[-18-] “Seeing these facts and reflecting on the other interests involved, do not abandon yourself and your country, out of fear that you may seem to some to be pursuing the office of set purpose.  First of all, even if any one does suspect it, the desire is not one repugnant to human nature, and the danger from it is a noble danger.  Second, is any one unaware of the necessity under which you were led to take this action?  Hence, if there be any blame attached to it, one might most justly censure your father’s slayers therefor.  For if they had not murdered him in so unjust and pitiable a fashion, you would not have taken up arms, would not have gathered your legions, would not have made a compact with Antony and Lepidus, and would not have taken measures against those very men.  That you were right and were justified in doing all this no one is unaware.  If any slight errors have been committed, at least we cannot safely make any further changes.  Therefore for our own sakes and for that of the city let us obey Fortune, who gives you the supremacy.  Let us be very thankful to her that she has not simply filled us with civil woes, but has put the reorganization of the government in your hands.  By paying due reverence to her you may show all mankind that whereas others wrought disturbance and injury, you are an upright man.

“Do not, I beg you, fear the magnitude of the empire.  The greater its extent, the more are the preservative influences it possesses; also, to guard anything is a long way easier than to acquire it.  Toils and dangers are needed to win over what belongs to others, but a little prudence suffices to retain what is already yours.  Moreover, do not be afraid that you will not live quite safely in the midst of it and enjoy all the blessings extant among men, if you are willing to arrange all the details as I shall advise you.  And do not think that I am making my appeal depart from the subject in hand, if I shall speak at some length about the project.  I shall not do this merely to hear myself talk, but to the end that you may be positively assured that it is both possible and easy, for a man of sense at least, to govern well and without danger.

[-19-] “I maintain, therefore, first of all that you ought to pick out your friends in the senatorial body and then subject it to a sifting process, because some who are not fit have become senators on account of civil disputes:  such of them as possess any excellence you ought to retain, but the rest you should erase from the roll.  Do not, however, get rid of any man of worth, because of poverty, but give him the money that he needs.  In the place of those who have been dropped introduce the noblest, the best, the richest men obtainable, selecting them not only from Italy but from the allies and subject nations.  In this way you will not be employing many assistants and you will insure a correct attitude on the part of the chief men from all the provinces.  These districts, having no renowned leader, will not be disposed to rebel, and their prominent men will entertain affection for you because they have been made sharers in your empire.