Letter 752: To the Emperor Julian.
To the Emperor Julian. (362 AD)
If this is the product of a sluggish tongue, what would you be if you sharpened it? But in your mouth dwell springs of eloquence too powerful to need any tributary. We, on the other hand, if not watered daily, have no choice but silence.
You seek to receive my speech without an advocate — that is why the excellent Priscus delays in coming to you. But accept it all the same. Whatever you decide, I shall be content.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed.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.
Latin / Greek Original
Ἰουλιανῷ αὐτοκράτορι. (362)
Εἰ ταῦτα γλώττης ἀργοτέρας, τίς ἂν εἴης αὐτὴν ἀκονῶν;
ἀλλὰ σοὶ μὲν ἐν τῷ στόματι λόγων οἰκοῦσι πηγαὶ κρείττους
ἢ δεῖσθαι ἐπιρροῆς· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἢν μὴ καθημέραν ἀρδώμεθα,
λείπεται σιγᾶν.
τὸν λόγον δὲ ζητεῖς μὲν ἔρημον βοηθοῦ
λαβεῖν καὶ διὰ τοῦτό σοι Πρίσκος ὁ καλὸς μέλλει, δέχου δὲ
ὅμως. πάντως ὅ τι ἂν γνῷς, στέρξομεν.
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1. Eutyches' heresy involves many other heresies. Leo, bishop of the city of Rome to his well-beloved brother, Julian the bishop.
May the present health and strength that you say you possess be your constant portion!