§4.5.4quae res mihi non mediocrem consolationem attulit, volo tibi commemorare, si forte eadem res tibi dolorem minuere possit.
I wish to mention to you a matter which brought me no small consolation, in case the same thing might happen to lessen your grief.
ex Asia rediens cum ab Aegina Megaram versus navigarem coepi regiones circumcirca prospicere.
On my return from Asia, as I was sailing from Aegina towards Megara, I began to gaze at the regions all around.
post me erat Aegina, ante me Megara, dextra Piraeus, sinistra Corinthus, quae oppida quodam tempore florentissima fuerunt, nunc prostrata et diruta ante oculos iacent.
Behind me was Aegina, before me Megara, on the right Piraeus, on the left Corinth, towns which at one time were most flourishing, but now lie prostrate and ruined before our eyes.
coepi egomet mecum sic cogitare: 'hem! nos homunculi indignamur, si quis nostrum interiit aut occisus est, quorum vita brevior esse debet, cum uno loco tot oppidum cadavera proiecta iacent? visne' tu te, Servi, cohibere et meminisse hominem te esse natum?' crede mihi cogitatione ea non mediocriter sum confirmatus.
I began to think to myself thus: "Ah! do we, insignificant humans, feel indignant if one of us dies or is slain, whose lives ought to be shorter, when in one place the corpses of so many towns lie cast down? Will you not, Servius, restrain yourself and remember that you were born a human?" Believe me, by that reflection I was strengthened in no small degree.
hoc idem, si tibi videtur, fac ante oculos tibi proponas.
If it seems good to you, bring this same image before your eyes.
modo uno tempore tot viri clarissimi interierunt, de imperio populi Romani tanta deminutio facta est, omnes provinciae conquassatae sunt in unius mulierculae animula si iactura facta est, tanto opere commoveris? quae si hoc tempore non diei suum obisset, paucis post annis tamen ei moriendum fuit, quoniam homo nata fuerat.
Just recently, at one time, so many most illustrious men have perished, so great a reduction has been made in the empire of the Roman people, all the provinces have been shaken; if a loss has been made in the fragile soul of one poor woman, are you so greatly moved? Even if she had not met her day at this time, she would still have had to die a few years later, since she had been born a human.
§4.5.5etiam tu ab hisce rebus animum ac cogitationem tuam avoca atque ea potius reminiscere, quae digna tua persona sunt, illam, quam diu ei opus fuerit, vixisse, una cum re publica fuisse, te, patrem suum, praetorem, consulem, augurem vidisse, adulescentibus primariis nuptam fuisse, omnibus bonis prope perfunctam esse, cum res publica occideret vita excessisse.
Do you also recall your mind and thoughts from these things and rather remember those which are worthy of your person: that she lived as long as she needed to, that she existed together with the republic, that she saw you, her father, as praetor, consul, and augur, that she was married to leading young men, that she enjoyed almost every good thing, and departed from life when the republic was falling.
quid est quod tu aut illa cum fortuna hoc nomine queri possitis? denique noli te oblivisci Ciceronem esse et eum, qui aliis consueris praecipere et dare consilium, neque imitare malos medicos, qui in alienis morbis profitentur tenere se medicinae scientiam, ipsi se curare non possunt, sed potius, quae aliis tute praecipere soles, ea tute tibi subiace atque apud animum propone.
What is there that either you or she can complain of against fortune on this account? Finally, do not forget that you are Cicero, and one who has been accustomed to instruct and give advice to others; and do not imitate bad physicians, who in others' illnesses profess that they possess the science of medicine, but cannot cure themselves, but rather, apply to yourself those things which you yourself are accustomed to prescribe to others, and set them before your mind.
§4.5.6nullus dolor est, quem non longinquitas temporis minuat ac molliat.
There is no grief which length of time does not lessen and soften.
hoc te exspectare tempus tibi turpe est ac non ei rei sapientia tua te occurrere.
It is disgraceful for you to wait for this time, and not to anticipate that event by your own wisdom.
quod si qui etiam inferis sensus est, qui illius in te amor fuit pietasque in omnis suos, hoc certe illa te facere non vult.
But if there is any sensation even in the underworld, such was her love for you and her devotion to all her family, she certainly does not want you to do this.
da hoc illi mortuae, da ceteris amicis ac familiaribus, qui tuo dolore maerent, da patriae, ut, si qua in re opus sit, opera et consilio tuo uti possit.
Grant this to her who is dead, grant it to the rest of your friends and companions who mourn at your grief, grant it to your country, so that, if there is need in any matter, she may be able to use your assistance and advice.
denique, quoniam in eam fortunam devenimus, ut etiam huic rei nobis serviendum sit, noli committere ut quisquam te putet non tam filiam quam rei publicae tempora et aliorum victoriam lugere.
Finally, since we have come to such a fortune that we must even serve this state of things, do not allow anyone to suspect that you are mourning not so much for your daughter as for the times of the republic and the victory of others.
plura me ad te de hac re scribere pudet, ne videar prudentiae tuae diffidere.
I am ashamed to write more to you on this matter, lest I seem to distrust your wisdom.
qua re, si hoc unum proposuero, finem faciam scribendi: vidimus aliquotiens secundam pulcherrime te ferre fortunam magnamque ex ea re te laudem apisci; fac aliquando intellegamus adversam quoque te aeque ferre posse neque id maius, quam debeat, tibi onus videri, ne ex omnibus virtutibus haec una tibi videatur deesse.
Therefore, if I put forward this one thing, I will make an end of writing: we have seen you several times bear good fortune most beautifully and obtain great praise from that; make us understand at last that you can also bear adversity equally, and that it does not seem to you a heavier burden than it ought, lest of all virtues this one alone should seem to be lacking in you.
quod ad me attinet, cum te tranquilliorem animo esse cognoro, de iis rebus, quae hic geruntur, quemadmodumque se provincia habeat, certiorem faciam.
As for me, when I know that you are more tranquil in mind, I will inform you about those things which are being done here, and how the province is.
vale.
Farewell.