§11.29.1dubitanti mihi, quod scit Atticus noster, de hoc toto consilio profectionis, quod in utramque partem in mentem multa veniebant, magnum pondus accessit ad tollendam dubitationem iudicium et consilium tuum; nam et scripsisti aperte quid tibi videretur et Atticus ad me sermonem tuum pertulit.
To me, who was wavering—as our friend Atticus knows—concerning this whole plan of departure, because many things on both sides came into my mind, your judgment and advice added great weight toward removing my doubt; for you both wrote openly what seemed best to you, and Atticus conveyed your conversation to me.
semper iudicavi in te et in capiendo consilio prudentiam summam esse et in dando fidem maximeque sum expertus, cum initio civilis belli per litteras te consuluissem quid mihi faciendum esse censeres, eundumne ad Pompeium an manendum in Italia.
I have always judged that in you there is the greatest wisdom in forming a plan, and the greatest fidelity in giving it; and I experienced this most of all when, at the beginning of the civil war, I consulted you by letter as to what you thought I ought to do, whether to go to Pompey or to remain in Italy.
suasisti ut consulerem dignitati meae; ex quo quid sentires intellexi et sum admiratus fidem tuam et in consilio dando religionem, quod, cum aliud malle amicissimum tuum putares, antiquius tibi officium meum quam illius voluntas fuit. §11.29.2equidem et ante hoc tempus te dilexi et semper me a te diligi sensi et, cum abessem atque in magnis periculis essem, et me absentem et meos praesentis a te cultos et defensos esse memini et, post meum reditum quam familiariter mecum vixeris quaeque ego de te et senserim et praedicarim, omnis qui solent haec animadvertere testis habemus.
You advised me to consult my own dignity; from which I understood what you felt, and I admired your fidelity and your conscientiousness in giving advice, because, although you thought your closest friend preferred otherwise, my duty was of more importance to you than his wish. Indeed, even before this time I loved you, and I always felt that I was loved by you; and when I was away and in great danger, I remember that both I in my absence and my family in their presence were cherished and defended by you; and, after my return, how familiarly you lived with me, and what I both felt and declared concerning you, we have as witnesses all who are accustomed to notice these things.
gravissimum vero iudicium de mea fide et constantia fecisti, cum post mortem Caesaris totum te ad amicitiam meam contulisti; quod tuum iudicium nisi mea summa bene volentia erga te omnibusque meritis comprobaro, ipse me hominem non putabo. §11.29.3tu, mi Oppi, conservabis amorem tuum (etsi more magis hoc quidem scribo quam quo te admonendum putem) meaque omnia tuebere; quae tibi ne ignota essent Attico mandavi; a me autem, cum paulum oti nacti erimus, uberiores litteras exspectato.
But you made a most weighty judgment concerning my fidelity and constancy when, after the death of Caesar, you betook yourself entirely to my friendship; and unless I justify this judgment of yours by my greatest goodwill toward you and by every kind of service, I shall not consider myself a human being. You, my Oppius, will preserve your love (although I write this indeed more from custom than because I think you need to be admonished) and will protect all my affairs; and that these might not be unknown to you, I have commissioned Atticus; but from me, when we have obtained a little leisure, expect a more abundant letter.
da operam ut valeas.
Take care of your health.
hoc mihi gratius facere nihil potes.
You can do nothing more pleasing to me than this.