Book 1, Chapter 3

By contrast, we soon embraced the orator: at first he was not learned, but still had an aptitude for speaking; later he was learned too. For Galba, Africanus, and Laelius are said to have been men of learning, while Cato, who preceded them in age, was devoted to study; later came Lepidus, Carbo, and the Gracchi, and from then down to our own day there were men so great that we yielded little or nothing at all to the Greeks. Philosophy has lain neglected until our time, without any illumination from Latin literature. We must bring it to light and rouse it to life, so that, if we have been of some service to our fellow citizens while occupied with public affairs, we may also, if possible, serve them in our leisure.

6 We must work all the harder at this because there are said to be many Latin books already, written without due thought by excellent men, to be sure, but men insufficiently educated. It is possible to think soundly and yet be unable to express one’s thoughts with elegance. But for a man to commit his thoughts to writing when he can neither arrange them nor illuminate them, nor draw the reader in with any pleasure, is an unrestrained abuse of both leisure and literature. Accordingly, these writers read their books themselves, along with their own circle; no one else touches them except those who want the same license to write allowed to themselves. So if our industry has brought us any distinction in oratory, we shall labor much more eagerly to open the springs of philosophy, from which that eloquence itself once flowed.

Oratory was a different matter: we welcomed it quickly. At first we welcomed speakers who weren’t learned, but were effective at speaking; later we welcomed learned speakers too. Tradition says that Galba, Africanus, and Laelius were learned men. Cato, who was older than they were, worked hard at his studies. Then came Lepidus, Carbo, and the Gracchi. From there down to our own day, our speakers were so great that they gave little ground to the Greeks, if any at all. Philosophy, though, has lain neglected right up to our time. No Latin writing has shed light on it. We must bring it into the light and get it moving. If we’ve done something useful for our fellow citizens while in public life, let’s help them in our free time too, if we can.

6 We need to work all the harder at this because, I’m told, there are already many carelessly written Latin books by men who are very good people, certainly, but not well enough educated. Someone can think correctly without being able to put those thoughts into polished words. But to put your thoughts into writing when you can’t organize them, make them clear, or attract a reader with any pleasure at all—that’s an uncontrolled misuse of both leisure and literature. These authors read their books themselves, along with their own followers. No one else touches them, except people who want the same license to write for themselves. So if my hard work has brought any credit to oratory, I’ll work much harder still to open up the sources of philosophy. My oratory flowed from those sources too.