Letter 784: I count you among those now celebrating that the noble Modestus is recognized for who he truly is.

To Hyperechius. (362/63) I count you among those now celebrating that the noble Modestus is recognized for who he truly is. For you formerly enjoyed his influence when you were enrolled among those you wished to join, and now I expect you will not fear the oppressive men in the council, since he will persuade some and compel others to abide by justice. So I would not be surprised if you chose to join him on his journey and present yourself to the acquaintance of those in that region. For those whom at another time you would have been obliged to court, you will now be free to approach as equals. And a thing that begins from a fine starting point tends to grow easily, like trees with strong roots. These are no small things, but expect still greater from Modestus's friendship and fortune. For he will see to it that you too become greater — partly urging himself, partly moved by me. He will grant me a favor even after I am dead by doing something for you, having learned through many deeds, many words, and not a few oaths that your affairs are no less dear to me than my own.

Ὑπερεχίῳ. (362/63) Ἕνα σε τίθεμαι τῶν νῦν ἑορταζόντων ἐπὶ τῷ τὸν γε ναῖον Μόδεστον ὅστις ἐστὶ καὶ νομίζεσθαι· πρότερόν τε γὰρ αὐτοῦ τῆς δυνάμεως ἀπήλαυσας ἐγγραφεὶς εἰς οὕσπερ ἐβούλου νῦν τε οἶμαί σε τοὺς ἐν τῇ βουλῇ βαρεῖς οὐ φοβήσεσθαι τού- του τοὺς μὲν πείθοντος, τοὺς δὲ ἀναγκάζοντος τοῖς δικαίοις ἐμμένειν. ὥστ’ οὐκ ἂν θαυμάσαιμι εἰ καὶ κοινωνεῖν αὐτῷ τῆς πορείας ἕλοιο καὶ καταστῆσαι σαυτὸν εἰς τὸ γνωρίζεσθαι τοῖς ἐκεῖ. οὓς γὰρ ἂν ἐν ἄλλῳ καιρῷ θεραπεύειν εἶχες ἀνάγ- κη τούτοις ἐξέσται σοι νῦν ἐλευθέρως ὁμιλῆσαι. πρᾶγμα δὲ ἀπὸ καλῆς ἀρξάμενον τῆς ἀρχῆς εἴωθεν αὔξεσθαι ῥᾳδίως καθάπερ τὰ τῶν δένδρων ἰσχυρῶς ἐρριζωμένα. ὄντων δὲ οὐδὲ τούτων μικρῶν ἔτι μείζω προσδόκα παρὰ τῆς Μοδέστου καὶ φιλίας καὶ τύχης. ἐπιμελήσεται γὰρ τοῦ κοὶ σὲ μείζω γε- νέσθαι τὰ μὲν αὑτὸν παρακαλῶν τὰ δὲ ὑπ’ ἐμοῦ κινούμενος. δώσει δέ μοι καὶ τεθνεῶτι χάριν τῷ σοί τι χαρίζεσθαι ποῖ λοῖς μὲν ἔργοις, πολλοῖς δὲ λόγοις, οὐκ ὀλίγοις δὲ ὅρκοις με- μαθηκὼς ὅτι μοι τὰ σὰ τῶν ἐμῶν οὐ δεύτερα.