90.2
When he dedicated a silver goblet to the gods, he caused the engraver to cut the letters of his first two names, but instead of Cicero to engrave a chick-pea. Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Cicero, where, a few lines earlier, the derivation of Cicero from cicer, chick-pea is explained.
90.3
He used to say that those of the orators who are given to violent vociferation rely on noise to carry them through because of weakness, just as lame men mount horses. Ibid. chap. v. (863 C).
90.4
Verres, who had a son that had been anything but virtuous when a boy, rebuked Cicero for effeminacy and called him a corrupter of youth. Don’t you know, said Cicero, that it is proper for children to be scolded behind the doors of their own home ? Ibid. chap. vii. (864 C).
90.5
Metellus Nepos said to him, You have caused the death of more men by your testimony than you have saved by your advocacy. Yes, said Cicero, the reason is that I am endowed with more credibility than eloquence ! Ibid. chap. xxvi. (873 F); Moralia, 541 F.
90.6
When Metellus kept asking him who his father was, Cicero said, The answer to that same question your mother has made the more difficult for you ! For Metellus’s mother was far from virtuous, and Metellus himself was light-minded, vacillating, and carried away by his impulses. Cf. Plutarch’s Life of Cicero, chap. xxvi. (874 B).
90.7
When Diodotus, Metellus’s teacher of oratory died, Metellus had a marble raven placed over his grave. A very just tribute, said Cicero, for he taught Metellus to be high-flown, but not to be a speaker. Ibid.
90.8
Vatinius, who was at odds with Cicero, and was a bad character generally, Cicero heard was dead, and then later discovered that he was alive. Curses on the rascal who lied so ! said he. Ibid. chap. xxvi. (873 E).
