Letter 176: Even if you neglected your wife's brother while he was away -- failing, among other things, to so much as write to...

To Strategius. (360) Even if you neglected your wife's brother while he was away -- failing, among other things, to so much as write to him -- at least now do what decency demands toward such people. One must perhaps pay attention even to less worthy relatives for the sake of the family bond, but this man would certainly not disgrace you, to say nothing more, though much more could be said. I hear that your power in the council comes more from your speaking than from your spending, and I am pleased that you prevail. But I am vexed that you do not tell me this yourself. After all, one prefers to hear of an Olympic victor's triumphs from the crowned athlete himself.

**To Strategius** (360 AD) Even if you neglected your wife's brother while he was away — among other things, not even writing to him — at least now do what is proper toward such people. For perhaps one must pay attention even to those of lesser merit, on account of the obligation of kinship; but this man — to say nothing grand, though I could — would bring no disgrace upon your family. I hear that your influence in the council rests more on your eloquence than on your expenditures. This delights me — that you hold such power. But that you do not report this to me yourself, I resent. For even the victories of Olympic champions are sweeter to hear from the lips of the victors themselves.

Στρατηγίῳ. (360) Ἀλλ’ εἰ καὶ ἀπόντος ἠμέλεις τοῦ τῆς γυναικὸς ἀδελφοῦ τά τε ἄλλα καὶ οὐδὲ ἐπιστείλας, νῦν γε ἃ πρὸς τοὺς τοιού- τοὺς ποιεῖν ἄξιον ποίει. ἴσως μὲν γὰρ καὶ τοῖς ἦττον ἀγαθοῖς προσεκτέον διὰ τὴν ἀνάγκην τῆς κηδείας, ὁδὶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἵνα μηδὲν εἴπω μέγα, καίτοι γε ἐξῆν, οὐκ ἂν καταισχύνοι. ἀκού- ων δέ σοι κράτος εἶναι ἐν τῷ βουλευτηρίῳ μᾶλλον ἀπὸ τοῦ λέγειν ἢ τῶν ἀναλωμάτων χαίρω μέν, ὅτι κρατεῖς, ὅτι δὲ οὐ καὶ αὐτὸς ἡμῖν ταῦτα μηνύεις, ἄχθομαι. καὶ γὰρ τὰς τῶν Ὀλυμπιονικῶν νίκας ἥδιον παρ’ αὐτῶν ἀκούειν τῶν ἐστεφα- νωμένων.