Book 2, Chapter 2

4 Since Aristotle and Theophrastus, men outstanding alike in subtlety and abundance of thought, joined instruction in speaking to philosophy, my books on oratory should, I think, be included in the same company: the three books On the Orator, the Brutus as a fourth, and the Orator as a fifth.

Such was my work so far. I was pressing eagerly toward what remained, resolved that, unless some graver cause intervened, no province of philosophy should remain closed, unilluminated by Latin writing. What greater or better gift can we bring the republic than to teach and educate its young people? Especially in an age, and amid moral conditions, in which they have slipped so far that everyone's strength must be enlisted to check and restrain them.

5 I do not, of course, expect to achieve what we ought not even to demand—that all young men turn to these studies. If only a few would! Even their efforts could have a wide influence in public life. Indeed, my labor brings me a reward even from those who, already advanced in years, find rest in my books. Their eagerness to read daily gives fresh impetus to my eagerness to write; and I have discovered that they are more numerous than I supposed. This too is a splendid achievement, and a glory for Romans: to have no need of Greek writings on philosophy.

6 I shall certainly achieve it if I complete what I have begun. It was the grievous downfall of our state that gave me occasion to expound philosophy. During the civil war I could neither defend the republic in my accustomed way nor remain idle, and I could discover no better occupation worthy of me. My fellow citizens will therefore pardon me—or rather thank me—that when the republic lay in one man's power, I neither hid myself away nor abandoned or crushed my spirit. I did not behave like someone angry with a man or with the times; nor, on the other hand, did I so flatter or admire another's fortune as to regret my own. Plato and philosophy had taught me this very lesson: states undergo certain natural revolutions, passing now into the hands of leading citizens, now into those of the people, and sometimes into those of a single man.

7 When this happened to our own republic, deprived of my former duties, I began to renew these studies, chiefly to lighten my mind's distress, and to serve my fellow citizens in whatever way I could. In my books I delivered opinions and addressed the people; I regarded philosophy as my substitute for the conduct of public business. Now that I have begun to be consulted about the republic again, my efforts must be devoted to it—or rather all my thought and care must be placed there, leaving for this pursuit only such time as public duty and service allow. But more of this another time; now let us return to the discussion we began.

4 Aristotle and Theophrastus, men outstanding for both their precise thought and their rich expression, joined rules for speaking to philosophy. So my books about speaking seem to belong in this same group. That gives us the three books On the Orator, a fourth, Brutus, and a fifth, The Orator.

That was what I had done so far. I was pressing eagerly on with the rest. I was ready, unless some more serious cause stopped me, to leave no area of philosophy without a clear treatment in Latin literature. What greater or better gift can I offer the state than to teach and educate the young? Especially with today’s behavior and in these times, when young people have gone so far astray that everyone must use all their resources to check and restrain them.

5 I do not expect to achieve something we should not even ask for: that all young people turn to these studies. If only a few would! Their work could still have a far-reaching effect in public life. I also find a reward for my work in the older people who take comfort in my books. Their eagerness to read makes me more eager to write every day. I have found that there are more of them than I thought. Another great achievement, and a source of honor for Romans, would be to make them independent of Greek books on philosophy.

6 I will certainly achieve that if I finish what I have begun. It was our country’s terrible misfortune that gave me a reason to explain philosophy. During the civil war, I could neither defend the state in my usual way nor remain idle. And I could find no other activity that better suited my standing. So my fellow citizens will forgive me—or rather thank me. When the state was under one man’s control, I did not hide myself away, abandon myself, or give way to despair. I did not act as though I were angry with the man or with the times. Nor did I flatter or admire another man’s good fortune so much that I regretted my own. I had learned this very lesson from Plato and philosophy: states go through certain natural changes, so that sometimes leading men control them, sometimes the people, and sometimes a single man.

7 When that happened to our state, and I had lost my former duties, I began these studies again. I hoped that this, more than anything else, would ease my troubles, and that I could help my fellow citizens in whatever way I could. My books served as my speeches in the senate and at public meetings. I thought philosophy had taken the place of managing public affairs for me. Now that people have begun to consult me about the state again, I must devote my efforts to it—or rather put all my thought and care into it. Only the time left free from public duties and responsibilities should go to this study. But I will say more about that another time. Let us now return to the discussion we began.