fear. But, in answer to your question as to when, by what road and whither[1]—I as yet know nothing. You suggest Baiæ—but some doubt whether he will not come by way of Sardinia.[2] For that particular one of his estates he has not inspected as yet. It is the worst of them all,[3] nevertheless he does not despise it. For my part, I am on the whole more inclined to think that he will come through Sicily to Velia: but we shall know directly; for Dolabella is on his way home: he, I suppose, will be our instructor:
"Scholars are often wiser than their teachers."[4]
But nevertheless, if I can ascertain what you have settled, I
will accommodate my policy to yours before anyone else's.
Wherefore I am anxious for a letter from you.
CCCCLXI (F IX, 5)
TO M. TERENTIUS VARRO (AT TUSCULUM)
Rome (late in May)
Yes, I think the 5th of next month will be in very good
time, both in consideration of the state of public affairs and
of the season of the year.[5] Wherefore I approve of that
day: and will myself accordingly aim at the same. I should
- [Footnote: or bad but virtue and vice; but among other things which are strictly
neither good nor bad some are to be preferred ([Greek: Proêgmena]), some not ([Greek: apoproêgmena]). Cicero uses the word jestingly for what he considers very bad.], a line of which the author is unknown. He refers to his instructing Dolabella in oratory.]
- ↑ I.e., to meet Cæsar.
- ↑ Cæsar did come by Sardinia, and therefore sailed straight to Ostia, not to Puteoli (Dio, 43, 14).
- ↑ Because of its unhealthiness. Vol. i., p. 217.
- ↑ [Greek: polloi mathêtai kreissones didaskalôn
- ↑ For starting to meet Cæsar. We must remember that, in spite of an intercalary month inserted after the 23rd of February, the calendar this year was two months in advance, and was not rectified till the autumn. Therefore the 5th of June is really about the 5th of April, and that was full early for Cæsar to embark on a voyage from Africa.
