Letter 72

To Aetius. (359) I did not advise you to leave your homeland, your home, your family, and your prospects -- nor would I ever give such advice to a citizen who contributes so much to so great a city. But since a counselor more persuasive than I appeared, and something seemed to you more important than your own dignity, I do not approve of the decision, but I pray it may end well. That too would be Fortune's doing.

**To Aetius** (359) I did not urge you to leave your homeland, your house, your family, and your prospects — nor would I ever give such counsel to a citizen who renders such great service to so great a city. But since an adviser more persuasive than I has appeared, and something has seemed to you more august than your own dignity, I do not approve of the decision, yet I pray it may reach a good end. But even that will be in Fortune's hands.

Ἀετίῳ. (359) Ἐγώ σε πατρίδα καταλιπεῖν καὶ οἶκον καὶ γένος καὶ προσδοκίας οὐ παρῄνεσα μηδέ γε παραινέσαιμί ποτε πολίτη τοιαῦτα πόλιν οὕτω μεγάλην παρεχομένῳ ἐπεὶ δὲ ἐφάνη σύμβουλος μὲν ἐμοῦ πιθανώτερος, σοὶ δέ τι τῆς σαυτοῦ σε- μνότερον, οὐκ ἐπαινῶ μὲν τὰ δόξαντα, λαβεῖν δὲ χρηστὸν εὔχο- μαι τέλος. εἴη δ’ ἂν καὶ τοῦτο τῆς Τύχης.