Letter 428: If I had written before saying I have little influence with Dionysius, you might not have believed me -- and that is...

If I had written before saying I have little influence with Dionysius, you might not have believed me -- and that is why I did not write. But now is the time to admit the weakness. Clematius will confirm I am not lying. Know, then, that I have not improved my own situation, and all the friends who tried to obtain something through me found not the reception they deserved but something quite different. My role amounts to nothing more than exchanging greetings. If you are not benefiting from my influence, that is because I have none to offer -- not because I am withholding it. Forgive me for what I cannot do. But what is in my power is also yours. Give up the idea of traveling in grand style -- it is beneath your spirit to chase such things. Come however you can and test my goodwill, if you still remember the wings of old. There are more wings here, and many who would admire your work. The young men need a teacher of law. That position awaits you -- I have prevented anyone else from filling it.

Σιλανῷ. (355) Πρότερον μέν σοι γράφων ὡς οὐ πολλή μοι παρὰ τῷ Διονυσίῳ δύναμις, ἴσως ἂν ἠπιστούμην καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔγραφον, νῦν δὲ καιρὸς ἂν εἴη τὴν ἀσθένειαν ὁμολογεῖν. Κλη- μάτιος γὰρ ὡς οὐ ψεύδομαι πείσει. ἴσθι τοίνυν ὡς οὔτε τὰ ἐμαυτοῦ βελτίω πεποίηκα τῶν τε φίλων ὅσοι δι’ ἡμῶν ἐβουλήθησάν του τυχεῖν, ἔγνωσαν οὐχ ἣν ἐχρῆν, ἐλθόντες δὲ ἑτέραν· ὡς ἑνὸς μετέχω μόνου τοῦ προσειπεῖν. εἰ μὲν οὖν οὔσης μοι δυνάμεως οὐκ ἀπέλαυες, ἠδίκουν ἄν· ἀδυνατοῦντι δὲ συγγνώμην ἔχειν. ὧν δ’ ἐγὼ κύριος, καὶ σύ. καὶ τὴν μὲν ἐν λαμπροτέρῳ σχήματι πορείαν ἄφες, οὐ γὰρ τῆς σῆς ψυχῆς ἄξιον τὰ τοιαῦτα θηρεύειν, ἐλθὼν δὲ ὅπως ἂν ἐξῇ, δοκίμαζέ μου τὴν γνώμην, εἴγε μέμνηται τῶν πτερῶν. πτερὰ δὲ ἐν- ταῦθα πλείω καὶ οἱ τὰ σὰ θαυμασόμενοι πλῆθος. δεῖ δὲ καὶ νόμων διδασκάλου τοῖς νέοις. σὲ δὲ τοῦτο ἀναμένει κεκωλυ- κότων ἡμῶν ἕτερον ἐπιστῆναι τῷ πράγματι.