicionem concessit , semper illis reges tetrarchae vectigales esse , populi nationes stipendia pendere ; ceteri omnes , strenui boni , nobiles atque ignobiles , volgus fuimus sine gratia , sine auctoritate , iis obnoxii , quibus , si res publica valeret , formidini essemus . [ 8 ] itaque omnis gratia potentia honos divitiae apud illos sunt aut ubi illi volunt ; nobis reliquere pericula repulsas iudicia egestatem . [ 9 ] quae quo usque tandem patiemini , o fortissumi viri ? nonne emori per virtutem praestat quam vitam miseram atque inhonestam , ubi alienae superbiae ludibrio fueris , [ 10 ] per dedecus amittere ? verum enim vero , pro deum atque hominum fidem , victoria in manu nobis est , viget aetas , animus valet ; contra illis annis atque divitiis omnia consenuerunt . tantummodo incepto opus est , cetera res expediet . [ 11 ] etenim quis mortalium , quoi virile ingenium est , tolerare potest illis divitias superare , quas profundant in extruendo mari et montibus coaequandis , nobis rem familiarem etiam ad necessaria deesse ? illos binas aut amplius domos continuare , nobis larem familiarem nusquam ullum esse ? [ 12 ] quom tabulas signa toreumata emunt , nova diruunt , alia aedificant , postremo omnibus modis pecuniam trahunt vexant , tamen summa lubidine divitias suas vincere nequeunt . [ 13 ] at nobis est domi inopia , foris aes alienum , mala res , spes multo asperior : denique quid reliqui habemus praeter miseram animam ?
[ 14 ] Quin igitur expergiscimini ? en illa , illa quam saepe optastis libertas , praeterea divitiae decus gloria in oculis sita sunt ; fortuna omnia ea victoribus praemia posuit . [ 15 ] res tempus pericula egestas belli spolia magnifica magis quam oratio mea vos hortantur . [ 16 ] vel imperatore vel milite me utimini : neque animus neque corpus a vobis aberit . [ 17 ] haec ipsa , ut spero , vobiscum una consul agam , nisi forte me animus fallit et vos servire magis quam imperare parati estis . '
When
he
saw
that
those
whom
I
recalled
a
little
before
had
assembled
,
Catiline
,
despite
the
frequent
and
detailed
discussions
which
he
had
had
with
individuals
,
nevertheless
believed
it
would
be
pertinent
to
call
upon
them
collectively
and
encourage
them
,
so
he
withdrew
to
a
secluded
part
of
the
house
and
there
,
with
all
witnesses
moved
well
away
,
he
made
a
speech
of
this
type
:
‘If your prowess and loyalty had not been demonstrated to my satisfaction , this favourable circumstance would have fallen to us in vain , and the high hopes and dominion in our grasp would have been to no purpose — and I am not a man who would clutch at uncertainties instead of certainties , aided by cowards of unreliable disposition . But , because I have come to know , through many great turmoils , that you are courageous and loyal to me , that is the reason why my spirit has dared to embark on the greatest and finest of deeds , and also because I have come to understand that your perception of goodness and wickedness is the same as mine : wanting and not wanting the same things — that , ultimately , is firm friendship .
‘You have already heard before , separately , what I have pondered in my mind . Yet my spirit is kindled more and more each day when I reflect what the conditions of life will be if we do not assert our freedom ourselves . For , ever since the commonwealth passed to the jurisdiction of a powerful few , it has always been to them that the dues of kings and tetrarchs go , that the taxes of peoples and nations are paid ; the rest of us — all the committed and good , noble and ignoble — have been simply " the masses " , denied favour , denied influence , beholden to those to whom , if the commonwealth thrived , we would be a source of fear . Hence all favour , power , honour and riches rest with them or are where they want them ; to us they have left the dangers , rejections , lawsuits and destitution .
‘For how long , then , will you endure these things , most courageous of men ? Is it not better to die with prowess than to lose in disgrace a life which is pitiable and dishonourable , once you have become a plaything of the haughtiness of others ? That is surely true , but , by the faith of gods and men , victory is in our hands ! We have the vigour of youth , hearts of valour . Everything of theirs , by contrast , has been enfeebled by the years and by riches . Only a start is needed ; circumstances will make light of the rest . What mortal of manly disposition can tolerate the fact that they abound in riches which they can pour into building on the sea and levelling mountains , while we lack the private assets even for necessities ? That they each link two or more houses together , while our household gods are nowhere to be found ? They buy their pictures , statues and reliefs ; they destroy new structures and put up others ; in fact , they plunder and ravage their money by every means at their disposal , yet , despite the extreme nature of their whims and lusts , they are unable to achieve victory over their riches . But for us it is want at home and debt abroad , a distressing situation and the prospect of much worse ; what , in the end , have we left , except the pitiful breath that we breathe ?
