To Sapaudus [a rhetorician, probably based in Vienne or Arles].
If the distinguished Pragmatius does anything supremely well among his many virtues of character, it is that his love of literature leads him to a singular affection for you — the one man in whom he perceives that the last traces of the old learning and diligence have survived. His admiration is well-founded, for he owes an abundant debt to letters.
Long ago, when Pragmatius was speaking in public and bringing down the house in the rhetorical schools with his applause-winning oratory, his eloquent father-in-law took him of his own accord into a patrician family — even though his youth, good looks, and modesty would have been recommendation enough, to say nothing of his birth or wealth. But even then, as I am told, this serious man was embarrassed to have won approval for his appearance, when his talent alone would have been enough to earn affection. And indeed the best men win greater approval by their character than their beauty — while the fleeting ornaments of the body fade with the passage of advancing years. Later, the prefect Priscus Valerianus likewise attached him to his council and tribunal, maintaining the same consistent judgment: to a man he had joined to his family for learning, he now joined public office.
But your own style is so distinguished and outstanding that the analytical precision of Palaemon, the gravity of Gallio, the abundance of Delphidius, the discipline of Agroecius, the power of Alcimus, the tenderness of Adelphius, the rigor of Magnus, and the sweetness of Victorius [all famous Gallic rhetoricians and grammarians of the fourth and fifth centuries] would be found not merely no better but scarcely their equal. And lest you think I am flattering you with this seemingly hyperbolic catalogue of rhetoricians, I am quite willing — indeed eager — to compare you with the sharpness of Quintilian and the grandeur of Palladius alone.
Therefore, if anyone still cherishes Latin learning after your time, he thanks this friendship of yours. And anyone with a soul would wish to be admitted as a third party to your fellowship. Though — and this is the graver thought — such ambition is unlikely to arouse your disdain, since few now honor letters, and it is a natural human failing that those who do not understand an art do not admire the artist. Farewell.
EPISTULA X
Sidonius Sapaudo suo salutem.
1. Si quid omnino Pragmatius illustris, hoc inter reliquas animi virtutes optime facit, quod amore studiorum te singulariter amat, in quo solo vel maxume animum advertit veteris peritiae diligentiaeque resedisse vestigia. equidem non iniuria tibi fautor est; nam debetur ab eo percopiosus litteris honor.
2. hunc olim perorantem et rhetorica sedilia plausibili oratione frangentem socer eloquens ultro in familiam patriciam ascivit, licet illi ad hoc, ut sileam de genere vel censu, aetas venustas pudor patrocinarentur. sed, ut comperi, erubescebat iam tunc vir serius et formae dote placuisse, quippe cui merito ingenii suffecisset adamari. et vero optimus quisque morum praestantius pulchritudine placet; porro autem praetervolantia corporis decoramenta currentis aevi profectu defectuque labascunt. hunc quoque manente sententia Galliis post praefectus Priscus Valerianus consiliis suis tribunalibusque sociavit, iudicium antiquum perseverantissime tenens, ut cui scientiae obtentu iunxerat sobolem, iungeret et dignitatem.
3. tua vero tam clara, tam spectabilis dictio est, ut illi divisio Palaemonis gravitas Gallionis, abundantia Delphidii Agroecii disciplina, fortitudo Alcimi Adelphii teneritudo, rigor Magni dulcedo Victorii non modo non superiora sed vix aequiperabilia scribant. sane ne videar tibi sub hoc quasi hyperbolico rhetorum catalogo blanditus quippiam gratificatusque, solam tibi acrimoniam Quintiliani pompamque Palladii comparari non ambio sed potius adquiesco.
4. quapropter si quis post vos Latiae favet eruditioni, huic amicitiae gratias agit et sodalitati vestrae, si quid hominis habet, tertius optat adhiberi. quamquam, quod est gravius, non sit satis ambitus iste fastidium vobis excitaturus, quia pauci studia nunc honorant, simul et naturali vitio fixum est radicatumque pectoribus humanis, ut qui non intelligunt artes non mirentur artifices. vale.
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To Sapaudus [a rhetorician, probably based in Vienne or Arles].
If the distinguished Pragmatius does anything supremely well among his many virtues of character, it is that his love of literature leads him to a singular affection for you — the one man in whom he perceives that the last traces of the old learning and diligence have survived. His admiration is well-founded, for he owes an abundant debt to letters.
Long ago, when Pragmatius was speaking in public and bringing down the house in the rhetorical schools with his applause-winning oratory, his eloquent father-in-law took him of his own accord into a patrician family — even though his youth, good looks, and modesty would have been recommendation enough, to say nothing of his birth or wealth. But even then, as I am told, this serious man was embarrassed to have won approval for his appearance, when his talent alone would have been enough to earn affection. And indeed the best men win greater approval by their character than their beauty — while the fleeting ornaments of the body fade with the passage of advancing years. Later, the prefect Priscus Valerianus likewise attached him to his council and tribunal, maintaining the same consistent judgment: to a man he had joined to his family for learning, he now joined public office.
But your own style is so distinguished and outstanding that the analytical precision of Palaemon, the gravity of Gallio, the abundance of Delphidius, the discipline of Agroecius, the power of Alcimus, the tenderness of Adelphius, the rigor of Magnus, and the sweetness of Victorius [all famous Gallic rhetoricians and grammarians of the fourth and fifth centuries] would be found not merely no better but scarcely their equal. And lest you think I am flattering you with this seemingly hyperbolic catalogue of rhetoricians, I am quite willing — indeed eager — to compare you with the sharpness of Quintilian and the grandeur of Palladius alone.
Therefore, if anyone still cherishes Latin learning after your time, he thanks this friendship of yours. And anyone with a soul would wish to be admitted as a third party to your fellowship. Though — and this is the graver thought — such ambition is unlikely to arouse your disdain, since few now honor letters, and it is a natural human failing that those who do not understand an art do not admire the artist. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.