[3]
And therefore, my dear Cicero, I cordially recommend 1 you to read carefully not only my orations
but also these2 books of mine on philosophy, which
are now about as extensive. For while the orations
exhibit a more vigorous style, yet the unimpassioned,
restrained style of my philosophical productions is
also worth cultivating. Moreover, for the same man
to succeed in both departments, both in the forensic
style and in that of calm philosophic discussion has
not, I observe, been the good fortune of any one of the
Greeks so far, unless, perhaps, Demetrius of Phalerum
can be reckoned in that number—a clever reasoner,
indeed, and, though rather a spiritless orator, he is
yet charming, so that you can recognize in him the
disciple of Theophrastus. But let others judge how
much I have accomplished in each pursuit; I have
at least attempted both.
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