Letter 1029: For fully expressing my affection I confess that my tongue suffices not: but your own affection will better tell you all that I feel towards you. I have heard that you are suffering from certain oppositions. But I am not greatly grieved for this, since it is often the case that a ship which might have reached the depths of the ocean had the bree...
Book I, Letter 29
To Aristobulus, Ex-Prefect and Antigraphus [a former governor now serving as an imperial auditor/secretary].
Gregory to Aristobulus.
I confess that my tongue is not equal to fully expressing my affection for you -- but your own heart will tell you better than my words what I feel.
I have heard that you are facing certain setbacks. But I am not greatly troubled by this, since it often happens that a ship which might have sailed into the open ocean with a favorable breeze is driven back by an opposing wind at the very start of its voyage -- and by being driven back, is brought safely into port.
Also, if you should happen to receive a lengthy letter of mine for translation, I ask you to translate it for the sense, not word for word. Usually, when one tries to render the exact words, the force of the ideas is lost.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
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