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EPISTULAE AD FAMILIARES, IV. ii.

You ask me what plan I have ; well, it is the sort 2 of plan that I could more easily adopt myself than recommend to another. For what policy is there that I could venture to press upon a man of your exceptional influence and consummate sagacity ? If we are asking what is the most right and proper course, it is there for all to see ; if what is most expedient, well, that is not so evident. But if we are the kind of men we surely ought to be, the kind to believe that nought is expedient but what is right and honourable, then there can be no possible doubt as to what we should do.

You assume a close connexion between your case 3 and mine ; well, we were certainly both guilty of a like mistake, though our sentiments were most loyal. For whatever the policy of each of us, what we had in view was harmony, and as there was nothing more to the advantage of Caesar himself, we imagined that we were even earning his gratitude by our advocacy of peace. How greatly we have been deceived, and to what a pass things have come, you can see for yourself ; and not only do you clearly understand all that is being done and all that has already been done, but also what the trend of affairs is, and what is likely to be the issue. One is therefore obliged either to approve the measures now being taken, or else to be implicated in them even if one does not approve. The former alternative strikes me as being dishonourable, the latter as being dangerous as well.

All that is left is that I think I must go ; and there 4 is nothing else to consider but what is my plan when I do go, and what my destination. Look at it as you will, no more wretched state of things has ever occurred, no, nor any problem harder to solve. For no

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