‘Why not , therefore , rouse yourselves ? Here , stretching before your eyes , lies that freedom which you have often craved , as well as riches , respect and glory ! All these things Fortune has set out as the rewards for the victors . The issue , the moment , the danger , the destitution , the magnificent spoils of war are a greater encouragement to you than any speech of mine . Use me as either commander or soldier : neither my mind nor my body will fail you . These are the very things , I hope , that I shall be discussing with you when I am consul , unless perchance my mind deceives me and you are prepared for servitude rather than for command . ’
‘If your prowess and loyalty had not been demonstrated to my satisfaction , this favourable circumstance would have fallen to us in vain , and the high hopes and dominion in our grasp would have been to no purpose — and I am not a man who would clutch at uncertainties instead of certainties , aided by cowards of unreliable disposition . But , because I have come to know , through many great turmoils , that you are courageous and loyal to me , that is the reason why my spirit has dared to embark on the greatest and finest of deeds , and also because I have come to understand that your perception of goodness and wickedness is the same as mine : wanting and not wanting the same things — that , ultimately , is firm friendship .
‘You have already heard before , separately , what I have pondered in my mind . Yet my spirit is kindled more and more each day when I reflect what the conditions of life will be if we do not assert our freedom ourselves . For , ever since the commonwealth passed to the jurisdiction of a powerful few , it has always been to them that the dues of kings and tetrarchs go , that the taxes of peoples and nations are paid ; the rest of us — all the committed and good , noble and ignoble — have been simply " the masses " , denied favour , denied influence , beholden to those to whom , if the commonwealth thrived , we would be a source of fear . Hence all favour , power , honour and riches rest with them or are where they want them ; to us they have left the dangers , rejections , lawsuits and destitution .
‘For how long , then , will you endure these things , most courageous of men ? Is it not better to die with prowess than to lose in disgrace a life which is pitiable and dishonourable , once you have become a plaything of the haughtiness of others ? That is surely true , but , by the faith of gods and men , victory is in our hands ! We have the vigour of youth , hearts of valour . Everything of theirs , by contrast , has been enfeebled by the years and by riches . Only a start is needed ; circumstances will make light of the rest . What mortal of manly disposition can tolerate the fact that they abound in riches which they can pour into building on the sea and levelling mountains , while we lack the private assets even for necessities ? That they each link two or more houses together , while our household gods are nowhere to be found ? They buy their pictures , statues and reliefs ; they destroy new structures and put up others ; in fact , they plunder and ravage their money by every means at their disposal , yet , despite the extreme nature of their whims and lusts , they are unable to achieve victory over their riches . But for us it is want at home and debt abroad , a distressing situation and the prospect of much worse ; what , in the end , have we left , except the pitiful breath that we breathe ?
‘Why not , therefore , rouse yourselves ? Here , stretching before your eyes , lies that freedom which you have often craved , as well as riches , respect and glory ! All these things Fortune has set out as the rewards for the victors . The issue , the moment , the danger , the destitution , the magnificent spoils of war are a greater encouragement to you than any speech of mine . Use me as either commander or soldier : neither my mind nor my body will fail you . These are the very things , I hope , that I shall be discussing with you when I am consul , unless perchance my mind deceives me and you are prepared for servitude rather than for command . ’
Sallust Bellum Cataline, Sections 53-54
Michael Augur Kilgore /
- Created on 2021-12-04 21:20:06
- Modified on 2021-12-04 22:57:58
- Translated by Michael Kilgore
- Aligned by Michael Augur Kilgore
Latin
English
English
Perseus Latin, 53:2-6 + 54:1-6
A.J. Woodman translation (Penguin), lines 194-198
J.S. Watson translation (Perseus),53.2-6+54:1-6
[ 53 ] [ 2 ] Sed mihi multa legenti , multa audienti , quae populus Romanus domi militiaeque , mari atque terra praeclara facinora fecit , forte lubuit attendere , quae res maxume tanta negotia sustinuisset . [ 3 ] sciebam saepenumero parva manu cum magnis legionibus hostium contendisse ; cognoveram parvis copiis bella gesta cum opulentis regibus , ad hoc saepe fortunae violentiam toleravisse , facundia Graecos , gloria belli Gallos ante Romanos fuisse . [ 4 ] ac mihi multa agitanti constabat paucorum civium egregiam virtutem cuncta patravisse , eoque factum , uti divitias paupertas , multitudinem paucitas superaret . [ 5 ] sed postquam luxu atque desidia civitas corrupta est , rursus res publica magnitudine sua imperatorum atque magistratuum vitia sustentabat ac , sicuti effeta parentum « ui » , multis tempestatibus haud sane quisquam Romae virtute magnus fuit . [ 6 ] sed memoria mea ingenti virtute , divorsis moribus fuere viri duo , M . Cato et C . Caesar . quos quoniam res obtulerat , silentio praeterire non fuit consilium , quin utriusque naturam et mores , quantum ingenio possum , aperirem .
