Letter 61
I know you're advising me out of genuine love. But a reconciliation requires its author to be the one who caused the unjust falling-out. Otherwise, the injured party looks like he's forgotten the harm done to him, patching things up as if nothing happened.
So I don't refuse the offered peace — but let the one who caused the offense restore the relationship, with due consideration for what happened.
As for you, I'm deeply grateful, as our friendship warrants: your efforts will serve the public good. I'll say less about that for now — a matter that concerns everyone is never content with a single witness, and I must be careful to celebrate your achievements without seeming to have forgotten my own modesty. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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St. Ambrose begs Theodosius to listen to him, as he cannot be silent without great risk to both. He points out that Theodosius though God-fearing may be led astray, and points out that his decision respecting the restoration of the Jewish synagogue is full of peril, exposing the bishop to the danger of either acting against the truth or of death.