Section 1
Original Latin
Chapter 1
si quid est in me ingeni, iudices, quod sentio quam sit exiguum, aut si qua exercitatio dicendi, in qua me non infitior mediocriter esse versatum, aut si huiusce rei ratio aliqua ab optimarum artium studiis ac disciplina profecta, a qua ego nullum confiteor aetatis meae tempus abhorruisse, earum rerum omnium vel in primis hic A. Licinius fructum a me repetere prope suo iure debet. nam quoad longissime potest mens mea respicere spatium praeteriti temporis et pueritiae memoriam recordari ultimam, inde usque repetens hunc video mihi principem et ad suscipiendam et ad ingrediendam rationem horum studiorum exstitisse. quod si haec vox huius hortatu praeceptisque conformata non nullis aliquando saluti fuit, a quo id accepimus quo ceteris opitulari et alios servare possemus, huic profecto ipsi, quantum est situm in nobis, et opem et salutem ferre debemus.
Musean translation
Complete machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from the Latin in Clark’s 1911 edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Chapter 1
If I have any talent, judges—and I know how slight it is—or any practice in speaking, in which I do not deny that I have gained some experience, or any understanding of this art derived from the study and discipline of the finest branches of learning, from which, I acknowledge, no period of my life has ever been estranged, then Aulus Licinius here has almost a rightful claim to be among the first to demand the fruits of all these things from me. For as far as my mind can look back across the years gone by and recover the earliest memories of childhood, I see him, from that distant beginning, as the first to inspire me to undertake these studies and set me on their path. If this voice, shaped by his encouragement and instruction, has sometimes brought deliverance to others, then surely, to the man from whom I received the means to help others and save them, I owe all the help and protection it lies within my power to give.
Plain English translation
Complete machine-assisted Plain English translation made independently and directly from the Latin, not from the Musean edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Chapter 1
Members of the jury, I may have some natural ability, though I know how little it is. I may have some practice in speaking, and I admit to a fair amount of experience in it. I may also have some understanding of this work gained from studying the best subjects. I admit that I have never turned away from those studies at any time in my life. If I have any of these things, Aulus Licinius here has almost a right to be among the first to claim their benefits from me. As far back as my mind can reach into the past, to my earliest childhood memories, I see that he was the first to encourage me to take up these studies and show me how to begin. His encouragement and teaching shaped this voice of mine. If it has sometimes helped save others, I certainly owe him all the help and protection I can give. He gave me the means to help other people and save them.
About this section
Section 1 is part of For Archias the Poet by Marcus Tullius Cicero. This page sets the Latin original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is part 1 of 32 in the work, which is kept in the Roman tradition.
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