24 August 45 BCE: To Atticus (at Rome) from Cicero (at Tusculum)
Cicero did like Caesar's 'Anticato,' actually.
The reason of my not sending you at the time a copy of the letter which I wrote to Caesar was that I forgot. Neither was the motive what you suspected it to have been—shame of appearing in your eyes to be ridiculously time-serving* nor, by heaven, did I write otherwise than I should have written to an equal and a man like myself. For I really do think well of those books of his,* as I told you when we met. Accordingly, I wrote without any flattery, and at the same time in such a tone as I think will give him as much pleasure to read it as possible.
At last I have certain news of Attica. So please congratulate her all over again. Tell me all about Tigellius, and that promptly; for I am feeling uneasy. Now listen to this: Quintus* arrives tomorrow, but whether at my house or yours I don't know. He wrote me word that he would be at Rome on the 25th. But I have sent a man to invite him here: though, by heaven, I must come to Rome, lest Caesar should make a descent there before me.
Read Ad Atticum 13.51 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
ridiculously time-serving—The text is corrupt—ne ridicule micillus. What word or words are concealed under micillus has puzzled everyone, and many suggestions have been made. I have translated it as though it were nimis blandus; but I do not profess to think that solution more likely than many others, or even as much so. After blandus we must understand viderer by a fairly easy ellipse.
For I really do think well of those books of his—Caesar's Anti-Cato.
Now listen to this: Quintus—The younger Quintus Cicero.