A few more quotes from Pliny the Younger, these from Book VI.
- “How often we judge actions by the people who perform them! The self-same deeds are lauded to the skies or allowed to sink into oblivion simply because the persons concerned are well known or not.”
- “[T]here were three kinds of case which we should undertake: our friends', those which no one else would take on, and those which establish a precendent. No explanation is needed to show why we should help our friends; we should undertake the second type [...] as the best means of showing our generosity and strength of mind, and the third because nothing is so important as establishing the right precedent. To these I will add a forth type of case, thoug it may seem presumption on my part: cases which bring fame and recognition, for there is no reason why a speaker should not sometimes act for his honour and reputation's sake, and so plead his own case.”
- “So read, write, and make all the preparations you can; you will then be able to speak when you wish and when duty calls you.”
