29. As the architect of a new house must pay attention to the whole structure, while the one who undertakes the decoration and the frescoes has to be concerned only with what is needed for ornamentation, so I think it is with us.
30. To enter into questions and examine them from all sides and to be busy about details is the task of the historian;
31. but one who is making an adaptation should be allowed to aim at brevity of expression and to forgo complete treatment of the matter.
32. Here, then, let us begin our account without adding to what has already been said; it would be silly to lengthen the preface to the history and then cut short the history itself.