Letter 157: Mothers who have already given birth attend those who are giving birth -- they share the pain, share the toil, and...
**To Urbanus** (358–361)
Mothers who are present at the births of their daughters share in their pain and labor, and comfort them in every way, by words and by deeds alike. It is only natural that this same principle should hold true in the realm of eloquence as well, and that those who have already competed in the arena should come to the aid of those now competing.
You, then, are among those who struggled long ago, while these young men are among those just now beginning. You must therefore remember those birth-pangs of your own and extend a hand to those still in the throes of theirs. For it would hardly be fitting that you should feel gratitude to others for the help they gave you in such matters, yet fail to offer the same to others yourself.
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To the same person. (359/60)