§6.1In re publica ita est versatus, ut semper optimarum partium et esset et existimaretur, neque tamen se civilibus fluctibus committeret, quod non magis eos in sua potestate existimabat esse, qui se his dedissent, quam qui maritimis iactarentur.
In public affairs he conducted himself in such a way that he was always both considered to belong to and actually belonged to the best party, and yet he did not commit himself to the civil tempests, because he did not think that those who had surrendered themselves to them were any more in their own power than those who were tossed by the waves of the sea.
§6.2honores non petiit, cum ei paterent propter vel gratiam vel dignitatem: quod neque peti more maiorum neque capi possent conservatis legibus in tam effusis ambitus largitionibus neque geri e re publica sine periculo
He did not seek public offices, although they were open to him on account of either his influence or his high standing; for amidst such lavish bribery of electioneering, they could neither be sought according to the custom of our ancestors, nor be obtained with the laws preserved, nor be administered in accordance with the public interest without danger.
§6.3corruptis civitatis moribus ad hastam publicam numquam accessit.
Since the morals of the state were corrupted, he never approached the public auctions.
nullius rei neque praes neque manceps factus est.
He became neither a surety nor a contractor for any transaction.
neminem neque suo nomine neque subscribens accusavit, in ius de sua re numquam iit, iudicium nullum habuit.
He accused no one, neither in his own name nor as a co-signatory, never went to court concerning his own property, and had no lawsuit.
§6.4multorum consulum praetorumque praefecturas delatas sic accepit, ut neminem in provinciam sit secutus, honore fuerit contentus, rei familiaris despexerit fructum: qui ne cum Quinto quidem Cicerone voluerit ire in Asiam, cum apud eum legati locum obtinere posset.
He accepted the prefectures offered by many consuls and praetors in such a way that he followed no one into a province, was content with the honor, and despised the financial gain of his family estate; indeed, he did not wish to go to Asia even with Quintus Cicero, although he could have held the post of lieutenant under him.
non enim decere se arbitrabatur, cum praeturam gerere noluisset, asseclam esse praetoris.
For he did not think it became him, since he had been unwilling to hold the praetorship itself, to be the follower of a praetor.
§6.5qua in re non solum dignitati serviebat, sed etiam tranquillitati, cum suspiciones quoque vitaret criminum.
In which matter he consulted not only his dignity but also his peace of mind, since he also avoided even the suspicions of crimes.
quo fiebat ut eius observantia omnibus esset carior, cum eam officio, non timori neque spei tribui viderent.
Hence it happened that his respect was dearer to all, since they saw that it was attributed to duty, not to fear nor to hope.