Letter 176: Even if you neglected your wife's brother while he was away -- failing, among other things, to so much as write to...

To Strategius. (360) But even if, while my wife's brother was away, you neglected him both in other respects and even to the point of not writing, at least now do for such men the things that are fitting. For perhaps one must give attention even to the less excellent because of the necessity of kinship; but this man, that I may say nothing grand (though indeed I might), would not bring you any disgrace. And hearing that your power in the council chamber comes more from speaking than from your expenditures, I rejoice that you prevail; but that you do not yourself also report these things to us, I am vexed. For indeed it is sweeter to hear of the victories of Olympic champions from the crowned victors themselves.

**To Strategius** (360 AD) Even if you neglected your wife's brother while he was away — among other things, not even writing to him — at least now do what is proper toward such people. For perhaps one must pay attention even to those of lesser merit, on account of the obligation of kinship; but this man — to say nothing grand, though I could — would bring no disgrace upon your family. I hear that your influence in the council rests more on your eloquence than on your expenditures. This delights me — that you hold such power. But that you do not report this to me yourself, I resent. For even the victories of Olympic champions are sweeter to hear from the lips of the victors themselves.

Στρατηγίῳ. (360) Ἀλλ’ εἰ καὶ ἀπόντος ἠμέλεις τοῦ τῆς γυναικὸς ἀδελφοῦ τά τε ἄλλα καὶ οὐδὲ ἐπιστείλας, νῦν γε ἃ πρὸς τοὺς τοιού- τοὺς ποιεῖν ἄξιον ποίει. ἴσως μὲν γὰρ καὶ τοῖς ἦττον ἀγαθοῖς προσεκτέον διὰ τὴν ἀνάγκην τῆς κηδείας, ὁδὶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἵνα μηδὲν εἴπω μέγα, καίτοι γε ἐξῆν, οὐκ ἂν καταισχύνοι. ἀκού- ων δέ σοι κράτος εἶναι ἐν τῷ βουλευτηρίῳ μᾶλλον ἀπὸ τοῦ λέγειν ἢ τῶν ἀναλωμάτων χαίρω μέν, ὅτι κρατεῖς, ὅτι δὲ οὐ καὶ αὐτὸς ἡμῖν ταῦτα μηνύεις, ἄχθομαι. καὶ γὰρ τὰς τῶν Ὀλυμπιονικῶν νίκας ἥδιον παρ’ αὐτῶν ἀκούειν τῶν ἐστεφα- νωμένων.