Quotes from Cicero's Pro Murena

Quite possibly Cicero's most sarcastic speech, about a disputed consular election.

The Latin quotes are selected for interest (int), language (lan), and rhetoric (bea), and are translated into English. The line numbers are from the Loeb edition, and start counting from line 0 of the section. All translations are by Gus Wiseman (Nafindix), with the exception of any contributions from other users. The sources used are:

Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, vol. X, 1977; Latin text with facing English translation by C. Macdonald.
Cicero: Pro Murena. Translation by H.E.D. Blakiston (1894). https://www.attalus.org/cicero/murena.html
M. Tullius Cicero, Pro Lucius Murena. Albert Clark, Ed. (1909) http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi014.perseus-eng1
Lucius Licinius Murena (consul 62 BC). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Licinius_Murena_(consul_62_BC)

Pro Murena

1.0 int/lan/bea

Quod precatus a dis immortalibus sum, iudices, more institutoque maiorum illo die quo auspicato comitiis centuriatis L. Murenam consulem renuntiavi, ut ea res mihi fidei magistratuique meo, populo plebique Romanae bene atque feliciter eveniret, idem precor ab isdem dis immortalibus ob eiusdem hominis consulatum una cum salute obtinendum, et ut vestrae mentes atque sententiae cum populi Romani voluntatibus suffragiisque consentiant, eaque res vobis populoque Romano pacem, tranquillitatem, otium concordiamque adferat.

The auspices having been taken, gentlemen, a customary practice of our ancestors, on the day when I announced to the assembly that Murena had been elected consul, I prayed to the immortal gods that his election would bring good fortune and happiness to myself, my office, and all other Romans; yet today I beseech the same gods again. Let Murena's acquittal preserve him for his work, let your judgments respect the choice of the Roman people represented in their votes, and let peace, tranquility, leisure, and synchrony be finally delivered to us all.

6.3

Ego autem has partis lenitatis et misericordiae quas me natura ipsa docuit semper egi libenter, illam vero gravitatis severitatisque personam non appetivi, sed ab re publica mihi impositam sustinui, sicut huius imperi dignitas in summo periculo civium postulabat.

I have always eagerly played the parts of tolerance and compassion, which I learned from nature herself; the roles of pressure and strictness I never sought, but when imposed upon me by the republic- her citizens in danger- I have done what my responsibility demanded.

7.6 int

Nam cum grave est vere accusari in amicitia, tum, etiam si falso accuseris, non est neglegendum.

If you are guilty, it is a serious matter to be accused in friendship, and, even if the accusation is false, it cannot be ignored.

10.0 int

Etenim si me tua familiaritas ab hac causa removisset, et si hoc idem Q. Hortensio, M. Crasso, clarissimis viris, si item ceteris a quibus intellego tuam gratiam magni aestimari accidisset, in ea civitate consul designatus defensorem non haberet in qua nemini umquam infimo maiores nostri patronum desse voluerunt.

For if our friendship had removed me from this case, and likewise Hortensius and Crassus, illustrious men, and all others to whom I know your credit is deep were removed, the consul-elect would go undefended in a state whose founders wanted even the least of us to have an advocate.

10.7 bea

Ego vero, iudices, ipse me existimarem nefarium si amico, crudelem si misero, superbum si consuli defuissem.

Truthfully, I would think myself evil to fail a friend, cruel to abandon a victim, arrogant to betray a consul.

13.-2 bea

Maledicto quidem idcirco nihil in hisce rebus loci est quod omnia laus occupavit.

There is no room for slander here: all space is occupied by honor.

13.8 int/lan

Nemo enim fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit, neque in solitudine neque in convivio moderato atque honesto.

Practically nobody dances sober, alone or at any respectable party, unless perhaps they are insane.

16.4

Itaque non ex sermone hominum recenti sed ex annalium vetustate eruenda memoria est nobilitatis tuae.

The evidence of your nobility is not to be discovered in contemporary testimony but in the annals of history.