[ 54 ] [ 1 ] Igitur iis genus aetas eloquentia prope aequalia fuere , magnitudo animi par , item gloria , sed alia alii . [ 2 ] Caesar beneficiis ac munificentia magnus habebatur , integritate vitae Cato . ille mansuetudine et misericordia clarus factus , huic severitas dignitatem addiderat . [ 3 ] Caesar dando sublevando ignoscundo , Cato nihil largiundo gloriam adeptus est . in altero miseris perfugium erat , in altero malis pernicies . illius facilitas , huius constantia laudabatur . [ 4 ] postremo Caesar in animum induxerat laborare , vigilare ; negotiis amicorum intentus sua neglegere , nihil denegare quod dono dignum esset ; sibi magnum imperium , exercitum , bellum novom exoptabat , ubi virtus enitescere posset . [ 5 ] at Catoni studium modestiae , decoris , sed maxume severitatis erat ; [ 6 ] non divitiis cum divite neque factione cum factioso , sed cum strenuo virtute , cum modesto pudore , cum innocente abstinentia certabat ; esse quam videri bonus malebat : ita , quo minus petebat gloriam , eo magis illum [ ad ] sequebatur .
[ 54 ] [ 1 ] Igitur iis genus aetas eloquentia prope aequalia fuere , magnitudo animi par , item gloria , sed alia alii . [ 2 ] Caesar beneficiis ac munificentia magnus habebatur , integritate vitae Cato . ille mansuetudine et misericordia clarus factus , huic severitas dignitatem addiderat . [ 3 ] Caesar dando sublevando ignoscundo , Cato nihil largiundo gloriam adeptus est . in altero miseris perfugium erat , in altero malis pernicies . illius facilitas , huius constantia laudabatur . [ 4 ] postremo Caesar in animum induxerat laborare , vigilare ; negotiis amicorum intentus sua neglegere , nihil denegare quod dono dignum esset ; sibi magnum imperium , exercitum , bellum novom exoptabat , ubi virtus enitescere posset . [ 5 ] at Catoni studium modestiae , decoris , sed maxume severitatis erat ; [ 6 ] non divitiis cum divite neque factione cum factioso , sed cum strenuo virtute , cum modesto pudore , cum innocente abstinentia certabat ; esse quam videri bonus malebat : ita , quo minus petebat gloriam , eo magis illum [ ad ] sequebatur .
Whenever I used to read or hear of the very many distinguished deeds which the Roman people did at home and on campaign , on sea and land , it so happened that I liked to consider what factor above all had underpinned such great enterprises . I knew that very often , with only a small unit , they had grappled with great enemy legions ; I recognized that , with only small forces , they had waged wars with well resourced kings , and in addition that they had endured violence from Fortune and that in fluency the Greeks had been ahead of the Romans , and in military glory the Gauls . And , whenever I turned over my many thoughts , my conclusion was that the exceptional prowess of a few citizens had accomplished it all and that that was the reason why riches were overcome by poverty , a multitude by a few .
But , after the community had been corrupted by luxuriousness and indolence , conversely the commonwealth by its own greatness sustained the faults of its commanders and magistrates , and , as if it had been exhausted by childbirth , at many periods hardly anyone at all in Rome was great in prowess . But within my own recollection there have been two men of mighty prowess yet differing behaviour : M . Cato and C . Caesar . Since the context has now presented them , it is not my intention to pass them over in silence without explaining , to the best of my intellectual ability , the nature and behaviour of each .
Their background , age and eloquence , then , were almost equal ; their greatness of spirit was parallel ; likewise their glory , different though it was in each case . Caesar was regarded as great for his kindnesses and munificence , Cato for the integrity of his life . The former achieved distinction for his mercy and pity ; the latter’s strictness had brought him prestige . Caesar acquired glory by giving , by supporting , by forgiving ; Cato by granting nothing . In the one , the wretched found their refuge ; in the other , the wicked their ruin . The former’s complaisance was praised , the latter’s steadfastness . Caesar , finally , had made up his mind to be hard-working and vigilant ; devoted to the enterprises of his friends , he would neglect his own and refuse nothing that was worth giving ; what he desired for himself was a great command , an army , and a new war where his prowess could shine . But Cato’s enthusiasm was for restraint , honour , but especially strictness ; he did not compete in riches with the rich or in factionalism with the factious , but with the committed in prowess , with the restrained in propriety , with the innocent in self-denial ; he preferred to be , rather than to seem , a good man : thus , the less he sought glory , the more it attended him .
