§6.3.1superioribus litteris benevolentia magis adductus, quam quo res ita postularet, fui longior.
In my previous letters, moved more by goodwill than because the situation so required, I was rather long.
neque enim confirmatione nostra egebat virtus tua neque erat ea mea causa atque fortuna, ut, cui ipsi omnia deessent, alterum confirmarem.
For neither did your virtue stand in need of my encouragement, nor was my own position and fortune such that, when myself lacking in everything, I should encourage another.
hoc item tempore brevior esse debeo.
At this time likewise, I ought to be more brief.
§6.3.2Sive enim nihil tum opus fuit tam multis verbis, nihilo magis nunc opus est, sive tum opus fuit, illud satis est, praesertim cum accesserit nihil novi.
For if there was then no need of so many words, there is no more need now; or if there was need then, that is sufficient, especially since nothing new has occurred.
nam, etsi cotidie aliquid audimus earum rerum, quas ad te perferri existimo, summa tamen eadem est et idem exitus; quem ego tam video animo quam ea, quae oculis cernimus, nec vero quicquam video, quod non idem te videre certo sciam.
For although we daily hear something of those matters which I suppose are reported to you, yet the sum total is the same, and the outcome is the same; which I see as clearly in my mind as those things which we discern with our eyes, nor indeed do I see anything which I do not know for certain that you see as well.
nam, etsi quem exitum acies habitura sit divinare nemo potest, tamen et belli exitum video et, si id minus, hoc quidem certe, cum sit necesse alterum utrum vincere, qualis futura sit vel haec vel illa victoria.
For, though no one can divine what issue the battle will have, yet I see the outcome of the war, and, if not that, at least this for certain: since it is necessary for one of the two to win, what kind of victory either this one or that one will be.
§6.3.3idque cum optime perspexi, tum tale video, nihil ut mali videatur futurum, si id vel ante acciderit, quod vel maximum ad timorem proponitur.
And as I have discerned this most clearly, so do I see it to be of such a nature that no evil would seem to be in store, even if that should happen beforehand which is set before us as the very greatest object of fear.
ita enim vivere, ut tum sit vivendum, miserrimum est; mori autem nemo sapiens miserum duxit ne beato quidem.
For to live in such a way as one would then have to live is most miserable; but to die, no wise man ever deemed miserable, not even for a happy man.
sed in ea es urbe, in qua haec vel plura et ornatiora parietes ipsi loqui posse videantur.
But you are in that city in which the very walls themselves seem to be able to speak these things, or even more and more ornate words.
§6.3.4ego tibi hoc confirmo, etsi levis est consolatio ex miseriis aliorum, nihilo te nunc maiore in discrimine esse quam quemvis †aut eorum, qui discesserint; alteri dimicant, alteri victorem timent.
I assure you of this, though consolation from the miseries of others is but light, that you are now in no greater danger than any of those who have departed; one side is fighting, the other fears the victor.
sed haec consolatio levis est; illa gravior, qua te uti spero, ego certe utor; nec enim, dum ero, angar ulla re, cum omni vacem culpa, et, si non ero, sensu omnino carebo.
But this consolation is light; that other is weightier, which I hope you employ, as I certainly do; for as long as I exist, I shall not be vexed by anything, since I am free from all guilt; and if I do not exist, I shall be utterly without sensation.
sed rursus glau=k' ei)s *)aqh/nas, qui ad te haec.
But again, "owls to Athens," in writing these things to you.
mihi tu, tui, tua omnia maximae curae sunt et, dum vivam, erunt.
To me you, yours, and all your affairs are of the greatest concern, and, as long as I live, they will be.
vale.
Farewell.