17.-4 lan/bea

Etenim eiusdem animi atque ingeni est posteris suis, quod Pompeius fecit, amplitudinem nominis quam non acceperit tradere et, ut Scaurus, memoriam prope intermortuam generis sua virtue renovare.

It is of mind and mettle like Pompeius to hand over to your descendants a name of greater magnitude than you received from your ancestors, or, like Scaurus, to renew a memory that had fallen silent.

18.0 bea

Omittamus igitur de genere dicere cuius est magna in utroque dignitas; videamus cetera.

So forget about families whose great honor is equally matched; let us speak of the case.

18.4

Non est respondendum ad omnia.

Not every question is to be answered.

22.-4 int/lan

Mihi quidem vehementer expediit positam in oculis esse gratiam; sed tamen ego mei satietatem magno meo labore superavi et tu item fortasse; verum tamen utrique nostrum desiderium nihil obfuisset.

Admittedly, it helped very much that my story happened right before their eyes, but even so, I had to work hard not to bore them, as perhaps you did also, and neither of us would have been missed in our absence. [unlike my client Murena].

22.0 bea

Sed ut hoc omisso ad studiorum atque artium contentionem revertamur, qui potest dubitari quin ad consulatum adipiscendum multo plus adferat dignitatis rei militaris gloria?

Returning to the comparison of crafts and careers, who doubts that, as to obtaining the consulship, military fame is considered a much greater distinction?

23.-7 int

Haec nomen populo Romano, haec huic urbi aeternam gloriam peperit, haec orbem terrarum parere huic imperio coegit; omnes urbanae res, omnia haec nostra praeclara studia et haec forensis laus et industria latet in tutela ac praesidio bellicae virtutis.

This name brings renown to the Roman people, whose command the whole world obeys, and imparts eternal glory to our city. All urban affairs, distinguished crafts, diligent practices, and the rule of law itself lie in the tutelage and protection of our mastery in war.

23.-2 int

Simul atque increpuit suspicio tumultus, artes ilico nostrae conticiscunt.

As soon as there is a hint of war, our arts immediately fall silent.

30.-4 lan

In qua si satis profecissem, parcius de eius laude dicerem; nunc nihil de me dico, sed de eis qui in dicendo magni sunt aut fuerunt.

If I had accomplished anything substantial [in oratory], I would praise the subject more carefully; yet presently I am saying nothing about myself but about those who are truly great orators, or have been so.

30.0 int

Duae sint artes igitur quae possint locare homines in amplissimo gradu dignitatis, una imperatoris, altera oratoris boni.

There are but two arts which can place men in the highest level of distinction: military leadership and good oratory.

30.2 bea

Ab hoc enim pacis ornamenta retinentur, ab illo belli pericula repelluntur.

In one case benefits of peace are preserved; in the other dangers of war are repelled.

31.-4 int/bea

Quod si ita est, cedat, opinor, Sulpici, forum castris, otium militiae, stilus gladio, umbra soli; sit denique in civitate ea prima res propter quam ipsa est civitas omnium princeps.

I suppose, Sulpicius, I should replace the forum with the camp, leisure with war, the pen with the sword and the light of the sun, while Rome herself should be replaced with what makes her the leader of all?

35.4 lan/bea

... quantas perturbationes et quantos aestus habet ratio comitiorum?

... what perturbations, what tides has the democratic process?

36.-3 int

Saepe etiam sine ulla aperta causa fit aliud atque existimaris, ut non numquam ita factum esse etiam populus admiretur, quasi vero non ipse fecerit.

Often, for no apparent reason, things happen differently from expectation. Even the people are confused, as if their own votes were not responsible.

36.0 int/lan/bea

Nihil est incertius volgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is less predictable than a crowd, nothing less obscure than mens' votes, and nothing is less fallible than the whole institution of elections.

44.1 bea

Immo vehementer placet; sed aliud tempus est petendi, aliud persequendi.

Of course I approve of seeking justice, but there is one time for a campaign, another for a prosecution.

