Letter 143: What does much experience, and experience of good do for men? It teaches kindness, and inclines them to those who entreat them. There is no such education in pity as the previous reception of goodness.

What does long experience do for us — experience especially of good things? It teaches kindness. It inclines us toward those who come to us in need. There is no education in pity so effective as having first received it oneself. This has happened to me, among others. I have learned compassion through the things I have suffered. And do you see the irony of my position? Even while I need your gentleness myself in my own affairs, I come to you on behalf of others, with no fear that I am exhausting your store of kindness on concerns that are not my own. I write on behalf of the Presbyter Leontius — or, as I must now call him, the former Presbyter. If he has already suffered enough for what he has done, let us stop there, before excess turns into injustice. And if there is still some remaining measure of punishment due, and the consequences of his offense have not yet equaled the offense itself — even so, remit it. Remit it for my sake and for God's, and for the sake of the sanctuary and the full assembly of the priesthood, among whom he was once numbered, even though he has now shown himself unworthy of them, both by what he did and by what he has suffered. If I can prevail with you, so much the better. But if not, I will bring you a more powerful intercessor — the one who is the partner both of your authority and of your good name.

Ep. CXLIII. What does much experience, and experience of good do for men? It teaches kindness, and inclines them to those who entreat them. There is no such education in pity as the previous reception of goodness. This has happened to myself among others. I have learned compassion by the things which I have suffered. And do you see my greatness of soul when I myself need your gentleness in my own affairs? I intercede for others, and do not fear lest I should exhaust all your kindness on other men's concerns. I am writing thus on behalf of the Presbyter Leontius — or, if I may so describe him, the ex-Presbyter. If he has suffered sufficiently for what he has done, let us stop there, lest excess become injustice. And if there is still any balance of punishment due, and the consequences of his crime have not yet equalled his offense, yet remit it for our sake and God's, and that of the sanctuary, and the general assembly of the priests, among whom he was once numbered, even though he has now shown himself unworthy of them, both by what he has done and by what he has suffered. If I can prevail with you it will be best; but if not, I will bring to you a more powerful intercessor, her who is the partner both of your rule and of your good fame.