§2.1.1Cum haec scribebam, res existimabatur in extremum adducta discrimen.
When I was writing this, the situation was thought to have been brought to the extreme crisis.
tristes enim de Bruto nostro litterae nuntiique adferebantur.
For sad letters and messages concerning our Brutus were being brought.
me quidem non maxime conturbabant.
They, indeed, did not disturb me in the highest degree.
his enim exercitibus ducibusque quos habemus nullo modo poteram diffidere neque adsentiebar maiori parti hominum.
For I could in no way distrust these armies and leaders whom we have, nor did I agree with the greater part of men.
fidem enim consulum non condemnabam quae suspecta vehementer erat; desiderabam non nullis in rebus prudentiam et celeritatem; qua si essent usi, iam pridem rem publicam reciperassemus.
For I did not condemn the loyalty of the consuls, which was vehemently suspected; I missed in some matters prudence and speed; if they had used which, we would have recovered the republic long ago.
non enim ignoras quanta momenta sint in re publica temporum et quid intersit idem illud utrum ante an post decernatur, suscipiatur, agatur.
For you are not ignorant how great the momentum of times is in the republic, and what difference it makes whether that very same thing is decreed, undertaken, done before or after.
omnia quae severe decreta sunt hoc tumultu, si aut quo die dixi sententiam perfecta essent et non in diem ex die dilata aut, quo ex tempore suscepta sunt ut agerentur, non tardata et procrastinata, bellum iam nullum haberemus.
All things which were severely decreed in this tumult, if they had either been finished on the day I gave my opinion and not delayed from day to day, or, from the time when they were undertaken to be done, not slowed down and procrastinated, we would now have no war.
§2.1.2omnia, Brute, praestiti rei publicae quae praestare debuit is qui esset in eo in quo ego sum gradu senatus populique iudicio conlocatus, nec illa modo quae nimirum sola ab homine sunt postulanda, fidem, vigilantiam, patriae caritatem.
I have performed all things, Brutus, to the republic which he ought to have performed who, by the judgment of the senate and the people, was placed in that degree in which I am; and not only those things which, to be sure, alone are to be demanded from a man, loyalty, vigilance, love of country.
ea sunt enim quae nemo est qui non praestare debeat.
For those are things which there is no one who ought not to perform.
ego autem ei qui sententiam dicat in principibus de re publica puto etiam prudentiam esse praestandam nec me, cum mihi tantum sumpserim ut gubernacula rei publicae prehenderem, minus putarim reprehendendum si inutiliter aliquid senatui suaserim quam si infideliter.
But I think that by him who speaks his opinion among the leading men concerning the republic, prudence also must be displayed; nor, since I have taken so much upon myself as to grasp the rudders of the republic, should I think myself less to be blamed if I have advised something to the senate uselessly than if unfaithfully.
§2.1.3Acta quae sint quaeque agantur scio perscribi ad te diligenter; ex me autem illud est quod te velim habere cognitum, meum quidem animum in acie esse neque respectum ullum quaerere nisi me utilitas civitatis forte converterit; maioris autem partis animi te Cassiumque respiciunt.
I know that what has been done and what is being done is diligently written to you; but from me there is this which I would wish you to have known, that my mind indeed is in the battle line, nor does it seek any retreat unless by chance the utility of the state should turn me around; but the minds of the greater part look to you and Cassius.
quam ob rem ita te para, Brute, ut intellegas aut, si hoc tempore bene res gesta sit, tibi meliorem rem publicam esse faciendam aut, si quid offensum sit, per te esse eandem reciperandam.
Therefore, Brutus, prepare yourself in such a way that you understand that either, if at this time the matter is well conducted, a better republic must be made by you, or, if any setback occurs, the same must be recovered by you.