Letter 26

To Basil [most scholars identify this as Basil of Caesarea, later one of the great Cappadocian Fathers of the Church, who had been Julian's fellow student in Athens]. "Not of war is your report," as the proverb says — and I would add, from comedy: "O you whose words bring tidings of gold!" Come, then — show it by your deeds and hurry to me. You will come as friend to friend. It is true that constant attention to public affairs is thought to be a heavy burden for those who pursue it wholeheartedly. But the men who share the administration with me are — I am convinced — honest, reasonable, intelligent, and entirely capable. They give me leisure and the chance to rest without neglecting anything. Our dealings with one another are free from the hypocrisy of courts — which, I think, is the only kind you have experienced until now. At my court you will find neither fraud nor flattery. The men around me speak the truth, and I welcome it. Come and see for yourself. There is a place for you here — not just among my officials but among my friends.

To Basil3 [Early in 362. Constantinople] "Not of war is thy report," 4 says the proverb, but I would add, from comedy, " Ο thou whose words bring tidings of gold! " 5 Come then, show it by your deeds and hasten to me, for you will come as friend to friend.6 It is true that continuous attention to public business is thought to be a heavy burden on men who pursue it with all their energy; but those who share the task of administration with me are, I am convinced, honest and reasonable men, intelligent and entirely capable for all they have to do. So they give me leisure and the opportunity of resting without neglecting anything. For our intercourse with one another is free from that hypocrisy of courts of which alone you have hitherto, I think, had experience, that hypocrisy which leads men to praise one another even while they hate with a hatred more deadly than they feel for their worst enemies in war. But we, though we refute and criticise one another with appropriate frankness, whenever it is necessary, love one another as much as the most devoted friends. Hence it is that I am able—if I may say so without odium— to work and yet enjoy relaxation, and when at work to be free from strain and sleep securely. For when I have kept vigil it was less on my own behalf probably than on behalf of all my subjects. But perhaps I have been wearying you with my chatter and nonsense, displaying stupid conceit, for I have praised myself, like Astydamas.1 However, I have despatched this letter to you to convince you that your presence, wise man that you are, will be serviceable to me rather than any waste of my time. Make haste then, as I said, and use the state post.2 And when you have stayed with me as long as you desire you shall go your way whithersoever you please, with an escort furnished by me, as is proper. 3 For Basil, see Introduction. 4 Plato, Phaedrus 242b, Laws 102d, cf. paroles de paix. 5 Aristophanes, Plutus 268.  6 Plato, Menexenus 247b. 1 A proverb derived from Philemon, frag. 190; for the whole verse, see below, p. 159. 2 i.e. the cursus publicus; cf. To Eustathius, p. 139.