[56]
It is a useful thing for there to be many accusers in the city, in order that audacity
may be kept in check by fear; but it is only useful with this limitation, that we are
not to be manifestly mocked by accusers. A man is innocent. But although he is free from
guilt he is not free from suspicion. Although it is a lamentable thing, still I can, to
some extent, pardon a man who accuses him. For when be has anything which he can say,
imputing a crime, or fixing a suspicion, he does not appear knowingly to be openly
mocking and calumniating. On which account we all easily allow that there should be as
many accusers as possible; because an innocent man, if he be accused, can be acquitted;
a guilty man, unless or he be accused cannot be convicted. But it is more desirable that
an innocent man should be acquitted, than that a guilty man should not be brought to
trial. Food for the geese is contracted for at the public expense, and dogs are
maintained in the Capitol, to give notice if thieves come. But they cannot distinguish
thieves. Accordingly they give notice if any one comes by night to the Capitol; and
because that is a suspicious thing, although they are but beasts, yet they oftenest err
on that side which is the more prudent one. But if the dogs barked by day also, when any
one came to pay honour to the gods, I imagine their legs would be broken for being
active then also, when there was no suspicion. The notion of accusers is very much the
same.
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