Letter 43: To Anastasius [one of Synesius's closest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople, tutor to the children...

To Anastasius [one of Synesius's closest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople, tutor to the children of Emperor Arcadius]. Some god or argument or spirit has persuaded Sosenas that certain places attract or repel divine blessings. Since things have not gone well for him in our part of the world, he has completely cut himself off from his ancestral home. As the verse goes: "He departs, hoping that in Thrace at last his luck may turn." If you happen to be in the good graces of Fortune, use all your influence with her on behalf of this young man. Let her give him some opportunity to prosper — it would be easy enough for her if she wished. The proof? She had no difficulty handing the property of Nonnus, Sosenas's father, over to strangers. Let her make Sosenas the heir of someone else's father. That way, justice will come out of injustice — and it may help your own cause when you are preparing to return, since the powers that be will look more favorably on you.

Letter 43: A Recommendation [1] To Anastasius note [One of Synesius' dearest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople ; he was the tutor of the children of the emperor Arcadius . Adressee of letters 43 (this one), 22 , 79 , and 46 ; cf. 100 .] Some God or argument or demon has persuaded Sosenas that something is inherent in certain localities which attract or repels the blessings of the Divinity, for, not succeeding in our part of the world, he has entirely cut himself off from his own ancestral home. He departs, for he hopes, that in journeying to Thrace E'en there at last his lot may find some saving grace. [2] If by chance you are in the good graces of the goddess, use all your influence with her in behalf of this young man. May she afford him some opportunity of enriching himself! It is very easy for her if she wishes. The best proof of this is that she turned over to others the property of Nonnus, the father of Sosenas, without any difficulty. Let her, then, make Sosenas the heir of someone else's father. In this way justice will come out of injustice also when you are about to return. For then they will be more favorable to you.