Do not be surprised if I ask a great favor of you, for I am asking it from a great man, and the request should be measured by the person being asked. It is equally absurd to ask great things from a small man and small things from a great man—the first being inappropriate and the second being petty. Therefore I present to you personally my most precious son Amphilochius, a man so distinguished (even beyond his years) for his gentlemanly conduct that I myself, though an old man, a priest, and your friend, would be quite content to be as highly regarded. What is surprising if he was deceived by a man's pretended friendship and did not suspect the fraud? Since he is not a rogue himself, he did not suspect roguery, but thought that correction of speech rather than of character was needed, and therefore entered into a business partnership with him. What blame can honest men attach to him for this? Do not then allow wickedness to triumph over virtue, and do not dishonor my gray hairs, but honor my testimony and add your kindness to my blessing, which perhaps carries some weight with God before whom we stand.
Do not be surprized if I ask of you a great favour; for it is from a great man that I am asking it, and the request must be measured by him of whom it is made; for it is equally absurd to ask great things from a small man, and small things from a great man, the one being unseasonable, and the other mean. I therefore present to you with my own hand my most precious son Amphilochius, a man so famous (even beyond his years) for his gentlemanly bearing, that I myself, though an old man, and a Priest, and your friend, would be quite content to be as much esteemed. What wonder is it if he was cheated by a man's pretended friendship, and did not suspect the swindle? For not being himself a rogue, he did not suspect roguery, but thought that correction of language rather than of character was what was wanted, and therefore entered into partnership with him in business. What blame can attach to him for this with honest men? Do not then allow wickedness to get the better of virtue; and do not dishonour my grey hairs, but do honour to my testimony, and add your kindness to my benedictions, which are perhaps of some account with God before Whom we stand.