Cicero: “I conclude, then, that the plea of having acted in the interests of a friend is not a valid excuse for a wrong action.”

But for the most part, people are led to wrong-doing in order to secure some personal end; in this vice, avarice is generally the controlling motive.

Such acts of generosity are not to be so highly esteemed as those which are performed with judgment, deliberation, and mature consideration.

Besides, he will not expose anyone to hatred or disrepute by groundless charges, but he will surely cleave to justice and honour so closely that he will submit to any loss, however heavy, rather than be untrue to them, and will face death…

Now, those who care for the interests of a part of the citizens and neglect another part, introduce into the civil service a dangerous element--dissension and party strife.