Letter 143: This Philoxenus has proven himself splendid in every way -- in stature, in voice, in his sense of propriety, and in...

To Ecdicius. (359/60) This Philoxenus has proven himself splendid in every way -- in stature, in voice, in his sense of propriety, and in his ability both to seek out and to absorb learning. By persuading young men to come study with me, you are doing something that benefits you as much as it benefits me. You know that if I appear distinguished, your reputation shares in the glory; and if I am thought to be a competent teacher, this could benefit you too, should you ever choose to teach. After all, people are well aware that we share the same Athenian training. That you actively promote my work is no great surprise -- your life has been devoted since youth to advancing your friends' interests. But that you openly declare it in your letters -- that goes beyond your usual reticence. This is the work of love, which makes even the timid bold.

**To Ekdikios** (359/60) Well now, this Philoxenus is a splendid fellow — in stature, in voice, in his sense of propriety, and in his ability both to seek out learning and to receive it. As for you, by persuading young men to hasten to my school, you do something equivalent to urging them to hasten to your own. For you know that if I appear distinguished, the credit is yours as well; and if I am thought to be no poor teacher, that too would benefit you, who chose the same profession. People are well aware, after all, of what we shared in Athens. That you should support my work in practice is no surprise — your whole life since youth has been devoted to advancing the fortunes of your friends. But that you should declare it openly in your letters, as you do — that is not in keeping with your usual caution. No, this is the work of affection, which makes even the timid bolder.

Ἐκδικίῳ. (359/60) Ἀλλ᾿ οὑτοσὶ Φιλόξενος <λαμπρὸς> καὶ μεγέθει καὶ κοὶ φωνῇ καὶ τῷ αἰδεῖσθαι καὶ τῷ λόγους ζητεῖν <τε> καὶ λαμβάνειν εἰδέναι. σὺ δὲ πείθων τοὺς νέους παρ’ ἡμᾶς τρέχειν ὅμοιον ποιεῖς ὥσπερ ἂν εἰ παρῄνεις αὐτοῖς παρὰ σὲ τρέχειν. οἶσθα γάρ, ὡς, ἂν ἐγὼ φαίνωμαι λαμπρός, καὶ σὸν ἐν δόξῃ, κἂν ἐγὼ δόξω μὴ κακὸς εἶναι παιδεύειν, καὶ σοὶ ταῦτα ἂν ὀνήσαι παιδεύειν ἑλομένῳ. οὐ γὰρ ἀγνοοῦσιν οἱ ἄν- ex ὁ corr m4 | ἠρόμην scripsi ex Α ἠρώτων Wolf 131,18 ἐκεῖνο D fol. 54 A ἐκείνῳ V Va Vo S Vind D fol. 50v corr Wolf | οὕ θρωποι τὰ Ἀθήνησιν ἡμῖν κοινά. τὸ μὲν οὖν ἔργῳ τὰ ἡμέτερα ᾑρῆσθαι θαυμαστὸν οὐδέν, σοὶ γὰρ ὁ βίος ἐκ νέου τὰ φίλων αὔξειν, τὸ δ’ ὁμολογεῖν ἐν γράμμασιν, ὃ ποιεῖς, τοῦ- το δὲ οὐ κατὰ τὴν σὴν δειλίαν, ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἔργον τοῦτο τοῦ ἔρωτος, ὃς καὶ τοὺς δειλοὺς θρασυτέρους ποιεῖ.