Letter 75: I do not write to you often -- for what would I say?

To Meterius and Alcimus. (359) I do not write to you often -- for what would I say? The latest of my misfortunes? It is enough if you can bear your own. That one must endure? I do not have words equal to that task. That you should come visit us? No invitation of mine could persuade you. For people in our condition, it is better not to write at all than to write.

To Meterius and Alcimus (359) I do not write to you often — for what would I even have to write about? The latest of my misfortunes? But if you can bear your own, that is gain enough. That one must endure? I possess no speech so great as that. That you should come visit me? One cannot persuade by merely calling. Better, then, for those in such a state as mine, not to write at all than to write.

Μητερίῳ καὶ Ἀλκίμῳ. (359) Οὐ γράφω πολλάκις ὑμῖν· τί γὰρ ἂν καὶ γράφειν ἔχοιμι; τὰ νεώτερα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν; ἀλλ’ ἐάν τὰ ὑμέτερα φέρητε, κέρδος. ἀλλ’ ὡς χρὴ καρτερεῖν; οὐκ ἔμοιγε τοσοῦτος ὑπάρχει λόγος. ἀλλ’ ὡς χρὴ παρ’ ἡμᾶς ἐλθεῖν; οὐκ ἔστι πεῖσαι κα- λοῦντα. κρεῖττον οὖν τοῦ γράφειν τοῖς ὧδε ἔχουσι τὸ μὴ γράφειν.