Letter 146: I cannot accuse you of carelessness and inattention, because, when an opportunity of writing occurred, you said nothing. For I count the greeting which you have sent me in your own honoured hand worth many letters. In return I salute you, and beg you earnestly to give heed to the salvation of your soul, disciplining all the lusts of the flesh by...
Basil of Caesarea→Antiochus|c. 365 AD|Basil of Caesarea|Human translated
imperial politics
To Antiochus,
I can't blame you for not writing — the greeting you sent in your own hand is worth more than many letters.
I send my greetings in return, and urge you: take care of your soul. Keep your physical desires in check through reason, and let the thought of God live in your heart as though it were a holy temple. In everything you do and say, remember that Christ will judge it all — so that when that day comes, every action will stand up to examination and bring you honor before all creation.
If that distinguished man is able to visit me, I would love to see you come along with him.
ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA
To Antiochus.
I cannot accuse you of carelessness and inattention, because, when an opportunity of writing occurred, you said nothing. For I count the greeting which you have sent me in your own honoured hand worth many letters. In return I salute you, and beg you earnestly to give heed to the salvation of your soul, disciplining all the lusts of the flesh by reason, and ever keeping the thought of God built up in your soul, as in a very holy temple. In every deed and every word hold before your eyes the judgment of Christ, so that every individual action, being referred to that exact and awful examination may bring you glory in the day of retribution, when you win praise from all creation. If that great man should be able to pay me a visit, it would be a pleasure to me to see you here with him.
I can't blame you for not writing — the greeting you sent in your own hand is worth more than many letters.
I send my greetings in return, and urge you: take care of your soul. Keep your physical desires in check through reason, and let the thought of God live in your heart as though it were a holy temple. In everything you do and say, remember that Christ will judge it all — so that when that day comes, every action will stand up to examination and bring you honor before all creation.
If that distinguished man is able to visit me, I would love to see you come along with him.
Human translation - New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)