Marcus Tullius Cicero→Quintus Cornificius|c. 43 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Africa|Human translated
Sextus Aufidius, by the respect with which he honors me, ranks among my closest friends, and in distinction he yields to no Roman knight. Moreover, his character is so balanced and moderate that the greatest seriousness is joined with the greatest humanity. I commend his affairs in Africa to you in such a way that I could not commend them with greater zeal or more heartfelt sincerity. You would do me a very great favor if you ensure that he understands that my letter to you carried the greatest weight. I ask this of you earnestly, my dear Cornificius.
DCCCXXVII (Fam. XII, 27) TO QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS (IN AFRICA) ROME: Sextus Aufidius does not leave my closest friends far behind in the attentions which he shows to me, and in social distinction is second to no Roman knight. His character, too, is so nicely balanced and tempered, that the strictest decorum is in him united with the most large-hearted kindness. I commend this man's African business to you with a warmth and heartiness beyond which I cannot go in such a commendation. You will be doing me a very great favour, if you will take the trouble to make him understand that my letter has had very great influence with you. I earnestly beg you, my dear Cornificius , to do so.
XXVII. Scr. mense incerto (post XIII. Kal. Ian.) a.u.c. 710. CICERO CORNIFICIO SAL.
Sex. Aufidius et observantia, qua me colit, accedit ad proximos et splendore equiti Romano nemini cedit; est autem ita temperatis moderatisque moribus, ut summa severitas summa cum humanitate iungatur: cuius tibi negotia, quae sunt in Africa, ita commendo, ut maiore studio magisve ex animo commendare non possim. Pergratum mihi feceris, si dederis operam, ut is intelligat meas apud te litteras maximum pondus habuisse: hoc te vehementer, mi Cornifici, rogo.
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Sextus Aufidius, by the respect with which he honors me, ranks among my closest friends, and in distinction he yields to no Roman knight. Moreover, his character is so balanced and moderate that the greatest seriousness is joined with the greatest humanity. I commend his affairs in Africa to you in such a way that I could not commend them with greater zeal or more heartfelt sincerity. You would do me a very great favor if you ensure that he understands that my letter to you carried the greatest weight. I ask this of you earnestly, my dear Cornificius.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
XXVII. Scr. mense incerto (post XIII. Kal. Ian.) a.u.c. 710. CICERO CORNIFICIO SAL.
Sex. Aufidius et observantia, qua me colit, accedit ad proximos et splendore equiti Romano nemini cedit; est autem ita temperatis moderatisque moribus, ut summa severitas summa cum humanitate iungatur: cuius tibi negotia, quae sunt in Africa, ita commendo, ut maiore studio magisve ex animo commendare non possim. Pergratum mihi feceris, si dederis operam, ut is intelligat meas apud te litteras maximum pondus habuisse: hoc te vehementer, mi Cornifici, rogo.