To the same man. (359)
You will hear many words from many people praising this Parthenius here, words which you will neither disbelieve nor contradict, on the ground that the man ought not to be well treated; yet I have added my letter, not because I think those others insufficient, but because it would be shameful for me alone to keep silent about him. For the man on whose account I prayed that such an opportunity might come to me—how would it not be a wrong, in his behalf, not to make use of the opportunity now that it is present?
For I care about Parthenius both because of the just claims of our native city, and I care too because he is the chief of my friends.
Eusebius was his uncle, and it is clear that whatever I help this man with, I bestow as a favor upon the one who has departed. But even apart from these things, he is worthy of care from his very character—he who, in aiding a friend, would step even into fire, and who, when a friend goes wrong, stands as a hinderer, not knowing how to flatter but censuring with a free tongue; and through his intelligence he is capable of escaping dangers that are unjust, while through the graciousness of his nature he makes company more pleasant, and he practices giving money away rather than taking it.
And of this I am a witness, having gained the proof in the things done toward me.
The man about whom it is possible to say these things—him I think, even if he were set over cities, would keep up this practice and would shut the mouths of those who take pleasure in finding fault.
I, then, not being the one with authority, join in praying for such things as befit Parthenius, things that belong to him from above, from his ancestors; but those in whose power the doing lies—it would be for them to make the prayer a deed.
**To the same person.** (359)
You will hear many words of praise for this man Parthenius from many people, and you will neither disbelieve them nor object that the man does not deserve to be treated well. I have not added this letter on the grounds that those testimonials will prove insufficient, but because it would have been shameful for me alone to remain silent about him. For when an occasion I had been praying for has at last arrived, how could it not be a wrong to fail to make use of it on his behalf?
I care about Parthenius both on account of the just claims of our homeland and because he is the foremost of my friends. His uncle was Eusebius, and it is plain that whatever help I give to the living man, I bestow as a gift upon the departed. But even apart from these considerations, his character alone makes him worthy of your attention. He is a man who would walk through fire to help a friend, yet who will stand firm in restraining a friend from error — incapable of flattery, but free in his reproach. Through his intelligence he is able to escape dangers he does not deserve; through the charm of his nature he makes any gathering more pleasant; and he practices giving money away rather than taking it.
Of this I myself am witness, having learned it from experience in his dealings with me.
A man of whom such things can be said would, I believe, even if set over cities, preserve that same devotion and shut the mouths of those who are eager to find fault.
For my part, then — since I have authority only to pray and not to act — I offer my prayers for Parthenius, to whom such blessings are fitting by ancient right of his ancestors. But those who hold the power to act — it falls to them to make the prayer a reality.
You will hear many words from many people praising this Parthenius here, words which you will neither disbelieve nor contradict, on the ground that the man ought not to be well treated; yet I have added my letter, not because I think those others insufficient, but because it would be shameful for me alone to keep silent about him. For the man on whose account I prayed that such an opportunity might come to me—how would it not be a wrong, in his behalf, not to make use of the opportunity now that it is present?
For I care about Parthenius both because of the just claims of our native city, and I care too because he is the chief of my friends.
Eusebius was his uncle, and it is clear that whatever I help this man with, I bestow as a favor upon the one who has departed. But even apart from these things, he is worthy of care from his very character—he who, in aiding a friend, would step even into fire, and who, when a friend goes wrong, stands as a hinderer, not knowing how to flatter but censuring with a free tongue; and through his intelligence he is capable of escaping dangers that are unjust, while through the graciousness of his nature he makes company more pleasant, and he practices giving money away rather than taking it.
And of this I am a witness, having gained the proof in the things done toward me.
The man about whom it is possible to say these things—him I think, even if he were set over cities, would keep up this practice and would shut the mouths of those who take pleasure in finding fault.
I, then, not being the one with authority, join in praying for such things as befit Parthenius, things that belong to him from above, from his ancestors; but those in whose power the doing lies—it would be for them to make the prayer a deed.
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.