Letter 287: IT is difficult to deal with this man. I scarcely know how to treat so shifty, and, to judge from the evidence, so desperate a character. When summoned before the court, he fails to appear; and if he does attend, he is gifted with such volubility of words and oaths, that I think myself well off to be quickly rid of him.
This man is impossible to deal with. I barely know how to handle so slippery and -- to judge by the evidence -- so desperate a character. When summoned to court, he fails to appear. When he does attend, he is gifted with such a torrent of words and oaths that I count myself lucky to be rid of him quickly. I have often seen him turn his own accusations back on his accusers. In short, there is no creature on earth so cunning and versatile in villainy. Even a brief acquaintance proves this.
Why, then, do you appeal to me? Why not simply resign yourselves to his abuse as a visitation of God's wrath?
At the same time, you must not be contaminated by contact with such wickedness. I therefore order that he and his entire household be barred from the services of the Church and from all communion with her ministers. Being made an example in this way, he may perhaps come to his senses.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
[Πρός: Ἀνεπίγραφος, ἐπὶ ἐκδικηταῖς]
Δυσμεταχείριστον ἔοικεν εἶναι τὸ κατὰ τόνδε. οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν τί χρησόμεθα οὕτω πολυτρόπῳ ἤθει, ὡς ἐκ τῶν ὁρωμένων ἐστὶν εἰκάζειν, ἀπεγνωσμένῳ. εἰς κρίσιν μὲν γὰρ καλούμενος, οὐχ ὑπακούει, κἂν ἀπαντήσῃ, τοσαύτῃ χρῆται περιουσίᾳ λόγων καὶ ὅρκων, ὡς ἀγαπητὸν ἡμῖν ποιεῖν τὸ ταχέως αὐτοῦ χωρισθῆναι. εἶδον δὲ αὐτὸν πολλάκις καὶ περιτρέψαντα τὰς αἰτίας τοῖς ἐγκαλοῦσι. καὶ ὅλως οὐδεμία φύσις τῶν ὅσα τὴν γῆν ἐπιβόσκεται οὕτω ποικίλη καὶ πρὸς κακίαν εὔπλαστος, ὡς ἡ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τούτου, ὡς ἐξ ὀλίγης τῆς πείρας ἔστι τὸ κατʼ αὐτὸν τεκμήρασθαι. τί δὲ ἐρωτᾶτέ με, καὶ οὐ πείθετε ἑαυτοὺς ὑπομένειν τὰς παρʼ αὐτοῦ ἀδικίας ὡς ὀργήν τινα θεήλατον ; ὑπὲρ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ὑμᾶς μολύνεσθαι ἐν κοινωνίᾳ τῶν ἁμαρτημάτων, πανοικεὶ τῶν εὐχῶν κεχωρίσθω, καὶ τῆς ἄλλης τῆς πρὸς τοὺς ἱερατικοὺς κοινωνίας. ἴσως παραφύλαγμα γενόμενος ἐντραπήσεται.
Related Letters
The honorable Severus has enlisted me in fulfilling his dearest wish.
Had it been possible for me to meet your excellency I would have in person brought before you the points about which I am anxious, and would have pleaded the cause of the afflicted, but I am prevented by illness and by press of business. I have therefore sent to you in my stead this chorepiscopus, my brother, begging you to give him your aid and...
Now I recognise men's description of me! Basil has praised me, and I am hailed victor over all! Now that I have received your vote, I am entitled to walk with the proud gait of a man who haughtily looks down on all the world.
Although you do not write to me, I know that there is recollection of me in your heart; and this I infer, not because I am worthy of any favourable recollection, but because your soul is rich in abundance of love. Yet, as far as in you lies, use whatever opportunities you have of writing to me, to the end that I may both be cheered by hearing ne...
Let antiquity, so lavish with praise, fall silent — the age that honored Apelles, Zeuxis, and their like with...