What does extensive experience, especially experience of good, do for people? It teaches kindness and makes them favorably disposed toward those who ask them for help. There is no better teacher of compassion than having previously received goodness oneself. This has happened to me among others. I have learned compassion through the things I have suffered. And do you see my greatness of soul when I myself need your gentleness in my own affairs? I intercede for others and do not fear that I might use up all your kindness on other people's concerns. I am writing in this way on behalf of the Presbyter Leontius—or, if I may describe him this way, the former Presbyter. If he has suffered enough for what he has done, let us stop there, so that excess does not become injustice. And if there is still some balance of punishment due, and the consequences of his crime have not yet equaled his offense, still remit it for our sake and God's, and for the sake of the sanctuary and the general assembly of the priests, among whom he was once counted, even though he has now shown himself unworthy of them, both by what he has done and by what he has suffered. If I can prevail with you, that will be best; but if not, I will bring to you a more powerful intercessor, she who is the partner of both your rule and your good reputation.
What does much experience, and experience of good do for men? It teaches kindness, and inclines them to those who entreat them. There is no such education in pity as the previous reception of goodness. This has happened to myself among others. I have learned compassion by the things which I have suffered. And do you see my greatness of soul when I myself need your gentleness in my own affairs? I intercede for others, and do not fear lest I should exhaust all your kindness on other men's concerns. I am writing thus on behalf of the Presbyter Leontius — or, if I may so describe him, the ex-Presbyter. If he has suffered sufficiently for what he has done, let us stop there, lest excess become injustice. And if there is still any balance of punishment due, and the consequences of his crime have not yet equalled his offense, yet remit it for our sake and God's, and that of the sanctuary, and the general assembly of the priests, among whom he was once numbered, even though he has now shown himself unworthy of them, both by what he has done and by what he has suffered. If I can prevail with you it will be best; but if not, I will bring to you a more powerful intercessor, her who is the partner both of your rule and of your good fame.