[7]
Where then is his crime? Is it because
Pompeius presented him with the freedom of the city? Is that a crime of
Balbus's? By no means, unless honour is to be accounted ignominy. Whose
crime is it then? In reality nobody's at all; but if we look at the pleading
of the prosecutor, it is clearly the crime of that man alone who gave him
the freedom of the city. But if he had been influenced by interest, he would
probably have selected some less worthy man for that reward. Even had he
selected a good man, he would not have chosen one who had deserved as well
of the state as Balbus; even if his action had been one of which it could
not have been said that it was contrary to what was lawful, it would have
been said that it was contrary to what was becoming. But all such
vituperation would have deserved to be rejected by you, O judges.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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