1Avidius Quietus, who loved me exceptionally and — which gives me no less joy — approved of me, used often to report, among many other sayings of Thrasea — for he was his close friend — this one too, that Thrasea was accustomed to advise that one should take on cases either of friends, or abandoned ones, or ones that set a precedent. 2Why those of friends needs no explanation. 2Why abandoned ones? 2Because in them above all both the firmness and the humanity of the advocate could be seen. 2Why those that set a precedent? 2Because it mattered very much whether a good or a bad one was introduced.
3To these kinds of cases I shall add, ambitiously perhaps, but still I shall add, famous and conspicuous ones. 3For it is fair sometimes to plead for glory and fame, that is, to plead one's own case. 3These are the limits, since you have consulted me, that I set for your dignity and modesty. 4Nor does it escape me that practice both is and is held to be the best teacher of speaking; 4I see too that many men of small talent and no learning have managed to plead well by pleading. 5But I find by experience that this saying, which I have heard attributed either to Pollio or to someone like Pollio, is very true: 'By pleading well it came about that I pleaded often, and by pleading often that I pleaded less well,' since, of course, by excessive assiduity one acquires glibness rather than ability, and not confidence but rashness.
6Nor indeed did it prevent Isocrates from being held a supreme orator that he was kept from speaking in public by the weakness of his voice and the timidity of his nature. 6So read much, write, practise, so that you may be able to speak when you wish: you will speak when you ought to wish. 7This is roughly the balance I have kept myself; 7sometimes I have obeyed necessity, which is a part of reason. 7For I have pleaded certain cases at the senate's command, yet among them were some from that classification of Thrasea's, that is, ones that set a precedent. 8I appeared for the people of Baetica against Baebius Massa: the question was whether an inquiry should be granted; 8it was granted.
8I appeared again for the same people when they were complaining of Caecilius Classicus: the question was whether the provincials should be punished as allies and agents of the proconsul; 8they paid the penalty. 9I accused Marius Priscus, who, condemned under the law on extortion, was enjoying the leniency of the law, whose severity he had exceeded by the monstrousness of his crimes; 9he was banished. 10I defended Julius Bassus, as a man who was too unguarded and incautious, but by no means wicked; 10judges were granted and he kept his seat in the senate. 11I spoke recently for Varenus, who was asking to be allowed to call witnesses on his side in turn; 11it was granted.
11For the future I hope that I may be ordered above all to do what it would become me to have done even of my own accord. 11Farewell.