That Cicero was wrong in supposing that the Republic, which had in fact already fallen, could be re-established by the strength of any one man, could be bolstered up by any leader, has to be admitted; that in trusting to Pompey as a politician he leaned on a frail reed I admit; but I will not admit that in praising the man he was hypocritical or unduly self-seeking.

In our own political contests, when a subordinate member of the Cabinet is zealously serviceable to his chief, we do not accuse him of falsehood because by that zeal he has also strengthened his own hands.

How shall a patriot do the work of his country unless he be in high place?
and how shall he achieve that place except by co-operation with those whom he trusts?
They who have blamed Cicero for speaking on behalf of Pompey on this occasion, seem to me to ignore not only the necessities but the very virtues of political life.
One other remarkable oration Cicero made during his Praetorship--that, namely, in defence of Aulus Cluentius Habitus.

As it is the longest, so is it the most intricate, and on account of various legal points the most difficult to follow of all his speeches.

But there are none perhaps which tell us more of the condition, or perhaps I should say the possibilities, of life among the Romans of that day.