Letter 1.10

Why should I not do you this favor? I do not know, especially since in these times boldness may pass for wisdom. I have written carefully to our Lentulus in your name to thank him. But I would like you now to stop relying on my letters and come back to see us at last. Choose to be somewhere where you count for something rather than where you seem to be the only wise lawyer. Though people who come from where you are say two things: some say you are arrogant because you give no answers, others that you are insulting because you give bad ones. I am eager now to joke with you face to face. So make sure you come as soon as possible, and do not go off to your Apulia, so that we can rejoice that you have arrived safely. If you go there, like Ulysses, you will recognize none of your own people.

CLXI (Fam. I, 10) TO L. VALERIUS (IN CILICIA) ROME: M. Cicero wishes health to L. Valerius , learned in the law. For why I should not pay you this compliment I don't know, especially considering that in these times one may employ impudence to supply the place of learning. I have written to our friend Lentulus , thanking him earnestly in your name. But I could wish that you would now cease using my letter of introduction and at last come back to us, and prefer a city where you are of some account, to a place where you appear to be the only man of legal learning. However, those who come from where you are either say you are proud because you give no “opinions,” or insulting because you give bad ones. But I am now longing to crack a joke with you face to face. So come as soon as ever you can, and don't go and visit your native Apulia , that we may have the joy of welcoming your safe return. For if you go there, like another Ulysses , you will not recognize any of your friends.

X. Scr. Romae mense Decembri a.u.c. 700. M. CICERO S. D. L. VALERIO IURISCONSULTO cur enim tibi hoc non gratificer, nescio, praesertim cum his temporibus audacia pro sapientia liceat uti. Lentulo nostro egi per litteras tuo nomine gratias diligenter; sed tu velim desinas iam nostris litteris uti et nos aliquando revisas et ibi malis esse, ubi aliquo numero sis, quam istic, ubi solus sapere videare; quamquam, qui istinc veniunt, partim te superbum esse dicunt, quod nihil respondeas, partim contumeliosum, quod male respondeas; sed iam cupio tecum coram iocari, quare fac, ut quam primum venias neque in Apuliam tuam accedas, ut possimus salvum venisse gaudere; nam, illo si veneris, tamquam Ulixes cognosces tuorum neminem. Cicero