First Lines: Marcus Tullius Cicero - On the Commonwealth

Without the virtue of patriotism, neither Duelius, Regulus or Metellus had delivered Rome by their courage, from the terror of Carthage - nor had the two Scipios, when the fire of the second Punic War was kindled, quenched it in their blood - nor when it revived in greater force, would Fabius have enervated it - nor would Marcellus have reduced it - nor when it was repulsed from the gates of our own city, would Scipio have confined it within the walls of our enemies.