1But to that whole speech the defence is short. 1For as long as Marcus Caelius' age could give room for that suspicion, he was protected first by his own modesty, and then also by his father's care and discipline. 1As soon as his father gave him the toga of manhood — I shall say nothing here about myself; 1let that count for as much as you judge; 1I shall say this, that he was brought straight from his father to me — no one saw this Marcus Caelius in that flower of his youth except either with his father or with me or in the most virtuous house of Marcus Crassus, when he was being trained in the most honourable studies.
10As for the intimacy with Catiline charged against Caelius, it ought to be far removed from that suspicion. 10For you know that when this man was still young Catiline stood for the consulship with me. 10If he ever went over to him or ever left my side — although many good young men were devoted to that worthless and wicked man — then let Caelius be thought to have been too intimate with Catiline. 10But, you say, we know and have seen that later he was even among that man's friends. 10Who denies it? 10But it is that period of life, which is weak in itself and exposed to the lust of others, that I am defending at this point.
10He was constantly with me when I was praetor; 10he did not know Catiline; 10that man was then governing Africa as praetor. 10Then the next year followed, and Catiline stood trial for extortion. 10Caelius was with me; 10he never came to Catiline even as a supporter in court. 10Next came the year in which I stood for the consulship; 10Catiline was standing against me. 10He never went over to him; he never withdrew from me.