Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Moral letters to Lucilius (№ 414873)

We are mad not only one by one, but entire nations. Murders and individual murderers we have curbed; and what about wars, that the extermination of entire tribes is a glorified atrocity? Neither greed nor cruelty knows the measure. Solo and surreptitious murders are less dangerous and monstrous; but atrocities are being done and now by decree of the Senate and the people, forbidden to private persons is ordered on behalf of the state. For one and the same crime, they pay with their heads if it is completely secret, and if they wear soldier's cloaks, they receive praise.