Tiberius (Suetonius)

[Close]

	Tiberius Author: Suetonius	Translator: Alexander Thomson
15	Romam reuersus deducto in forum filio Druso statim e Carinis ac Pompeiana domo Esquilias in hortos Maecenatianos transmigrauit totumque se ad quietem contulit , priuata modo officia obiens ac publicorum munerum expers . Gaio et Lucio intra triennium defunctis adoptatur ab Augusto simul cum fratre eorum M . Agrippa , coactus prius ipse Germanicum fratris sui filium adoptare . nec quicquam postea pro patre familias egit aut ius , quod amiserat , ex ulla parte retinuit . nam neque donauit neque manumisit , ne hereditatem quidem aut legata percepit ulla aliter quam ut peculio referret accepta . nihil ex eo tempore praetermissum est ad maiestatem eius augendam ac multo magis , postquam Agrippa abdicato atque seposito certum erat , uni spem successionis incumbere ;	Upon his return to Rome, having introduced his son Drusus into the forum, he immediately removed from Pompey's house, in the Carinae, to the gardens of Maecenas, on the Esquiline, and resigned himself entirely to his ease, performing only the common offices of civility in private life, without any preferment in the government. But Caius and Lucius being both carried off in the space of three years, he was adopted by Augustus, along with their brother Agrippa; being obliged in the first place to adopt Germanicus, his brother's son. After his adoption, he never more acted as master of a family, nor exercised, in the smallest degree, the rights which he had lost by it. For he neither disposed of anything in the way of gift, nor manumitted a slave; nor so much as received any estate left him by will, nor any legacy, without reckoning it as a part of his peculium or property held under his father. From that day forward, nothing was omitted that might contribute to the advancement of his grandeur, and much more, when, upon Agrippa being discarded and banished, it was evident that the hope of succession rested upon him alone.
16	data rursus potestas tribunicia in quinquennium , delegatus pacandae Germaniae status , Parthorum legati mandatis Augusto Romae redditis eum quoque adire in prouincia iussi . sed nuntiata Illyrici defectione transiit ad curam noui belli , quod grauissimum omnium externorum bellorum post Punica , per quindecim legiones paremque auxiliorum copiam triennio gessit in magnis omnium rerum difficultatibus summaque frugum inopia . et quanquam saepius reuocaretur , tamen perseuerauit , metuens ne uicinus et praeualens hostis instaret ultro cedentibus . ac perseuerantiae grande pretium tulit , toto Illyrico , quod inter Italiam regnumque Noricum et Thraciam et Macedoniam interque Danuuium flumen et sinum maris Hadriatici patet , perdomito et in dicionem redacto .	The tribunitian authority was again conferred upon him for five years, and a commission given him to settle the affairs of Germany. The ambassadors of the Parthians, after having had an audience of Augustus, were ordered to apply to him likewise in his province. But on receiving intelligence of an insurrection in Illyricum, he went over to superintend the management of that new war, which proved the most serious of all the foreign wars since the Carthaginian. This he conducted during three years, with fifteen legions and an equal number of auxiliary forces, under great difficulties, and an extreme scarcity of corn. And though he was several times recalled, he nevertheless persisted; fearing lest an enemy so powerful, and so near, should fall upon the army in their retreat. This resolution was attended with good success; for he at last reduced to complete subjection all Illyricum, lying between Italy and the kingdom of Noricum, Thrace, Macedonia, the river Danube, and the Adriatic gulf.
17	cui gloriae amplior adhuc ex oportunitate cumulus accessit . nam sub id fere tempus Quintilius Varus cum tribus legionibus in Germania periit , nemine dubitante quin uictores Germani iuncturi se Pannoniis fuerint , nisi debellatum prius Illyricum esset . quas ob res triumphus ei decretus est multique et magni honores . censuerunt etiam quidam ut Pannonicus , alii ut Inuictus , nonnulli ut Pius cognominaretur . sed de cognomine intercessit Augustus , eo contentum repromittens , quod se defuncto suscepturus esset . triumphum ipse distulit maesta ciuitate clade Variana ; nihilo minus urbem praetextatus et laurea coronatus intrauit positumque in Saeptis tribunal senatu astante conscendit ac medius inter duos consules cum Augusto simul sedit ; unde populo consalutato circum templa deductus est .	The glory he acquired by these successes received an increase from the conjuncture in which they happened. For almost about that very time Quintilius Varus was cut off with three legions in Germany; and it was generally believed that the victorious Germans would have joined the Pannonians, had not the war of Illyricum been previously concluded. A triumph, therefore, besides many other great honours, was decreed him. Some proposed that the surname of "Pannonicus," others that of "Invincible," and others, of "Pius," should be conferred on him; but Augustus interposed, engaging for him that he would be satisfied with that to which he would succeed at his death. He postponed his triumph, because the state was at that time under great affliction for the disaster of Varus and his army. Nevertheless, he entered the city in a triumphal robe, crowned with laurel, and mounting a tribunal in the Septa, sat with Augustus between the two consuls, whilst the senate gave their attendance standing; whence, after he had saluted the people, he was attended by them in procession to the several temples.
