three tyrants, he showed more compassion for the Romans than resentment toward their<hr>
ingratitude. And despite their opposition, he did everything in his power to make them happy. But these enemies<hr>
of morality are so accustomed to slavery that they consider their chains their most precious<hr>
treasures. After Brutus shattered them, they carefully put them back on themselves.<hr>
Rome, which once ruled the entire world, now willingly submits to tyranny. Cato, Brutus... who could have believed it? And who could have thought that the gods would protect crime and oppress innocence? Yet I see why heaven discredits us.<hr>
       The death of Brutus, the savior of the Republic, is Rome's punishment and it is the greatest<hr>
misfortune that has ever struck this city. Without a doubt, it is to punish the Romans that the gods allowed him to kill himself. For Brutus, his punishment is his reward, the ingratitude of the Romans serves his glory, and his very death shows such wisdom that I am almost ashamed to shed tears for him. Perhaps, then, I mourn his absence more than I mourned his death. At the time, my grief was boundless and my mind was torn between hope and fear. Crying brought me some relief. But now, having nothing left to lose and seeing a way to end my misery, my soul is calmer. Although my suffering is the most intense I have ever experienced, I bear it impatiently, knowing that it will soon come to an end. Don't think I should live to preserve Brutus's memory. The act he performed is so great and noble that it will endure in memory. He will always be considered the best and worst of Romans, and even the tyrants who will rule after him will help preserve his glorious memory. As long as there are kings in Rome, it will be remembered that the old Brutus drove them out, and when the last king dies to save the freedom that the first had won, he will also be remembered. Don't doubt it, Rome will always be enslaved. It is certain that if she could have regained her freedom one day, Brutus would have given it to her. But since he could not do so, he at least had the glory of dying without being a slave. His glory would not be complete if I showed myself cowardly enough to live in captivity. Something would be missing from my own glory if I forgot his. Our fate is intertwined, as I was part of his conspiracy and knew his plans before their execution. It is therefore only right that I follow the fate of Brutus. Know, Volumnius, that a person brave enough to stab themselves, bear the pain, and hide it to prove to their husband that they can keep a secret won't easily change their decision to die. The images of Cato and my dear Brutus are so present in my mind that I see nothing else. Their death and mine inspire such a desire in me that I consider it the greatest good that could happen to me.<hr>
       Bear in mind, Volumnius, that true enthusiasm for morality lies in the wish to follow it as an example. Those who praise virtuous men without emulating them as much as they can deserve more criticism than praise, because they know the good without practicing it.<hr>
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