M. Tvlli Ciceronis Laelivs de Amicitia

. 1909: ... COMMENTARY CHAPTER I 1. 1. Q. Mucius: see Introduction, 5 (b). augur: The board of augurs originally consisted of three members, but was gradually increased till during the last days of the Republic, say, in the times of Caesar and Cicero, there were sixteen members. The augurs wielded a great influence in the Roman state, and not infrequently used their power to advance the projects of unscrupulous men. For the augurs had the authority and power to defer indefinitely any proposed action by declaring the auguries unfavorable. The celestial phenomena were often observed to determine the auguries. The auguries were also determined by the flight or note of birds and by the action of such other animals as were ordinarily employed in taking the auspices. For the manner of taking the auspices, see Smith's Greek and Roman Antiquities, or Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities. The order Q. Mucius augur is normal and serves to distinguish the two Scoevolas. 2. memoriter et iucunde: " with accurate memory and in an entertaining manner." solebat: by the rhetorical figure conjunctio, solebat is placed between the two infinitives which depend upon it. nec dubitare: = et solebat non dubitare. Dubitare followed by an infinitive, as here, is generally rendered " to hesitate"; when the verb is negatived, the regular construction is quin with the subjunctive. See G. 555, 2, R. 1, 2, 3; L. 1987. 3. omnisermone: "every conversation." Sermo signifies a dialogue or conversation; colloquium an informal talk; oratio a formal speech or oration. However, this distinction is not invariably observed. Cf. Cato Maior, 62, Sed in omni oratione, where oratio is employed synonymously with sermo. sapientem: see Introduction, 5. autem: a weak adversative particle, used sometimes, as here, to call up something momentarily overlooked. 4. ita: explained by the following purpose clause ut... discederem. deductus ad Scaevolam: "had been introduced to S...