Letter 408
To Deonas. (355)
Both my long silence and my writing now have their reasons. The silence came from despondency -- caused by not receiving any letters from you. What broke the silence was an intense desire to have at least this form of contact with you, if no other. And with a man of eloquence traveling your way, it seemed wrong not to send a few words through him.
So let me say this: first, you do well to be a good man. Second, know that Olympius is an admirer of the fine things you pursue -- a man who is both a formidable orator and an accomplished philosopher, one who heals souls no less than bodies through his remedies.
To have such a man as your admirer is, for a man of good sense, worth more than the treasures of Gyges [the legendary Lydian king famed for his wealth]. I myself have no money, but I have this man's approval -- and on that account I consider myself more blessed than the wealthiest men alive.
If you have any regard for me, then forgive a devoted friend and lend your support. And whatever good you do, let me know by letter -- for the favor is no less in the telling.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.