Letter 5004: As for the fact that I sent a letter but received none in return — I attribute it to friendship, but I credit it...
Sidonius to his friend Simplicius.
As for the fact that I sent a letter but received none in return — I attribute it to friendship, but I credit it even more to modesty. For unless I am unfair in my judgment, the failure to return my greeting was not contempt but shyness. But if you continue to shut and bolt your door against my chattering page, I shall, of course, not begrudge you your peace — but I give you notice that I will find my culprits not far from you.
For it is not unfair to redirect the full blame for your silence onto the arrogance of your sons, who — sensing that they are loved — develop a certain disdain for my attentiveness. You ought to remind them, with a father's authority, to make a point of sweetening the bitterness of the offense they have given me with polished words. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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