What other course is there?
How else shall any wreck of the Republic be preserved?
Would you be another Cato, useless and impractical?
Join us, and save Rome to some purpose.
We can understand that in such way was the lure held out to Cicero, as it has been to many a politician since.

But when the politician takes the office offered to him--and the pay, though it be but that of a Lord of the Treasury--he must vote with his party.
That Cicero doubted much whether he would or would not at this time throw in his lot with Caesar and Pompey is certain.

To be of real use--not to be impractical, as was Cato--to save his country and rise honestly in power and glory--not to be too straitlaced, not over-scrupulous--giving and taking a little, so that he might work to good purpose with others in harness--that was his idea of duty as a Roman.

To serve in accord with Pompey was the first dream of his political life, and now Pompey was in accord with Caesar.

It was natural that he should doubt--natural that he should express his doubts.