Letter 96

To Nomus the Patrician. I have written to you two letters — three, I think — and received no reply. I had been ready to write no more, to know my own place and the distance of your dignities, and to ask you to inform me what is causing your silence. Truly I do not know what offense I can have given your Excellency. We err both willingly and unwillingly, and sometimes we are completely ignorant of where we have transgressed. I therefore beg your Greatness — remembering the divine laws that plainly instruct us: "If your brother sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone" — to deign to make plain to me the origin of this displeasure. Either I will be able to demonstrate my innocence, or, having been shown where I was wrong, I will ask your pardon. The evidence of my conscience gives me confidence in hoping for the first outcome. All men are adorned by magnanimity — and not least those who, trained as your Excellency has been in the learning of the schools as well as in divine principles, both hear the apostolic command "Do not let the sun go down on your anger" and remember the words of Homer: "In fit bounds contain your mighty mind; benignity is best." I write this not as though giving you new information, but as a reminder to one who is much occupied — and in obedience to the law of the Lord who says: "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." In obedience to these words I have thought it right to greet your Excellency through the devout bishops, and to urge you to give heed to the peace of the churches.

Letter 96 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 Nomus the Patrician. I have written to you two letters, indeed I think three, but without getting any answer. I had wished to say no more, but to know my own place and the greatness of dignities, and to beg you to inform me of the cause of your silence. Really I do not know what offense I can have given to your excellency. We err unwillingly as well as willingly, and sometimes are quite ignorant in what way we are transgressing. I therefore beg your greatness, remembering the divine laws which plainly charge us If your brother shall trespass against you go and tell him his fault between him and you alone to deign to make plain to me the origin of the annoyance, that I may either prove myself innocent, or, made aware of where I was wrong, may beg your pardon. In my confidence in the evidence of my conscience I hope for the former. All men are adorned by magnanimity, and not least those who, following the example of your excellency, trained in outside education as well as instructed in divine principles, both hear the apostolic laws loudly exclaiming Let not the sun go down upon your wrath and remember the words of Homer In fit bounds contain your mighty mind; Benignity is best. I have thus written not as though giving you information, but to remind one who is much occupied, and I do so in remembrance of the law of the Lord, who says Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you; leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. In obedience to these words I have thought it right to salute your excellency by the most pious bishops, and to exhort you to give heed to the tranquillity of the churches. They are indeed overwhelmed by a great storm.