The Conspiracy of Catiline

But indeed, who will find fault with what shall be decreed against the parricides of the republic? Time, days, and fortune, whose caprice rules over nations, will do so. Whatever happens to them will happen deservedly; but you, conscript fathers, consider what you are establishing against others. All bad precedents have arisen from good things. But when command falls to those ignorant of it or to those less good, that new precedent is transferred from the worthy and fit to the unworthy and unfit. The Lacedaemonians, having defeated the Athenians, imposed thirty men to manage their republic. At first, these men began to put to death without trial all the worst individuals and those hated by all; the people rejoiced at this and said it was done deservedly. Afterwards, when license gradually increased, they put to death both good and bad alike at their whim, and terrified the rest with fear. Thus the state, oppressed by servitude, paid a heavy penalty for its foolish joy. In our own memory, when the victor Sulla ordered Damasippus and others of that kind, who had grown powerful to the ruin of the republic, to be put to death, who did not praise his deed? They said that wicked and factious men, who had harassed the republic with seditions, were deservedly put to death. But that affair was the beginning of a great calamity. For as soon as anyone coveted another’s house or villa, or finally even a vessel or a garment, he exerted himself that this person might be among the number of the proscribed. Thus those to whom the death of Damasippus had been a joy, were themselves dragged off a little later; nor was there an end to the slaughter until Sulla filled all his followers with wealth. And I do not fear these things in M. Tullius nor in these times, but in a great state there are many and varied characters. It is possible at another time, under another consul, who likewise has an army at his disposal, for something false to be believed as true. When, with this precedent, the consul has drawn the sword by a decree of the senate, who will set a limit for him, or who will restrain him? Our ancestors, conscript fathers, never lacked counsel or boldness; nor did arrogance prevent them from adopting foreign institutions, provided they were good. They took their military armor and weapons from the Samnites, and most of the insignia of magistrates from the Tuscans. In short, whatever seemed suitable anywhere among allies or enemies, they executed at home with the greatest zeal: they preferred to imitate rather than to envy the good. But at that very same time, imitating the custom of Greece, they punished citizens with scourging, and inflicted the extreme penalty on those condemned. After the republic grew and factions became powerful through the multitude of citizens, innocent men began to be circumvented, and other things of this kind to be done; then the Porcian law and other laws were prepared, by which laws exile was permitted to the condemned. I think this cause, conscript fathers, is particularly great in preventing us from making a novel decision. Surely there was greater virtue and wisdom in those who from small resources made so great an empire, than in us, who scarcely retain what was well acquired. Is it my pleasure, then, that they be released and the army of Catiline be increased? By no means. But this is my opinion: that their property should be confiscated, they themselves should be kept in custody throughout the municipia which are strongest in resources; and that no one should later bring their case before the senate or treat with the people concerning them; whoever does otherwise, the senate should hold that he will act against the republic and the safety of all.”