50.-5 int/lan/bea

Voltus erat ipsius plenus furoris, oculi sceleris, sermo adrogantiae, sic ut ei iam exploratus et domi conditus consulatus videretur.

Catiline's face was full of rage, his eyes of wickedness, his voice of insolence, as if the consulship was already waiting for him at his home.

50.4 lan/bea

Meministis enim, cum illius nefarii gladiatoris voces percrebruissent quas habuisse in contione domestica dicebatur, cum miserorum fidelem defensorem negasset inveniri posse nisi eum qui ipse miser esset; integrorum et fortunatorum promissis saucios et miseros credere non oportere; qua re qui consumpta replere, erepta reciperare vellent, spectarent quid ipse deberet, quid possideret, quid auderet; minime timidum et valde calamitosum esse oportere eum qui esset futurus dux et signifer calamitosorum.

Recall when the news of what that heinous gladiator [Catiline] said in a meeting at his home was spreading across the city: he denied that a faithful defender of the meek could be found who was not meek himself, saying that broken and miserable men should not trust the promises of the vigorous and lucky, and that, therefore, whoever wished to be made whole or recover their stolen property should observe how much he himself was in debt, what little he possessed, and all he dared to do, concluding that the most broken and fearless man of all should be the one to lead them and bear their standard.

51.4 int

Itaque postridie frequenti senatu Catilinam excitavi atque eum de his rebus iussi, si quid vellet, quae ad me adlatae essent dicere.

The next day in a crowded Senate I roused Catiline and invited him to say whatever he wished on the matters which had been reported to me.

52.-9 int/bea

Congemuit senatus frequens neque tamen satis severe pro rei indignitate decrevit; nam partim ideo fortes in decernendo non erant, quia nihil timebant, partim, quia omnia.

The whole Senate groaned but did not act sufficiently, considering the shamelessness of the affair; partly they were not brave enough because they feared nothing, partly because they feared everything.

52.-6 int

Erupit e senatu triumphans gaudio quem omnino vivum illinc exire non oportuerat, praesertim cum idem ille in eodem ordine paucis diebus ante Catoni, fortissimo viro, iudicium minitanti ac denuntianti respondisset, si quod esset in suas fortunas incendium excitatum, id se non aqua sed ruina restincturum.

He [Catiline] burst from the senate in triumphant glee, a man who should not have left that place alive, especially when a few days before, also in the Senate, he had replied to Cato, the bravest of men, who was threatening to bring him to court, that if any flame should be ignited to his fortunes, he would extinguish it not with water but with a fire of his own.

53.-4 int

Itaque cum te, Servi, remissiorem in petendo putarent, Catilinam et spe et cupiditate inflammatum viderent, omnes qui

illam ab re publica pestem depellere cupiebant ad Murenam se statim contulerunt.

When they thought you, Servius, remiss in your campaign, and saw Catiline utterly infatuated, all who yearned to eject that enemy of the state immediately conferred themselves to the side of Murena.

59.6 int

Nolo accusator in iudicium potentiam adferat, non vim maiorem aliquam, non auctoritatem excellentem, non nimiam gratiam.

Do not let a prosecutor bring into court his personal power, nor any great force, nor excessive authority, nor too much popularity.

60.-2 int

Valeant haec omnia ad salutem innocentium, ad opem impotentium, ad auxilium calamitosorum, in periculo vero et in pernicie civium repudientur.

Devote these powers to the well-being of the innocent, the help of the impotent, and the recovery of the lost; but for the prosecution and punishment of citizens, you must give them up.

60.6 int

Ego tuum consilium, Cato, propter singulare enim, mei de tua virtute iudicium vituperare non possum non nulla forsitan conformare et leviter emendare possim.

On account of my singular judgment of your honor, Cato, I cannot denounce your counsel; instead, perhaps I can reshape it a little and enlighten it slightly.

61.-8 bea

verissime dixerim peccare te nihil neque ulla in re te esse huius modi ut corrigendus potius quam leviter inflectendus esse videare.

I would speak most truthfully to say you are never wrong, nor do you ever need to be corrected on any matter.

