Book 4
pr.108
We shall, as I have already said, never argue points in the statement of facts, but we may sometimes introduce arguments, as for example Cicero does in the pro Ligario, ii. 4. Ligarius was accused of having fought for the Pompeians in Africa. Cicero points out that he went out to Africa before the outbreak of war was dreamed of and that his whole attitude was discreet. when he says that he ruled his province in such a way that it was to his interest that peace should continue. We shall sometimes also, if occasion demand, insert a brief defence of the facts in the statement and trace the reasons that led up to them.
pr.109
For we must state our facts like advocates, not witnesses. A statement in its simplest form will run as follows, Quintus Ligarius went out as legate to C. Considius. But how will Cicero pro Lig. i. 2. put it ? Quintus Ligarius, he says, set out for Africa as legate to Gaius Considius at a time when there was no thought of war. And again elsewhere ib. ii. 4.
pr.110
he says, Not only not to war, but to a country where there was no thought of war. And when the sense would have been sufficiently clear had he said no more than Quintus Ligarius would not suffer himself to be entangled in any transaction, pro Lig. i. 3. he adds for he had his eyes fixed on home and wished to return to his own people. Thus he made what he stated credible by giving a reason for it and at the same time coloured it with emotion.
