Letter 337: Lo and behold, yet another Cappadocian has come to you; a son of my own! Yet my present position makes all men my sons. On this ground he may be regarded as a brother of the former one, and worthy of the same attention alike from me his father, and from you his instructor — if really it is possible for these young men, who come from me, to obtai...

Basil of CaesareaLibanius|c. 376 AD|basil caesarea
education books

Here comes another Cappadocian -- a son of mine! Though my present position makes all men my sons. On that basis he may be considered a brother of the previous one, and equally deserving of attention from me, his father, and from you, his teacher -- if indeed it is possible for these young men who come from me to receive any further favors, given how lavishly you already bestow your services on everyone.

It will be enough for the young man, before he has proved himself by experience, simply to be counted among your intimate acquaintances. I trust you may send him back to me worthy of my prayers and of your great reputation in learning and eloquence.

He is accompanied by a companion of the same age and equal eagerness for learning -- a youth of good family and closely connected with me. I am sure he will be treated just as well, even though his means are more modest than most.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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