After 19 September 44 BCE: To Lucius Munatius Plancus (in Gallia Comata) from Cicero (at Rome)
The Senate is full of armed men. Cicero stays away!
Due to our close friendship, there would have been no end to my eagerness in voting to honour you1—if it had been possible for me to enter the Senate either safely or honourably. But it is neither possible for anyone who gives their opinion about the Republic freely to go there without danger—armed men enjoy complete impunity—nor does it seem in keeping with my position to voice my thoughts on the Republic there, where soldiers can hear me better and at a closer distance than senators.
For this reason, in private affairs you will find me dutiful and devoted; and even in public affairs, if my presence is needed for something, I won’t fail to support your position, even if that puts me in danger. But in matters which can be carried out just as easily without me being there, I ask that you prefer for me to be concerned for my own safety and position.
Read Ad Familiares 10.2 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Presumably by voting for a supplicatio to honour Plancus’ military successes.