The Letters of Marcus Tullius Cicero to Titus Pomponius Atticus, Tr. by W. Heberden (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 Excerpt: ...of the Republic, which I consider as lost both by the wounds it has received, and by the remedies which are prepared for it. But what shall I do about Porapeius? with whom (for why should I deny it?) I am quite angry. For the causes of events always affect us more than the events themselves. When I consider therefore these miseries (and what can be worse?) or rather when I reflect that they have been brought on by bis means, and his fault, I am more irritated against him, than against Caesar himself: in the same manner as our forefathers marked the day of the battle of the Allia, as sadder than that of the taking the city; because the latter calamity was the consequence of the other: therefore the one is still held sacred, the other not even known to the common people. Thus am I angry while I recollect the errors of ten years past; (among which was that year of affliction to me, when he, to say nothing worse, did not defend me) and perceive the rashness, the baseness, the negligence of the present time. But these things are now erased from my mind. I think of the benefits I have received from him, and think also of his own dignity. I understand; later indeed than I could wish, by reason of Balbus's letters and conversation; but I see plainly that nothing else is aimed at, nothing else has been aimed at from the beginning, but his death. Shall I then, (if Achilles, according to Homer, when his mother Goddess told him that his fate would presently follow that of Hector, replied, " would that I might die im"mediately, since I could not prevent the "death of my friend;" what if not only a friend, but also a benefactor; such a man too; and engaged in such a cause? And shall I then) think these duties to be trafficked away for the sake of life...