Letter 1: I have fathered children in my books — some by the noble Philosophy, some by her temple-companion Poetry, and others...

Letter 1: The "Eulogy of Baldness" [1] To Nicander note [Only known from Synesius' Letter 75 .] I have begotten children in my books, some from most august Philosophy, and from Poesy who dwelleth with her in the Temple, some again from Rhetoric of the public place. But anyone can see that they are all from the same father, who inclines now to the serious and now to the lighter side. This book note [ A Eulogy of Baldness .] therefore shall give its own pledge as to which category it belongs. [2] So far as I am concerned, it is exceptionally dear to me that I would most gladly graft it on to Philosophy, and would rank it amongst my legitimate offspring, but this the very laws of the City refuse me, for they are terribly stern guardians of noble birth. Notwithstanding this, it has whatever bounty I am able to bestow upon it in secret, and I have put much of the sterner side into it also. [3] If, therefore, you agree with me as to its merit, make my work known to your Greek friends, and if its reception be unfavorable let it be returned to the sender. After all, love of offspring is so great a force in nature that, according to the fable, the very apes when they bring forth their young gaze upon them as idols, and are lost in admiration of their beauty, but those of their fellows they see just as they are - the offspring of apes. Hence we should leave to others the task of appraising the value of our creation, for partiality is quite capable of warping our judgment. It was for this that Lysippus note [A famous sculptor.] brought Apelles note [A famous painter.] to see his pictures, and for the same reason Apelles brought Lysippus to see his own.

Letter 1: The "Eulogy of Baldness" [1] To Nicander note [Only known from Synesius' Letter 75 .] I have begotten children in my books, some from most august Philosophy, and from Poesy who dwelleth with her in the Temple, some again from Rhetoric of the public place. But anyone can see that they are all from the same father, who inclines now to the serious and now to the lighter side. This book note [ A Eulogy of Baldness .] therefore shall give its own pledge as to which category it belongs. [2] So far as I am concerned, it is exceptionally dear to me that I would most gladly graft it on to Philosophy, and would rank it amongst my legitimate offspring, but this the very laws of the City refuse me, for they are terribly stern guardians of noble birth. Notwithstanding this, it has whatever bounty I am able to bestow upon it in secret, and I have put much of the sterner side into it also. [3] If, therefore, you agree with me as to its merit, make my work known to your Greek friends, and if its reception be unfavorable let it be returned to the sender. After all, love of offspring is so great a force in nature that, according to the fable, the very apes when they bring forth their young gaze upon them as idols, and are lost in admiration of their beauty, but those of their fellows they see just as they are - the offspring of apes. Hence we should leave to others the task of appraising the value of our creation, for partiality is quite capable of warping our judgment. It was for this that Lysippus note [A famous sculptor.] brought Apelles note [A famous painter.] to see his pictures, and for the same reason Apelles brought Lysippus to see his own.