Letter 69: Having come to know Parthenius better than before, I love him more than before.

To Eusebius. (359) Having come to know Parthenius better than before, I love him more than before. Previously I cared for him as a fellow citizen and as the kinsman of a friend. But now, having tested his character in certain matters, he showed me such quality of mind that I would rightly be blamed if I did not do everything for him. Since he could have asked me for a letter to anyone he wished, he chose to carry one from me to you -- knowing that you are vigorous in helping people and that I stand among the first in your regard. In this belief, he seemed to me to honor you more than me. For when a father is served by his son, the father is counted fortunate and the son is praised -- the one for receiving what custom prescribes, the other for upholding it. Judging by how you treated me when you came here, you would seem a devoted son. But your behavior since your departure does not match what came before. Back then, there were frequent visits to me, and the thought of not meeting was unbearable. Now I am afraid someone might judge you by your silence. But I will not be a harsh judge on that score. If you treat Parthenius as you used to treat me, you will have done your duty as before.

To Eusebius. (359) Having come to know Parthenius better than before, I love him more than before. Previously I loved him as a fellow citizen and a kinsman of my friend, but now, in the course of examining certain matters, he has shown me such a character that if I did not grant him every favor, I would rightly stand accused. Being in a position to obtain from me a letter to whomever he wished, he chose to carry one from me to you — since you know how to give vigorous assistance, and I am counted among your nearest circle. In holding this opinion, it seemed to me that he honored you more than me. For when a father is attended to by his son, the one gains the happiness of it, while the other wins the praise — the one receiving what the law has ordained, the other upholding the law. You, judged by what you did for us when you came here, would be called a dutiful son. But your conduct since you departed has not matched what came before. Back then there were frequent visits to my door, and failing to meet was unbearable to you. Now I am afraid that someone may convict you by your silence. But I will not be a harsh judge to you on that score. As for Parthenius — if you show yourself the same man as before, you will know you have fulfilled your customary duty. But if you prove far better than before, you will demonstrate the power of this letter in the increase of your zeal.

Εὐσεβίῳ. (359) Μαλλὸν ἢ πρότερον ἐκμαθὼν Παρθένιον πλέον ἢ πρὸ τερον ἀγαπῶ· τότε μὲν γὰρ ὡς ἂν πολίτην καὶ φίλου μοι συγγενῆ, νῦν δὲ ἔν τινων ἐξετάσει πραγμάτων τοιαύτην ἔδειξέ μοι τὴν γνώμην, ὥστ’ εἰ μὴ πάντ’ αὐτῷ χαριζοίμην, εἰκότως ἂν κατηγοροίμην. ἔχων δὴ τυγχάνειν ὅτου θέλοι παρ’ ἐμοῦ γράμματα ἠθέλησε παρ’ ἐμοῦ σοὶ φέρειν ὡς σοῦ τε ἐρρωμέ- νως βοηθεῖν εἰδότος ἐμοῦ τε παρὰ <ἐν> τοῖς πρώτοις ταγμένου. ταύτῃ δὲ τῇ δόξῃ σὲ μᾶλλον ἐδόκει μοι τιμᾶν ἢ ἐμέ. πατὴρ γὰρ ὅταν ὑπὸ παιδὸς θεραπεύηται, τῷ μὲν εὐ- δαιμονίζεσθαι, τῷ δὲ ἐπαινεῖσθαι περιγίνεται, τῷ μὲν ὧν ἔτα- ξεν ὁ νόμος μετέχοντι, τῷ δὲ βεβαιοῦντι τὸν νόμον. σὺ κρινόμενος μὲν οἷς ἐποίεις πρὸς ἡμᾶς δεῦρο ἥκων φιλοπάτωρ ἂν εἴης, τὰ δ’ ἀφ’ οὗπερ ἀπιὼν ᾤχου τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν οὐκ ἐοικότα. τότε μὶν γὰρ πυκνοὶ παρ’ ἐμὲ δρόμοι καὶ τὸ μὴ συμ- βαλεῖν οὐ φορητόν, νῦν δὲ φοβοῦμαι μή σέ τις δοκιμάσῃ τῇ σιωπῇ Γ’. ἀλλὰ τούτου μὲν οὐ γίνομαί σοι πικρὸς δικαστής, Παρθενίῳ δὲ ἂν μὲν οἷος ἔμπροσθεν φανῇς, τὸ εἰωθὸς ἴσῃ πεπληρωκώς ἂν δὲ πολὺ βελτίων ἢ πρόσθεν, δείξεις καὶ τὸ τῆς ἐπιστολῆς ἔργον ἐν τῇ προσθήκῃ τῆς προθυμίας