Letter 4033: I was wondering what could possibly explain the fact that a man so devoted to the courtesies of friendship had...
I was wondering what could possibly explain the fact that a man so devoted to the courtesies of friendship had abstained so long from writing. But the contents of your letter revealed the truth: you were avoiding being the bearer of sad news, which you tried to conceal beneath a longer silence.
I understand and forgive you — but know that I would rather share in your sorrows promptly than learn of them belatedly. Between true friends, bad news should travel as quickly as good. Your grief is my grief, and I would have it no other way. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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