But from these meetings never has one of you returned home more increased in substance or in fortune.

Has any one ever brought back to his wife and children aught save hatred, quarrels, grudges public and private?
from which (and their effects) you have been ever protected, not by your own valour and integrity, but by the aid of others.

But, when you served under the guidance of us consuls, not under your tribunes, and the enemy trembled at your shout in the field of battle, not the Roman patricians in the assembly, booty being obtained, land taken from the enemy, with a plentiful stock of wealth and glory, both public and private, you used to return home to your household gods in triumph: now you allow the enemy to go off laden with your property.

Continue immovably tied to your assemblies, live in the forum; the necessity of taking the field, which ye avoid, still follows you.

Was it too hard on you to march against the AEquans and the Volscians?
The war is at your gates: if it is not repelled from thence, it will soon be within your walls, and will scale the citadel and Capitol, and follow you into your very houses.