Take care that they shall know how much you think of them." He is especially desired to make known to the public the iniquities of Catiline, his opponent, as to whom Quintus says that, though he has lately been acquitted in regard to his speculations in Africa, he has had to bribe the judges so highly that he is now as poor as they were before they got their plunder.

At every word we read we are tempted to agree with Mommsen that on the Roman oligarchy of the period no judgment can be passed save one, "of inexorable condemnation."[86] "Remember," says Quintus, "that your candidature is very strong in that kind of friendship which has been created by your pleadings.

Take care that each of those friends shall know what special business is allotted to him on the occasion; and as you have not troubled any of them yet, make them understand that you have reserved for the present moment the payment of their debts." This is all very well; but the next direction mingles so much of business with its truth, that no one but Machiavelli or Quintus Cicero could have expressed it in words.

"Men," says Quintus, "are induced to struggle for us in these canvassings by three motives--by memory of kindness done, by the hope of kindness to come, and by community of political conviction.

You must see how you are to catch each of these.