18	Proximo anno repetita Germania cum animaduerteret Varianam cladem temeritate et neglegentia ducis accidisse , nihil non de consilii sententia egit ; semper alias sui arbitrii contentusque se uno , tunc praeter consuetudinem cum compluribus de ratione belli communicauit . curam quoque solito exactiorem praestitit . traiecturus Rhenum commeatum omnem ad certam formulam adstrictum non ante transmisit , quam consistens apud ripam explorasset uehiculorum onera , ne qua deportarentur nisi concessa aut necessaria . trans Rhenum uero eum uitae ordinem tenuit , ut sedens in caespite nudo cibum caperet , saepe sine tentorio pernoctaret , praecepta sequentis diei omnia , et si quid subiti muneris iniungendum esset , per libellos daret ; addita monitione ut , de quo quisque dubitaret , se nec alio interprete quacumque uel noctis hora uteretur .	Next year he went again to Germany, where finding that the defeat of Varus was occasioned by the rashness and negligence of the commander, he thought proper to be guided in everything by the advice of a council of war; whereas, at other times, he used to follow the dictates of his own judgment, and considered himself alone as sufficiently qualified for the direction of affairs. He likewise used more cautions than usual. Having to pass the Rhine, he restricted the whole convoy within certain limits, and stationing himself on the bank of the river, would not suffer the waggons to cross the river, until he had searched them at the water-side, to see that they carried nothing but what was allowed or necessary. Beyond the Rhine, such was his way of living, that he took his meals sitting on the bare ground, and often passed the night without a tent; and his regular orders for the day, as well as those upon sudden emergencies, he gave in writing, with this injunction, that in case of any doubt as to the meaning of them, they should apply to him for satisfaction, even at any hour of the night.
19	disciplinam acerrime exegit animaduersionum et ignominiarum generibus ex antiquitate repetitis atque etiam legato legionis , quod paucos milites cum liberto suo trans ripam uenatum misisset , ignominia notato . proelia , quamuis minimum fortunae casibusque permitteret , aliquanto constantius inibat , quotiens lucubrante se subito ac nullo propellente decideret lumen et extingueretur , confidens , ut aiebat , ostento sibi a maioribus suis in omni ducatu expertissimo . sed re prospere gesta non multum afuit quin a Bructero quodam occideretur , cui inter proximos uersanti et trepidatione detecto tormentis expressa confessio est cogitati facinoris .	He maintained the strictest discipline amongst the troops; reviving many old customs relative to punishing and degrading offenders; setting a mark of disgrace even upon the commander of a legion, for sending a few soldiers with one of his freedmen across the river for the purpose of hunting. Though it was his desire to leave as little as possible in the power of fortune or accident, yet he always engaged the enemy with more confidence when, in his night-watches, the lamp failed and went out of itself; trusting, as he said, in an omen which had never failed him and his ancestors in all their commands. But, in the midst of victory, he was very near being assassinated by some Bructerian, who mixing with those about him, and being discovered by his trepidation, was put to the torture, and confessed his intended crime.
20	a Germania in urbem post biennium regressus triumphum , quem distulerat , egit prosequentibus etiam legatis , quibus triumphalia ornamenta impetrarat . ac prius quam in Capitolium flecteret , descendit e curru seque praesidenti patri ad genua summisit . Batonem Pannonium ducem ingentibus donatum praemiis Rauennam transtulit , gratiam referens , quod se quondam cum exercitu iniquitate loci circumclusum passus esset euadere . prandium dehinc populo mille mensis et congiarium trecenos nummos uiritim dedit . dedicauit et Concordiae aedem , item Pollucis et Castoris suo fratrisque nomine de manubiis .	After two years he returned from Germany to the city, and celebrated the triumph which he had deferred, attended by his lieutenants, for whom he had procured the honour of triumphal ornaments. Before he turned to ascend the capitol, he alighted from his chariot, and knelt before his father, who sat by, to superintend the solemnity. Bato, the Pannonian chief, he sent to Ravenna, loaded with rich presents, in gratitude for his having suffered him and his army to retire from a position in which he had so enclosed them, that they were entirely at his mercy. He afterwards gave the people a dinner at a thousand tables, besides thirty sesterces to each man. He likewise dedicated the temple of Concord, and that of Castor and Pollux, which had been erected out of the spoils of the war, in his own and his brother's name.
