Marcus Tullius Cicero→Marcus Aemilius Lepidus|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Gaul|Human translated
Since I care greatly, out of my supreme goodwill toward you, that you should enjoy the fullest dignity, I was distressed that you did not thank the senate, although you had been honored by that body with the highest distinctions. I am glad that you are eager to bring about peace among citizens. If you separate that peace from slavery, you will serve both the republic and your own dignity. But if that peace is going to restore a ruined man to the possession of the most uncontrolled tyranny, know this: everyone of sound mind prefers death to slavery. Therefore in my judgment you will act more wisely if you do not involve yourself in such a pacification, which is approved neither by the senate nor by the people nor by any good man. But you will hear these things from others or be informed by letter. With your own wisdom, you will see what is best to do.
DCCCXXIV (Fam. X, 27) TO MARCUS AEMILIUS LEPIDUS (IN NARBONENSIS) ROME, 20 MARCH: SINCE from my extreme goodwill to you it is a matter of much concern to me that you should enjoy the most splendid political position possible, I was much vexed that you did not thank the senate, though you had been complimented by that body with its highest honours. I am rejoiced that you are desirous of promoting peace between fellow citizens; but if you keep it free from servitude you will be acting in the interests both of the state and of your own position. But if the peace of which you speak is to put an unprincipled person once more in possession of unrestricted tyranny, let me assure you that all sound-feeling men are resolved to prefer death to slavery. So in my opinion you will be acting with more wisdom if you do not commit yourself to promoting a pacification, which has the approval of neither senate, nor people, nor any loyalist. But you will be told this by others or will be informed of it by letter. Your own good sense will show you what is best to be done.
XXVII. Scr. Romae mense Martio (post XIII. K. Apr.) a.u.c. 711. CICERO LEPIDO SAL.
Quod mihi pro summa mea erga te benevolentia magnae curae est, ut quam amplissima dignitate sis, moleste tuli te senatui gratias non egisse, cum esses ab eo ordine ornatus summis honoribus. Pacis inter cives conciliandae te cupidum esse laetor: eam si a servitute seiunges, consules et rei publicae et dignitati tuae; sin ista pax perditum hominem in possessionem impotentissimi dominatus restitutura est, hoc animo scito omnes esse sanos, ut mortem servituti anteponant. Itaque sapientius meo quidem iiudicio facies, si te in istam pacificationem non interpones, quae neque senatui neque populo nec cuiquam bono probatur. Sed haec audies ex aliis aut certior fies litteris: tu pro tua prudentia, quid optimum factu sit, videbis.
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Since I care greatly, out of my supreme goodwill toward you, that you should enjoy the fullest dignity, I was distressed that you did not thank the senate, although you had been honored by that body with the highest distinctions. I am glad that you are eager to bring about peace among citizens. If you separate that peace from slavery, you will serve both the republic and your own dignity. But if that peace is going to restore a ruined man to the possession of the most uncontrolled tyranny, know this: everyone of sound mind prefers death to slavery. Therefore in my judgment you will act more wisely if you do not involve yourself in such a pacification, which is approved neither by the senate nor by the people nor by any good man. But you will hear these things from others or be informed by letter. With your own wisdom, you will see what is best to do.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
XXVII. Scr. Romae mense Martio (post XIII. K. Apr.) a.u.c. 711. CICERO LEPIDO SAL.
Quod mihi pro summa mea erga te benevolentia magnae curae est, ut quam amplissima dignitate sis, moleste tuli te senatui gratias non egisse, cum esses ab eo ordine ornatus summis honoribus. Pacis inter cives conciliandae te cupidum esse laetor: eam si a servitute seiunges, consules et rei publicae et dignitati tuae; sin ista pax perditum hominem in possessionem impotentissimi dominatus restitutura est, hoc animo scito omnes esse sanos, ut mortem servituti anteponant. Itaque sapientius meo quidem iiudicio facies, si te in istam pacificationem non interpones, quae neque senatui neque populo nec cuiquam bono probatur. Sed haec audies ex aliis aut certior fies litteris: tu pro tua prudentia, quid optimum factu sit, videbis.