In asking favor of a man in power there was held to be no disgrace, even though the favor asked were one improper to be granted, which was not the case with Cicero.

And he went about the Forum in mourning--"sordidatus"-- as was the custom with men on their trial.

We cannot doubt that in each of these cases he acted with the advice of his friends.

His conduct and his words after his return from exile betray exultation rather than despondency.
It is from the letters which he wrote to Atticus that he has been judged--from words boiling with indignation that such a one as he should have been surrendered by the Rome that he had saved, by those friends to whom he had been so true to be trampled on by such a one as Clodius! When a man has written words intended for the public ear, it is fair that he should bear the brunt of them, be it what it may.

He has intended them for public effect, and if they are used against him he should not complain.