§10.6.1quae locutus est Furnius noster de animo tuo in rem p. , ea gratissima fuerunt senatui, p. R. probatissima; quae autem tuae recitatae litterae sunt in senatu, nequaquam consentire cum Furni oratione visae sunt.
What our friend Furnius spoke concerning your mind toward the republic was most pleasing to the senate, and highly approved by the Roman people; but the letter of yours which was read in the senate seemed by no means to agree with Furnius's speech.
pacis enim auctor eras; cum conlega tuus, vir clarissimus, a foedissimis, latronibus obsideretur, qui aut positis armis pacem petere debent aut, si pugnantes eam postulant, victoria pax non pactione parienda est.
For you were an advocate of peace, at a time when your colleague, a most illustrious man, was being besieged by the most abominable bandits, who ought either to lay down their arms and sue for peace, or, if they demand it while fighting, peace must be obtained by victory, not by negotiation.
sed de pace litterae vel Lepidi vel tuae quam in partem acceptae sint, ex viro optimo, fratre tuo, et ex C. Furnio poteris cognoscere.
But in what light the letters concerning peace, whether of Lepidus or your own, were received, you will be able to learn from that excellent man, your brother, and from C. Furnius.
§10.6.2me autem impulit tui caritas ut, quamquam nec tibi ipsi consilium deesset, et fratris Furnique benevolentia fidelisque prudentia tibi praesto esset futura, vellem tamen meae quoque auctoritatis pro plurimis nostris necessitudinibus praeceptum ad te aliquod pervenire.
Now, love for you has impelled me to wish that, although counsel is not lacking to yourself, and the goodwill and faithful prudence of your brother and Furnius will be at your service, some precept from my authority also should reach you, in view of our numerous ties.
crede igitur mihi, Plance, omnis, quos adhuc gradus dignitatis consecutus sis (es autem adeptus amplissimos) eos honorum vocabula habituros, non dignitatis insignia, nisi te cum libertate populi R. et cum senatus auctoritate coniunxeris.
Believe me therefore, Plancus, that all the stages of dignity which you have hitherto attained (and you have acquired the most ample ones) will be regarded merely as titles of office, not as insignia of dignity, unless you ally yourself with the liberty of the Roman people and the authority of the senate.
seiunge te, quaeso, aliquando ab iis, cum quibus te non tuum iudicium sed temporum vincla coniunxerunt.
Separate yourself, I beg you, at last from those with whom not your own judgment, but the bonds of the times have connected you.
§10.6.3complures in perturbatione rei p. consules dicti, quorum nemo consularis habitus est, nisi qui animo exstitit in rem p. consularis.
In the perturbation of the republic, many have been called consuls, of whom no one was considered consular, except him who showed himself consular in his mind toward the republic.
talem igitur te esse oportet, qui primum te ab impiorum civium tui dissimillimorum societate seiungas, deinde te senatui bonisque omnibus auctorem, principem, ducem praebeas, postremo ut pacem esse iudices non in armis positis sed in abiecto armorum et servitutis metu.
It behaves you, therefore, to be such a man, that in the first place you separate yourself from the alliance of impious citizens who are utterly unlike you; secondly, that you present yourself to the senate and all good men as an adviser, a leader, and a guide; finally, that you judge peace to consist not in laying down arms, but in casting away the fear of arms and servitude.
haec si et ages et senties, tum eris non modo consul et consularis, sed magnus etiam consul et consularis; sin aliter, tum in istis amplissimis nominibus honorum non modo dignitas nulla erit sed erit summa deformitas.
If you both do and feel these things, then you will be not only a consul and a consular, but even a great consul and a consular; but if otherwise, then in those most ample titles of honor there will be not only no dignity, but even the greatest deformity.
haec impulsus benevolentia scripsi paulo severius; quae tu in experiendo ea ratione, quae te digna est, vera esse cognosces.
Moved by goodwill, I have written these things somewhat severely; which you, in experiencing them in a manner worthy of yourself, will recognize to be true.
D. xiii K. Apr.
Dispatched March 20th.