But , after the community had been corrupted by luxuriousness and indolence , conversely the commonwealth by its own greatness sustained the faults of its commanders and magistrates , and , as if it had been exhausted by childbirth , at many periods hardly anyone at all in Rome was great in prowess . But within my own recollection there have been two men of mighty prowess yet differing behaviour : M . Cato and C . Caesar . Since the context has now presented them , it is not my intention to pass them over in silence without explaining , to the best of my intellectual ability , the nature and behaviour of each .
Their background , age and eloquence , then , were almost equal ; their greatness of spirit was parallel ; likewise their glory , different though it was in each case . Caesar was regarded as great for his kindnesses and munificence , Cato for the integrity of his life . The former achieved distinction for his mercy and pity ; the latter’s strictness had brought him prestige . Caesar acquired glory by giving , by supporting , by forgiving ; Cato by granting nothing . In the one , the wretched found their refuge ; in the other , the wicked their ruin . The former’s complaisance was praised , the latter’s steadfastness . Caesar , finally , had made up his mind to be hard-working and vigilant ; devoted to the enterprises of his friends , he would neglect his own and refuse nothing that was worth giving ; what he desired for himself was a great command , an army , and a new war where his prowess could shine . But Cato’s enthusiasm was for restraint , honour , but especially strictness ; he did not compete in riches with the rich or in factionalism with the factious , but with the committed in prowess , with the restrained in propriety , with the innocent in self-denial ; he preferred to be , rather than to seem , a good man : thus , the less he sought glory , the more it attended him .
After reading and hearing of the many glorious achievements which the Roman people had performed at home and in the field , by sea as well as by land , I happened to be led to consider what had been the great foundation of such illustrious deeds . I knew that the Romans had frequently , with small bodies of men , encountered vast armies of the enemy ; I was aware that they had carried on wars with limited forces against powerful sovereigns ; that they had often sustained , too , the violence of adverse fortune ; yet that , while the Greeks excelled them in eloquence , the Gauls surpassed them in military glory . After much reflection , I felt convinced that the eminent virtue of a few citizens had been the cause of all these successes ; and hence it had happened that poverty had triumphed over riches , and a few over a multitude . And even in later times , when the state had become corrupted by luxury and indolence , the republic still supported itself , by its own strength , under the misconduct of its generals and magistrates ; when , as if the parent stock were exhausted , there was certainly not produced at Rome , for many years , a single citizen of eminent ability . Within my recollection , however , there arose two men of remarkable powers , though of very different character , Marcus Cato and Caius Cæsar , whom , since the subject has brought them before me , it is not my intention to pass in silence , but to describe , to the best of my ability , the disposition and manners of each .
Their birth , age , and eloquence , were nearly on an equality ; their greatness of mind similar , as was also their reputation , though attained by different means . Cæsar grew eminent by generosity and munificence ; Cato by the integrity of his life . Cæsar was esteemed for his humanity and benevolence ; austereness had given dignity to Cato . Cæsar acquired renown by giving , relieving , and pardoning ; Cato by bestowing nothing . In Cæsar , there was a refuge for the unfortunate ; in Cato , destruction for the bad . In Cæsar , his easiness of temper was admired ; in Cato , his firmness . Cæsar , in fine , had applied himself to a life of energy and activity ; intent upon the interest of his friends , he was neglectful of his own ; he refused nothing to others that was worthy of acceptance , while for himself he desired great power , the command of an army , and a new war in which his talents might be displayed . But Cato ' s ambition was that of temperance , discretion , and , above all , of austerity ; he did not contend in splendor with the rich , or in faction with the seditious , but with the brave in fortitude , with the modest in simplicity , with the temperate in abstinence ; he was more desirous to be , than to appear , virtuous ; and thus , the less he courted popularity , the more it pursued him .
Their birth , age , and eloquence , were nearly on an equality ; their greatness of mind similar , as was also their reputation , though attained by different means . Cæsar grew eminent by generosity and munificence ; Cato by the integrity of his life . Cæsar was esteemed for his humanity and benevolence ; austereness had given dignity to Cato . Cæsar acquired renown by giving , relieving , and pardoning ; Cato by bestowing nothing . In Cæsar , there was a refuge for the unfortunate ; in Cato , destruction for the bad . In Cæsar , his easiness of temper was admired ; in Cato , his firmness . Cæsar , in fine , had applied himself to a life of energy and activity ; intent upon the interest of his friends , he was neglectful of his own ; he refused nothing to others that was worthy of acceptance , while for himself he desired great power , the command of an army , and a new war in which his talents might be displayed . But Cato ' s ambition was that of temperance , discretion , and , above all , of austerity ; he did not contend in splendor with the rich , or in faction with the seditious , but with the brave in fortitude , with the modest in simplicity , with the temperate in abstinence ; he was more desirous to be , than to appear , virtuous ; and thus , the less he courted popularity , the more it pursued him .