Letter 61

From: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges To: Vittamerus (his son?) Date: ~508 AD Context: A letter acknowledging that mutual graciousness creates true familiarity — what is willingly offered and gratefully received forms the basis of lasting friendship. Bishop Ruricius to his son Vittamerus — greetings. Your graciousness makes us familiar with you, since what we willingly offer is gratefully received by you. That gift is proved acceptable and sweet which is commended not by its grandeur but by the affection behind it.

LXI. RURICIUS EPISCOPUS FILIO UITTAMERO SALUTEM. Familiares nos uobis facit uestra dignatio, dum hoc, quod a nobis libenter offertur, a uobis gratanter accipitur, siquidem illud munus acceptabile probatur et dulce, quod non magnitudo insinuauerit, sed commendarit affectio. quae res facit, 1 scio] uos addendum uidetur 3 uos v, suos S 4 quam S, tam P Luetjohann prumti S 5 etiamsi adsiduitas Luetjohann, etiam siduitas S, etsi assiduitas Mommsenus, et adsiduitas v in textu, quamquam adsiduitas (omisso quam) v in notis 6 uberrimas scripsi coII. lin. 11, uberrimae S, uberrime Kr . pietatis S 7 bone S patres S 10 sthoh rachio S 11 abeo 8 12 negligentiam S rescire Luetjohann, nescire S, scire v 15 inferri Mommseum pacientia S 16 conpacientia S conjibarit S 17 dispendio Luetjohann, dubio S 18 benefitium S 20 Vittameno v salutem om . v 21 familiaris S 22 accepitur S ut ad persoluendum uobis spontaneae deuotionis obsequium etiam id habeamus in uotis, quod non habemus in uerbis. itaque salutatione depensa *** quia centum pira sublimitati uestrae, alia centum filiae meae destinare praesumpsi, quae si fortasse displicuerint saporis gustu, placebunt, ut confidimus, transmittentis affectu.