Having a small competency for his own
expenses, it was much wondered at that he took neither fees nor
gifts from his clients, and especially, that he did not do so when
he undertook the prosecution of Verres. This Verres, who had been
praetor of Sicily, and stood charged by the Sicilians with many
evil practices during his government there, Cicero succeeded in
getting condemned, not by speaking, but, as it were, by holding
his tongue. For the praetors, favoring Verres, had deferred the
trial by several adjournments to the last day, in which it was
evident there could not be sufficient time for the advocates to be
heard, and the cause brought to an issue. Cicero, therefore, came
forward, and said there was no need of speeches; and after
producing and examining witnesses, he required the judges to
proceed to sentence. Many witty sayings are on record, as having
been used by Cicero on the occasion. When a man named Caecilius,
one of the freed slaves, who was said to be given to Jewish
practices, would have put by the Sicilians, and undertaken the
prosecution of Verres himself, Cicero asked, "What has a Jew to do
with swine?" verres being the Roman word for a boar. And when
Verres began to reproach Cicero with effeminate living, "You
ought," replied he, "to use this language at home, to your sons;"
Verres having a son who had fallen into disgraceful courses.
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