[87]
But it would
be waste of time to expatiate on one controversial
theme. I would lay it down as a general rule that an
orator should never put forward a plea that is tantamount to collusion, and I cannot imagine a lawsuit
arising in which both parties have the same design,
nor conceive that any man who wishes to live could
be such a fool as to put forward an absurd plea for
death, when he might refrain from pleading for it at
all.1 I do not, however,
1 The father does not wish to die, but merely to bring odium on his son, i.e. he is saying one thing and meaning another, for his real desire is to save his life. Consequently, despite their quarrel, both parties are aiming at the same thing, the saving of the father, while the father's plea is practically tantamount to collusion (praevaricatio) with his opponent.
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