21	ac non multo post lege per consules lata , ut prouincias cum Augusto communiter administraret simulque censum ageret , condito lustro in Illyricum profectus est . et statim ex itinere reuocatus iam quidem adfectum , sed tamen spirantem adhuc Augustum repperit fuitque una secreto per totum diem . Scio uulgo persuasum quasi egresso post secretum sermonem Tiberio uox Augusti per cubicularios excepta sit : ' miserum populum R ., qui sub tam lentis maxillis erit .' ne illud quidem ignoro aliquos tradidisse , Augustum palam nec dissimulanter morum eius diritatem adeo improbasse , ut nonnumquam remissiores hilarioresque sermones superueniente eo abrumperet ; sed expugnatum precibus uxoris adoptionem non abnuisse , uel etiam ambitione tractum , ut tali successore desiderabilior ipse quandoque fieret . adduci tamen nequeo quin existimem , circumspectissimum et prudentissimum principem in tanto praesertim negotio nihil temere fecisse ; sed uitiis Tiberi uirtutibusque perpensis potiores duxisse uirtutes , praesertim cum et rei p . causa adoptare se eum pro contione iurauerit et epistulis aliquot ut peritissimum rei militaris utque unicum p . R . praesidium prosequatur . ex quibus in exemplum pauca hinc inde subieci . ' Vale , iucundissime Tiberi , et feliciter rem gere , ἐμοὶ καὶ † μουισ3ασ3αισ3τ στρατηγῶν . iucundissime et ita sim felix , uir fortissime et dux νομιμώτατε , uale . Ordinem aestiuorum tuorum ego uero , mi Tiberi , et inter tot rerum difficultates καὶ ίαν τῶν στρατευομένων non potuisse quemquam prudentius gerere se quam tu gesseris , existimo . ii quoque qui tecum fuerunt omnes confitentur , uersum illum in te posse dici : unus homo nobis uigilando restituit rem . Siue quid incidit de quo sit cogitandum diligentius , siue quid stomachor , ualde medius Fidius Tiberium meum desidero succurritque uersus ille Homericus : τούτου γ ' ἑσπομένοιο καὶ ἐκ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο ἄμφω νοστήσαιμεν , ἐπεὶ περίοιδε νοῆσαι . Attenuatum te esse continuatione laborum cum audio et lego , di me perdant nisi cohorrescit corpus meum ; teque oro ut parcas tibi , ne si te languere audierimus , et ego et mater tua expiremus et summa imperi sui populus R . periclitetur . Nihil interest ualeam ipse necne , si tu non ualebis . Deos obsecro , ut te nobis conseruent et ualere nunc et semper patiantur , si non p . R . perosi sunt .'	A law having been not long after carried by the consuls for his being appointed a colleague with Augustus in the administration of the provinces, and in taking the census, when that was finished he went into Illyricum. But being hastily recalled during his journey, he found Augustus alive indeed, but past all hopes of recovery, and was with him in private a whole day. I know, it is generally believed, that upon Tiberius's quitting the room, after their private conference, those who were in waiting overheard Augustus say, "Ah! unhappy Roman people, to be ground by the jaws of such a slow devourer!" Nor am I ignorant of its being reported by some, that Augustus so openly and undisguisedly condemned the sourness of his temper, that sometimes, upon his coming in, he would break off any jocular conversation in which he was engaged; and that he was only prevailed upon by the importunity of his wife to adopt him; or actuated by the ambitious view of recommending his own memory from a comparison with such a successor. Yet I must hold to this opinion, that a prince so extremely circumspect and prudent as he was, did nothing rashly, especially in an affair of so great importance; but that, upon weighing the vices and virtues of Tiberius with each other, he judged the latter to preponderate; and this the rather since he swore publicly, in an assembly of the people, that "he adopted him for the public good." Besides, in several of his letters, he extols him as a consummate general, and the only security of the Roman people. Of such declarations I subjoin the following instances: "Farewell, my dear Tiberius, and may success attend you, whilst you are warring for me and the Muses. Farewell, my most dear, and (as I hope to prosper) most gallant man, and