Letter 75: I do not write to you often -- for what would I say?

To Materius and Alcimus. (359) I do not write to you often; for what indeed could I have to write? The latest of my misfortunes? But if you bear your own troubles, that is a gain. Or should I write that one must endure? I, at least, do not have so great a store of argument. Or that you ought to come to us? It is not possible to persuade you, though I invite you. Better, then, than writing -- for those in such circumstances -- is not writing.

To Meterius and Alcimus (359) I do not write to you often — for what would I even have to write about? The latest of my misfortunes? But if you can bear your own, that is gain enough. That one must endure? I possess no speech so great as that. That you should come visit me? One cannot persuade by merely calling. Better, then, for those in such a state as mine, not to write at all than to write.

Μητερίῳ καὶ Ἀλκίμῳ. (359) Οὐ γράφω πολλάκις ὑμῖν· τί γὰρ ἂν καὶ γράφειν ἔχοιμι; τὰ νεώτερα τῶν ἐμῶν κακῶν; ἀλλ’ ἐάν τὰ ὑμέτερα φέρητε, κέρδος. ἀλλ’ ὡς χρὴ καρτερεῖν; οὐκ ἔμοιγε τοσοῦτος ὑπάρχει λόγος. ἀλλ’ ὡς χρὴ παρ’ ἡμᾶς ἐλθεῖν; οὐκ ἔστι πεῖσαι κα- λοῦντα. κρεῖττον οὖν τοῦ γράφειν τοῖς ὧδε ἔχουσι τὸ μὴ γράφειν.