Page:Loeb Classical Library L205N (1958).djvu/301

But anyhow, seeing that I have now avoided giving offence to one who, had I remained persistently silent, might have thought that I do not regard this as a constitutional government at all, I shall act in that respect with moderation, or even keep on the safe side of moderation, so as to serve his will without sacrificing my own inclinations.

For though every department of liberal erudition, and philosophy most of all, has been my delight from my earliest manhood, yet this prepossession of mine grows upon me day by day, partly, I suppose, because my age is ripening for the reception of wisdom, partly because the times are evil, so that there is nothing else that can ease my mind of its annoyances.

⁵ You, as I gather from your letter, are drawn away from such studies by press of business; but still at this season of the year, the nights will help you considerably. Your, or rather our dear boy Servius, shows me the greatest deference and respect, and I am delighted as well with his general integrity and excellent character as with his studies and acquirements. He has many a talk with me about your staying on or quitting the province. So far my opinion holds, that we should do nothing but what we think Caesar most desires. Such is the situation here, that supposing you were at Rome, you could find no pleasure in anything except in your own people. As for the rest, nothing could be better than the great man himself; everybody and everything else is such that—well, if you had to make the choice, you would much rather hear about them than see them. It is no pleasure to me to give you this advice, as I am longing to see you; but I am thinking of what is best for you. Farewell.