Letter 89

To my Brother. Until now I had been happy. Then a wave of misfortune crashed over me, and both public and private affairs are causing me pain. I live, not as a private citizen, in a country that is ravaged by war, and I am obliged constantly to share in everyone's misfortunes. Often I cannot tell where my own grief ends and theirs begins.

Letter 89: Self-Pity [1] To his Brother Up to this moment I had been happy. Then, as it were, a counter-waver of misfortune dashed against me, and both public and private affairs are now paining me. I live, not as a private citizen, in a country which is a prey to war, and I am bound continually to condole every one's misfortunes. [2] Often in a month I have to rush to the ramparts, as if I received a stipend to take part in military service rather than to pray. I had three sons; only one remains to me. But if only you sail with a fair wind and live happily, fortune is not wounding me on all sides.