accomplished general." Again. "The disposition of your summer quarters? In truth, my dear Tiberius, I do not think, that amidst so many difficulties, and with an army so little disposed for action, any one could have behaved more prudently than you have done. All those likewise who were with you, acknowledge that this verse is applicable to you:" Unus homo nobis vigilando restituit rem. One man by vigilance restored the state. "Whenever," he says, "any thing happens that requires more than ordinary consideration, or I am out of humour upon any occasion, I still, by Hercules! long for my dear Tiberius; and those lines of Homer frequently occur to my thoughts:" τούτου γ' ἑσπομένοιο καὶ ἐκ πυρὸς ἄμφω νοστήσαιμεν, ἐπεὶ περίοιδε νοῆσαι. Bold from his prudence, I could ev'n aspire To dare with him the burning rage of fire. "When I hear and read that you are much impaired by the continued fatigues you undergo, may the gods confound me if my whole frame does not tremble! So I beg you to spare yourself, lest, if we should hear of your being ill, the news prove fatal both to me and your mother, and the Roman people should be in peril for the safety of the empire. It matters nothing whether I be well or no, if you be not well. I pray heaven preserve you for us, and bless you with health both now and ever, if the gods have any regard for the Roman people."
22	Excessum Augusti non prius palam fecit , quam Agrippa iuuene interempto . hunc tribunus militum custos appositus occidit lectis codicillis , quibus ut id faceret iubebatur ; quos codicillos dubium fuit , Augustusne moriens reliquisset , quo materiam tumultus post se subduceret ; an nomine Augusti Liuia et ea conscio Tiberio an ignaro , dictasset . Tiberius renuntianti tribuno , factum esse quod imperasset , neque imperasse se et redditurum eum senatui rationem respondit , inuidiam scilicet in praesentia uitans . nam mox silentio rem obliterauit .	He did not make the death of Augustus public, until he had taken off young Agrippa. He was slain by a tribune who commanded his guard, upon reading a written order for that purpose: respecting which order, it was then a doubt, whether Augustus left it in his last moments, to prevent any occasion of public disturbance after his decease, or Livia issued it, in the name of Augustus; and whether with the knowledge of Tiberius or not. When the tribune came to inform him that he had executed his command, he replied, "I commanded you no such thing, and you must answer for it to the senate;" avoiding, as it seems, the odium of the act for that time. And the affair was soon buried in silence.
23	iure autem tribuniciae potestatis coacto senatu incohataque adlocutione derepente uelut impar dolori congemuit , utque non solum uox sed et spiritus deficeret optauit ac perlegendum librum Druso filio tradidit . inlatum deinde Augusti testamentum , non admissis signatoribus nisi senatorii ordinis , ceteris extra curiam signa agnoscentibus , recitauit per libertum . testamenti initium fuit : ' quoniam atrox fortuna Gaium et Lucium filios mihi eripuit , Tiberius Caesar mihi ex parte dimidia et sextante heres esto .' quo et ipso aucta suspicio est opinantium successorem ascitum eum necessitate magis quam iudicio , quando ita praefari non abstinuerit .	Having summoned the senate to meet by virtue of his tribunitian authority, and begun a mournful speech, he drew a deep sigh, as if unable to support himself under his affliction; and wishing that not his voice only, but his very breath of life, might fail him, gave his speech to his son Drusus to read. Augustus's will was then brought in, and read by a freedman; none of the witnesses to it being admitted, but such as were of the senatorian order, the rest owning their hand-writing without doors. The will began thus: " Since my ill-fortune has deprived me of my two sons, Caius and Lucius, let Tiberius Caesar be heir to two-thirds of my estate." These words countenanced the suspicion of those who were of opinion, that Tiberius was appointed successor more out of necessity than choice, since Augustus could not refrain from prefacing his will in that manner.
