Letter 118: A certain man — not only superior to shameful gain but one who distributed his own possessions to those in need —...

A certain man who was not only superior to shameful profits but also distributed his own property to those in need, having learned that he had received a few fish from someone who had sworn falsely, dared to release the man — as far as it depended on him — from his sin. Groaning deeply, he uttered that Demosthenic saying, as it seems to me. For even if what I am about to say will seem rather harsh, I will say it and not conceal it: for this very thing he deserved to be punished with death, so that this law might be established among the impious. But this man, being exceedingly grieved...