Translation:Letters to Friends/2.12

Cilicia, c. 26 June 50 BC
M. Cicero, imperator, says hello to M. Caelius, curule aedile

I was anxious about matters of the city. Assemblies so tumultuous, so troublesome, the festival of Minerva, were reported; for I had not yet heard closer things. But nevertheless, nothing was causing me more anxiety than that, in these troubles, I was not laughing with you, if there was anything to laugh about; there are indeed many things, but I do not dare to write them. I was annoyed at the following, that I still have nothing of your letters about these matters. Therefore, although I will have already finished my year service by the time you read this, I'd like your letters to meet me in such a way that they teach me about every political matter, lest I come as a complete stranger. No one can do this better than you.

Your Diogenes, a modest man, departed from me with Philo to Pessinus. They were journeying to Adiatorix, although they knew everything was neither kind nor in abundance.

The city, the city, my Rufus, tend to it and in that light, live! Every sojourn abroad, what I have judged from my youth, is unknown and base to those whose zeal is able to be distinguished at Rome. Since I rightly knew this, I wish I would have stayed in this intention! I do not, by Hercules, compare all the benefits of a province with one little walk and one conversation of ours. I hope I have achieved a reputation for integrity: there was more from despising a province than there is from one kept safe. You bring up the hope for a triumph: I triumphed gloriously enough, that I was not in yearning for affairs most dear to me for so long. But I will, as I hope, see you very soon. Send those letters to meet me worthy of yourself.