Letter 96

Isidore of PelusiumTheodorus Scholastic|isidore pelusium
From: Isidore of Pelusium, monk
To: Theodorus the Scholastic
Date: ~410 AD
Context: Isidore compares two brothers: one admired for character, the other for eloquence.

Your brother, my admirable friend, is admired for his character; you are admired for your eloquence. He is praised for the uprightness of his judgment; you for the skill of your arguments. But between the two of you, his is the better portion. Eloquence without character is a sharp sword in a careless hand. Character without eloquence is a good man who cannot be misunderstood. I would rather be understood to be good than admired for being clever.

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

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