Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Bad news, by Hercules, about Athamas. As for your grief, it is indeed only human, but it must be kept firmly under control. There are many roads to consolation, but this one is the most direct: let reason secure now what the passage of time is bound to secure eventually. As for Alexis [a slave or freedman, here called the very image of Tiro], let us look after him; I have sent him back to Rome ill, and, if there is anything epidemion [epidemic] going about the hills, let us move him over to my place, along with the will. The whole upper floor of the house is empty, as you know. I think this matters a great deal.
I am sorry to hear about Seius. But one has to learn to put up with all human troubles. For what are we ourselves and how long will they be bothering us? Let us look to a thing that is more in our power, though not very much,—what we are to do about the Senate. And, before I forget it, Caesonius sent me word that Sulpicius' wife Postumia had paid him a visit. As to Pompey's daughter I answered you saying I was not thinking of her at present. I suppose you know the other lady you
write about. The ugliest thing I ever saw. But I am coming to town at once: so we will discuss it together.
When I had sealed this letter I received yours. I am very glad to hear Attica is so cheerful; and I'm grieved about the slight indisposition.
male me hercule de Athamante. tuus autem dolor humanus is quidem sed magno opere moderandus. consolationum autem multae viae sed illa rectissima: impetret ratio quod dies impetratura est. Alexin vero curemus, imaginem Tironis, quem aegrum Romam remisi, et, si quid habet collis e)pidh/mion , ad me cum testamento transferamus. tota domus vacat superior, ut scis. hoc puto valde ad rem pertinere.
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Bad news, by Hercules, about Athamas. As for your grief, it is indeed only human, but it must be kept firmly under control. There are many roads to consolation, but this one is the most direct: let reason secure now what the passage of time is bound to secure eventually. As for Alexis [a slave or freedman, here called the very image of Tiro], let us look after him; I have sent him back to Rome ill, and, if there is anything epidemion [epidemic] going about the hills, let us move him over to my place, along with the will. The whole upper floor of the house is empty, as you know. I think this matters a great deal.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
male me hercule de Athamante. tuus autem dolor humanus is quidem sed magno opere moderandus. consolationum autem multae viae sed illa rectissima: impetret ratio quod dies impetratura est. Alexin vero curemus, imaginem Tironis, quem aegrum Romam remisi, et, si quid habet collis e)pidh/mion , ad me cum testamento transferamus. tota domus vacat superior, ut scis. hoc puto valde ad rem pertinere.