Letter from Dioscorus to Augustine.
1. A preface before you is not only unnecessary but even tiresome, since you desire the substance, not fancy words. So hear me plainly. The aged Alypius, whom I asked, had repeatedly promised to discuss with you a few questions from the dialogues [of Cicero]. But since I see that your affairs and his have so far prevented this, and since I am on the very point of departing, I am compelled to write — hurried and anxious though I am — lest I should lose entirely what I sought with such effort and hoping.
2. From Cicero's "Orator": what did he mean when he said that the orator must know the nature of all things, since otherwise his speech will be empty and almost childish? And what is that perfect orator whom Cicero describes but confesses he has never seen?
3. From "On the Nature of the Gods": the Epicurean argument that the gods exist because all nations agree in this belief — does universal consent prove anything? Cicero seems to think it does; I am less certain.
4. I ask these and many other questions from his writings. I know the burden is heavy, but I also know that you bear heavier ones gladly. The brother who carries this letter is in haste; I beg you to reply as soon as your occupations permit. I shall be forever grateful.
Letter 117 (A.D. 410)
From Dioscorus to Augustine.
To you, who esteem the substance, not the style of expression, as important, any formal preamble to this letter would be not only unnecessary, but irksome. Therefore, without further preface, I beg your attention. The aged Alypius had often promised, in answer to my request, that he would, with your help, furnish a reply to a very few brief questions of mine in regard to the Dialogues of Cicero; and as he is said to be at present in Mauritania, I ask and earnestly entreat you to condescend to give, without his assistance, those answers which, even had your brother been present, it would doubtless have fallen to you to furnish. What I require is not money, it is not gold; though, if you possessed these, you would, I am sure, be willing to give them to me for any fit object. This request of mine you can grant without effort, by merely speaking. I might importune you at a greater length, and through many of your dear friends; but I know your disposition, that you do not desire to be solicited, but show kindness readily to all, if only there be nothing improper in the thing requested: and there is absolutely nothing improper in what I ask. Be this, however, as it may, I beg you to do me this kindness, for I am on the point of embarking on a voyage. You know how very painful it is to me to be burdensome to any one, and much more to one of your frank disposition; but God alone knows how irresistible is the pressure of the necessity under which I have made this application. For, taking leave of you, and committing myself to divine protection, I am about to undertake a voyage; and you know the ways of men, how prone they are to censure, and you see how any one will be regarded as illiterate and stupid who, when questions are addressed to him, can return no answer. Therefore, I implore you, answer all my queries without delay. Send me not away downcast. I ask this that so I may see my parents; for on this one errand I have sent Cerdo to you, and I now delay only till he return. My brother Zenobius has been appointed imperial remembrancer, and has sent me a free pass for my journey, with provisions. If I am not worthy of your reply, let at least the fear of my forfeiting these provisions by delay move you to give answers to my little questions. May the most high God spare you long to us in health! Papas salutes your excellency most cordially.
EPISTOLA 117
Scripta forte a. 410 ineunte.
Dioscorus quidam, natione Graecus, mittit ad Augustinum multas quaestiones ex Ciceronis libris, rogans ut mature ad eas respondeat.
