M. Tullius Cicero, In Catilinam, ed. Albert Curtis Clark, 2.19

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[19] 9 alterum genus est eorum qui, quamquam premuntur aere alieno, dominationem tamen exspectant, rerum potiri volunt, honores quos quieta re publica desperant perturbata se consequi¹ posse arbitrantur. quibus hoc praecipiendum videtur, unum scilicet et idem quod reliquis omnibus, ut desperent id² quod conantur se consequi posse: primum omnium me ipsum vigilare, adesse, providere rei publicae; deinde magnos animos esse in bonis viris, magnam concordiam ordinum³, maximam multitudinem⁴, magnas praeterea militum copias⁵; deos denique immortalis huic invicto populo, clarissimo imperio, pulcherrimae urbi contra tantam vim sceleris praesentis auxilium esse laturos. quod si iam sint id quod summo⁶ furore cupiunt adepti, num illi in cinere urbis et in sanguine civium, quae mente conscelerata ac nefaria concupiverunt, consules se⁷ aut dictatores aut etiam reges sperant futuros? non vident id se cupere quod, si adepti sint, fugitivo alicui aut gladiatori concedi sit⁸ necesse?

In Catilinam. M. Tullius Cicero. ed. Albert Curtis Clark. Oxford. 1908.

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Funding provided by National Endowment For The Humanities (NEH).

Current edition Perseus

In L. Catilinam (Latin) (Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Volume 1. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908.)

Translations (1)

Against L. Catiline Perseus (Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Volume 2. Yonge, Charles Duke, translator. London: Bell, 1856.) — 2.19 focus

[19]
There is another class of them, who, although they are harassed by debt, yet are expecting supreme power; they wish to become masters. They think that when the republic is in confusion they may gain those honours which they despair of when it is in tranquillity. And they must, I think, be told the same as every one else,—to despair of obtaining what they are aiming at; that in the first place, I myself am watchful for, am present to, am providing for the republic. Besides that, there is a high spirit in the virtuous citizens, great unanimity, great numbers, and also a great body of troops. Above all that, the immortal gods will stand by and bring aid to this invincible nation, this most illustrious empire, this most beautiful city, against such wicked violence. And if they had already got that which they with the greatest madness wish for, do they think that in the ashes of the city and blood of the citizens, which in their wicked and infamous hearts they desire, they will become consuls and dictators and even kings? Do they not see that they are wishing for that which, if they were to obtain it, must be given up to some fugitive slave, or to some gladiator?

Notes on the current edition

In Catilinam

1. se consequi α h: consequi se αβγ

2. id post se hab. αβγ

3. ordinum supplevi: om. codd.

4. maxima multitudine a: in maxima multitudine Halm

5. militum copias α h: copias militum cett.

6. cum summo C1 αγ

7. consules se α h: se consules cett.

8. sit concedi α

Commentary

Commentary on Second Oration against Catiline (Select Orations of Cicero (Allen and Greenough's Edition). Greenough, James Bradstreet; Kittredge, George Lyman, editors. Boston, London: Ginn & Company, 1897.) focus

ut . . . possitis : § 532 (317, c); B. 282, 4; G. 545, R.3; Cf. H. 568, 4 (499, 2, N.) ; H.-B. 502, 2, c.

diversa studia . In another passage ( Cael. 13 ) Cicero ascribes to Catiline: Cum tristibus severe, cum remissis jucunde, cum senibus graviter, cum juventute comiter, cum facinorosis audaciter, cum libidinosis luxuriose vivere .

in dissimili ratione , in different directions.

ludo , the regular training-school.

gladiatorio : see Cat. 1, p. 110, l. 31 , and note.

levior , etc.: the Roman actors, though some of them achieved distinction, were generally regarded as a low class of men.

tamen , i.e. though a companion of such dissolute persons, yet he possessed the qualities of fortitude and endurance so much admired by the Romans.

exercitatione (abl. of means), etc., trained by the practice of debaucheries and crimes to endure, etc.

frigore . . . perferendis : abl. with

adsuefactus ; § 507 , N.1 (301, N.); G. 431; cf. H-B. 612, iv, 431.

fortis , a strong and able fellow.

istis , those creatures: § 297 , c (102, c); B. 246, 4; G. 306, N.; H. 507, 3 (450, i, N.); H.-B. 274, 4. 117 11 cum . . . consumeret (not concessive), while consuming .

subsidia , etc., i.e. means (his uncommon powers of body and mind) which might have been used, etc.

M. Tullius Cicero In Catilinam 2.19

ed. Albert Curtis Clark

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