Cicero 4.7

Question 1

video duas adhuc esse sententias, unam D. Silani qui censet eos qui haec delere conati sunt morte esse multandos, alteram C. Caesaris qui mortis poenam removet, ceterorum suppliciorum omnisacerbitates amplectitur.

Answer 1

I see that as yet there are two opinions. One that of Decius Silanus, who thinks that those who have endeavoured to destroy all these things should be punished with death; the other, that of Caius Cæsar, who objects to the punishment of death, but adopts the most extreme severity of all other punishment.

Question 2

Vterque et pro sua [Note] dignitate et pro rerum magnitudine in summa severitate versatur.

Answer 2

Each acts in a manner suitable to his own dignity and to the magnitude of the business with the greatest severity.

Question 3

alter eos qui nos omnis, qui populum Romanum vita privare conati sunt, qui [Note]delere imperium, qui populi Romani nomen exstinguere, punctum temporis frui vita et hoc communi spiritu non putat oportere atque hoc genus poenae saepe in improbos civis in hac re publica esseusurpatum recordatur.

Answer 3

The one thinks that it is not right that those, who have attempted to deprive all of us and the whole Roman people of life, to destroy the empire, to extinguish the name of the Roman people, should enjoy life and the breath of heaven common to us all, for one moment; and he remembers that this sort of punishment has often been employed against worthless citizens in this republic.

Question 4

alter intellegit mortem a [Note] dis immortalibus non esse supplici causa constitutam, sed aut necessitatem naturae aut laborum ac miseriarum quietem [Note].

Answer 4

The other feels that death was not appointed by the immortal gods for the sake of punishment, but that it is either a necessity of nature, or a rest from toils and miseries;

Question 5

itaque eamsapientes numquam inviti, fortes saepe etiam libenter oppetiverunt [Note].

Answer 5

therefore wise men have never met it unwillingly, brave men have often encountered it even voluntarily.

Question 6

vincula vero et ea sempiterna certe ad singularem poenam nefarii sceleris inventa sunt. municipiis dispertiri iubet. haberevidetur ista res iniquitatem, si imperare velis, difficultatem, si rogare.

Answer 6

But imprisonment, and that too perpetual, was certainly invented for the extraordinary punishment of nefarious wickedness; therefore he proposes that they should be distributed among the municipal towns. This proposition seems to have in it injustice if you command it, difficulty if you request it;