Letters — Letter 39 — To Sophronius, Prefect of Constantinople

(Around the same time. This is a recommendation of one Amazonius, whose learning was greatly respected by Gregory.)

(About the same date. A recommendation of one Amazonius, whose learning was much respected by Gregory.)

I wish well to all my friends. When I speak of friends, I mean honorable and good people who are united with me in virtue—if indeed I have any claim to virtue myself. So right now, as I was looking for a way to do a kindness for my excellent brother Amazonius (I was very impressed with him during some recent interactions we've had), I thought I could repay all his kindness with one favor—your friendship and protection. In a short time he demonstrated proof of a broad education, both the kind I used to be very enthusiastic about when I was shortsighted, and the kind I now pursue instead since I've been able to see the summit of virtue. Whether I in turn seemed to him to be worth anything regarding virtue is his business. At any rate, I showed him the best things I have, namely my friends, presenting them to him as my friend. Among these I consider you the first and truest, and I want you to show yourself that way to him—as your shared homeland requires, and as my desire and promise request. For I promised him your patronage in return for all his kindness.

I wish well to all my friends. And when I speak of friends, I mean honourable and good men, linked with me in virtue, if indeed I myself have any claim to it. Therefore at the present time when seeking how I might do a kindness to my excellent brother Amazonius (for I was very much pleased with the man in some intercourse which has lately taken place between us), I thought I might return him one favour for all — in your friendship and protection. For in a short time he showed proof of an extensive education, both of the kind which I used once to be very zealous for, when I was shortsighted, and of that for which I am zealous in its place since I have been able to contemplate the summit of virtue. Whether I in my turn have appeared to him to be worth anything in respect of virtue is his affair. At any rate I showed him the best things I have, namely, my friends to him as my friend. Of these I reckon you as the first and truest, and want you to show yourself so to him — as your common Country demands, and my desire and promise begs; for I promised him your patronage in return for all his kindness.