While I breathe, I hope

Marcus Tullius Cicero (3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC)

Before Cavanagh QC, before Matlock, before Perry Mason, there was Cicero, one of the greatest orators in history.  He more-or-less invented the attacking closing address, pointing the finger at real culprits whilst fiercely defending his clients.

Lawyers inevitably stray into politics, with varying degrees of success: Cicero repeatedly condemned Marc Anthony as far worse than Catiline.  It cost him both his head and his hands – even his tongue was ripped away, a symbol of the power of his words.

He went to his death calmly, like a true Roman of the Republic.  Nos autem beatam vitam in animi securitate et in omnium vacatione munerum ponimus (a happy life is a tranquil mind.)

Dum spiro, spero – while I breathe, I hope.