Letter 1: Cicero writes to Brutus from Rome to Macedonia in late May 43 BC.
Marcus Tullius Cicero→Marcus Junius Brutus|c. 43 BC|Marcus Tullius Cicero and Marcus Junius Brutus|From Rome|To Macedonia|AI-assisted
politicsrecommendationrepublican-crisis
Imported from the public-domain Shuckburgh translation on ToposText, paired with The Latin Library Latin. The local ref preserves Latin Library a-letter distinctions where ToposText repeats a traditional label.
CICERO GREETS BRUTUS.
Lucius Clodius, the tribune of the plebs designate, is much devoted to me, or, to put it more emphatically, he loves me dearly. Since I am so thoroughly persuaded of this, I do not doubt (for you know me well) that you too will judge that he is loved by me in return; for nothing seems to me less worthy of a human being than to fail to respond in love to those by whom one is challenged to it. He appeared to me to suspect, and indeed not without great pain, that something had been reported to you by his own associates, or rather through hostile parties among them, by which your feelings might be made more estranged from him. It is not my custom, my dear Brutus, as I think you are aware, to make rash assertions about another person; for that is a dangerous thing to do, on account of the hidden inclinations and the manifold natures of men. But I hold Clodius's disposition examined, known, and judged. There are many indications of it, but they are not necessary to set down in writing; for I want this to seem to you a sworn testimony rather than a letter. He has been advanced by a favor of Antony [Marcus Antonius] -- though a great part of that very favor comes from you -- and so he would wish him to be safe, provided we are safe. [2] But he understands that the situation has been brought to such a point (for he is, as you know, by no means a fool) that both cannot be safe; and so he prefers us. As for you, indeed, he both speaks and feels in the most friendly way. Therefore, if anyone has written to you otherwise about him, or has spoken so in your presence, I beg you again and again to believe me rather than that man, whoever he is -- I who can both judge more easily than he, and who love you more. Consider Clodius most warmly attached to you, and such a citizen as a man of the greatest prudence and the best fortune ought to be.
§ Brut.1.1 DCCCLXIX (Brut. I, 1) TO M. IUNIUS BRUTUS (IN MACEDONIA) ROME (LATE IN MAY) L. Clodius, tribune-designate, is much attached to me, or, to speak with more empressement, loves me dearly. And when I am assured of that I feel certain — for you know me — that you will conclude that I love him: for nothing seems to me less human than not to give an answering affection to those by whom one's love is challenged. He seemed to me to suspect, much to his chagrin, that some unfavourable report had reached you from his friends, or rather through his enemies, by which your feelings were alienated from him. It is not my habit, my dear Brutus, as I think you know, to make rash statements about another man. It is a risky thing to do, owing to the secret feelings and complicated natures of mankind But I have seen to the bottom of Clodius 's heart: I know it, and have formed my judgment of it. There are many proofs of it, but such as I need not write down, for I want you to regard this as a solemn deposition rather than a letter. He has been promoted by Antony — though a large share even of that very favour has its origin in you — and accordingly he would wish his safety so long as it is compatible with ours. But he fully understands — for he is no fool, as you are aware — that matters have come to such a point that both cannot be preserved; accordingly he prefers us. As to yourself, indeed, he both speaks and feels in the most affectionate manner. Wherefore, if anyone has written to you or spoken to you by word of mouth disparagingly of him, I beg you again and again to believe me rather than them. I have greater opportunity of judging than any such casual observer, and I am more devoted to you. Make up your mind that Clodius is most warmly attached to you, and is such a citizen as a man of the greatest sense and most ample fortune is bound to be.
[I] Scr. eodem die quo ep. 2a. 711 (43)
CICERO BRVTO SAL.