1. Prooemiari apud te non solum superfluum est, sed etiam molestum, qui rem, non verba desideras. Ideoque simpliciter audi. Senex Alypius rogatus a me, saepius pollicitus erat, tecum respondere dialogorum pauculis interrogatiunculis; et quoniam in Mauritania dicitur hodieque esse, peto viribus omnibus et rogo, ut tu solus respondere digneris, quod etiam praesente ipso fratre tuo, sine dubio facturus eras. Non est pecunia, non est aurum, quod pro quovis daturus eras procul dubio, si haberes; nunc vero sine labore loqueris quod requiro. Possem te plus et per multos caros tuos exorare; sed novi animum tuum, qui non rogari desiderat, sed omnibus praestare, si tantum absit quod dedecet, quod in hac re penitus nihil est dedecoris: tamen quodcumque est, peto praestes navigaturo. Nosti quam mihi molestissimum est oneri esse, non dico Sinceritati tuae, sed cuipiam. Solus autem Deus novit quomodo nimia necessitate impulsus hoc feci. Vobis enim salvis et favente Deo navigaturus sum: et mores hominum non ignoratis, qui proclives sunt ad vituperandum, et quam, si interrogatus quis non responderit, indoctus et hebes putabitur vides. Ergo, obsecro te, ad omnia sine cunctatione responde; ne me tristem dimittas. Sic videam parentes meos; quia propter hoc solum Cerdonem misi, et ipsum exspecto solum. Frater Zenobius, Magister memoriae factus est, et misit nobis evectionem cum annonis. Si ego dignus non sum ut respondeas interrogatiunculis meis, saltem timeantur annonae. Incolumem te summa Divinitas longa nobis tueatur aetate. Papas plurimum Dignationem tuam salutat.
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Letter from Dioscorus to Augustine.
1. A preface before you is not only unnecessary but even tiresome, since you desire the substance, not fancy words. So hear me plainly. The aged Alypius, whom I asked, had repeatedly promised to discuss with you a few questions from the dialogues [of Cicero]. But since I see that your affairs and his have so far prevented this, and since I am on the very point of departing, I am compelled to write — hurried and anxious though I am — lest I should lose entirely what I sought with such effort and hoping.
2. From Cicero's "Orator": what did he mean when he said that the orator must know the nature of all things, since otherwise his speech will be empty and almost childish? And what is that perfect orator whom Cicero describes but confesses he has never seen?
3. From "On the Nature of the Gods": the Epicurean argument that the gods exist because all nations agree in this belief — does universal consent prove anything? Cicero seems to think it does; I am less certain.
4. I ask these and many other questions from his writings. I know the burden is heavy, but I also know that you bear heavier ones gladly. The brother who carries this letter is in haste; I beg you to reply as soon as your occupations permit. I shall be forever grateful.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
EPISTOLA 117
Scripta forte a. 410 ineunte.
Dioscorus quidam, natione Graecus, mittit ad Augustinum multas quaestiones ex Ciceronis libris, rogans ut mature ad eas respondeat.
1. Prooemiari apud te non solum superfluum est, sed etiam molestum, qui rem, non verba desideras. Ideoque simpliciter audi. Senex Alypius rogatus a me, saepius pollicitus erat, tecum respondere dialogorum pauculis interrogatiunculis; et quoniam in Mauritania dicitur hodieque esse, peto viribus omnibus et rogo, ut tu solus respondere digneris, quod etiam praesente ipso fratre tuo, sine dubio facturus eras. Non est pecunia, non est aurum, quod pro quovis daturus eras procul dubio, si haberes; nunc vero sine labore loqueris quod requiro. Possem te plus et per multos caros tuos exorare; sed novi animum tuum, qui non rogari desiderat, sed omnibus praestare, si tantum absit quod dedecet, quod in hac re penitus nihil est dedecoris: tamen quodcumque est, peto praestes navigaturo. Nosti quam mihi molestissimum est oneri esse, non dico Sinceritati tuae, sed cuipiam. Solus autem Deus novit quomodo nimia necessitate impulsus hoc feci. Vobis enim salvis et favente Deo navigaturus sum: et mores hominum non ignoratis, qui proclives sunt ad vituperandum, et quam, si interrogatus quis non responderit, indoctus et hebes putabitur vides. Ergo, obsecro te, ad omnia sine cunctatione responde; ne me tristem dimittas. Sic videam parentes meos; quia propter hoc solum Cerdonem misi, et ipsum exspecto solum. Frater Zenobius, Magister memoriae factus est, et misit nobis evectionem cum annonis. Si ego dignus non sum ut respondeas interrogatiunculis meis, saltem timeantur annonae. Incolumem te summa Divinitas longa nobis tueatur aetate. Papas plurimum Dignationem tuam salutat.