To Acacius, friend. (362)
The first favors were enough for me -- when you saved Maximus's household and honored his son with no small distinctions. But like the best runners, you are only getting better as you go.
They wrote to me about this, and Philocles reported it too, describing your complete care for them and how the young man had often shared your table. He said it happened frequently -- it was the young man himself who told him.
Hearing about these dinners, both before and after the honor, I reflected on how Hyperechius was growing sharper in mind under your influence. Wisdom flows from your intellect onto those who spend time with you, just as sleep passes from those who yawn onto those who watch.
But I am in danger of fearing the very things that bring me joy. I could not compare any other kindnesses to these, though many occasions have given me many benefactors.
As long as I could see how I might repay you, my delight was pure. But since you give more and greater things than I could ever return, a certain unease has begun to creep in --
The first favors were enough for me -- when you saved Maximus's household and honored his son with no small distinctions. But like the best runners, you are only getting better as you go.
They wrote to me about this, and Philocles reported it too, describing your complete care for them and how the young man had often shared your table. He said it happened frequently -- it was the young man himself who told him.
Hearing about these dinners, both before and after the honor, I reflected on how Hyperechius was growing sharper in mind under your influence. Wisdom flows from your intellect onto those who spend time with you, just as sleep passes from those who yawn onto those who watch.
But I am in danger of fearing the very things that bring me joy. I could not compare any other kindnesses to these, though many occasions have given me many benefactors.
As long as I could see how I might repay you, my delight was pure. But since you give more and greater things than I could ever return, a certain unease has begun to creep in --
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.