My dear consul, you of all people should know, that the most useful person is not the one who shouts loudest. Or would you have us ruled by those market traders who sell vegetables and shout to attract customers?

I have been following the events, reading the reports and voting on the motions, even though I abstained from proposing them and shouting out my opinions, as the motions concerned mostly the military aspects of administration. If you, in your blindness refuse to accept criticism from one who cares for other things but war, I have to question what kind of consul you are. Are you a politician or a butcher who likes nothing better than feeling the blood running through your fingers?

You claim I am bored. Maybe I get mistresses and slaves to entertain myself, but I do not butcher roman sons to do so.