Marcus Tullius Cicero→Lucius Munatius Plancus|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Gaul|AI-assisted
Although I had already learned well enough from our friend Furnius what your attitude and policy toward the republic were, reading your own letter let me judge your whole mind more clearly. So although the entire fortune of the republic is being decided in one battle, which I think will already have been fought by the time you read this, still the mere report that has spread about your intentions has brought you great praise.
If we had had a consul at Rome, the Senate would have formally declared, with great honors for you, how grateful it was for your efforts and preparations. The time for that has not passed; in my judgment, it is not even fully ripe yet. For the only honor that seems to me worthy of the name is one that is offered and given to distinguished men not because we hope for some future benefit, but because of great services already performed.
So, if there is any republic left in which honor can shine, believe me: you will overflow with every splendid honor. But honor that truly deserves the name is not an inducement for the moment. It is the reward of lasting virtue.
For that reason, my dear Plancus, throw your whole heart into glory. Help your country; come to your colleague's aid; support the agreement of all peoples and this incredible shared resolve. You will find me a helper of your plans, a supporter of your standing, and in every matter your most affectionate and loyal friend. To the other bonds that unite us in affection, duty, and long familiarity, love of country has now been added; and that has made me put your life before my own.
DCCCXXXI (Fam. X, 10) TO L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS (N GALLIA COMATA) ROME, 30 MARCH: THOUGH I had been fully informed by our friend Furnius as to your sentiments and your, policy in regard to the Republic, yet the perusal of your letter has enabled me to form a clearer judgment of your whole mind. Wherefore, though the entire fortune of the state is depending on the result of one battle — which I think by the time that you read these words will have been already decided-yet by the mere report of your sentiments which has gained currency you have earned great applause. Accordingly, it we had had a consul at Rome , the senate would have put on record in terms highly complimentary to you how much your contemplated movement and the preparations you have made are appreciated. And for that the time has not only not passed, but in my opinion is not even yet fully ripe. For in my eyes the only compliment worthy the name is that which is offered and given to illustrious men, not in hope of future advantage, but for important services actually rendered. Wherefore, if only some form of a state exists in which the light of honour is, capable of displaying its brightness, there are no honours, believe me, however splendid, with which you will not be lavishly endowed. Now this honour, which can be truly so called, is not meant to impart a momentary impulse, but is the reward of unvarying excellence. Wherefore, my dear Plancus , throw yourself heart and soul into the pursuit of glory: come to your country's rescue; relieve your colleague; support the unanimous desire and the wonderfully united aspiration of all nations. You will find in me a supporter of your policy, a promoter of your dignity, in every particular your most loving and faithful friend. For to the other reasons for our being united by love, mutual good services, and long habit, there is now added devotion to our country: and that has been sufficient to make me prefer your life to my own. 30 March.
X. Scr. Romae III. Kal. Apriles a.u.c. 711. CICERO PLANCO.
Etsi satis ex Furnio nostro cognoram, quae tua voluntas, quod consilium de re publica esset, tamen tuis litteris lectis liquidius de toto sensu tuo iudicavi. Quamobrem, quamquam in uno proelio omnis fortuna rei publicae disceptatur—quod quidem, cum haec legeres, iam decretum arbitrabar fore—, tamen ipsa fama, quae de tua voluntate percrebruit, magnam es laudem consecutus; itaque si consulem Roame habuissemus, declaratum esset ab senatu cum tuis magnis honoribus, quam gratus esset conatus et apparatus tuus: cuius rei non modo non praeteriit tempus, sed ne maturum quidem etiam nunc meo quidem iudicio fuit; is enim denique honos mihi videri solet, qui non propter spem futuri beneficii, sed propter magna merita claris viris defertur et datur. Quare, sit modo aliqua res publica, in qua honos elucere possit, omnibus, mihi crede, amplissimis honoribus abundabis; is autem, qui vere appellari potest honos, non invitamentum ad tempus, sed perpetuae virtutis est praemium. Quamobrem, mi Plance, incumbe toto pectore ad laudem: subveni patriae, opitulare collegae, omnium gentium consensum et incredibilem conspirationem adiuva. Me tuorum consiliorum adiutorem, dignitatis fautorem, omnibus in rebus tibi amicissimum fidelissimumque cognosces; ad eas enim causas, quibus inter nos amore sumus, officiis, vetustate coniuncti, patriae caritas accessit, eaque effecit, ut tuam vitam anteferrem meae. III. K. Apr.
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Although I had already learned well enough from our friend Furnius what your attitude and policy toward the republic were, reading your own letter let me judge your whole mind more clearly. So although the entire fortune of the republic is being decided in one battle, which I think will already have been fought by the time you read this, still the mere report that has spread about your intentions has brought you great praise.
If we had had a consul at Rome, the Senate would have formally declared, with great honors for you, how grateful it was for your efforts and preparations. The time for that has not passed; in my judgment, it is not even fully ripe yet. For the only honor that seems to me worthy of the name is one that is offered and given to distinguished men not because we hope for some future benefit, but because of great services already performed.
So, if there is any republic left in which honor can shine, believe me: you will overflow with every splendid honor. But honor that truly deserves the name is not an inducement for the moment. It is the reward of lasting virtue.
For that reason, my dear Plancus, throw your whole heart into glory. Help your country; come to your colleague's aid; support the agreement of all peoples and this incredible shared resolve. You will find me a helper of your plans, a supporter of your standing, and in every matter your most affectionate and loyal friend. To the other bonds that unite us in affection, duty, and long familiarity, love of country has now been added; and that has made me put your life before my own.
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
X. Scr. Romae III. Kal. Apriles a.u.c. 711. CICERO PLANCO.
Etsi satis ex Furnio nostro cognoram, quae tua voluntas, quod consilium de re publica esset, tamen tuis litteris lectis liquidius de toto sensu tuo iudicavi. Quamobrem, quamquam in uno proelio omnis fortuna rei publicae disceptatur—quod quidem, cum haec legeres, iam decretum arbitrabar fore—, tamen ipsa fama, quae de tua voluntate percrebruit, magnam es laudem consecutus; itaque si consulem Roame habuissemus, declaratum esset ab senatu cum tuis magnis honoribus, quam gratus esset conatus et apparatus tuus: cuius rei non modo non praeteriit tempus, sed ne maturum quidem etiam nunc meo quidem iudicio fuit; is enim denique honos mihi videri solet, qui non propter spem futuri beneficii, sed propter magna merita claris viris defertur et datur. Quare, sit modo aliqua res publica, in qua honos elucere possit, omnibus, mihi crede, amplissimis honoribus abundabis; is autem, qui vere appellari potest honos, non invitamentum ad tempus, sed perpetuae virtutis est praemium. Quamobrem, mi Plance, incumbe toto pectore ad laudem: subveni patriae, opitulare collegae, omnium gentium consensum et incredibilem conspirationem adiuva. Me tuorum consiliorum adiutorem, dignitatis fautorem, omnibus in rebus tibi amicissimum fidelissimumque cognosces; ad eas enim causas, quibus inter nos amore sumus, officiis, vetustate coniuncti, patriae caritas accessit, eaque effecit, ut tuam vitam anteferrem meae. III. K. Apr.