Letter 3050: It is superfluous labor to recommend the conspicuous -- like holding a torch before someone standing in sunlight.

It is the part of a busybody to commend men already plainly in view; it is as if you were to carry a torch before those set in the full sunlight, and were eager to assist the brightness of the day with a kindled lamp. For that reason, in the present case, putting no obstacle in the way, I have dedicated the service of my pen to your greeting as a witness of duty. Nevertheless I would have you, in my name too, hold dear our young kinsman Postumianus, a man of the highest rank, so that he may understand that this seeming omission of his praise has brought him the greater honor. [Letter] 47. To Eutropius. I count it a weighty gift that you join to my friendship men of refined integrity. You do this in keeping with your other kindness toward me, nor do you ever cease your effort to take counsel for whatever may turn out to my advantage. What if I were also to give you thanks in the name of my brother Sabinus? Trusted by you in good part, he has brought so much in the way of recommendation that it is as if he were already approved by all. Plainly worthy of the testimony of such a man, since you have granted it to him for his commendation, you will be reckoned to have rendered this service to the others as well to whom he has been commended. Farewell. [Around the year 379?] To Eutropius. When you set out to seek Rome again at your convenience, I have given myself over to reading in my retreat near the city. For long indeed we have been kept from this occupation by anxiety clamoring against it. Now since you are absent, who are the older part of my friends, let the writings of the ancients perform the office of your conversation in your stead. I had lately, however, changed the city for the countryside, both that my time might be broken up between Praeneste and Algidus, and the intervention of household business has interrupted my leisure. Therefore I am now choosing my road, having laid aside the things I was reading. If there is anything besides that you need to know, my man Palladius will indicate it; I grieve no less that he has been drawn away from the Roman youth than I rejoice that he has been summoned in hope of his own honor. [Apparatus: line 11 "officio" in F; line 12 "that he may understand, that something here has been added to his honor. Farewell" in F. Line 16 "in grave dono" (Lectius); "in gravido non" in P; "Iuretius, but" in P. Line 27 "ut" in P; second hand in the blank space "aestas" (Iuretius); "aetas" in P; "et" conjectured, but P. Line 29 "scitu" (Iuretius); "scito" in P and F.] [Letter] 51. To Eutropius. [in P and F] I for my part render abundant thanks to your zeal, because you procure for me the close friendship of each most approved man. But my brother Hyperechius has long since been a Roman by his training. Why then do you commend to me my own good things? Hand over to me others, unknown to my use, similar in their amendment of character! If, however, the rarity of virtues should grant that you find one or another of equally refined integrity, those friends acquired through your kindness I shall reckon as ones I do not know; but this man you have restored to me rather than given. [Letter] 52. [Around the year 387.]

Saperforanei laboris est commendare conspicaos, at si in sole positis facem prae- feras et accensa laminam claritadinem diei gestias adiavare. idcirco inpraesentiaram 10 nihil moratas testis offieiam salatationi taae stili operam dedicavi. ta tamen Postamiar- nam fratrem nostram iavenem de sammatibas roeo qaoqae nomine velim diligas, ut intellegat, istam velati omissionem laadis saae plas honoris habaisse. xxxxvira. AD EVTROPIVM. 15 In gravi dono habeo, qaod amicitiae meae viros edecamatae honestatis adinngis. facis hoc pro cetera erga me diligentia taa , nec amqaam desistis operam, qaod mihi ex asa accidat, consalendi. qaid si tibi etiam fratris mei Sabini nomine gratias agam ? qai a te in bonam partem creditas tantam praerogativae attalit, at si foret omnibas iam probatas. dignas plane talis viri iestimonio, qaod cam illi ad commendationem 20 sai tribaeris, existimaris hoc aliis, qaibas commendatas est, praestitisse. vale. L a. 379? AD EVTROPIVM. Cam ta Romam commodam repetis, ego me in secessa antearbano adseroi lectioni. dia qaippe ab hoc negotio cara obstrepente desedimas. nanc abi ta abes pars anti- 25 qaior amiconim meoram, vicem sermonis tai veterom scripta fungantar. haat oliui tamen arbem rare mataveram, at ae^tas mihi Praenestino Algido frangeretar, et inter- ventas familiaris negotii ropit otiam meam. ergo iam viam lego depositis, qaae lege- bam. si qaid 'praeterea scitu opas est, meas Palladias indicabit, qaem ego non minas doleo abdactam a iaventate Romana, qaam gratalor in spem sai honoris accitom. 30 II offlclo F 12 ut inteiligat, hic honori suo aliqoid aceessisse. uale F 16 in grani dono] LeetHu, in grauido non P Iureiu8y aut P 27 ut P 2 m. in tpatio vaeuo aestas] luretusy aetas P et] eyo, sed P 29 sdtu] luretua, scito PiF) LI. AD EVTROPIVM. PF Ago qnidem studio tuo uberes gratias, qnod mihi familiaritatem probatissimi cnins- qne conciliaB. sed frater mens Hyperechins iamdndam institntione Romauns est. cnr s igitnr mihi bona nostra commendas? cedo alios nsn incognitos emendatione consi- miles! si tamen raritas virtntam admiscrit, nt nnnm ant alternm aeque edecnmatae honestatis invenias. illos ego amicos beneficio tuo adqnisitos putabo, quos nescio; at istnm mihi reddidisti potius qnam dedisti. LII a. 387.