He had never heard "of any old man forgetting where he had hidden his money" -- oh, my, that's hilarious! I admit that I still do know where mine is . . .
Now, Debra, Cicero was a hateful character in history — essentially, a hypocrite. His fate at the hands of Antony’s minions is something I’ve always found darkly entertaining, on the lines of what Vlad Dracula did to visitors who wouldn’t remove their headgear. That good old Marcus Tullius could be a windbag I dare not deny.
But he was also one of the most influential prose stylists in Western literature. We can’t take that away from him.
Tom, you nailed Cicero. He was a master partisan and orator. Yet his flaws are impossible to overlook. He also wrote overly long sentences with the main verb at the end - which I still find to be a moral failing.
Thank you, Mark. I stand corrected, but I can't bring myself to call him a plebian, so I've substituted big shot. Thanks also for correction during one hour editing window.
Very sweet
He had never heard "of any old man forgetting where he had hidden his money" -- oh, my, that's hilarious! I admit that I still do know where mine is . . .
I have to admit, I was generous in choosing the quotes I used. He's not here to defend himself.
Now, Debra, Cicero was a hateful character in history — essentially, a hypocrite. His fate at the hands of Antony’s minions is something I’ve always found darkly entertaining, on the lines of what Vlad Dracula did to visitors who wouldn’t remove their headgear. That good old Marcus Tullius could be a windbag I dare not deny.
But he was also one of the most influential prose stylists in Western literature. We can’t take that away from him.
Tom, you nailed Cicero. He was a master partisan and orator. Yet his flaws are impossible to overlook. He also wrote overly long sentences with the main verb at the end - which I still find to be a moral failing.
Nice post, but ever the pedant, I can't help pointing out that Cicero was a plebian, not a patrician.
Thank you, Mark. I stand corrected, but I can't bring myself to call him a plebian, so I've substituted big shot. Thanks also for correction during one hour editing window.