Letter 276: I expect you have already befriended Leontius the sophist, since he possesses eloquence and you love it.

To Maximus. (358) I expect you have already befriended Leontius the sophist, since he possesses eloquence and you love it. This Cleopatrus here is his kinsman and student, whom Leontius recommended to me, and I now recommend to you. What Cleopatrus receives from Leontius's recommendation is small -- for what comes through me is surely modest. But what he receives from my recommendation is great -- for what comes through you is surely great. And in doing him a kindness, you will find you have benefited both a fine rhetor and a good man.

Μαξίμῳ. (358) Οἶμαί σοι Λεόντιον τὸν σοφιστὴν ἤδη γεγονέναι φίλον, ἐπειδὴ λόγους ὁ μὲν κέκτηται, σὺ δὲ φιλεῖς. τούτου συγγενὴς οὑτοσὶ Κλεόπατρος Λαὶ μαθητής, ὃν ἐκεῖνος μὲν ἐμοὶ συνέ- στῆσεν, ἐγὼ δὲ σοί. τὸ μὲν οὖν παρ’ ἐκείνου τῷ Κλεο- πάτρῳ μικρόν, μικρὸν γὰρ δήπου τό γε ἐμόν, τὸ δὲ παρ’ ἐμοῦ μέγα, μέγα γὰρ δήπου τό γε σόν. φήσεις δὲ αὐτὸν εὖ ποιῶν καὶ ῥήτορα καὶ χρηστὸν εὖ πεποιηκέναι.