To Florentius.
I spent only a little time in your company, owing to my preoccupation with my teaching, and I count it as a real loss that I did not become one of your close acquaintances long ago. Now I am pursuing your friendship through letters -- not to exploit your influence, which would be the act of a merchant rather than someone genuinely seeking friendship, but so that a truly good man does not slip through my fingers, and so I am not left embarrassed when people praise you and I cannot say, "Yes, that fine man is my friend."
You should know: most people consider you fortunate on account of the usual things -- birth, wealth, and the office you hold. I do not dismiss those, but what I truly admire is that amid all of this you remain self-controlled, and that you enjoy a reputation for integrity without a single dissenting voice. That is a rare thing for someone in your position -- universal praise. A man with power inevitably annoys some people.
To this day, I have heard nothing but praise of you, and nothing of the other kind -- nor may I ever.
I pray that you continue to be good, and I share that prayer with my dear friend Spectatus. The two of us are to each other what Heracles and Theseus were to each other [inseparable legendary heroes]: whatever brings honor to one belongs to both.
Let it be a mark of your good character that you reply to this letter with one of your own. But if that is too much trouble, simply being willing to be a friend requires no effort at all. So if you care for me but do not write -- that will be enough.
I spent only a little time in your company, owing to my preoccupation with my teaching, and I count it as a real loss that I did not become one of your close acquaintances long ago. Now I am pursuing your friendship through letters -- not to exploit your influence, which would be the act of a merchant rather than someone genuinely seeking friendship, but so that a truly good man does not slip through my fingers, and so I am not left embarrassed when people praise you and I cannot say, "Yes, that fine man is my friend."
You should know: most people consider you fortunate on account of the usual things -- birth, wealth, and the office you hold. I do not dismiss those, but what I truly admire is that amid all of this you remain self-controlled, and that you enjoy a reputation for integrity without a single dissenting voice. That is a rare thing for someone in your position -- universal praise. A man with power inevitably annoys some people.
To this day, I have heard nothing but praise of you, and nothing of the other kind -- nor may I ever.
I pray that you continue to be good, and I share that prayer with my dear friend Spectatus. The two of us are to each other what Heracles and Theseus were to each other [inseparable legendary heroes]: whatever brings honor to one belongs to both.
Let it be a mark of your good character that you reply to this letter with one of your own. But if that is too much trouble, simply being willing to be a friend requires no effort at all. So if you care for me but do not write -- that will be enough.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.