Marcus Tullius Cicero

“ Accordingly, as you wish me to do, I take great pains not to hurt anyone's feelings, and to secure being liked even by those very men who are vexed at my close friendship with Caesar, while by those who are impartial, or even inclined to this side, I may be warmly courted and loved. ”

“ Of the first part, he said that he had never read anything better even in Greek: the rest, up to a particular passage, somewhat "careless" [3] —that is his word. Tell me the truth—is it the subject-matter or the "style" that he does not like? You needn't be afraid: I shall not admire myself one whit the less. On this subject speak like a lover of truth, and with your usual brotherly frankness.
Footnotes ↑ In the "Banqueters" (sundeipnoi) of Sophocles, Achilles is excluded from a banquet in Tenedos. ”