Letter 9: When you were governing Palestine, you didn't neglect to write.

When you were governor of Palestine you did not neglect to write; now, ruling many provinces, you have forgotten to write. And being far away you remembered your friends, but having settled near you forget them. What sort of man, then, will you be once you have taken on still greater authority and see your acquaintances? Or is it clear that you will add outright disregard as well, if indeed your indifference advances in proportion to what has already happened? But nevertheless we would wish to see you more honored, even if, having seized us, you should flog us.

**To Araxius** (356 or 353/54?) When you were governing Palestine, you did not neglect to write. Now that you govern many provinces, you have forgotten to write. When you were far away, you remembered your friends; now that you are near, you forget them. What, then, will you become when you have gained still greater power and can see your acquaintances face to face? Is it not plain that you will add outright contempt, if your indolence advances in proportion to your promotions? Still, I would rather see you raised to yet higher honor — even if, once you had me in your grasp, you gave me a flogging.

Ἀραξίῳ. (356 vel 353/54?) Τῆς Παλαιστίνης ἄρχων οὐκ ἠμέλεις τοῦ γράφειν· νῦν πολλῶν ἄρχων ἐθνῶν ἐπελάθου τοῦ γράφειν. καὶ μακρὰν μὲν ὢν ἐμνημόνευσας τῶν φίλων, ἐγγὺς δὲ καταστὰς ἀμνημονεῖς. τίς ποτε οὖν ἔσῃ προσλαβὼν ἐξουσίαν καὶ τοὺς γνωρίμους ὁρῶν; ἡ δῆλον ὡς καὶ τὸ καταμελεῖν ἐπιθήσεις, εἴπερ κατὰ λόγον τῶν γεγενημένων <ἡ> ῥᾳθυμία χωροίη; ἀlλ’ ὅμως ἡμεῖς βουλοίμεθ’ ἄν σε τιμιώτερον ἰδεῖν, εἰ καὶ μαστιγώσαις λαβών.