Marcus Tullius Cicero→Marcus Terentius Varro|c. 45 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome|Human translated
Know that I judge the problem of possibility according to Diodorus. Therefore, if you are going to come, know that it is necessary for you to come; but if you are not, then it is impossible for you to come. Now see which view pleases you more, Chrysippus's or this one, which our friend Diodotus could not stomach. But we shall discuss these matters too when we are at leisure; this too is possible according to Chrysippus. About Coctius I am grateful, for I had entrusted that matter to Atticus as well. If you do not come to me, I shall hurry to you. If you have a garden in your library, nothing will be lacking.
CDLXIV (Fam. IX, 4) TO M. TERENTIUS VARRO (?AT CUMAE) TUSCULUM (JUNE) About things “possible,” let me tell you my opinion agrees with Diodorus . Wherefore, if you are to come, be assured that your coming is “necessary,” but if you are not, then it is “impossible” that you should come. Now see which opinion pleases you the more, that of Chrysippus or the one which our teacher Diodotus could not stomach. But on these points also we will talk when we are at leisure: that too is “possible,” according to Chrysippus . I am much obliged to you about Coctius: for that is just what I had commissioned Atticus to do. Yes, if you don't come to me, I shall take a run to you. If you have a garden in your library, everything will be complete.
IV. Scr. in Tusculano mense Iunio a.u.c. 708. CICERO VARRONI.
PerÐ dunat«n me scito xatë DiÒdvron xr¤nein. Quapropter, si venturus es, scito necesse esse te venire; sin autem non es, *dÊnaton est te venire. Nunc vide, utra te xr¤siw magis delectet, Chrysippi an haec, quam noster Diodotus non concoquebat. Sed de his etiam rebus, otiosi cum erimus, loquemur; hoc etiam xatë XrÊsippon dunatÚn est. De Coctio mihi gratum est; nam id etiam Attico mandaram. Tu si minus ad nos, nos accurremus ad te: si hortum in bibliotheca habes, deerit nihil.
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Know that I judge the problem of possibility according to Diodorus. Therefore, if you are going to come, know that it is necessary for you to come; but if you are not, then it is impossible for you to come. Now see which view pleases you more, Chrysippus's or this one, which our friend Diodotus could not stomach. But we shall discuss these matters too when we are at leisure; this too is possible according to Chrysippus. About Coctius I am grateful, for I had entrusted that matter to Atticus as well. If you do not come to me, I shall hurry to you. If you have a garden in your library, nothing will be lacking.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
IV. Scr. in Tusculano mense Iunio a.u.c. 708. CICERO VARRONI.
PerÐ dunat«n me scito xatë DiÒdvron xr¤nein. Quapropter, si venturus es, scito necesse esse te venire; sin autem non es, *dÊnaton est te venire. Nunc vide, utra te xr¤siw magis delectet, Chrysippi an haec, quam noster Diodotus non concoquebat. Sed de his etiam rebus, otiosi cum erimus, loquemur; hoc etiam xatë XrÊsippon dunatÚn est. De Coctio mihi gratum est; nam id etiam Attico mandaram. Tu si minus ad nos, nos accurremus ad te: si hortum in bibliotheca habes, deerit nihil.