than to yourself. Those, to whom I was indebted to an extent of which you are aware, the result of this war has snatched from me. My position at the present moment I fully understand. But since there is no one so utterly prostrate as not to be able, if he gives his whole attention to what he is doing, to accomplish and carry out something, I should wish you to consider as deservedly at the service of yourself and your children, of course all my zeal, but also all my powers of counsel and action.
DXXXVIII (F VI, 3)
TO AULUS MANLIUS TORQUATUS (AT ATHENS)
Rome (January)
In my former letter I was somewhat lengthy, more from
warmth of affection than because the occasion demanded it.
For neither did your virtue require fortifying by me, nor
were my own case and position of such a nature as to allow
of my encouraging another when in want of every source of
encouragement myself. On the present occasion I ought to
be briefer. For if there was no need of so many words
then, there is no more need of them now, or if there was
need of them then, what I said is enough, especially as
there has been nothing new to add. For though I am
every day told some items of news, which I think are conveyed
to you, yet the upshot is the same, as is also the
result: a result which I see as clearly in my mind as what I
actually see with my eyes; and yet in truth I see nothing
that I am not well assured that you see also. For though
no one can prophesy the result of a battle, yet the result
of a war I can see: and if not that, yet at least this—since
one or the other side must win—how victory on the one
side or the other will be used. And having a clear grasp of
this, what I see convinces me that no evil will occur, if that