1You both know and love Atilius Crescens. 1For who of any distinction at all does not know him or does not love him? 1I love him not as many do, but most closely. 2Our towns are separated by a single day's journey; 2we ourselves began to love each other when we were very young, which is the most ardent love. 2It has remained since, and has not cooled with judgement but grown stronger. 2Those who observe either of us more intimately know this. 2For he carries my friendship about, proclaiming it far and wide, and I make it plain how much his modesty, his quiet, his security matter to me.
3Indeed, when he was afraid of the insolence of a certain man about to enter on the tribunate of the people, and had told me so, I replied: 'No one, while I live.' 3Where is this leading? 3To let you know that Atilius cannot suffer wrong while I am unharmed. 4Again you will say, 'Where is this leading?' 4Valerius Varus owed him money. 4His heir is our friend Maximus, whom I too love, but you more intimately. 5So I ask you, I even demand by the right of friendship, to see to it that not only the principal but also the interest of several years is kept safe for my Atilius.
5He is a man most scrupulous about what belongs to others, careful of his own; 5he is supported by no business gains, he has no income except from his thrift. 6For literature, in which he excels greatly, he pursues only for pleasure and glory. 6Even the smallest loss is heavy for him; 6although to recover what you have lost is heavier. 7Remove this worry from him, remove it from me: let me enjoy to the full his charm and his wit. 7For I cannot see him sad, whose cheerfulness does not allow me to be sad. 8In short, you know the man's humour; 8I should like you to take care that injury does not turn it to bile and bitterness.
8How much force it has when he is offended, believe from the force it has in affection. 8A great and free spirit will not bear loss joined with insult. 9But even if he bears it, I shall judge the loss mine, the insult mine, and yet I shall be angry not as on my own account — that is, more heavily. 9But why do I deal in warnings and, as it were, threats? 9Rather, as I had begun, I ask, I beg you to take pains that he may not think himself neglected by me — which I fear very greatly — nor I myself by you. 9And you will take pains, if this is as much your concern as that is mine.
9Farewell.