Cassiodorus, Variae 1.27.5

mores autem graves in spectaculis quis requirat? ad circum nesciunt convenire Catones. quicquid illic a gaudenti populo dicitur, iniuria non putatur. locus est qui defendit excessum. quorum garrulitas si patienter accipitur, ipsos quoque principes ornare monstratur.

But who looks for serious characters at public shows? People like Cato are unfamiliar with meeting up at the racetrack! Whatever is said there by the populace while they are having fun is not considered an injury; it’s a place which supports excess. If their chatter is accepted with patience, it is proven also to be of credit to princes themselves.