To Spectatus. (359/360)
Thucydides says that a wrong is dissolved by a favor, when someone later does something pleasing to the person he has wronged. But you first wronged me by forgetting about me, and then tried to cure one evil with another, constructing a road worse than a pit to my ruin.
While these charges were pending and I was calling your behavior outright hostility, along came a favor that silenced my accusations and persuaded me to praise you instead. I make my peace with you and declare that you know not only how to laugh, but also how to contribute something serious to your friends' affairs.
Do you want to know what good you have done us? Priscianus has been honored as he deserves. Florentius sang a fine prelude by calling for men who can speak rather than men who can pay. For just as trophies bring glory to men of arms, so it brings glory to a man of Priscianus's profession to advance to power those who will use that power well. And whatever Priscianus goes on to do, the man who gave him his opportunity will receive the better part of the credit, for Priscianus will show good judgment in everything.
To Spectatus. (359/360)
Thucydides says that a grievance is dissolved by a favor, whenever someone who has wronged another afterward does something to please him. But you first wronged us through forgetfulness, and then, curing one evil with another, you contrived for my harm a road more treacherous than a pit.
While these complaints were still in hand and I was calling what you had done enmity, along came the favor — putting an end to the charges and persuading me to praise you instead. And so I make my peace with you and declare that you know not only how to laugh but also how to contribute something of real substance to your friends.
Do you want to know what kindness we have received? Priscianus has been honored with the distinction he deserved. And Florentius struck a fine opening note by summoning not those who have the power to give, but those who have the power to speak. For just as trophies bring glory to the man of arms, so too the man who stands where Florentius stands is glorified by advancing to positions of power those who will use that power well. And Priscianus, whatever office he undertakes, will bring credit to the one who gave him his start — for in all things he will act with good judgment.
For this, Priscianus himself will be grateful to Florentius when, in whatever post he is assigned, his worth shines through. But for now, our city gives thanks to both Florentius and to you. For it is no secret that our Theseus has taken up the contest. Only see to it that you let the deed for which he has been summoned be added to the praise he has already won by the summons itself.
Thucydides says that a wrong is dissolved by a favor, when someone later does something pleasing to the person he has wronged. But you first wronged me by forgetting about me, and then tried to cure one evil with another, constructing a road worse than a pit to my ruin.
While these charges were pending and I was calling your behavior outright hostility, along came a favor that silenced my accusations and persuaded me to praise you instead. I make my peace with you and declare that you know not only how to laugh, but also how to contribute something serious to your friends' affairs.
Do you want to know what good you have done us? Priscianus has been honored as he deserves. Florentius sang a fine prelude by calling for men who can speak rather than men who can pay. For just as trophies bring glory to men of arms, so it brings glory to a man of Priscianus's profession to advance to power those who will use that power well. And whatever Priscianus goes on to do, the man who gave him his opportunity will receive the better part of the credit, for Priscianus will show good judgment in everything.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.