24	Principatum , quamuis neque occupare confestim neque agere dubitasset , et statione militum , hoc est ui et specie dominationis assumpta , diu tamen recusauit , impudentissimo mimo nunc adhortantis amicos increpans ut ignaros , quanta belua esset imperium , nunc precantem senatum et procumbentem sibi ad genua ambiguis responsis et callida cunctatione suspendens , ut quidam patientiam rumperent atque unus in tumultu proclamaret : ' aut agat aut desistat !' alter coram exprobraret ceteros , quod polliciti sint tarde praestare , sed ipsum , quod praestet tarde polliceri . tandem quasi coactus et querens miseram et onerosam iniungi sibi seruitutem , recepit imperium ; nec tamen aliter , quam ut depositurum se quandoque spem faceret . ipsius uerba sunt : ' dum ueniam ad id tempus , quo uobis aequum possit uideri dare uos aliquam senectuti meae requiem .'	Though he made no scruple to assume and exercise immediately the imperial authority, by giving orders that he should be attended by the guards, who were the security and badge of the supreme power; yet he affected, by a most impudent piece of acting, to refuse it for a long time; one while sharply reprehending his friends who entreated him to accept it, as little knowing what a monster the government was; another while keeping in suspense the senate, when they implored him and threw themselves at his feet, by ambiguous answers, and a crafty kind of dissimulation; insomuch that some were out of patience, and one cried out, during the confusion, "Either let him accept it, or decline it at once;" and a second told him to his face, "Others are slow to perform what they promise, but you are slow to promise what you actually perform." At last, as if forced to it, and complaining of the miserable and burdensome service imposed upon him, he accepted the government; not, however, without giving hopes of his resigning it some time or other. The exact words he used were these: "Until the time shall come, when ye may think it reasonable to give some rest to my old age."
25	Cunctandi causa erat metus undique imminentium discriminum , ut saepe lupum se auribus tenere diceret . nam et seruus Agrippae Clemens nomine non contemnendam manum in ultionem domini compararat et L . Scribonius Libo uir nobilis res nouas clam moliebatur et duplex seditio militum in Illyrico et in Germania exorta est . flagitabant ambo exercitus multa extra ordinem , ante omnia ut aequarentur stipendio praetorianis . Germaniciani quidem etiam principem detractabant non a se datum summaque ui Germanicum , qui tum iis praeerat , ad capessendam rem p . urgebant , quanquam obfirmate resistentem . quem maxime casum timens , partes sibi quas senatui liberet , tuendas in re p . depoposcit , quando uniuersae sufficere solus nemo posset nisi cum altero uel etiam cum pluribus . simulauit et ualitudinem , quo aequiore animo Germanicus celerem successionem uel certe societatem principatus opperiretur . compositis seditionibus Clementem quoque fraude deceptum redegit in potestatem . Libonem , ne quid in nouitate acerbius fieret , secundo demum anno in senatu coarguit , medio temporis spatio tantum cauere contentus ; nam et inter pontifices sacrificanti simul pro secespita plumbeum cultrum subiciendum curauit et secretum petenti non nisi adhibito Druso filio dedit dextramque obambulantis ueluti incumbens , quoad perageretur sermo , continuit .	The cause of his long demur was fear of the dangers which threatened him on all hands; insomuch that he said, "I have got a wolf by the ears." For a slave of Agrippa's, Clemens by name, had drawn together a considerable force to revenge his master's death; Lucius Scribonius Libo, a senator of the first distinction, was secretly fomenting a rebellion; and the troops both in Illyricum and Germany were mutinous. Both armies insisted upon high demands, particularly that their pay should be made equal to that of the pretorian guards. The army in Germany absolutely refused to acknowledge a prince who was not their own choice; and urged, with all possible importunity, Germanicus, who commanded them, to take the government on himself, though he obstinately refused it. It was Tiberius's apprehension from this quarter, which made him request the senate to assign him some part only in the administration, such as they should judge proper, since no man could be sufficient for the whole, without one or more to assist him. He pretended likewise to be in a bad state of health, that Germanicus might the more patiently wait in hopes of speedily succeeding him, or at least of being admitted to be a colleague of the government. When the mutinies in the armies were suppressed, he got Clemens into his hands by stratagem. That he might not begin his reign by an act of severity, he did not call Libo to an account before the senate until his second year, being content, in the mean time, with taking proper precautions for his own security. For upon Libo's attending a sacrifice amongst the high-priests, instead of the usual knife, he ordered one of lead to be given him; and when he desired a private conference with him, he would not grant his request, but on condition that his son Drusus should be present; and as they walked together, he held him fast by the right hand, under the pretence of leaning upon him, until the conversation was over.
