Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Eustathius, of Sebasteia|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
humor
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Eustathius, Bishop of Berytus
Date: ~440 AD
Context: A playful response to Eustathius's complaint about not receiving enough letters.
To Eustathius, Bishop of Berytus [modern Beirut],
I gladly accept the accusation, though I have no trouble disproving it. I have written not three letters but four. I suspect one of two things: either the people who promised to deliver them failed me, or your piety received them all but still wants more -- and so has trumped up a charge of laziness against me.
As I said, the accusation does not distress me. On the contrary, it is clear proof of the warmth of your affection. So by all means keep at it. Don't stop pressing your complaint -- it brings me nothing but pleasure.
Letter 48
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To Eustathius, Bishop of Berytus.
I have gladly received the accusation, although I have no difficulty in disproving the indictment. I have written not three letters only but four; and I suspect one of two things; either those who promised to convey the letters did me wrong in the matter of their delivery, or else your piety, though in receipt of them, is yet anxious for more, and so gets up a charge of idleness against me. I, as I said before, am not distressed at the accusation, for it is plain proof to me of the warmth of your affection. Continue then to ply your craft, cease not to prefer your complaint and so to cause pleasure to myself.
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From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Eustathius, Bishop of Berytus
Date:~440 AD
Context:A playful response to Eustathius's complaint about not receiving enough letters.
To Eustathius, Bishop of Berytus [modern Beirut],
I gladly accept the accusation, though I have no trouble disproving it. I have written not three letters but four. I suspect one of two things: either the people who promised to deliver them failed me, or your piety received them all but still wants more -- and so has trumped up a charge of laziness against me.
As I said, the accusation does not distress me. On the contrary, it is clear proof of the warmth of your affection. So by all means keep at it. Don't stop pressing your complaint -- it brings me nothing but pleasure.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.