1I also observe this: that one who properly would be called perduellis, a public foe, was called hostis, the harshness of the thing being softened by the gentleness of the word. 1For among our ancestors that man was called hostis whom we now call peregrinus, a foreigner. 1The Twelve Tables show this: 'or a day appointed with a hostis', and likewise: 'against a hostis the right of ownership is everlasting'. 1What can be added to such gentleness as this, to call the one with whom you are at war by so mild a name? 1And yet long usage has now made that name harsher; 1for it has moved away from the foreigner and remained, in its proper sense, with one who bears arms against us.
38But when the contest is for empire and glory is sought by war, there must still be wholly present the same causes which I said a little before are the just causes of wars. 38But those wars in which the glory of empire is the aim must be waged less bitterly. For just as we contend with a fellow citizen in one way if he is a personal enemy, in another if he is a rival (with the latter the struggle is for office and standing, with the former for life and reputation), so the wars with the Celtiberians and the Cimbrians were waged as with enemies, over which should survive, not which should rule, whereas with the Latins, Sabines, Samnites, Carthaginians and Pyrrhus the struggle was for empire.
38The Carthaginians were treaty-breakers, Hannibal was cruel, the rest were more just. 38Pyrrhus' words about returning the prisoners are certainly noble: 'I ask no gold for myself, nor shall you pay me any price; not huckstering war but waging it, let us both decide our lives with iron, not with gold. 38Whether the mistress Fortune wills that you or I should reign, or what Chance may bring, let us test by valour. 38And at the same time hear this word: those whose valour the fortune of war has spared, their freedom I am resolved to spare as well. 38I give them, take them, and I give them with the goodwill of the great gods.
38' A truly royal sentiment, and worthy of the race of the Aeacidae.