Is it right, then, that in these
 matters anything should be passed over without the ruler knowing it? It is not right, O
 judges, but it is inevitable. In truth, if the great and kind
 Jupiter , by whose will and command the heaven,
 the earth, and the seas are governed, has often by too violent winds, or by immoderate
 tempests, or by too much heat, or by intolerable cold, injured men, destroyed cities, or
 ruined the crops; nothing of which do we suppose to have taken place, for the sake of
 causing injury, by the divine intention, but owing to the power and magnitude of the
 affairs of the world; but on the other hand we see that the advantages which we have the
 benefit of, and the light which we enjoy, and the air which we breathe, are all given to
 and bestowed upon us by him; how can we wonder that Lucius Sulla, when he alone was
 governing the whole republic, and administering the affairs of the whole world, and
 strengthening by his laws the majesty of the empire, which he had recovered by arms,
 should have been forced to leave some things unnoticed? Unless this is strange that human
 faculties have not a power which divine might is unable to attain to. But to say no more about what has happened already, cannot any one
 thoroughly understand from what is happening now, that Chrysogonus alone is the author and
 contriver of all this, and that it is he who caused Sextus Roscius to be accused? this
 trial in which Erucius says that he is the accuser out of regard for honour 
 
 They think they are leading a convenient life, and one arranged rationally, who have a
 house among the Salentii or Brutii, from which they can scarcely receive news three times
 a year. Another comes down to you from his palace on
 the Palatine ; he has for the purposes of
 relaxation to his mind a pleasant suburban villa, and many farms besides, and not one
 which is not beautiful and contiguous; a house filled with Corinthian and Delian vessels,
 among which is that celebrated stove which he has lately bought at so great a price, that
 passers by, who heard the money being counted out, thought that a farm was being sold.
 What quantities besides of embossed plate, of embroidered quilts; of paintings, of
 statues, and of marble, do you think he has in his house? All, forsooth, that in a time of
 disturbance and rapine can be crammed into one house from the plunder of many magnificent
 families. But why should I mention how vast a household too was his, and in what various
 trades was it instructed? I say nothing of those
 ordinary arts, cooks, bakers, and litter-bearers; he has so many slaves to gratify his
 mind and ears, that the whole neighbourhood resounds with the daily music of voices, and
 stringed instruments, and flutes. In such a life as this, O judges, how great a daily
 expense, and what extravagance do you think there must be? And what banquets? Honourable
 no doubt in such a house; if that is to be called a house rather than a workshop of
 wickedness, and a lodging for every sort of iniquity. In what a style he himself flutters through the forum, with his hair curled and perfumed,
 and with a great retinue of citizens, you yourselves behold, O judges; in truth you see
 how he despises every one, how he thinks no one a human being but himself, how he thinks
 himself the only happy, the only powerful man. But if I were to wish too mention what he
 does and what he attempts, O judges, I am afraid that some ignorant people would think
 that I wish to injure the cause of the nobility, and to detract from their victory;
 although I have a right to find fault if anything in that party displeases me. For I am
 not afraid that any one will suppose that I have a disposition disaffected to the cause of
 the nobility.