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To my Brother.
Do not tell me you did not know the messenger carrying the Paschal letters was leaving. You saw him and ignored him. It did not seem worth your trouble to think of your brother, to send a letter telling me how you are and how things stand with you.
Everything that concerns you is always of interest to me. I am in trouble over all my own affairs, so I would at least like the consolation of rejoicing in yours — but you deny me even that. You should not treat me this way, quite apart from the fact that we share the same parents, were raised together, and educated side by side. What has not been shared between us? Everything in our lives has worked to bind us to each other.
They say adversity is a terrible thing, and when disaster strikes, everything in this world is put to the test — including the feelings of brothers and friends. I would be content just to hear news of you, even from others. But let God be the giver of good things — I long to hear something good about you.
Letter 8: A Reproach
[1] To his Brother
You will not tell me, I am sure, that you were ignorant of the departure of the messenger who carries the Paschal letters. Rather was it that, seeing him, you took no notice of him, and it did not seem to you worth your while to call your brother to mind, and to send a letter to let him know how you were, and the state of your affairs in general. [2] Whatever concerns you is always a matter of interest to me; for, as I am in trouble about all my own affairs, I would fain rejoice in yours; but you deprive me even of this consolation. You should not have treated me thus, let alone the fact that we are born of the same parents, were brought up together, and have had our education in common. [3] What indeed has not been given in common to both of us? Everything has combined to unite us in every way to each other. Truly, adversity is a terrible thing to face, or so they say, and when disastrous times come to any one, all things in this world, the sentiments of brothers and friends included, are put to the test. [4] I shall be quite content, however, to have some news of you, even though it be from others. Only let God be the dispenser of good things, for I desire to hear some such good tidings concerning you.
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To my Brother.
Do not tell me you did not know the messenger carrying the Paschal letters was leaving. You saw him and ignored him. It did not seem worth your trouble to think of your brother, to send a letter telling me how you are and how things stand with you.
Everything that concerns you is always of interest to me. I am in trouble over all my own affairs, so I would at least like the consolation of rejoicing in yours — but you deny me even that. You should not treat me this way, quite apart from the fact that we share the same parents, were raised together, and educated side by side. What has not been shared between us? Everything in our lives has worked to bind us to each other.
They say adversity is a terrible thing, and when disaster strikes, everything in this world is put to the test — including the feelings of brothers and friends. I would be content just to hear news of you, even from others. But let God be the giver of good things — I long to hear something good about you.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.