Letter 49: It is the nature of mirrors to reflect the faces of those who look into them -- anyone who gazes at one sees his own...
To Damianus, Bishop of Sidon,
It is the nature of mirrors to reflect the faces of those who look into them -- anyone who gazes at one sees his own features. The same is true of the pupils of our eyes: they show us other people's likenesses.
Your holiness furnishes a perfect example of this. You have not actually seen my ugliness -- you have simply gazed with admiration at your own beauty. I truly possess none of the qualities you ascribed to me. Still, it is my prayer that your words may yet be vindicated by reality, and I beg your piety to bring it about by your prayers that your praises do not fall to the ground for want of anything real to support them.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Related Letters
I had hoped at this time to receive frequent letters from Your Holiness.
To the Soldiers,
Since I know, beloved of God, how generous and bountiful your right hand is, I am placing a precious opportunity...
To the Same.
Since our letter carrier is already rushing to the ship and I myself am hurrying to match his haste, I will set down...