Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 44 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Two days ago I sent you a longer letter; now I answer your latest points. By Hercules, I wish Brutus were at Astura. You write of those men's lawlessness. Did you expect anything else? I, for my part, expect even worse. When I read a public speech about "so great a man, so distinguished a citizen," I cannot bear it, though by now that sort of thing is laughable. But remember: this habit of ruined public speeches is being fed in such a way that our friends, who will in everlasting glory be not heroes but gods, will still not be without envy, or even without danger. They have, it is true, the great consolation of knowing they did the greatest and most glorious deed. What consolation have we, who killed the king and yet are not free? But let fortune see to these things, since reason no longer governs.
What you write about my son is pleasing to me; I hope it proves prosperous. That you are taking care to supply him generously for use and standing is very welcome to me, and I ask you again and again to do it. About the Buthrotians, you are thinking rightly and I am not letting that concern go. I will take on their whole case, which I see becoming easier every day. As for the Cluvian property, since in my own affair you beat me in diligence, the amount is being brought up to a hundred thousand. The collapse did not make the property worse; I am not sure it did not make it more profitable.
Here with me are Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa. Octavius has just arrived, and in the next villa, Philippus' place; he is wholly devoted to me. Lentulus Spinther is with me today; tomorrow morning he leaves.
Two days ago I sent you a fairly long letter: now I answer your last. I wish to heaven Brutus were at Astura. You speak of the wild conduct of the Caesareans. Did you expect anything else? For my part I look for worse. When I read a speech about "so great a man, so illustrious a citizen," it is more than I can bear, though now such talk is an absurdity. But take note, the habit of wild public speaking is so fostered nowadays, that, though eternal glory will be the portion of those friends of ours, who will be held not merely heroes but gods, they will not escape dislike or even danger. However, they have the great consolation of being
conscious of a heroic and magnificent deed, but what have we, who have killed a king and yet are not free? However, this lies in fortune's hands, since reason no longer rules.
What you tell me of my son is welcome news; I hope all will go well. I am exceedingly grateful to you for arranging that he shall be supplied with sufficient for luxury as well as necessities, and I beg you again and again to continue to do so. You are right about the people of Buthrotum, and I am not remitting my attention. I will undertake their whole case, which is daily looking simpler. As for Cluvius' inheritance, since you are more anxious about my affairs than I am myself, it is approaching £1,000. The fall of some houses did not depreciate it; indeed, I am not sure it did not make it better.
Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa are here with me. Octavius has just come to stay, and that, too, in the very next house, Philippus' place, and he is devoted to me. Lentulus Spinther is staying with me to-day. To-morrow early he is going.
nudius tertius dedi ad te epistulam longiorem; nunc ad ea quae proxime. velim me hercule Asturae Brutus. )Akolasi/an istorum scribis. an censebas aliter? equidem etiam maiora exspecto. quom [equidem] contionem lego 'de tanto viro, de clarissimo civi,' ferre non queo. etsi ista iam ad risum. sed memento, sic alitur consuetudo perditarum contionum ut nostri illi non heroes sed di futuri quidem in gloria sempiterna sint, sed non sine invidia, ne sine periculo quidem. verum illis magna consolatio conscientia maximi et clarissimi facti, nobis quae? qui interfecto rege liberi non sumus. sed haec fortuna viderit, quoniam ratio non gubernat. [2] de Cicerone quae scribis iucunda mihi sunt; velim sint prospera. quod curae tibi est ut ei suppeditetur ad usum et cultum copiose per mihi gratum est, idque ut facias te etiam <atque etiam> rogo. de Buthrotiis et tu recte cogitas et ego non dimitto istam curam. suscipiam omnem etiam actionem quam video cotidie faciliorem. de Cluviano, quoniam in re mea me ipsum diligentia vincis, res ad centena perducitur. ruina rem non fecit deteriorem, haud scio an etiam fructuosiorem. hic mecum Balbus, Hirtius, Pansa. modo venit Octavius et quidem in proximam villam Philippi mihi totus deditus; Lentulus Spinther hodie apud me; cras mane vadit.
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Two days ago I sent you a longer letter; now I answer your latest points. By Hercules, I wish Brutus were at Astura. You write of those men's lawlessness. Did you expect anything else? I, for my part, expect even worse. When I read a public speech about "so great a man, so distinguished a citizen," I cannot bear it, though by now that sort of thing is laughable. But remember: this habit of ruined public speeches is being fed in such a way that our friends, who will in everlasting glory be not heroes but gods, will still not be without envy, or even without danger. They have, it is true, the great consolation of knowing they did the greatest and most glorious deed. What consolation have we, who killed the king and yet are not free? But let fortune see to these things, since reason no longer governs.
What you write about my son is pleasing to me; I hope it proves prosperous. That you are taking care to supply him generously for use and standing is very welcome to me, and I ask you again and again to do it. About the Buthrotians, you are thinking rightly and I am not letting that concern go. I will take on their whole case, which I see becoming easier every day. As for the Cluvian property, since in my own affair you beat me in diligence, the amount is being brought up to a hundred thousand. The collapse did not make the property worse; I am not sure it did not make it more profitable.
Here with me are Balbus, Hirtius, and Pansa. Octavius has just arrived, and in the next villa, Philippus' place; he is wholly devoted to me. Lentulus Spinther is with me today; tomorrow morning he leaves.
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
nudius tertius dedi ad te epistulam longiorem; nunc ad ea quae proxime. velim me hercule Asturae Brutus. )Akolasi/an istorum scribis. an censebas aliter? equidem etiam maiora exspecto. quom [equidem] contionem lego 'de tanto viro, de clarissimo civi,' ferre non queo. etsi ista iam ad risum. sed memento, sic alitur consuetudo perditarum contionum ut nostri illi non heroes sed di futuri quidem in gloria sempiterna sint, sed non sine invidia, ne sine periculo quidem. verum illis magna consolatio conscientia maximi et clarissimi facti, nobis quae? qui interfecto rege liberi non sumus. sed haec fortuna viderit, quoniam ratio non gubernat. [2] de Cicerone quae scribis iucunda mihi sunt; velim sint prospera. quod curae tibi est ut ei suppeditetur ad usum et cultum copiose per mihi gratum est, idque ut facias te etiam <atque etiam> rogo. de Buthrotiis et tu recte cogitas et ego non dimitto istam curam. suscipiam omnem etiam actionem quam video cotidie faciliorem. de Cluviano, quoniam in re mea me ipsum diligentia vincis, res ad centena perducitur. ruina rem non fecit deteriorem, haud scio an etiam fructuosiorem. hic mecum Balbus, Hirtius, Pansa. modo venit Octavius et quidem in proximam villam Philippi mihi totus deditus; Lentulus Spinther hodie apud me; cras mane vadit.