Letter 1033: I have no time for the common run of philosophers who fake wisdom with pretentious clothing and a haughty air.

I take no notice of the rest, that ignoble crowd who counterfeit philosophy by their disdainful airs and their dress. Our age has produced few true philosophers, and among these especially my friend Barachus, men whose genuine wisdom inclines toward the wisdom of antiquity. "Then," you will say, "would you dare to pass judgment on philosophers?" It is permitted to look upon virtues that are not one's own. For a great many men untrained in that art have admired both the Olympian Jupiter of Phidias and the heifer of Myron and the basket-bearers of Polyclitus. The capacity for understanding lies more generously open. Otherwise, excellent things would win the approval of only a few, if the appreciation of every good thing did not reach even those unequal to it. Grant me, therefore, the office of being a witness concerning Barachus, and embrace the friendship of a prudent man, whose testing will shortly bring it about that you readily believe me concerning all the things that I know, when you see that I am not mistaken even in those things which I do not know. Farewell. XXX (XXXII), A.D. 370-379.

Nihil moror ceteros vulgus ignobile, qui philosophiam fastu et habitu mentiuntur. paucos et in his praecipue familiarem meum Barachum nostra aetas tulit, quorum germana sapientia ad ye/ustatem vergeret. tune, inquies, audeas de philosophis iudi- 5 care? licet alienas spectare virtutes. nam et Phidiae Olympium lovem et Myronis buculam et Polt/cliti canephoras rudis eius artis hominum pars magna mirata est. intellegendi natura indulgentius patet. alioqui praeclara rerum paucis probarentur, si boni cuiusque sensus etiam ad inpares non veniret. concede igitur mihi de Baracho testis officium et amicitiam viri prudentis amplectere, cuius exploratio brevi faciet, ut 10 mihi de omnibus, quae scio, facile credas, cum videas, me nec in his falsum esse, quae nescio. vale. XXX (xxnn) a. 370—379.