Letter 764: You should have had a better judgment when a friend was approaching, and you would now be among those enjoying the...

To Alexander. (362) You ought to have held a finer opinion when a friend was approaching, and you would even now be among those who enjoy the favorable moment; but since an empty fear has knocked you out of your reasoning, one must be grateful to the gods that we have paid the penalty in the act of gaining something. But to you, at any rate, we would not be grateful, since to you something appeared more precious than wife and children. For taking your delight in building and in the sea and in a luxurious city, you stand apart from better things, as though it would suffice for your defense if you should send us gold. We, however, would more gladly give to you when we have seen you than receive from you while you are absent.

Ἀλεξάνδρῳ. (362) Ἔδει μέν σε καλλίω γνώμην ἐσχηκέναι προσιόντος φίλου καὶ νῦν ἂν ἦσθα τῶν ἀπολαυόντων τοῦ καιροῦ· ἐπεὶ δέ σε φόβος μάταιος ἐξέκρουσε λογισμοῦ, χάριν εἰδέναι δεῖ τοῖς θεοῖς, ὅτι τὴν δίκην ἐν τῷ προσλαβεῖν τι δεδώκαμεν. ἀλλὰ σοί γε ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἂν χάριν <εἰδείημεν> ᾧ γυναικὸς καὶ παίδων ἐφάνη τι τιμιώτερον. τερπόμενος γὰρ οἰκοδομίᾳ καὶ θα- λάττῃ καὶ τρυφώσῃ πόλει βελτιόνων ἀποστατεῖς, ὡς ἀρκέσον εἰς ἀπολογίαν, εἰ πέμποις ἡμῖν χρυσίον. ἡμεῖς δὲ σοὶ δοίημεν ἂν ἥδιον ἰδόντες ἢ παρ’ ἀπόντος λαμβάνοιμεν.