Letter 7032: I am delighted that the visit of my friend Tiro was so agreeable to you, * but I was immensely pleased to read in...

To Fabatus. I am delighted that the visit of my friend Tiro was so agreeable to you, * but I was immensely pleased to read in your letter that you had taken advantage of the fact that your visitor was a proconsul to give a number of your slaves their freedom. For while I am anxious that our native district should grow richer in all good things, I am specially anxious that the number of its citizens should increase, as that is the soundest distinction of which a town can boast. I was also pleased, though not of course in the way of courting favour, when you went on to say that they had joined my name with yours in returning thanks and acknowledging your kindness. As Xenophon remarks, ** praise is the sweetest thing a man can hear, especially if he thinks he deserves it. Farewell. [Note: See letters 16 and 23 of this book. ] [Note: Memorabilia, ii. 1.13.]

L To Fabatus. I am delighted that the visit of my friend Tiro was so agreeable to you, * but I was immensely pleased to read in your letter that you had taken advantage of the fact that your visitor was a proconsul to give a number of your slaves their freedom. For while I am anxious that our native district should grow richer in all good things, I am specially anxious that the number of its citizens should increase, as that is the soundest distinction of which a town can boast. I was also pleased, though not of course in the way of courting favour, when you went on to say that they had joined my name with yours in returning thanks and acknowledging your kindness. As Xenophon remarks, ** praise is the sweetest thing a man can hear, especially if he thinks he deserves it. Farewell. (*) See letters 16 and 23 of this book. (**) Memorabilia, ii. 1.13.

C. PLINIUS FABATO PROSOCERO SUO S. Delector iucundum tibi fuisse Tironis mei adventum; quod vero scribis oblata occasione proconsulis plurimos manumissos, unice laetor. Cupio enim patriam nostram omnibus quidem rebus augeri, maxime tamen civium numero: id enim oppidis firmissimum ornamentum. Illud etiam me non ut ambitiosum sed tamen iuvat, quod adicis te meque et gratiarum actione et laude celebratos. Est enim, ut Xenophon ait,ἥδιστον ἄκουσμα ἔπαινος, utique si te mereri putes. Vale.