1I come now to a point to which I am led not by desire but by duty. 1For if I cared to accuse, I would rather accuse others by whom I could advance myself; 1and that I am resolved not to do, as long as I am free to do either. 1For to me the most distinguished man seems to be the one who has reached a higher place by his own merit, not one who climbs up through another's misfortune and ruin. 1Let us at last stop searching into things that are empty; 1let us look for the crime where it both is and can be found; 1you will soon understand, Erucius, by how many grounds for suspicion a real charge is proven, even though I shall not say everything and shall touch on each point lightly.
1For I would not do this unless it were necessary, and this will be a sign that I do it unwillingly, that I shall not pursue it further than my client's safety and my own duty demand. 84You could find no motive in Sextus Roscius; 84but I find one in Titus Roscius. 84For my business is with you, Titus Roscius, since you sit there and openly declare yourself an adversary. 84We shall see about Capito later, if, as I hear he is prepared to, he comes forward as a witness; 84then he will learn of other trophies of his too, which he does not suspect I have even heard of.
84The famous Lucius Cassius, whom the Roman people thought a most truthful and wise judge, used to ask again and again in trials 'to whose advantage' it had been. 84Human life is such that no one attempts to embark on a crime without hope of profit. 85This investigator and judge was shunned and dreaded by those against whom a prosecution was being brought, because, although he was a friend of truth, he seemed by nature not so much inclined to mercy as disposed towards severity. 85As for me, although the man presiding over this court is both most courageous against audacity and most merciful towards innocence, I would still readily let myself plead for Sextus Roscius either with that very keen judge conducting the inquiry or before Cassian judges, whose very name even now those who must stand trial dread.