Quarum rerum ego maxuma documenta haec habeo, quod in bello saepius vindicatum est in eos qui contra imperium in hostem pugnaverant quique tardius revocati proelio excesserant, quam qui signa relinquere aut pulsi loco cedere ausi erant; in pace vero, quod beneficiis magis quam metu imperium agitabant, et accepta iniuria ignoscere quam persequi malebant.
And I regard the following as the most convincing proof of these statements: first, that in time of war punishment was more often inflicted on those who had attacked the enemy contrary to orders or who had withdrawn too tardily when recalled from battle, than on those who had dared to abandon the regimental standards or yield ground in disorderly retreat; and second, that in time of peace they exercised power more by acts of kindness than by inspiring dread, and when wronged preferred forgiveness to vengeance.
final_alignments\Sallust_Catiline.json