Conspiracy of Catiline and The Jurgurthine War | Page 2

of the body the service.[8] The one is
common to us with the gods; the other with the brutes. It appears to me,
therefore, more reasonable[9]to pursue glory by means of the intellect
than of bodily strength, and, since the life which we enjoy is short, to
make the remembrance of us as lasting as possible. For the glory of
wealth and beauty is fleeting and perishable; that of intellectual power
is illustrious and immortal.[10]
Yet it was long a subject of dispute among mankind, whether military
efforts were more advanced by strength of body, or by force of intellect.
For, in affairs of war, it is necessary to plan before beginning to act,[11]
and, after planning, to act with promptitude and vigor.[12] Thus,
each[13] being insufficient of itself, the one requires the assistance of
the other.[14]
II. In early times, accordingly, kings (for that was the first title of
sovereignty in the world) applied themselves in different ways;[15]
some exercised the mind, others the body. At that period, however,[16]
the life of man was passed without covetousness;[17] every one was
satisfied with his own. But after Cyrus in Asia[18] and the
Lacedaemonians and Athenians in Greece, began to subjugate cities
and nations, to deem the lust of dominion a reason for war, and to
imagine the greatest glory to be in the most extensive empire, it was
then at length discovered, by proof and experience,[19] that mental
power has the greatest effect in military operations. And, indeed,[20] if
the intellectual ability[21] of kings and magistrates[22] were exerted to
the same degree in peace as in war, human affairs would be more
orderly and settled, and you would not see governments shifted from
hand to hand,[23] and things universally changed and confused. For
dominion is easily secured by those qualities by which it was at first
obtained. But when sloth has introduced itself in the place of industry,
and covetousness and pride in that of moderation and equity, the
fortune of a state is altered together with its morals; and thus authority
is always transferred from the less to the more deserving.[24]
Even in agriculture,[25] in navigation, and in architecture, whatever
man performs owns the dominion of intellect. Yet many human beings,
resigned to sensuality and indolence, un-instructed and unimproved,
have passed through life like travellers in a strange country[26]; to

whom, certainly, contrary to the intention of nature, the body was a
gratification, and the mind a burden. Of these I hold the life and death
in equal estimation[27]; for silence is maintained concerning both. But
he only, indeed, seems to me to live, and to enjoy life, who, intent upon
some employment, seeks reputation from some ennobling enterprise, or
honorable pursuit.
But in the great abundance of occupations, nature points out different
paths to different individuals. III. To act well for the Commonwealth is
noble, and even to speak well for it is not without merit[28]. Both in
peace and in war it is possible to obtain celebrity; many who have acted,
and many who have recorded the actions of others, receive their tribute
of praise. And to me, assuredly, though by no means equal glory
attends the narrator and the performer of illustrious deeds, it yet seems
in the highest degree difficult to write the history of great transactions;
first, because deeds must be adequately represented[29] by words; and
next, because most readers consider that whatever errors you mention
with censure, are mentioned through malevolence and envy; while,
when you speak of the great virtue and glory of eminent men, every
one hears with acquiescence[30] only that which he himself thinks easy
to be performed; all beyond his own conception he regards as fictitious
and incredible[31].
I myself, however, when a young man[32], was at first led by
inclination, like most others, to engage in political affairs[33]; but in
that pursuit many circumstances were unfavorable to me; for, instead of
modesty, temperance, and integrity[34], there prevailed shamelessness,
corruption, and rapacity. And although my mind, inexperienced in
dishonest practices, detested these vices, yet, in the midst of so great
corruption, my tender age was insnared and infected[35] by ambition;
and, though I shrunk from the vicious principles of those around me,
yet the same eagerness for honors, the same obloquy and jealousy[36],
which disquieted others, disquieted myself.
IV. When, therefore, my mind had rest from its numerous troubles and
trials, and I had determined to pass the remainder of my days
unconnected with public life, it was not my intention to waste my
valuable leisure in indolence and inactivity, or, engaging in servile
occupations, to spend my time in agriculture or hunting[37]; but,
returning to those studies[38] from which, at their commencement, a

corrupt ambition had allured me, I determined to write, in detached
portions[39], the transactions of the Roman