He shall hear me too, me myself, and perhaps he will then know better." It was thus that Cicero's mind was at work while he was turning his loud periods.

Pompey was sitting next to him listening, by no means admiring his admirer as that admirer expected to be admired.

Cicero had probably said to himself that they two together, Pompey and Cicero, might suffice to preserve the Republic.

Pompey, not thinking much of the Republic, was probably telling himself that he wanted no brother near the throne.

When of two men the first thinks himself equal to the second, the second will generally feel himself to be superior to the first.