Letter 7.16

You know the line near the end of the Trojan Horse: "They grow wise too late." You, my old friend, were not too late. Those first frantic little letters you sent were silly enough. Then, when you did not show too much curiosity about Britain, I did not blame you at all. Now, though, you seem to me safely roofed over in winter quarters, and so you do not care to move. One must be wise everywhere; that will be the sharpest weapon. If I were dining out, I would not have failed your friend Gnaeus Octavius, although when he invited me several times I did say, "Tell me, who are you?" But, joking aside, by Hercules, he is a pleasant man. I wish you had taken him away with you. Let me know plainly what you are doing and whether any of you are coming to Italy this winter. Balbus assured me that you would become rich. Whether he was speaking in the Roman way, meaning that you would have plenty of money, or in the Stoic way, meaning that all are rich who can enjoy sky and earth, I will see later. People coming from where you are accuse you of arrogance, saying that you do not answer those who ask questions. Still, you have reason to be glad: everyone agrees that no one at Samarobriva is more learned in law than you alone.

CLVI (Fam. VII, 16) TO C. TREBATIUS TESTA (IN GAUL) ROME (NOVEMBER) In the “ Trojan Horse ,” just at the end, you remember the words, “Too late they learn wisdom.” You, however, old man, were wise in time. Those first snappy letters of yours were foolish enough, and then — -! I don't at all blame you for not being over-curious in regard to Britain . For the present, however, you seem to be in winter quarters somewhat short of warm clothing, and therefore not caring to stir out: “Not here and there, but everywhere, Be wise and ware: No sharper steel can warrior bear.” If I had been by way of dining out, I would not have failed your friend Cn. Octavius ; to whom, however, I did remark upon his repeated invitations, “Pray, who are you?” But, by Hercules , joking apart, he is a pretty fellow: I could have wished you had taken him with you! Let me know for certain what you are doing and whether you intend coming to Italy at all this winter. Balbus has assured me that you will be rich. Whether he speaks after the simple Roman fashion, meaning that you will be well supplied with money, or according to the Stoic dictum, that “all are rich who can enjoy the sky and the earth,” I shall know hereafter. Those who come from your part accuse you of pride, because they say you won't answer men who put questions to you. However, there is one thing that will please you: they all agree in saying that there is no better lawyer than you at Samarobriva !

XVI. Scr. Romae (m. Novembri) a.u.c. 700. [M.] CICERO S. D. TREBATIO. In Equo Troiano scis esse in extremo "sero sapiunt:" tu tamen, mi vetule, non sero. Primas illas rabiosulas sat fatuas dedisti; deinde quod in Britannia non nimis filoy°vron te praebuisti, plane non reprehendo; nunc vero in hibernis intectus mihi videris, itaque te commovere non curas. Usquequaque sapere oportet: id erit telum acerrimum. Ego si foris coenitarem, Cn. Octavio, familiari tuo, non defuissem; cui tamen dixi, cum me aliquoties invitaret: "oro te, quis tu es?" sed mehercules extra iocum homo bellus est; vellem eum tecum abduxisses. Quid agatis et ecquid in Italiam venturi sitis hac hieme, fac plane sciam. Balbus mihi confirmavit te divitem futurum: id utrum Romano more locutus sit, bene nummatum te futurum, an, quomodo Stoici dicunt, omnes esse divites, qui caelo et terra frui possint, postea videro. Qui istinc veniunt, superbiam tuam accusant, quod negent te percontantibus respondere; sed tamen est, quod gaudeas; constat enim inter omnes neminem te uno Samarobrivae iuris peritiorem esse.