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reach your desired destination; on the same principle in the conduct of state affairs, while we should all have as our one aim and object what I have so repeatedly preached—the maintenance of peace with honour—it does not follow that we ought always to express ourselves in the same way, though we ought always to have in view the same goal.

And therefore, as I stated a little while ago, even were I absolutely untrammelled in my choice, I should be in politics no other than I now am. But attracted as I am by the kindnesses of some and impelled by the malicious conduct of others into this way of thinking, I see no objection to my feeling and saying on political questions whatever I consider most conducive both to my own interests and those of the state; and I do so all the more openly and frequently because my brother Quintus is on Caesar's staff, and because no single word of mine, however trivial, much less any action has passed in Caesar's favour, which he^[1] has not welcomed with a gratitude so clearly expressed as to make me feel that he is sincerely obliged to me. This enables me to enjoy as though they were my own the advantages both of his influence, which is very powerful, and of his pecuniary resources which, as you know, are very great; indeed I fail to see how otherwise I could have wrecked the intrigues against me of unprincipled scoundrels, than by combining with the safeguards I always possessed the friendliness of men in power.

²² This is precisely the course of action I should have adopted, I am inclined to think, had you been here at my elbow; for I know the sobriety and restraint of your nature; I know your mind, which, while full of friendship for me, has yet no tinge of