§10.12A.1sine dubio errasse nos confitendum est.
Without a doubt, we must confess that we have erred.
"at semel, at una in re. "
immo omnia quo diligentius cogitata eo facta sunt imprudentius.
"But only once, but in only one thing." On the contrary, the more carefully everything was planned, the more imprudently it was executed.
"ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν προτετύχθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ. "
in reliquis modo ne ruamus.
"But we shall let these things be as past and done, grieved though we are." In what remains, let us only not ruin ourselves.
iubes de profectione me providere.
You bid me look out for my departure.
quid provideam? ita patent omnia quae accidere possunt ut, ea si vitem, sedendum sit cum dedecore et dolore, si neglegam, periculum sit ne in manus incidam perditorum.
What am I to look out for? All the possibilities are so obvious that, if I avoid them, I must sit in disgrace and sorrow, and if I neglect them, there is a risk of falling into the hands of desperate men.
sed vide quantis in miseriis simus.
But see in what miseries we are.
optandum interdum videtur ut aliquam accipiamus ab istis quamvis acerbam iniuriam, ut tyranno in odio fuisse videamur.
Sometimes it seems desirable that we should receive some injury from those men, however bitter, so that we may appear to have been hated by the tyrant.
§10.12A.2quod si nobis is cursus quem speraram pateret, effecissem aliquid profecto, ut tu optas et hortaris, dignum nostra mora.
But if that path which I had hoped for were open to us, I should certainly have accomplished something worthy of our delay, as you wish and exhort.
sed mirificae sunt custodiae et quidem ille ipse Curio suspectus.
But the guards are extraordinary, and indeed even Curio himself is suspected.
qua re vi aut clam agendum est et si †vi forte ne cum pestate clamaut emistis†. in quo si quod σφάλμα, vides quam turpe sit.
Therefore we must act by force or by stealth, and if †by force, perhaps... by stealth, or...† In which if there is any slip, you see how shameful it would be.
trahimur, nec fugiendum si quid violentius.
We are being dragged along, nor must we run away if anything more violent occurs.
§10.12A.3de Caelio saepe mecum agito nec, si quid habuero tale, a dimittam.
I often think to myself about Caelius, and if I have any such opportunity, I will not let it slip.
Hispanias spero firmas esse.
I hope the Spains are firm.
Massiliensium factum cum ipsum per se luculentum est tum mihi argumento est recte esse in Hispaniis.
The action of the people of Massilia is not only splendid in itself, but is also a proof to me that things are well in the Spains.
minus enim auderent, si aliter esset et scirent; nam et vicini et diligentes sunt.
For they would be less daring if it were otherwise and they knew it; for they are both neighbors and diligent.
odium autem recte animadvertis significatum in theatro.
And you rightly notice the hatred shown in the theater.
legiones etiam has quas in Italia assumpsit alienissimas esse video.
I also see that these legions which he has raised in Italy are extremely disaffected.
sed tamen nihil inimicius quam sibi ipse.
But yet, nothing is more hostile to him than he is to himself.
illud recte times ne ruat.
You rightly fear that he may run headlong.
si desperarit, certe ruet.
If he despairs, he will certainly do so.
quo magis efficiendum aliquid est, fortuna velim meliore, animo Caeliano.
Wherefore all the more must something be accomplished, I would hope with better fortune, but with the spirit of Caelius.
sed primum quidque.
But first things first.
quod, qualecumque erit, continuo scies.
Whatever that may be, you shall know immediately.
§10.12A.4nos iuveni, ut rogas, suppeditabimus et Peloponnesum ipsam sustinebimus.
We shall, as you ask, supply the young man and hold up the Peloponnesus itself.
est enim indoles, modo aliquod †hoc sit ἦθοσ ακιμοαν†.
For he has natural ability, provided there is some †firm character†.
quod si adhuc nullum est, esse tamen potest, aut ἀρετὴ non est διδακτόν, quod mihi persuaderi non potest.
But if as yet there is none, it can nevertheless exist, or virtue is not a thing that can be taught, which is something I cannot be persuaded of.