Do you believe that these would continue quiet and faithful, if Philip should come over to Italy?
They subsequently continued faithful, forsooth, during the Punic war! Be assured those states will never fail to revolt from us, except when there is no one to whom they can go over.
If you had been annoyed at passing into Africa, you would this day have had Hannibal and the Carthaginians to contend with in Italy.

Let Macedonia, rather than Italy, be the seat of war.

Let the cities and lands of the enemy be wasted with fire and sword.

We have already found by experience, that our arms are more powerful and more successful abroad than at home.

Go to the vote with the blessing of the gods; and what the senate have voted, do you ratify by your order.
This resolution is recommended to you, not only by your consul, but even by the immortal gods themselves; who, when I offered sacrifice, and prayed that the issue of this war might be happy and prosperous to me and to the senate, to you and the allies and Latin confederates, to our fleets and armies, portended all joyful and prosperous results." 8.