XXIX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Scr. in Tusculano VI K Iun. a. 709
De hortis ex tuis litteris cognovi et Chrysippo. In villa, cuius insulsitatem bene noram, video nihil
see that even that pupil of Aristotle, in spite of his high ability and his high character, became proud, cruel, and ungovernable, after he got the title of king? How do you suppose this puppet messmate of Quirinus[[137]] will like my moderate letters? Let him rather look for what I do not write than disapprove of what I have written. In short let it be as he pleases. What was spurring me on when I put that insoluble problem[[138]] before you has all gone now. Upon my word now I should far rather welcome the misfortune I feared then or any other.
[137]. Caesar. Cf. Att. XII. 45, 3.
[138]. What to write to Caesar. Cf. Att. XII. 40, 2.
If there is nothing to prevent you, come to me and welcome. Nicias at Dolabella's urgent request (for I read the letter) has gone, against my will though not against my advice.
The rest I have written myself. When I was discussing men of learning with Nicias, we chanced to speak of Talna. He had not much to say for his intelligence, though he gave him a good and steady character. But there was one thing that seemed to me unsatisfactory. He said he knew he had lately sought in marriage Cornificia, Quintus' daughter, though quite an old woman and married more than once before; but the ladies would not agree as they found he was not worth more than 7,000 guineas.[[139]] I thought you ought to know this.
[139]. 800,000 sesterces.