Letter 18

? 140–143 A.D. own Caesar to his master. I need not say how pleased I was at reading those speeches of Gracchus, for you will know well enough, since it was you who, with your experienced judgment and kind thoughtfulness, recommended them for my reading. That your book might not be returned to you alone and unaccompanied, I have added this letter. Farewell, my sweetest of masters and friendliest of friends, to whom I am likely to be indebted for all the literature I shall ever know. I am not so ungrateful as not to recognize what a favour you have done me by letting me see your extracts, and by ceasing not to lead me daily in the right way and, as the saying goes, "to open my eyes." Deservedly do I love you.