Letter 5059: It is right to support those who desire honorable things, so that worthy intentions may be aided by the backing of...

From: Quintus Aurelius Symmachus To: [Unnamed correspondent] Date: ~392 AD Context: A letter supporting someone with honorable ambitions. It is right to support those who desire honorable things, so that worthy intentions may be aided by the backing of others. The bearer of this letter has asked for my support, and I give it gladly. His aims are legitimate, his character is sound, and the cause he pursues is just. I ask you to lend him whatever assistance you can, knowing that favor shown to a worthy man is never wasted.

Prompte favendum est honesta cupientibus, ut probabiles voluntates alieno etiam iuventur adnisu. quapropter opis indigum esse non patior Felicem sanctissimum in- venem ad electiora tendentem. qui ubi fori urbani dissensiones utpote ingenio mitis lo exhorruit, modestiori causidicinae dare nomen adfectat; quem meus quoque hortatus animavit. spopondi enim bonae indoli et moribus defaecatis nequaquam defore tuae mentis auxilium. ergo exoratus ac facilis non ut transfugam sedis alterius. sed ut adfectatorem fori quietioris amplectere; qui tibi f beneficiisque debebit, quidquid ei ex officio bonae fortunae aut commoditatis accesserit. 15 LXXVI (LXXnil) a. 387.