Letter 629: If I were not doing these things, I would be doing wrong; but in doing them, I should not reasonably expect praise.
To Amphilochius. (361 AD)
If I were not doing these things, I would be doing wrong; but in doing them, I should not reasonably expect praise. After all, if you neglected your sons you would have accusers, but in caring for them do not look for someone to marvel at you.
Many things make me a father to these young men — chief among them their natural talent for eloquence.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
Ἀμφιλοχίῳ. (361)
Εἰ μὴ ταῦτα ἐποίουν, ἠδίκουν ἄν, ποιῶν δὲ οὐκ ἂν
εἰκότως ἐπαινοίμην· ἐπεὶ καὶ σὺ τῶν μὲν υἱέων ἀμελῶν εἶχες
ἂν κατηγόρους, ἐπιμελούμενος δὲ μὴ ζήτει τὸν θαυμασόμενον
ἐμὲ δὲ τούτοις οὐκ ὀλίγα ποιεῖ πατέρα· ὧν κεφάλαιον τὸ
πρὸς λόγους εὖ πεφυκέναι.
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This letter contains multiple sections interspersed with critical apparatus.
My sins have prevented me from carrying out the wish to meet you, which I have long entertained. Let me apologise by letter for my absence, and beseech you not to omit to remember me in your prayers, that, if I live, I may be permitted to enjoy your society. If not, by the aid of your prayers may I quit this world with good hope.