In Defence of the Republic, a collection of speeches that the famed orator Cicero made during his lifetime, strikes me as paradoxically ancient and modern. Many of the issues that Cicero argues against and has to deal with in his life and that of Rome, could very well be happening today in America. Maybe the extremity has died down, and violent brigands don’t do the dirty work of politicians in the streets anymore (maybe?) Yet, the man showed me the continuation of the human spirit, and his wisdom throughout the collection.
Cicero was an astounding politician. Rose to heights on his work and efforts alone. He had no ancient name to fall back on, and only survived in the political sphere because the people loved him. He was an ardent defender of the republic and the values of Rome. In court cases and public speeches alike, he lambasted the greed, corruption, violence, and perversity that seemed to pervade throughout Rome. He had an uncanny knowledge of politics that still resonates today. After being quaestor (governor) of Syracuse very successfully at a young age, he returned to Rome expecting to be lauded by all. When no one recognized him, his name, or his accomplishments, Cicero accepted a simple fact – to be out of Rome and away from the Forum and the Senate was to be forgotten. A politician must remain where the action is to stay relevant. On a national stage, only those who congregate together at the top truly are known. Cicero would be known, and would not be forgotten again.
He also understood the fickleness of the crowd much more clearly than most politicians seem to today.
For nothing is so fragile, so delicate, so brittle and so easily altered as the goodwill and feelings of our fellow-citizens have for us: they do not just get angry with candidates’ scandalous acts but are often even offended by proper ones (In Defence of Milo.)
Cicero further knew the nature of man in ways that people today seem to forget. “Although there is not reward that can make decent men commit a crime, perverse men will often do so for a small one (Milo.)” How quick those who are indecent throw off the shackles of responsibility and order has not slowed in the centuries since. But what is important to remember about criminals (negating sociopaths) is that “ The conscience has great power, jurors, and it has great effect on the innocent and the guilty: the guilty visualize their punishment, but the innocent have no fear (Milo.)”
As Cicero watched the criminal elements of Rome erode the bedrock of character that it rested on, he did not blame the populace for not recognizing the evil around them. He watched powerful men attack Rome, and few willing to protect it. These actions were often slow in forming and hard to notice like a crack in the foundation, but Cicero noticed them and sought them out.
But decent people are unfortunately slower to act and they ignore the start of the problem; it is only an actual crisis that finally gets them moving. The result is that even though they are willing to enjoy peace without honour, their delays and sluggishness sometimes lose them both (In Defence of Sestius.)
The things that Cicero stood for, we can respect to this day. Honor, peace, reason, character, republican ideals, and adherence to the laws of the past; these were his calling cards. He was disgusted by the corruption, greed, and violence that seemingly engulfed Rome at every turn during his political career. He was always able to douse the fire with the water of his voice and reason. But this did take a toll on him. He never gave up though, he never lost the love of the country he was born and raised in. He fought tyranny for every inch, and although he would eventually lose this battle as Rome devolved into the reign of the Caesars and emperors, he fought nobly and honorably. He was a true gentlemen and citizen of the first class.
There is sweetness in the name of peace, and living in peace is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and slavery. Slavery is the worst of all evils and must be driven off by war – or even death (Second Philippic.)
There is no voice like Cicero’s in the public sphere today, and we are lost without it. In this hyperpolarized political world we live in, there are few champions that praise and hope for America, the way Cicero did for Rome. Sure there are loud speakers, and impressive demagogues on both sides of the argument capturing the rapt attention of a radicalized populace. But no man or woman speaks for the soul and center of America; no one speaks for citizens of all colors, creeds, and political leanings. A man or woman like Cicero must emerge from the background, take center stage and remind the people of this country what America really stands for. Will it be you?
2ndhandwisdom 