Section 31
Original Latin
qua re conservate, iudices, hominem pudore eo quem amicorum videtis comprobari cum dignitate, tum etiam vetustate, ingenio autem tanto quantum id convenit existimari, quod summorum hominum iudiciis expetitum esse videatis, causa vero eius modi quae beneficio legis, auctoritate municipi, testimonio Luculli, tabulis Metelli comprobetur. quae cum ita sint, petimus a vobis, iudices, si qua non modo humana verum etiam divina in tantis ingeniis commendatio debet esse, ut eum qui vos, qui vestros imperatores, qui populi Romani res gestas semper ornavit, qui etiam his recentibus nostris vestrisque domesticis periculis aeternum se testimonium laudis daturum esse profitetur, quique est [ex] eo numero qui semper apud omnis sancti sunt habiti itaque dicti, sic in vestram accipiatis fidem ut humanitate vestra levatus potius quam acerbitate violatus esse videatur.
Musean translation
Complete machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from the Latin in Clark’s 1911 edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Therefore, judges, preserve this man. You see his modest character confirmed by the distinction of his friends and the long duration of their friendship; you should esteem his talent as highly as a gift deserves that you see sought out by the judgment of the greatest men. His case is established by the provisions of the law, the authority of his town, the testimony of Lucullus, and the records of Metellus. Since this is so, judges, if such great gifts of genius have any claim on our regard, not merely human but divine, we ask you to take him under your care: the man who has always honored you, your commanders, and the achievements of the Roman people; who promises an everlasting record of our glory amid those recent dangers at home that we shared with you; and who belongs to that company who have always, among all peoples, been held and called sacred. Let him appear to have been relieved by your humanity rather than wounded by your severity.
Plain English translation
Complete machine-assisted Plain English translation made independently and directly from the Latin, not from the Musean edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
So protect this man, judges. His modesty is such that you can see it confirmed by both the standing and the long duration of his friendships. His talent is as great as you should consider it to be when you see that the most distinguished men have sought it out. And his case is supported by the provision of the law, the authority of the municipality, the testimony of Lucullus, and the records of Metellus.
That being so, judges, we ask you, if such great talents deserve any claim on your favor, not only human but even divine, to take him under your protection. He has always honored you, your generals, and the achievements of the Roman people; he also promises to leave a lasting record of praise for our recent dangers here at home, shared by you and me. He belongs to that company of people who have always been regarded by everyone as sacred, and so called. Receive him so that he may be seen to have been helped by your humanity rather than injured by your harshness.
About this section
Section 31 is part of For Archias the Poet by Marcus Tullius Cicero. This page sets the Latin original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 31 of 32 in the work, which is kept in the Roman tradition.
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