Letter 65: Chrysostom consoles Marcianus and Marcellinus by praising steadfastness under trial.

You have a sufficient consolation for the despondency you endure, as you wrote: your philosophic and lofty mind, and your unswerving and unwavering disposition. A calm sea and a favorable current cannot greatly benefit a feeble and dissolute man; likewise, a harsh storm never disturbs a firm, well-composed, sober man, but even makes him more illustrious. Such is the nature of trials: to those who bear them nobly, they bring many prizes and glorious crowns. Knowing these things, my most honored and noble lords, and having this sufficient consolation in your troubles, do not be disturbed by anything that happens, and do not stop writing to us continually. We wanted to see you in person and embrace you, but since this is not possible for the present and the obstacles are many, do not hesitate to write to us continually and make known the matters concerning your health. You know what a great favor you will do us by this, and with how much joy you fill us.

ΞΕʹ. Μαρκιανῷ καὶ Μαρκελλίνῳ. Ἀρκοῦσαν ἔχετε παραμυθίαν τῆς ἀθυμίας ἧς ὑπομένετε, καθὼς ἐπεστάλκατε, τὴν φιλόσοφον ὑμῶν γνώμην καὶ ὑψηλὴν, τὴν ἀπερίτρεπτον καὶ ἀκλινῆ διάθεσιν. Ὥσπερ γὰρ τὸν χαῦνον καὶ διαλελυμένον οὐδὲ γαλήνη, καὶ τὸ κατὰ ῥοῦν φέρεσθαι, ὠφελῆσαί τι μέγα δυνήσεται· οὕτω τὸν στεῤῥὸν, καὶ συγκεκροτημένον, καὶ νήφοντα οὐδὲ χειμὼν χαλεπὸς διασαλεύει ποτὲ, ἀλλὰ καὶ λαμπρότερον ἐργάζεται. Τοιαύτη γὰρ τῶν πειρασμῶν ἡ φύσις· τοῖς γενναίως αὐτοὺς φέρουσι πολλὰ κομίζει τὰ βραβεῖα, καὶ λαμπροὺς τοὺς στεφάνους. Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδότες, κύριοί μου τιμιώτατοι καὶ εὐγενέστατοι, καὶ ἀρκοῦσαν ἐν τοῖς δεινοῖς ταύτην ἔχοντες τὴν παραμυθίαν, μήτε θορυβεῖσθέ τινι τῶν γινομένων, μήτε διαλίπετε συνεχῶς ἡμῖν ἐπιστέλλοντες. Ἐβουλόμεθα μὲν γὰρ καὶ παρόντας ὑμᾶς ἰδεῖν καὶ περιπτύξασθαι. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ τοῦτο τέως οὐκ ἔνι, ἀλλὰ πολλὰ τὰ κωλύματα, συνεχῶς ἡμῖν ἐπιστέλλειν μὴ κατοκνεῖτε, τὰ περὶ τῆς ὑγιείας δηλοῦντες τῆς ὑμετέρας. Ἴστε γὰρ ἡλίκον ἡμῖν χαριεῖσθε τοῦτο ποιοῦντες, καὶ ὅσης ἡμᾶς ἐμπιπλᾶτε τῆς εὐφροσύνης.