Letter 46: To Anastasius [one of Synesius's dearest friends, tutor to Emperor Arcadius's children].

To Anastasius [one of Synesius's dearest friends, tutor to Emperor Arcadius's children]. It was not generous of Amasis to steel his heart against tears over the misfortunes of Polycrates — misfortunes he had foreseen. He sent a herald to break off their friendship, rather than share in the suffering. I find this hard to excuse in a king, let alone a friend. But you — you have done the same thing. You knew disaster was coming to me, and you withdrew. I will not complain further. I will only say this: if I had been in your position and you in mine, I would not have acted as you have done.

Letter 46: A Reproach [1] To Anastasius note [One of Synesius' dearest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople ; he was the tutor of the children of the emperor Arcadius . Adressee of letters 43 , 22 , 79 , and 46 (this one); cf. 100 .] It was not generous of Amasis to steel his heart against tears over the misfortunes of Polycrates , misfortunes which he had forseen. He sent a herald to him while he was still prosperous, to announce the breaking off of the friendship, thus making it evident that he would have also lamented with him had the misfortune preceded this act of rupture. [2] You also stood by us as long as we did not incur the disfavor of Fortune, then later on you disappeared with her. For the story is circulated by those who have come from Thrace , that you neither say nor think any good of me. This is clearly not to renounce friendship: it is to announce enmity. It was quite enough in any case not to share my sorrow, but to add to these sorrows still further surpasses harshness, and is worthy neither of Amasis nor even of a man. [3] No doubt you had an eye for your own interests. Do what you must, so long as you do it rejoicing, for it would only be half an evil, if even by the ills I suffer I could bring pleasure to my friends.