Letter 6.13

Although at such a time of yours I ought to have written something to you on behalf of our friendship, either to console or to help you, I had not yet done so, because I did not seem able to soften or lighten your grief by speech. But after I began to have great hope that we would have you safe within a short time, I could not refrain from declaring to you both my opinion and my wishes. First, then, I shall write what I understand and perceive: that Caesar will not be harsher toward you. For circumstances make him milder every day, and time, and the opinion of men, and, as it seems to me, even his own nature. And I perceive this not only regarding the rest, but I also hear it about you from his closest friends, to whom I, together with your brothers, have not ceased to appeal ever since the first news came from Africa. And indeed by their virtue and devotion and singular love for you and their constant and unceasing care for your safety, so much is being accomplished that I think there is nothing that Caesar himself will not grant. But if it is happening more slowly than we wish, it is because his great occupations have made access to the man from whom everything is sought more difficult, and at the same time, being rather angry about the African cause, he seems to want to keep those people in suspense longer by whom he thinks he has been harassed with more prolonged troubles. But we understand that he bears this very matter with more leniency and calm every day. Therefore believe me -- and commit to memory that I have affirmed this to you -- you will not be in these troubles much longer. Since I have set forth what I think, I shall demonstrate what I wish for your sake by deeds rather than words. If I could be as influential as I ought to be in that republic which I have served, as you believe, so well, you would not be in these difficulties either; for the same cause that broke my power brought your safety into jeopardy. But still, whatever the shadow of my former dignity and whatever remains of my influence may avail, my zeal, counsel, effort, loyalty will never fail your excellent brothers in any situation. See that you have a brave spirit, as you always have, first for those reasons which I have written, and then because you always held such opinions and sentiments about the republic that you ought not only now to hope for good fortune, but even if everything were adverse, you ought to bear whatever happens with the bravest and greatest spirit, in the consciousness of your deeds and counsels.

CDLXXXVII (Fam. VI, 13) TO Q. LIGARIUS (IN EXILE) ROME (SEPTEMBER) Although in your present circumstances I was bound, in view of our friendship, to write you some word either of consolation or support, yet up to this time I had omitted doing so, because I did not think myself able by mere words either to soften or remove your grief. When, however, I began to entertain a strong hope that it would not be long before we had you here in full enjoyment of your civil rights, I could not refrain from declaring my opinion and wishes to you. To begin with, then, I will say this, of which I have a clear knowledge and full perception — that Caesar will not be very obdurate to you. For circumstances, as well as the lapse of time and public opinion, and — as it seems to me — even his own natural disposition, daily render him more indulgent. And that I not only perceive in the case of others, but I am also told it in regard to yourself by his most intimate friends, to whom, ever since the news from Africa first arrived, I have never ceased in conjunction with your brothers to make representations. Thanks indeed to their virtue and piety and their unique affection for you, their constant and unremitting care for your safety are having such good effect, that I think there is now no indulgence that Caesar himself will not grant you. But if this comes to pass somewhat less quickly than we wish, the reason is that, owing to the multiplicity of his business, interviews with him have been somewhat difficult to obtain. At the same time, being unusually angered at the resistance in Africa, he seems resolved to keep those in suspense somewhat longer, by whom he considers himself to have been involved in the worry of a more protracted struggle. But even this, I understand, he daily regards in a more forgiving and placable spirit. Wherefore, believe me, and remember that I said so to you, that you will not be much longer in your distressing position. Having told you my opinion, I will show what my wishes are in regard to you by deeds rather than by words. If I were as powerful as I ought to be in a Republic, to which my services have been such as you estimate them, you certainly would not have now been in your present disadvantageous position: for the same cause has ruined my influence which has brought your safety into danger. But nevertheless, whatever the shadow of my old position, whatever the remains of my popularity shall be able to effect, all my zeal, advice, efforts, and fidelity shall be ever at the service of your most excellent brothers. Be sure, on your part, to keep the brave spirit which you have always kept. First, for the reasons which I have mentioned: and, secondly, because your wishes and sentiments about the Republic have ever been such as not only to warrant a hope of prosperity now, but even, if everything goes wrong, to make it after all incumbent on you, from a consciousness of your actions and policy, to bear whatever happens with the greatest resolution and spirit.

XIII. Scr. Romae exeunte a.u.c. 708. CICERO LIGARIO Etsi tali tuo tempore me aut consolandi aut iuvandi tui causa scribere ad te aliquid pro nostra amicitia oportebat, tamen adhuc id non feceram, quia neque lenire videbar oratione neque levare posse dolorem tuum; postea vera quam magnam spem habere coepi fore, ut te brevi tempore incolumem haberemus, facere non potui, quin tibi et sententiam et voluntatem declararem meam. Primum igitur scribam, quod intelligo et perspicio, non fore in te Caesarem duriorem; nam et res eum quotidie et dies et opinio hominum et, ut mihi videtur, etiam sua natura mitiorem facit, idque cum de reliquis sentio, tum de te etiam audio ex familiarissimis eius, quibus ego ex eo tempore, quo primum ex Africa nuntius venit, supplicare una cum fratribus tuis non destiti, quorum quidem et virtute et pietate et amore in te singulari et assidua et perpetua cura salutis tuae tantum proficitur, ut nihil sit, quod non ipsum Caesarem tributurum existimem; sed, si tardius fit, quam volumus, magnis occupationibus eius, a quo omnia petuntur, aditus ad eum difficiliores fuerunt, et simul Africanae causae iratior diutius velle videtur eos habere sollicitos, a quibus se putat diuturnioribus esse molestiis conflictatum, sed hoc ipsum intelligimus eum quotidie remissus et placatius ferre: quare mihi crede—et memoriae manda me tibi id affirmasse—te in istis molestiis diutius non futurum. Quoniam, quid sentirem, exposui, quid velim tua causa, re potius declarabo quam oratione: si tantum possem, quantum in ea re publica, de qua ita sum meritus, ut tu existimas, posse debebam, ne tu quidem in istis incommodis esses; eadem enim causa opes meas fregit, quae tuam salutem in discrimen adduxit; sed tamen, quidquid imago veteris meae dignitatis, quidquid reliquiae gratiae valebunt, studium, consilium, opera, [gratia,] fides mea nullo loco deerit tuis optimis fratribus. Tu fac habeas fortem animum, quem semper habuisti, primum ob eas causas, quas scripsi, deinde quod ea de re publica semper voluisti atque sensisti, ut non modo nunc secunda sperare debeas, sed etiam, si omnia adversa essent, tamen conscientia et factorum et consiliorum tuorum, quaecumque acciderent, fortissimo et maximo animo ferre deberes.