61.7 int/lan

Fuit enim quidam summo ingenio vir, Zeno, cuius inventorum aemuli Stoici nominantur.

There was Zeno, a man of great genius, whose ideas are followed by the Stoics.

63.0 int/lan

...fatebor enim, Cato, me quoque in adulescentia diffisum ingenio meo quaesisse adiumenta doctrinae...

I admit, Cato, I too in my youth mistrusted my own nature and sought the comfort of philosophy.

65.4 bea

Etenim isti ipsi mihi videntur vestri praeceptores et virtutis magistri finis officiorum paulo longius quam natura vellet protulisse ut, cum ad ultimum animo contendissemus, ibi tamen ubi oporteret consisteremus.

I suppose your teachers of ethics overestimated your responsibilities a little, so that when you shoot for the target but don't quite make it, you are exactly where they intended.

66.-1 bea

Vero, nisi sententiam sententia alia vicerit melior.

Sure, your opinion is right, unless another is better.

74.-2 bea

Omnia haec sunt officia necessariorum, commoda tenuiorum, munia candidatorum.

All of these acts are the responsibilities of friends, the services of the poor, and the duties of candidates.

74.4 int

"Quippe" inquit "tu mihi summum imperium, tu summam auctoritatem, tu gubernacula rei publicae petas fovendis hominum sensibus et deleniendis animis et adhibendis voluptatibus?..."

"Really?" he says, "You seek the head of command, the highest authority, the government of the republic, by warming men's minds, subduing them, and tempting them with pleasures?"

74.8 int

"Utrum lenocinium" inquit "a grege delicatae iuventutis, an orbis terrarum imperium a populo Romano petebas?"

Were you seeking from the Roman people a pandering gang of charming youths, or command of the entire world?

75.0 int

Qua re noli, Cato, maiorum instituta quae res ipsa, quae diuturnitas imperi comprobat nimium severa oratione reprehendere.

You are right to hesitate, Cato, to assail too harshly the practices of our ancestors, which have been proven by their own effectiveness and longevity.

76.2 int

Odit populus Romans privatam luxuriam, publicam magnificentiam diligit; non amat profusas epulas, sordis et inhumanitatem multo minus; distinguit rationem officiorum ac temporum, vicissitudinem laboris ac voluptatis.

The Roman people abhor private luxury but are delighted by public splendor; they do not like profuse feasts, but filth and surliness they like much less; they keep track of obligations and circumstances, including the separation of work and leisure.

77.2 int/bea

Nam, si nomine appellari abs te civis tuos honestum est, turpe est eos notiores esse servo tuo quam tibi.

If it is honorable to greet your citizens by name, it is shameful when they are known better to your name-slave than yourself.

80.-2 int

Magni interest, iudices, id quod ego multis repugnantibus egi atque perfeci, esse Kalendis Ianuariis in re publica duo consules.

It is essential, gentlemen, as I have urged despite much resistance, that there are two consuls in the republic on the first of January.

84.0

Mihi credite, iudices, in hac causa non solum de L. Murenae verum etiam de vestra salute sententiam feretis.

Believe me, gentlemen, in this case you will not only pass judgment on Murena, but on your own safety.

84.2 bea

In discrimen extremum venimus; nihil est iam unde nos reficiamus aut ubi lapsi resistamus.

We have passed the final stage; no place remains where we could recover should we fall.

89.11 lan/bea

Qui huius dolor, qui illius maeror erit, quae utriusque lamentatio, quanta autem perturbatio fortunae atque sermonis, cum, quibus in locis paucis ante diebus factum esse consulem Murenam nuntii litteraeque celebrassent et unde hospites atque amici gratulatum Romam concurrerent, repente exstiterit ipse nuntius suae calamitatis!

Even in his bother's province, what sadness would Murena feel, what compound lamentation, what reversal of fortune, what confusion of relations will there be, when, where just a few days before messages and reports had celebrated Murena's becoming consul, and neighbors and friends had set off for Rome to congratulate him, suddenly there appears an exile, messenger of his own devastation!