Theodoret of Cyrrhus→an Unknown Correspondent|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
education books
To an Unknown Correspondent.
The prophet speaks of the wise listener alongside the excellent counselor — and I am thinking of you in that same spirit. I am sending you the commentary I have written on the divine Apostle, not so much to a wise listener as to a just and perceptive judge. When goldsmiths want to know whether their gold is pure and unalloyed, they touch it to the testing stone. I have sent my book to Your Reverence for the same reason: I want to know whether it holds up under scrutiny, or whether it needs further refining.
You read it and sent it back — but said nothing. Your silence leads me to conclude that the judge has rendered a verdict of condemnation but is too kind to say so outright. Please set aside any such hesitation. Don't spare my feelings; tell me your honest opinion of the book.
Letter 1
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To an Unknown Correspondent.
In the words of the prophet we find the wise hearer mentioned with the excellent councillor. I, however, send the book I have written on the divine Apostle, not as much to a wise hearer as to a just and clever judge. When goldsmiths wish to find out if their gold is refined and unalloyed, they apply it to the touchstone; and just so I sent my book to your reverence, for I wish to know whether it is what it should be, or needs some fining down. You have read it and returned it, but have said nothing to me on this point. Your silence leads me to conjecture that the judge has given sentence of condemnation, but is unwilling to hurt my feelings by telling me so. Pray dismiss any such idea, and do not hesitate to tell me your opinion about the book.
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To an Unknown Correspondent.
The prophet speaks of the wise listener alongside the excellent counselor — and I am thinking of you in that same spirit. I am sending you the commentary I have written on the divine Apostle, not so much to a wise listener as to a just and perceptive judge. When goldsmiths want to know whether their gold is pure and unalloyed, they touch it to the testing stone. I have sent my book to Your Reverence for the same reason: I want to know whether it holds up under scrutiny, or whether it needs further refining.
You read it and sent it back — but said nothing. Your silence leads me to conclude that the judge has rendered a verdict of condemnation but is too kind to say so outright. Please set aside any such hesitation. Don't spare my feelings; tell me your honest opinion of the book.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.