First Philippic (46)

It is impossible, utterly impossible for one man ever to do all that you want done; he can only promise[*] and assent and throw the blame on someone else. In consequence our interests are ruined. For when your general leads wretched, ill-paid mercenaries, and finds plenty of men here to lie to you about what he has done, while you pass decrees at random on the strength of these reports, what are you to expect?