Letter 62

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: John, Presbyter Date: ~440 AD Context: Theodoret explains his preference for quiet obscurity, then warmly responds to hearing that John had praised him in a gathering -- initiating a correspondence by letter to match John's spoken kindness. To the Presbyter John, One of the men formerly called wise said, "Live unseen." I applaud the sentiment and have resolved to put it into practice. I see nothing wrong with gathering what is good from any source -- just as bees, they say, draw their sweet nectar from bitter herbs as well as wholesome ones, and I have seen them myself settling on a bare rock to suck up its meager moisture. It is far more reasonable for those of us credited with reason to harvest what is good wherever we find it. So, as I said, I try to live unseen. Above all men I love peace and quiet. But the very devout presbyter Eusebius, on his recent return from your region, reported that you had held a meeting at which my name came up, and that your piety spoke well of my insignificant self. I thought it ungrateful -- unfair, really -- that someone who had spoken so kindly of me should receive nothing in return. We may have done nothing worthy of praise, but we admire the intention behind such words, for praise of this kind is the offspring of affection. So I greet your reverence, using as my messenger the same man who brought me your unwritten words. You were first in speech; I am first in writing -- I answer your spoken word with a letter. It remains for you now to answer letter with letter.

Letter 62 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To the Presbyter John. A saying of one of the men who used to be called wise was, Live unseen. I applaud the sentiment, and have determined to confirm the word by deed, for I see no impropriety in gathering what is good from others, just as bees, it is said, gather their honey and draw forth the sweet dew from bitter herbs as well as from them that are good to eat, and I myself have seen them settling on a barren rock and sucking up its scanty moisture. Far more reasonable is it for them that are credited with reason to harvest what is good from every source; so, as I said, I try to live unseen, and above all men am I a lover of peace and quiet. On his recent return from your part of the world the very pious presbyter Eusebius announced that you had held a certain meeting, and that in the course of conversation mention had been made of me, and that your piety spoke with praise of my insignificant self. I have therefore deemed it ungrateful, and indeed unfair, that he who spoke thus well and kindly of me should fail to be paid in like coin; for although we have done nothing worthy of praise still we admire the intention of them that thus praise us, for such praise is the off-spring of affection. Wherefore I salute your reverence, using as a means of conveyance of my letter him who has brought to me the unwritten words which you have spoken about me. When, most pious sir, you have received my letter, write in reply. You were first in speech; I in writing; and I answer speech by letter. It remains now to you to answer letter for letter.