Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido
Tradução moderna em inglês
City business -- I have neither the time to learn about it nor the desire to write about it. My mind, occupied by bodily illness, can't spare attention for other people's affairs. One thing I do know: the reports of riots were lies. The rumors are so far from the truth that the prefecture has never been celebrated with greater applause. The people's enthusiasm for the magistrate is matched by the Senate's own favor. This news reaches me -- when the pain lets up enough to receive visitors -- from everyone in equal terms. For the details of public life, your own people, who are out and about in the city, should fill you in with their pen. I'll worry about other people's business once my own troubles have subsided. Farewell.
Texto latino / grego
Vrbis negotia nec vacat scire nec libet scribere; animus enim morbo corporis 20 occupatus rebus alienis curam nescit intendere. unum hoc scio, de seditionibus nun- tios esse mentitos atque adeo a vero dissentire rumores, ut numquam maiore plausn praefectura celebrata sit. itaque studia plebis in iudicem favor quoque ordinis aemu- latur. haec ad nos, si qua dolorum intercapedo admittit officia visentium, pari om- nium sermone perveniunt; cetera hominum vestrorum, qui versantur in publico, stilus 25 debet aperire. de me tunc aliena quaerenda sunt, cum propria adversa requie- verint. vale. xxxxvin (xxxxvmi) .