Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 10, Letter 8, sec. 5 (10.8.5) (49 BC) [tr. Jeans (1880), # 71]

Dave — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:28:13 +0000

It was this fear which led me into the snare of procrastination. But if I make haste now I regain all; if I delay I lose all.

[Hoc verens in hanc tarditatem incidi. Bed adsequar omnia si propero: si cunctor, amitto.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 10, Letter 8, sec. 5 (10.8.5) (49 BC) [tr. Jeans (1880), # 71]
(Source)

On the concerning prospect of Caesar and Pompey reconciling while both were irked at Cicero.

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

It was from dread of this that I drifted into this waiting policy. But now I have everything to gain by hastening, everything to lose by delay.
[tr. Shuckburgh (1900), # 391]

That fear of mine led me to delay. But I gain all now by haste, and, if I delay, I lose all.
[tr. Winstedt (Loeb) (1913)]

This fear led me into such procrastination. But I shall gain all if I make haste; if I delay, I lose all.
[tr. Shackleton Bailey (1968), # 199]

WIST Quotations

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 10, Letter 8, sec. 5 (10.8.5) (49 BC) [tr. Jeans (1880), # 71]