Letter 137: The inheritance is a fine one, and I accept it -- and neither rhetorical cleverness nor forgery of documents will...

LibaniusMarcellinus and Anapsychia|c. 327 AD|Libanius
friendship

**To Marcellinus** (359/60)

A fine inheritance indeed — I accept it, and neither cleverness of speech nor forged letters shall rob me of it. And you do me no less a kindness by honoring the memory of your uncle than by choosing to love me yourself, since this too was a seed sown by that man, who through his own devotion persuaded others as well to love me.

As for what favor I have ever done you — I have reckoned it up and cannot find one. Yet you grant me a favor by declaring that you are in my debt, and you will grant me still others. For my part, I shall add my prayers on your behalf — for that is within my power.

And how could your gifts of hospitality fail to bring pleasure, coming as they do from a good man and a steadfast friend?

Related Letters

Pliny the YoungerMarcellinus and Anapsychiac. 107 · pliny younger #8023

The poignancy of my grief at the death of Junius Avitus has quite prostrated me.

Ennodius of PaviaMarcellinus and Anapsychiac. 507 · ennodius pavia #6017

The distinguished lord Senarius commends himself to your attention through this letter, and I add my own endorsement...

Augustine of HippoMarcellinus and Anapsychiac. 408 · augustine hippo #136

1. The noble Volusianus read to me the letter of your Holiness, and, at my urgent solicitation, he read to many more the sentences which had won my admiration, for, like everything else coming from your pen, they were worthy of admiration. Breathing as it did a humble spirit, and rich in the grace of divine eloquence, it succeeded easily in plea...

Augustine of HippoMarcellinus and Anapsychiac. 409 · augustine hippo #143

1. Desiring to reply to the letter which I received from you through our holy brother, my co-bishop Boniface, I have sought for it, but have not found it. I have recalled to mind, however, that you asked me in that letter how the magicians of Pharaoh could, after all the water of Egypt had been turned into blood, find any with which to imitate t...

Augustine of HippoMarcellinus and Anapsychiac. 413 · augustine hippo #165

1. At last I have received your joint letter from Africa, and I do not regret the importunity with which, though you were silent, I persevered in sending letters to you, that I might obtain a reply, and learn, not through report from others, but from your own most welcome statement, that you are in health. I have not forgotten the brief query, o...