I should have been very glad, O judges, if Publius Sulla had been able formerly to retain the
 honour of the dignity to which he was appointed, and had been allowed, after the misfortune
 which befell him, to derive some reward from his moderation in adversity. But since his
 unfriendly fortune has brought it about that he has been damaged, even at a time of his greatest
 honour, by the unpopularity ensuing not only from the common envy which pursues ambitious men,
 but also by the singular hatred in which Autronius is held, and that even in this sad and
 deplorable wreck of his former fortunes, he has still some enemies whose hostility he is unable
 to appease by the punishment which has fallen upon him; although I am very greatly concerned at
 his distresses, yet in his other misfortunes I can easily endure that an opportunity should be
 offered to me of causing virtuous men to recognise my lenity and merciful disposition, which was
 formerly known to every one, but which has of late been interrupted as it were; and of forcing
 wicked and profligate citizens, being again defeated and vanquished, to confess that, when the
 republic was in danger, I was energetic and fearless; now that it is said, I am lenient and
 merciful. And since Lucius Torquatus, O judges, my own most
 intimate friend, O judges, has thought that if he violated our friendship and intimacy somewhat
 in his speech for the prosecution, he could by that means detract a little from the authority of
 my defence, I will unite with my endeavours to ward off danger from my client a defence of my
 own conduct in the discharge of my duty. Not that I would employ that sort of speech at present,
 O judges, if my own interest alone were concerned, for on many occasions and in many places I
 have had, and I often shall have, opportunities of speaking of my own credit. But as he, O
 judges, has thought that the more he could take away from my authority, the more also he would
 be diminishing my client's means of protection; I also think, that if I can induce you to
 approve of the principles of my conduct and my wisdom in this discharge of my duty and in
 undertaking this defence, I shall also induce you to look favourably on the cause of Publius
 Sulla. And in the first place, O Torquatus, I ask you this why
 you should separate me from the other illustrious and chief men of this city, in regard to this
 duty, and to the right of defending clients? For what is the reason why the act of Quintus
 Hortensius a most illustrious man and a most accomplished citizen, is not blamed by you, and
 mine is blamed? For if a design of firing the city, and of extinguishing this empire, and of
 destroying this city, was entertained by Publius Sulla ought not such projects to raise greater
 indignation and greater hatred against their authors in me than in Quintus Hortensius? Ought not
 my opinion to be more severe in such a matter, as to whom I should think fit to assist in these
 causes, whom to oppose, whom to defend, and whom to abandon? No doubt, says he, for it was you
 who investigated, you who laid open the whole conspiracy. 
 And when he says this, he does not perceive that the man who laid it open took care that all
 men should see that which had previously been hidden. Wherefore that conspiracy, if it was laid
 open by me, is now as evident in all its particulars to Hortensius as it is to me. And when you
 see that he, a man of such rank, and authority, and virtue, and wisdom, has not
 hesitated to defend this innocent Publius Sulla, I ask why the access to the cause which was
 open to Hortensius, ought to be closed against me? I ask this also,—if you think that I, who
 defend him, am to he blamed, what do you think of those excellent men and most illustrious
 citizens, by whose zeal and dignified presence you perceive that this trial is attended, by whom
 the cause of my client is honoured, by whom his innocence is upheld? For that is not the only
 method of defending a man's cause which consists in speaking for him. All who countenance him
 with their presence, who show anxiety in his behalf, who desire his safety, all, as far as their
 opportunities allow or their authority extends, are defending him. Ought I to be unwilling to appear on these benches on which I see these lights
 and ornaments of the republic, when it is only by my own numerous and great labours and dangers
 that I have mounted into their rank, and into this lofty position and dignity which I now enjoy?
 And that you may understand, O Torquatus, whom you are accusing, if you are offended that I, who
 have defended no one on inquiries of this sort do not abandon Publius Sulla, remember also the
 other men, whom you see countenancing this man by their presence. You will see that their
 opinion and mine has been one and the same about this man's case, and about that of the others.
 Who of us stood by Varguntius? No one. Not even this Quintus Hortensius, the very man who had
 formerly been his only defender when prosecuted for corruption. For he did not think himself
 connected by any bond of duty with that man, when he, by the commission of such enormous
 wickedness, had broken asunder the ties of all duties whatever. Who of us countenanced Servius
 Sulla? who ? who of us thought Marcus Laeca or Caius Cornelius fit to be
 defended? who of all the men whom you see here gave the countenance of his presence to any one
 of those criminals?