Humanitext Reader

Cicero · Letters to Atticus §15.10.1

Cicero's Dilemma over Advice for Brutus

Passage 419 of 461 · Latin

Summary

Cicero expresses his struggle over what to write to Brutus, agonizing with Atticus over whether they should accept shameful commissions from Caesar's party or remain inactive under dangerous circumstances.

§15.10.1o Bruti amanter scriptas litteras! o iniquum tuum tempus qui ad eum ire non possis! ego autem quid scribam? ut beneficio istorum utantur? quid turpius? ut moliantur aliquid? nec audent nec iam possunt.
Oh, the affectionately written letter of Brutus! Oh, how unfortunate is your situation that you cannot go to him! But what am I to write? That they should avail themselves of the favor of those fellows? What could be more shameful? That they should attempt something? They neither dare nor are any longer able to do so.
age, quiescant auctoribus nobis; quis incolumitatem praestat? si vero aliquid de Decimo gravius, quae nostris vita, etiam si nemo molestus sit? ludos vero non facere! quid foedius? frumentum imponere! quae est alia Dionis legatio aut quod munus in re publica sordidius? prorsus quidem consilia tali in re ne iis quidem tuta sunt qui dant; sed possim id neglegere proficiens; frustra vero qui ingrediar? matris consilio cum utatur vel etiam precibus, quid me interponam? sed tamen cogitabo quo genere utar litterarum; nam silere non possum.
Well, suppose they remain quiet at our instigation; who guarantees their safety? But if indeed something more serious should happen to Decimus, what kind of life will there be for our friends, even if no one molests them? Indeed, not to exhibit the games! What could be more disgraceful? To load grain! What else is that but Dion's commission, or what public office could be more sordid? To be sure, in such a matter, advice is not safe even for those who give it; but I could neglect that risk if I were to be of use; but why should I enter upon it in vain? Since he follows his mother’s advice and even her entreaties, why should I interpose myself? But nevertheless I will consider what kind of letter I should write; for I cannot keep silent.
statim igitur mittam vel Antium vel Circeios.
I will therefore send at once either to Antium or to Circeii.

Notes

  1. 15.10.1qui ad eum ire non possis — The antecedent of the relative pronoun qui is the second-person singular pronoun implied in the possessive adjective tuum. The relative clause with the subjunctive possis expresses a causal or characteristic nuance.
  2. 15.10.1ut beneficio istorum utantur — An indirect deliberative or hortatory subjunctive clause introduced by ut following quid scribam? ("Am I to write that they should...").
  3. 15.10.1ludos vero non facere — An exclamatory infinitive expressing indignation or disbelief ("Indeed, not to celebrate the games!").
  4. 15.10.1Dionis legatio — A historical allusion to the nominal embassy (legatio) given to Dion of Syracuse by the tyrant Dionysius II, which was effectively an honorable banishment. Cicero compares it to the grain-commission imposed on Brutus and Cassius.
  5. 15.10.1possim id neglegere proficiens — possim is a potential subjunctive. The present participle proficiens functions as a conditional clause ("if I were to be of use").

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Atticus §15.10.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi057.humanitext-lat1:15.10.1

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