DCCCXIV (F XII, 24)
TO QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS (IN
AFRICA)
ROME (JANUARY)
I OMIT no opportunity—as is indeed
my bounden duty-not only of sounding your praises,
but even of securing you marks of distinction. But
my exertions on your behalf I prefer being known
to you from the letters of your family rather than
from my own. Nevertheless, I exhort you, on your
part, to throw yourself heart and soul into the
cause of the Republic. This is the proper task of
a spirit and a character such as yours: it is this
which is called for by the hope, which you ought
to entertain, of enhancing your position. But on
this point at greater length at another time. For
at the moment of writing this everything is in a
state of suspense. The ambassadors have not yet
returned, whom the senate sent, not to beg for
peace, but to proclaim war in case he did not
comply with the message of its emissaries.
Nevertheless, as soon as the opportunity was
afforded me, I spoke in defence of the
constitution in my old style. I put myself forward
as a leader of the senate and Roman people: nor
have I since thus undertaking the cause of freedom
lost a single moment in supporting the common
safety and liberty. But this, too, I should prefer
your learning from others. I commend Titus
Pinarius to you—my most intimate
friend-with an earnestness beyond which I cannot
go. I am very much attached to him for all his
high qualities as well as for the tastes which we
have in common. He is managing the accounts and
business affairs of our friend Dionysius, of whom
you are very fond, while I regard him as one of
the first of men. This recommendation ought not to
require any word of mine, yet I make it all the
same. Pray therefore let me learn from Pinarius's
letters—that most grateful of
men—of your kind ness both to him and
Dionysius.
ROME (JANUARY)