To Hierocles.
The reasons Iamblichus [a young kinsman of the famous philosopher, not the philosopher himself] set out, he will tell you himself. Judge his plan: if you find it sound, support him. If not, redirect him. Whatever you decide will stand as authoritative, overriding his current intentions. The young man is convinced of two things: that you have good judgment and that you bear him goodwill. From both of those, whatever you think best will carry weight.
As for Calycius -- he is doing one of the things you asked, but was unable to do the other. He has taken up Plato, but has not sent any of my speeches. He claims, as he put it, that he could not find a copyist. My own belief is that he was afraid something I would rather not have circulated might fall into your hands.
The reasons Iamblichus [a young kinsman of the famous philosopher, not the philosopher himself] set out, he will tell you himself. Judge his plan: if you find it sound, support him. If not, redirect him. Whatever you decide will stand as authoritative, overriding his current intentions. The young man is convinced of two things: that you have good judgment and that you bear him goodwill. From both of those, whatever you think best will carry weight.
As for Calycius -- he is doing one of the things you asked, but was unable to do the other. He has taken up Plato, but has not sent any of my speeches. He claims, as he put it, that he could not find a copyist. My own belief is that he was afraid something I would rather not have circulated might fall into your hands.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.