Letter 6.11

Previously I merely liked Dolabella; I was under no obligation to him -- for no occasion had arisen for me to need his help, and he was indebted to me because I had not failed him in his dangers. Now I am so bound by his kindness, since he has given me the fullest satisfaction both previously in substance and now in the matter of your safety, that I owe more to no one. In this I congratulate you so warmly that I would rather have you congratulate me in return than thank me; the former I do not at all require, the latter you will be able to do sincerely. As for the rest, since your virtue and dignity have opened the way for your return to your family, it is the part of your wisdom and greatness of spirit to forget what you have lost and to think about what you have recovered. You will live with your family, you will live with us. You have gained more in dignity than you have lost in property, and that property itself would be more pleasant if there were any republic. Vestorius, our mutual friend, has written to me that you give me the greatest thanks. This declaration of yours is very welcome to me, and I readily allow you to make it, both among others and especially, by Hercules, among our friend Syro; for what I do, I wish to be most approved by the wisest men. I hope to see you very soon.

DCXIX (Fam. VI, 11) TO TREBIANUS (IN EXILE) (ROME, JUNE) Hitherto I have felt nothing more than a natural affection for Dolabella : I was under no obligation to him — for it never chanced to be necessary — and he was in my debt for my having stood by him in his hours of danger. Now, however, I have become bound to him by so strong an obligation — for having previously in regard to your property, and on the present occasion in the matter of your recall, gratified me to the fullest possible degree — that I can owe no one more than I do him. In regard to this matter, while I warmly congratulate you, I wish you to congratulate rather than thank me. The latter I do not in the least desire, the former you will be able to do with truth. For the rest, since your high character and worth have secured your return to your family, you will be acting in a manner worthy of your wisdom and magnanimity if you forget what you have lost, and think of what you have recovered. You will be living with your family; you will be living with us; you have gained more in personal consideration than you have lost in property: though of course your recovered position would have been a greater source of pleasure to you, if there had been any constitution left. Our friend Vestorius tells me in a letter that you express very great gratitude to me. This avowal on your part is, of course, very gratifying to me, and I have nothing to say against your making it, whether to others, or by heaven! to our friend Siro: for what one does one likes to have approved most by the wisest men. I desire to see you at the earliest opportunity.

XI. Scr. Romae a.u.c. 709. [M.] CICERO S. D. TREBIANO Dolabellam antea tantummodo diligebam, obligatus ei nihil eram—nec enim acciderat mihi opus esse, et ille mihi debebat, quod non defueram eius periculis—: nunc tanto sum devinctus eius beneficio, quod et antea in re et hoc tempore in salute tua cumulatissime mihi satisfecit, ut nemini plus debeam. Qua in re tibi gratulor ita vehementer, ut te quoque mihi gratulari quam gratias agere malim: alterum omnino non desidero, alterum vere facere poteris. Quod reliquum est, quoniam tibi virtus et dignitas tua reditum ad tuos aperuit, est tuae sapientiae magnitudinisque animi, quid amiseris, oblivisci, quid reciperaris, cogitare: vives cum tuis, vives nobiscum; plus acquisisti dignitatis quam amisisti rei familiaris, quae ipsa tum esset iucundior, si ulla res esset publica. Vestorius, noster familiaris, ad me scripsit te mihi maximas gratias agere: haec praedicatio tua mihi valde grata est eaque te uti facile patior, cum apud alios, tum mehercule apud Syronem, nostrum amicum; quae enim facimus, ea prudentissimo cuique maxime probata esse volumus. Te cupio videre quam primum.