Letter 71
You want to know what I think about the people who've provoked me. I don't want you to expect the counsel of an angry man, and don't exert yourself against someone you can see is already drowning in his own mistakes. He'll provide the grounds for his own ruin without your appearing to have wished for it. But enough about him.
Let me turn to what my heart really cares about. You've been terribly neglectful of your correspondence, and you don't even seem to worry that I might repay you with a silence of my own. What will winter do, when it blocks travel by land and sea? Think about your duty, consider how anxious I am on your behalf, and show me the same diligence you demand from me. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
Jerome urges Paulinus, bishop of Nola, (for whom see Letter LVIII.) to make a diligent study of the Scriptures and to this end reminds him of the zeal for learning displayed not only by the wisest of the pagans but also by the apostle Paul. Then going through the two Testaments in detail he describes the contents of the several books and the les...