Pro Caelio 44

Cicero asserts that Caelius is free from certain vices.

At vero in M. Caelio (dicam enim iam confidentius de studiis eius honestis,

And yet in Marcus Caelius’ case—for I shall now speak more boldly about his honourable pursuits,

quoniam audeo quaedam fretus vestra sapientia libere confiteri) nulla luxuries reperietur,

since, relying on your wisdom, I dare to make certain admissions freely—no extravagance will be discovered in him,

nulli sumptus, nullum aes alienum, nulla conviviorum ac lustrorum libido:

no lavish spending, no debt, no passion for dinner parties or brothels

quod quidem vitium ventris et gurgitis non modo non minuit aetas hominibus, sed etiam auget.

As for this vice of the belly and of the throat, age not only does not diminish but even increases it in people.

Amores autem et hae deliciae,

Love affairs, however, and what are called delights,

quae vocantur, quae firmiore animo praeditis diutius molestae non solent esse

which are not usually troublesome for any length of time to those endowed with a stronger character

mature enim et celeriter deflorescunt), numquam hunc occupatum impeditumque tenuerunt.

—for at an early age and quickly they lose their vigour—never kept this man [i.e. Caelius] preoccupied and entangled.