Letter 6070: It's true that a person can't have everything he wishes for at once.
Verum est nequire hominem cuncta pariter voto amica sortiri. quanto luculen-
tius natalem mihi diem, si adfuissetis, egissem! quod in reliquum saltem numerosis
annorum processibus Fors orata praestabit. interea, domina filia, honoratum me opimo 25
lanificii tui monumento satis gaudeo; una quippe et amor in parentem tuum et in-
2 dnstria matronalis inclaruit. sic priscae feminae vitam coluisse traduntur. et illas
quidem deliciarum sterile saeculum colo et telis animum iubebat intendere, quia in-
lecebra cessante temporum vivitur: tibi vero etiam Baiae adpositae curam so-
brii operis detrahere non possunt. renuntias stagna verrentibus et residens ant ob- 30
ambulans inter pensa et foragines puellarum has solas arbitraris sexus tui esse deli-
cias. merito igitur te amo dignamque viro tuo iudico, quando aeque nobis laus et
voluptas ex illius perfectione adventicia, ex tua probitate genuina est. vale.
1 fort, expeto
a ■
uo/'///e metuitas rem P, s add. 2 m,, u 3 m. post] //st P 12 adsentienti P 1 m, 15 co-
herceatur P
suppU : tempomm antiquonim more facile uiuitur vel simiU fuid 33 et tua P 2 m.
LXVIU (LXVim).
Related Letters
Replying to the preceding letter Jerome again congratulates Theophilus on the success of his efforts to put down Origenism, and informs him that they have already borne fruit as far west as Italy. He then asks him for the decrees of his council (held recently at Alexandria). The date of the letter is 400 A.D.
I see, most distinguished consul, what a heavy obligation your affection places on me.
Augustine to Nectarius, my noble and justly honored brother, greetings.
It is the mark of your character to give commands that are both pious and just.
There are many who go halting upon both feet, and refuse to bend their heads even when their necks are broken, persisting in adherence to their former errors, even though they have not their former liberty of proclaiming them. Respectful salutations are sent to you by the holy brethren who are with your humble servant, and especially by your pio...