Cicero, On the Ethics of Waging War

Some Cicero (kind of...) today.  I'm catching up on some exercises in Wheelock, and this passage is found in Chapter 8 (6th ed).  Anyone who has been keeping track will notice that I mentioned reaching chapter 12 earlier... well, I tend to read a few chapters ahead and do most of the exercises later.  I find things tend to sink in a little better this way.  (Plus I'm a bit lazy sometimes. Heh.)

civitas bellum sine causa bona aut propter iram gerere non debet.  si fortunas et agros vitasque populi nostri sine bello defendere poterimus, tum pacem conservare debebimus; si, autem, non poterimus servare patriam libertatemque nostram sine bello, bellum erit necessarium.  semper debemus demonstrare, tamen, magnum officium in bello, et magnam clementiam post victoriam.

adapted from Cicero,
De Officiis 1.11.34-36 & De Re Publica 3.23.34-35

My translation:

A city should not conduct war without good cause or because of anger.  If we will be able to defend the fortunes, fields, and lives of our people without war, then we must conserve peace; if, however, we will not be able to save our country and liberty without war, war will be necessary.  We must always demonstrate, nevertheless, great duty in war and great clemency after victory.