Letter 102

To Pylaemenes. I ask your friendship and protection for my dear Sosenas — born and raised amid learning, yet not meeting with the fortune that learning deserves. He blames his city's miserable condition and has convinced himself that one can change one's luck by changing one's address. He is heading for Constantinople, persuaded that where a king is, there Fortune is also — and perhaps Fortune will discover him there. Do for him whatever you can. You deserve to have power, and to help the unfortunate rise. If Sosenas needs introductions to your friends, make them yourself.

Letter 102: A Recommendation [1] To Pylaemenes I ask your friendship and protection for my dear Sosenas, born and brought up in learning, who is not meeting with the rewards from fortune which should follow learning. He throws the blame on his city's unfortunate condition, and some line of reasoning is persuading him that it is possible to change one's fortune with one's domicile. He is going to the Imperial city , persuaded as he is that where a king is, there Fortune is also, and will perchance discover him. [2] Accomplish for him whatever he desires, if it is in your power, for you are worthy to have power, and to assist to good fortune those that are in need. If Sosenas has any need of your friends, you will introduce him to them yourself.