Letter 1519

Isidore of PelusiumUnknown|isidore pelusium
From: Isidore of Pelusium, monk
To: Artemidorus
Date: ~410 AD
Context: Isidore defends a man who tried his best to persuade others but failed.

The man who has done everything within his power to persuade, and yet failed, deserves to be admired as one who accomplished his purpose — he is that far from being worthy of blame. If this seems surprising to you, Paul will settle the question, saying: "Each will carry his own load." The one who makes the effort is not responsible for the one who refuses to listen. Virtue brings its own reward to the one who pursues it — and it does not wait on the stubbornness of those who refuse to receive it.

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