Since I am addressing a man who does not love falsehood and who is the sharpest person I know at detecting it in another, no matter how it may be wrapped up in skillful and complicated deceptions; and moreover, on my own part I will say it, though reluctantly, I do not like artifice either, both because of my natural character and because God's Word has shaped me this way. Therefore I write what comes to my mind, and I ask you to forgive my plain speaking, or you will wrong the truth by taking away my freedom and forcing me to keep the pain of my grief bottled up inside myself, like some hidden and harmful disease. I am glad that I have your respect (for I am a man, as someone has said before), and that I am invited to synods and spiritual conferences. But I am troubled by the disrespect that has been shown to my most reverend brother Basil, and is still being shown to him by Your Reverence; for I chose him as the companion of my life and words and highest philosophy, and he still is; and I have never had reason to regret my judgment of him. It is more restrained to speak of him this way, so that I may not seem to be praising myself by admiring him. You, however, I think, by honoring me and dishonoring him, seem to be acting like a man who strokes someone's head with one hand while striking him in the face with the other; or who tears up the foundations of a house while painting the walls and decorating the exterior. If then you will listen to me, this is what you should do, and I claim the right to be heard, for this is justice. If you will pay proper attention to him, he will do the same for you. And I will follow him as a shadow follows the body, being of little worth and inclined to peace. For I am not so petty as to be willing in other matters to pursue philosophy and to be on the better side, but to overlook a matter which is the goal of all our teaching, namely love; especially regarding a priest, and one of such high character, and one whom I know among all my acquaintances to be the best both in life and doctrine and conduct. For my pain shall not obscure the truth.
Since I am addressing a man who does not love falsehood, and who is the keenest man I know at detecting it in another, however it may be twined in skilful and varied labyrinths; and, moreover, on my own part I will say it, though against the grain I do not like artifice, either, both from my natural constitution, and because God's Word has formed me so. Therefore I write what presents itself to my mind; and I beg you to excuse my plain speaking, or you will wrong the truth by depriving me of my liberty, and forcing me to restrain within myself the pain of my grief, like some secret and malignant disease. I rejoice that I have your respect (for I am a man, as some one has said before), and that I am summoned to Synods and spiritual conferences. But I am troubled at the slight which has been inflicted on my most Reverend brother Basil, and is still inflicted on him by Your Reverence; for I chose him as the companion of my life and words and highest philosophy, and he is so still; and I never had reason to regret my judgment of him. It is more temperate to speak thus of him, that I may not seem to be praising myself in admiring him. You, however, I think, by honouring me and dishonouring him, seem to be acting like a man who should with one hand stroke a man's head, and with the other hand strike him on the face; or while tearing up the foundations of a house should paint the walls and decorate the exterior. If then you will listen to me, this is what you will do, and I claim to be listened to, for this is justice. If you will pay due attention to him, he will do the like by you. And I will follow him as a shadow does the body, being of little worth and inclined to peace. For I am not so mean as to be willing in other respects to philosophize, and to be of the better part, but to overlook a matter which is the end of all our teaching, namely love; especially in regard to a Priest, and one of so high a character, and one whom I know of all my acquaintances to be the best both in life and doctrine and conduct. For my pain shall not obscure the truth.