Letter 54: The wise Hesiod recommends that we invite our neighbors to our feasts, since they share in our sorrows and should...
Julian the Apostate→Eustochius|c. 359 AD|Julian the Apostate|Human translated
education booksgrief death
To Eustochius.
The wise Hesiod recommends that we invite our neighbors to our feasts, since they share in our sorrows and should share in our joys. But I say we should invite our friends rather than our neighbors — because it is possible to have a neighbor who is an enemy, but for a friend to be an enemy is no more possible than for white to be black or hot to be cold.
Even if there were no other proof that you are my friend — and not just recently, but for a long time — this alone would suffice: that the very thought of writing to you fills me with pleasure. Come, then, and share in what the gods have given me.
To Eustochius3
[Late in 362, from Antioch]
The wise Hesiod4 thinks that we ought to invite our neighbours to our feasts that they may rejoice
with us, since they sorrow and mourn with us when any unexpected misfortune befals us. But I say that it is our friends that we ought to invite, rather than our
neighbours; and for this reason, that it is possible to have a neighbour who is one's enemy, but that a friend should be an enemy is no more possible than for white to be black, or hot cold. And if there were no other proof that you are my friend not now only, but for a long time past, and that you have steadily maintained your regard for me, nevertheless the fact that my feeling for you has been and is what it is, would be strong evidence of that friendship. Come, therefore, that you may in person share my consulship.1 The state post will bring you, and you may use one carriage and an extra horse. And in case we ought to pray for further aid, I have invoked for you the blessing of the goddess of the Crossroads2 and the god of the Ways.3
3 This is either Eustochius of Palestine, whose knowledge of law and eloquence is praised by
Libanius, Letter 699 (789 Foerster), or a sophist of Cappadocia of the same name. We do not know which of these men it was to whom Gregory Nazianzen addressed his Letters 189-191.
4 Works and Days 313, a favourite quotation.
1 Julian, with Sallustius as colleague, entered on the consulship January 1st, 363.
2 Hecate, Latin Trivia.
3 Hermes.
The wise Hesiod recommends that we invite our neighbors to our feasts, since they share in our sorrows and should share in our joys. But I say we should invite our friends rather than our neighbors — because it is possible to have a neighbor who is an enemy, but for a friend to be an enemy is no more possible than for white to be black or hot to be cold.
Even if there were no other proof that you are my friend — and not just recently, but for a long time — this alone would suffice: that the very thought of writing to you fills me with pleasure. Come, then, and share in what the gods have given me.