Letter 6001: On matters that are plain and obvious, it's better to consult the facts than listen to gossip.

In matters that are clear and self-evident, nature is a more reliable counselor than rumor. Therefore, in the modest sustenance of our homeland, let us gather the praise due to your earlier foresight, now restored to it, not from the mouth of the multitude but from the reasoning of human intelligence. For it is inevitable that men who appraise benefits too late, when scarcity comes after plenty, should perceive through comparison the gratitude they once disregarded. And our common people, who before this had been brought by the partisanship of a few to hatred of so great a citizen, now openly bear witness to a repentant change of mind; but the well-known and stubborn spite of your colleagues does not permit them to confess what the truth compels them to judge. Wherefore they are touched by silent shame, and, like men proved wrong, they cannot bring forth concerning you what they are compelled to feel. [...] But to pursue these matters at greater length is not necessary; for the public testimony that has returned to the restoration of your good name suffices. Only let it live on, and let there be both consolation for you in the celebrated memory of your father and, in your own well-being, a renewal of what your father achieved. Farewell.

De rebus liquidis atque manifestis rectius natura quam fama consulitur. ergo in tenui patriae victu superioris providentiae laudem refotam non ex ore multitudinis sed ex ratione humani ingenii colligamus. necesse est enim seros aestimatores beneficio- 2 rum, cum succedant angustiae copiis, dissimulatam gratiam conlatione sentire. et plebes quidem nostra paucorum studiis antehac in odium tanti civis snbacta testatur 25 pro[)alam paenitendi correctionem ; collegamm vero notissimus pervicax livor noii sinit fatcri, nuod cogit veritas iudicare. quare tacito adficiuntur rubore et convictomm si- 3 miles proferre de vobis nequeunt, quae sentire coguntur. sed haec longius exeqni cundis VI, secundis litteris M 5 nuntiasti plurimnmque sors composita contrahit Af, sequiiur VJl^ 39 formis V residere (reddere V^) plerumque fors disposita etc. sequitur Vll^ 39 in V, pars rtliqua epiatu- lae deeat tn V^, pont Vll, 39 coUocata est in V^ 16 commemoratione V bus in rcM. P ergo] er V 26 libor T, liber P non] eod. Pithoei, om. PVM 27 ro- bore P 1 m. simUis P 1 m. V I LIBER V. VI. 153 non est necesse; snfficit enim redisse ad conciliationem famae vestrae publicnm testi- PVM moninm. viyat modo et in patris celebri memoria solacinm tnum et in tna salnte patema reparatio. yale. n a. 395 /