The letters of recommendation I send you on behalf of their bearers are written in the same hand but not with the same heart. Some I write because I can't escape the crowd of people demanding introductions -- and if nothing comes of those, I don't lose sleep over it. But the ones I write with all my soul -- to those I even add prayers, and if the recipients benefit from your favor, the profit is mine.
Miccalus here belongs to that second category -- indeed, he's first among the people in that rank. Our fathers were friends, and we inherited that fine bond. Since Olympius, who loves his brother Miccalus more than a son, has labored so much on my behalf, it would be shameful for me not to contribute at least a letter to help with this journey.
Not that Miccalus's own character or Olympius's own letters aren't enough to rouse you to action. Among the many things that earn you the admiration of good men, nothing impresses more than your habit of putting old friends ahead of those who merely cultivate your power. But knowing this -- and knowing too that you'll spare no effort when Miccalus needs help -- I write so that something of the goodwill between us may come through...
**To Florentius** (359/60)
We send you letters on behalf of their bearers in the same language, but not with the same feeling. Some we write because we cannot escape the nuisance of the request — if nothing comes of them, we do not care. But others we write with all our heart, and add prayers to the words; if those men gain the benefit of your influence, the profit is ours.
Miccalus here is one of the latter — indeed, he stands first among those I rank in that category. For we were born of fathers who were friends to one another, and we inherited that fine bond. And since Olympius, who loves his brother Miccalus more than a son, has labored much on my behalf, it would have been shameful for me not to contribute at least a letter toward this journey — not that Miccalus's own character or Olympius's letters are insufficient to rouse you to his aid.
For among the many qualities that win you praise from men of worth, what is most admired is that you place old friends above those who merely court your power. And yet, knowing this — and knowing too that you will spare no effort where Miccalus deserves to be well treated — I have joined my voice to the appeal all the same, so that some share of the credit for what is done may fall to my letter.
The greatest part of any favor is the speed with which it is given, by which even a small kindness often appears greater. Ideally, some distinction fitting for a man of his standing should have come to Miccalus while he sat at home. But since, perhaps wishing that toil should precede honors, you ordered him to make the journey — well, he has come. Do not delay. For if he returns quickly, he will feel as though he was never uprooted at all.
Consider everything together: his age, the fact that he is still unmarried, his mother's old age and her longing, and the wish of Olympius — who has prayed that this man be called "father" in his own stead.
Help, then, noble friend, with the continuation of the family line. It is my part to prepare the bride; yours to send the young man back to us — splendidly and swiftly. For I shall make him look as a bridegroom should, even if his hair will not cooperate.
The letters of recommendation I send you on behalf of their bearers are written in the same hand but not with the same heart. Some I write because I can't escape the crowd of people demanding introductions -- and if nothing comes of those, I don't lose sleep over it. But the ones I write with all my soul -- to those I even add prayers, and if the recipients benefit from your favor, the profit is mine.
Miccalus here belongs to that second category -- indeed, he's first among the people in that rank. Our fathers were friends, and we inherited that fine bond. Since Olympius, who loves his brother Miccalus more than a son, has labored so much on my behalf, it would be shameful for me not to contribute at least a letter to help with this journey.
Not that Miccalus's own character or Olympius's own letters aren't enough to rouse you to action. Among the many things that earn you the admiration of good men, nothing impresses more than your habit of putting old friends ahead of those who merely cultivate your power. But knowing this -- and knowing too that you'll spare no effort when Miccalus needs help -- I write so that something of the goodwill between us may come through...
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.