L. Clodius, tribunus plebis designatus, valde me diligit vel, ut emphatikôteron dicam, valde me amat. quod cum mihi ita persuasum sit, non dubito (bene enim me nosti) quin illum quoque iudices a me amari. nihil enim mihi minus hominis videtur quam non respondere in amore iis a quibus provocere. is mihi visus est suspicari nec sine magno quidem dolore aliquid a suis vel per suos potius iniquos ad te esse delatum quo tuus animus a se esset alienior. non soleo, mi Brute, quod tibi notum esse arbitror, temere adfirmare de altero; est enim periculosum propter occultas hominum voluntates multiplicisque naturas; sed Clodi animum perspectum habeo, cognitum, iudicatum. multa eius indicia sed ad scribendum non necessaria. volo enim testimonium hoc tibi videri potius quam epistulam. auctus Antoni beneficio est. eius ipsius benefici magna pars a te est. itaque eum salvis nobis vellet salvum. [2] in eum autem locum rem adductam intellegit (est enim, ut scis, minime stultus) ut utrique salvi esse non possint. itaque nos mavult; de te vero amicissime et loquitur et sentit. qua re si quis secus ad te de eo scripsit aut si coram locutus est, peto a te etiam atque etiam mihi ut potius credas, qui et facilius iudicare possum quam ille nescio quis et te plus diligo. Clodium tibi amicissimum existima civemque talem qualis et prudentissimus et fortuna optima esse debet.
◆
CICERO GREETS BRUTUS.
Lucius Clodius, the tribune of the plebs designate, is much devoted to me, or, to put it more emphatically, he loves me dearly. Since I am so thoroughly persuaded of this, I do not doubt (for you know me well) that you too will judge that he is loved by me in return; for nothing seems to me less worthy of a human being than to fail to respond in love to those by whom one is challenged to it. He appeared to me to suspect, and indeed not without great pain, that something had been reported to you by his own associates, or rather through hostile parties among them, by which your feelings might be made more estranged from him. It is not my custom, my dear Brutus, as I think you are aware, to make rash assertions about another person; for that is a dangerous thing to do, on account of the hidden inclinations and the manifold natures of men. But I hold Clodius's disposition examined, known, and judged. There are many indications of it, but they are not necessary to set down in writing; for I want this to seem to you a sworn testimony rather than a letter. He has been advanced by a favor of Antony [Marcus Antonius] -- though a great part of that very favor comes from you -- and so he would wish him to be safe, provided we are safe. [2] But he understands that the situation has been brought to such a point (for he is, as you know, by no means a fool) that both cannot be safe; and so he prefers us. As for you, indeed, he both speaks and feels in the most friendly way. Therefore, if anyone has written to you otherwise about him, or has spoken so in your presence, I beg you again and again to believe me rather than that man, whoever he is -- I who can both judge more easily than he, and who love you more. Consider Clodius most warmly attached to you, and such a citizen as a man of the greatest prudence and the best fortune ought to be.
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
[I] Scr. eodem die quo ep. 2a. 711 (43) CICERO BRVTO SAL.
L. Clodius, tribunus plebis designatus, valde me diligit vel, ut emphatikôteron dicam, valde me amat. quod cum mihi ita persuasum sit, non dubito (bene enim me nosti) quin illum quoque iudices a me amari. nihil enim mihi minus hominis videtur quam non respondere in amore iis a quibus provocere. is mihi visus est suspicari nec sine magno quidem dolore aliquid a suis vel per suos potius iniquos ad te esse delatum quo tuus animus a se esset alienior. non soleo, mi Brute, quod tibi notum esse arbitror, temere adfirmare de altero; est enim periculosum propter occultas hominum voluntates multiplicisque naturas; sed Clodi animum perspectum habeo, cognitum, iudicatum. multa eius indicia sed ad scribendum non necessaria. volo enim testimonium hoc tibi videri potius quam epistulam. auctus Antoni beneficio est. eius ipsius benefici magna pars a te est. itaque eum salvis nobis vellet salvum. [2] in eum autem locum rem adductam intellegit (est enim, ut scis, minime stultus) ut utrique salvi esse non possint. itaque nos mavult; de te vero amicissime et loquitur et sentit. qua re si quis secus ad te de eo scripsit aut si coram locutus est, peto a te etiam atque etiam mihi ut potius credas, qui et facilius iudicare possum quam ille nescio quis et te plus diligo. Clodium tibi amicissimum existima civemque talem qualis et prudentissimus et fortuna optima esse debet.