Letter 47: It was good of you to acquit me of blame in the very act of accusing me.
**To Olympius** (359)
You did well to acquit us of the charge in the very act of laying it. For by saying that you would not be surprised if I, being a bad man toward my friends, failed to write to my friends, you may indeed prosecute me as a scoundrel, but you can no longer reproach me for not sending letters. For just as villainy belongs to Eurybatus, thievery to Autolycus, and foolishness to Melitides, so too, if I am wicked, wronging my friends belongs to me.
When, therefore, you have cured me of my wickedness — for you possess an art that heals the soul no less than the body — then blame my silence. For it would truly be terrible if I, being a good man, were to behave in such a way. But so long as you look on while I overflow with wickedness, you must endure what wickedness produces.
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