26	Verum liberatus metu ciuilem admodum inter initia ac paulo minus quam priuatum egit . ex plurimis maximisque honoribus praeter paucos et modicos non recepit . natalem suum plebeis incurrentem circensibus uix unius bigae adiectione honorari passus est . templa , flamines , sacerdotes decerni sibi prohibuit , etiam statuas atque imagines nisi permittente se poni ; permisitque ea sola condicione , ne inter simulacra deorum sed inter ornamenta aedium ponerentur . intercessit et quo minus in acta sua iuraretur , et ne mensis September Tiberius , October Liuius uocarentur . praenomen quoque imperatoris cognomenque patris patriae et ciuicam in uestibulo coronam recusauit ; ac ne Augusti quidem nomen , quanquam hereditarium , nullis nisi ad reges ac dynastas epistulis addidit . nec amplius quam mox tres consulatus , unum paucis diebus , alterum tribus mensibus , tertium absens usque in Idus Maias gessit .	When he was delivered from his apprehensions, his behaviour at first was unassuming, and he did not carry himself much above the level of a private person; and of the many and great honours offered him, he accepted but few, and such as were very moderate. His birth-day, which happened to fall at the time of the Plebeian Circensian games, he with difficulty suffered to be honoured with the addition of only a single chariot, drawn by two horses. He forbad temples, flamens, or priests to be appointed for him, as likewise the erection of any statues or effigies for him, without his permission; and this he granted only on condition that they should not be placed amongst the images of the gods, but only amongst the ornaments of houses. He also interposed to prevent the senate from swearing to maintain his acts; and the month of September from being called Tiberius, and October being named after Livia. The praenomen likewise of EMPEROR, with the cognomen of FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, and a civic crown in the vestibule of his house, he would not accept. He never used the name of AUGUSTUS, although he inherited it, in any of his letters, excepting those addressed to kings and princes. Nor had he more than three consulships; one for a few days, another for three months, and the third, during his absence from the city, until the ides [fifteenth] of May.
27	Adulationes adeo auersatus est , ut neminem senatorum aut officii aut negotii causa ad lecticam suam admiserit , consularem uero satisfacientem sibi ac per genua orare conantem ita suffugerit , ut caderet supinus ; atque etiam , si quid in sermone uel in continua oratione blandius de se diceretur , non dubitaret interpellare ac reprehendere et commutare continuo . dominus appellatus a quodam denuntiauit , ne se amplius contumeliae causa nominaret . alium dicentem sacras eius occupationes et rursus alium , auctore eo senatum se adisse , uerba mutare et pro auctore suasorem , pro sacris laboriosas dicere coegit .	He had such an aversion to flattery, that he would never suffer any senator to approach his litter, as he passed the streets in it, either to pay him a civility, or upon business. And when a man of consular rank, in begging his pardon for some offence he had given him, attempted to fall at his feet, he started from him in such haste, that he stumbled and fell. If any compliment was paid him, either in conversation or a set speech, he would not scruple to interrupt and reprimand the party, and alter what he had said. Being once called "lord," by some person, he desired that he might no more be affronted in that manner. When another, to excite veneration, called his occupations "sacred," and a third had expressed himself thus: " By your authority I have waited upon the senate," he obliged them to change their phrases; in one of them adopting persuasion, instead of "authority," and in the other, laborious, instead of "sacred."
28	sed et aduersus conuicia malosque rumores et famosa de se ac suis carmina firmus ac patiens subinde iactabat in ciuitate libera linguam mentemque liberas esse debere ; et quondam senatu cognitionem de eius modi criminibus ac reis flagitante : ' non tantum ,' inquit , ' otii habemus , ut implicare nos pluribus negotiis debeamus ; si hanc fenestram aperueritis , nihil aliud agi sinetis : omnium inimicitiae hoc praetexto ad uos deferentur .' extat et sermo eius in senatu perciuilis : ' siquidem locutus aliter fuerit , dabo operam ut rationem factorum meorum dictorumque reddam ; si perseuerauerit , in uicem eum odero .'	He remained unmoved at all the aspersions, scandalous reports, and lampoons, which were spread against him or his relations; declaring, "In a free state, both the tongue and the mind ought to be free." Upon the senate's desiring that some notice might be taken of those offences, and the persons charged with them, he replied, "We have not so much time upon our hands, that we ought to involve ourselves in more business. If you once make an opening for such proceedings, you will soon have nothing else to do. All private quarrels will be brought before you under that pretence." There is also on record another sentence used by him in the senate, which is far from assuming: "If he speaks otherwise of me, I shall take care to behave in such a manner, as to be able to give a good account both of my words and actions; and if he persists, I shall hate him in my turn."