From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch
To: Marcellinus
Date: ~359 AD
Context: A graceful letter acknowledging Marcellinus's loyalty to the memory of Libanius's uncle -- and the gifts that keep coming.
The inheritance is a fine one, and I accept it -- and neither rhetorical cleverness nor forgery of documents will take it from me. You honor me no less by remembering my uncle than by choosing to love me, since the seed of your friendship comes from him -- a man who by his devotion drew others to love me too.
When I try to calculate what favor I've ever done you, I come up empty. But you give me one by claiming I have, and you'll give more besides. For my part, I'll pray for you -- that's within my power.
And how could your hospitality gifts fail to bring pleasure, coming as they do from a good man and a steadfast friend?
**To Marcellinus** (359/60)
A fine inheritance indeed — I accept it, and neither cleverness of speech nor forged letters shall rob me of it. And you do me no less a kindness by honoring the memory of your uncle than by choosing to love me yourself, since this too was a seed sown by that man, who through his own devotion persuaded others as well to love me.
As for what favor I have ever done you — I have reckoned it up and cannot find one. Yet you grant me a favor by declaring that you are in my debt, and you will grant me still others. For my part, I shall add my prayers on your behalf — for that is within my power.
And how could your gifts of hospitality fail to bring pleasure, coming as they do from a good man and a steadfast friend?
Context:A graceful letter acknowledging Marcellinus's loyalty to the memory of Libanius's uncle -- and the gifts that keep coming.
The inheritance is a fine one, and I accept it -- and neither rhetorical cleverness nor forgery of documents will take it from me. You honor me no less by remembering my uncle than by choosing to love me, since the seed of your friendship comes from him -- a man who by his devotion drew others to love me too.
When I try to calculate what favor I've ever done you, I come up empty. But you give me one by claiming I have, and you'll give more besides. For my part, I'll pray for you -- that's within my power.
And how could your hospitality gifts fail to bring pleasure, coming as they do from a good man and a steadfast friend?
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.