instance was it not of moderation to complain of the conduct of Marcus Antonius, and yet to abstain from any abusive expressions? especially when you had scattered abroad all relics of the republic; when everything was on sale at your house by the most infamous traffic; when you confessed that those laws which had never been promulgated, had been passed with reference to you, and by you; when you, being augur, had abolished the auspices; being consul, had taken away the power of interposing the veto; when you were escorted in the most shameful manner by armed guards; when, worn out with drunkenness and debauchery, you were every day performing all sorts of obscenities in that chaste house of yours.  But I, as if I had to contend against Marcus Crassus, with whom I have had many severe struggles, and not with a most worthless gladiator, while complaining in dignified language of the state of the republic, did not say one word which could be called personal.  Therefore, to-day I will make him understand with what great kindness he was then treated by me.

IV.  But he also read letters which he said that I had sent to him, like a man devoid of humanity and ignorant of the common usages of life.  For who ever, who was even but slightly acquainted with the habits of polite men, produced in an assembly and openly read letters which had been sent to him by a friend, just because some quarrel had arisen between them?  Is not this destroying all companionship in life, destroying the means by which absent friends converse together?  How many jests are frequently put in letters, which, if they were produced in public, would appear stupid!  How many serious opinions, which, for all that, ought not to be published!  Let this be a proof of your utter ignorance of courtesy.  Now mark, also, his incredible folly.  What have you to oppose to me, O you eloquent man, as you seem at least to Mustela Tamisius, and to Tiro Numisius?  And while these men are standing at this very time in the sight of the senate with drawn swords, I too will think you an eloquent man if you will show how you would defend them if they were charged with being assassins.  However what answer would you make if I were to deny that I ever sent those letters to you?  By what evidence could you convict me? by my handwriting?  Of handwriting indeed you have a lucrative knowledge.[9] How can you prove it in that manner? for the letters are written by an amanuensis.  By this time I envy your teacher, who for all that payment, which I shall mention presently, has taught you to know nothing.

For what can be less like, I do not say an orator, but a man, than to reproach an adversary with a thing which if he denies by one single word, he who has reproached him cannot advance one step further?  But I do not deny it; and in this very point I convict you not only of inhumanity but also of madness.  For what expression is there in those letters which is not full of humanity and service and benevolence?