Letter 7047: Friendship was invented so that the exchange of favors might serve mutual benefit.

Quintus Aurelius SymmachusPatricium|c. 387 AD|Quintus Aurelius Symmachus
friendship

Friendship was invented so that the exchange of favors might serve mutual benefit. That maxim speaks directly to the present case. I'm confident your generosity won't leave the petition of my brother Callistianus and his wife without the sacred favor they seek -- their request is just and follows the usual procedure.

Since nothing stands in the way of what they're asking, lend your goodwill to their cause. Kindness is second nature to you, which spares me the labor of a long plea. It would almost be an insult to heap on entreaties when a simple mention should suffice. Farewell.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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