Letter 104: How much Eudaemon is worth to anyone who cares about Greek culture, how close a friend he is to us, and how much he...

How much Eudaemon is worth to anyone who cares about Greek culture, how close a friend he is to us, and how much he rejoices in your successes -- you know all this and could tell it to anyone. And being the kind of man you are, it's obvious you'd be happy to do him a kindness. The thing itself will be easy for you when you go to Egypt. He has an elderly father in Pelusium [a city in the eastern Nile Delta] and a family second to none in good birth, though their fortune is modest -- on account of their integrity. If you'd be willing to see them, just send word that you'd like Eudaemon's relatives summoned. That will be enough both for them and for us -- for us, because we'll be honored; for them, because having your attention will be protection enough. If they're currently dealing with some harsh treatment, those people will become moderate the moment you make that gesture. I could say more, but you won't let me. When a man needs to help friends of the Muses like Eudaemon, you don't know how to hesitate.

To Modestus. (359/60) You know well how highly Eudaemon deserves to be valued among the children of the Greeks, how dear a friend he is to us, and how he rejoices in your successes — and you would say as much to anyone. Being so disposed, it is plain that you would gladly do the man a good turn. The matter will be easy for you once you arrive in Egypt. He has an elderly father in Pelusium and a family second to none in nobility, though their means are modest on account of their integrity. If you would consent to see them — simply give the order to summon the relatives of Eudaemon — you will satisfy both them and us: us, by the honor you show; and them, because having not been passed over by you in silence will give them a powerful guarantee of security. For if certain people are now giving them trouble, they will find those men turn reasonable once you have done this. I had more to say, but you do not permit it. Where one must come to the aid of the companions of the Muses — a man such as Eudaemon — you need no prompting.

Μοδέστῳ. (359/60) Εὐδαίμων ὅσου μὲν Ἑλλήνων παισὶν ἄξιος, ὅπως δὲ ἡμῖν φίλος, ὅτι δὲ τοῖς σοῖς ἀγαθοῖς χαίρων, οἶσθά τε καὶ πρὸς ἄλλον εἴποις ἄν. οὕτω δὲ ἔχων εὔδηλον ὡς κἂν εὖ ποιήσαις τὸν ἄνδρα ἡδέως. ῥᾳστώνη δέ σοι τοῦ πράγματος εἰς Αἴγυπτον ἐλθόντι. ἔστι μὲν γὰρ αὐτῷ πατήρ τε γέρων ἐν Πηλουσίῳ καὶ γένος εὐγενείᾳ μὲν οὐδενὸς ὕστερον, χρήματα δὲ αὐτοῖς δι’ ἐπιείκειαν οὐ πολλά. τούτους ἂν ἰδεῖν ἐθε- λήσῃς, καλεῖν κελεύσας τοὺς Εὐδαίμονος οἰκείους ἐκείνοις τε ἀρκέσεις καὶ ἡμῖν· ἡμῖν μὲν τετιμημένοις, ἐκείνοις δὲ <ἰσχυ- ρὸν> πρὸς ἀσφάλειαν ἔχουσι τὸ σὲ μὴ παρελθεῖν σιωπῇ. καὶ γὰρ εἴ τινων νῦν πειρῶνται χαλεπωτέρων, ὄψονται τούτους, ἐπειδὰν σὺ ποιήσης ἐκεῖνο, μετρίους. εἶχον πλείω λέγειν, σὺ δὲ οὐκ ἐᾷς. οὗ γὰρ δεῖ βοηθῆσαι τοῖς Μουσῶν ἑταίροις οἷος Εὐδαίμων, οὐκ οἷσθα μέλλειν.