fence-sitting

On an old scrap of rolled-up papyrus you find one of Quintus Cicero's pieces of campaign advice for his brother Marcus.

scroll
"For now, don't debate in the Senate or in the assemblies, so that the Senate will think you support its authority because of your past record; so that the equestrians and other wealthy interests will interpret your behavior as favoring peace; and so that the people, remembering your popular speeches in the courts and assemblies, will decide that you will not work against their interests."
--Quintus suo fratri Marco