Cicero, I have spared no pains to make myself master of the Greek language and learning

From Cato, or An essay on old age 

    AND old as I myself am, it is but lately that I acquired a knowledge of the Greek language, to which I applied with the more zeal and diligence, as I had long entertained an earnest desire of becoming acquainted with the writings and characters of those excellent men to whose examples I have occasionally appealed in the course of our present conversation. Thus Socrates, too, in his old age learnt to play upon the lyre, an art which the ancients did not deem unworthy of their application. If I have not followed the philosopher's example in this instance (which, indeed, I very much regret), I have spared, however, no pains to make myself master of the Greek language and learning.

   Cf. Pliny the younger, Purity and refinement  Hugh of St. Victor, Learn gladly from everyone  Dryden, Perfection is conciseness  Heidegger, Through a foundational poetic and noetic experience of Being  Rider Haggard, The sound of the rolling lines seemed to make my blood stand still

 

Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greeks-us/cicero-greek.asp