Letter 39: The proverb says You are not proclaiming war, and, let me add, out of the comedy, O messenger of golden words. Come then; prove this in act, and hasten to me. You will come as friend to friend.

[From Julian to Basil] The proverb says "You are not proclaiming war" — and let me add, from the comedy, "O messenger of golden words!" Come, then. Prove it in action and hurry to me. You'll come as friend to friend. I know that constant, conspicuous devotion to work seems like a heavy burden to people who treat it as secondary. But the diligent are — I like to think — sensible, modest, and ready for anything. I allow myself relaxation, so that even rest is permitted to a man who neglects nothing. Our way of life here isn't marked by the court hypocrisy you may have experienced — where compliments disguise a hatred deadlier than what's felt toward actual enemies. Instead, with proper freedom, we blame where blame is due and love with the love of the closest friends. So let me say with complete sincerity: I can be hardworking in my leisure and, when at work, not burn out. I sleep soundly because when I'm awake, I'm awake not just for myself but — as is right — for everyone. I realize this is getting a bit silly and self-congratulatory — I'm praising myself like Astydamas — but I'm writing all this to convince you that seeing you, wise man that you are, will do me more good than it could possibly cause trouble. So, as I said: don't delay. Travel at full speed. After you've stayed with me as long as you like, you can continue on your journey wherever you wish, with my best wishes.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA Julian to Basil. The proverb says You are not proclaiming war, and, let me add, out of the comedy, O messenger of golden words. Come then; prove this in act, and hasten to me. You will come as friend to friend. Conspicuous and unremitting devotion to business seems, to those that treat it as of secondary importance, a heavy burden; yet the diligent are modest, as I persuade myself, sensible, and ready for any emergency. I allow myself relaxations so that even rest may be permitted to one who neglects nothing. Our mode of life is not marked by the court hypocrisy, of which I think you have had some experience, and in accordance with which compliments mean deadlier hatred than is felt to our worst foes; but, with becoming freedom, while we blame and rebuke where blame is due, we love with the love of the dearest friends. I may therefore, let me say, with all sincerity, both be diligent in relaxation and, when at work, not get worn out, and sleep secure; since when awake I do not wake more for myself, than, as is fit, for every one else. I am afraid this is rather silly and trifling, as I feel rather lazy, (I praise myself like Astydamas ) but I am writing to prove to you that to have the pleasure of seeing you, wise man as you are, will be more likely to do me good than to cause any difficulty. Therefore, as I have said, lose no time: travel post haste. After you have paid me as long a visit as you like, you shall go on your journey, wherever you will, with my best wishes. About this page Source. Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202039.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.