CCCLX (A IX, 4)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
FORMIAE 12 MARCH
Although any feeling of repose is for me
confined to the time I spend in writing to you or
reading a letter from you, yet I am myself at a
loss for a subject for my letters, and I feel
certain that the same is the case with you. For
the topics usually filling familiar letters,
written with an easy mind, are excluded by the
critical nature of these times; while those
connected with the crisis we have already worn
threadbare. Nevertheless, not to surrender myself
wholly to sorrowful reflexions, I have selected
certain theses, so to speak, which have at once a
general bearing on a citizen's duty, and a
particular relation to the present crisis: “
FORMIAE 12 MARCH
Ought one to remain in one's country when under
a tyrant? If one's country is under a tyrant ought
one to labour at all hazards for the abolition of
the tyranny, even at the risk of the total
destruction of the city? Or ought we to be on our
guard against the man attempting the abolition,
lest he should rise too high himself? Ought one to assist one's country
when under a tyrant by seizing opportunities and
by argument rather than by war? Is it acting like a good citizen to
quit one's country when under a tyrant for any
other land, and there to remain quiet, or ought one to face any and every danger for
liberty's sake? Ought one
to wage war upon and besiege one's native town, if
it is under a tyrant? Even
if one does not approve an abolition of a tyranny
by war, ought one still to enroll oneself in the
ranks of the loyalists? Ought one in politics to share the dangers of
one's benefactors and friends, even though one
does not think their general policy to be wise?
Should a man who has done
conspicuous services to his country, and on that
very accounnt has been shamefully treated and
exposed to envy, voluntarily place himself in
danger for his country, or may he be permitted at
length to take thought for himself and those
nearest and dearest to him, giving up all
political struggles against the stronger party?
1
” By keeping myself at work on questions such as these, and discussing both sides both in Greek and Latin, I at once distract my mind for a time from its anxieties, and at the same time attempt the solution of a problem now very much to the point. But I fear you may find me unseasonable; for if the bearer of this keeps up the proper pace, it will reach you exactly on your ague day.
