Piso added a third man to the execution: he ordered the centurion who had brought back the condemned soldier to be killed as well. Three men were now set to die in the same place because one was innocent. Oh, how clever anger is at inventing reasons for its madness! "You," it says, "I order you executed because you were condemned to death. You, because you caused your friend's condemnation. And you, because when I ordered you to kill him, you disobeyed your general." He found a way to accuse all three of crimes — because he couldn't find any real crimes at all.
Piso even added a third: for he actually ordered the centurion, who had brought back the condemned man, to be put to death. Three men were set up to die in the same place because one was innocent. O, how clever is anger at inventing reasons for its frenzy! “You,” it says, “I order to be executed, because you have been condemned to death: you, because you have been the cause of your comrade’s condemnation, and you, because when ordered to put him to death you disobeyed your general.” He discovered the means of charging them with three crimes, because he could find no crime in them.