Letter 23: 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 ha...

Gregory to a patron. Do not be surprised that I ask a great favor, for I ask it of a great man, and the request should be measured by the one to whom it is addressed. It is equally absurd to ask great things of a small man and small things of a great one -- the first being unreasonable, the second unworthy. I therefore present to you with my own hand my most cherished son Amphilochius, a man whose distinguished bearing is famous even beyond his years. I myself, though an old man and a bishop, would not be ashamed to call him my teacher. Show him the generosity that matches your own greatness, and count whatever you do for him as done for me.

Ep. XXIII. 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.