Letter 22

To Count Ulpianus. It is said that what is defective in human behavior can be corrected and improved by words. But I think that characters already made beautiful by nature make words beautiful in their turn — just as naturally beautiful bodies need no artificial coloring. These qualities shine in the gifted orator Athanasius, and what pleased me most about him was this: he is a devoted admirer of your Excellency and constantly speaks your praises. I strove with him on that ground, however, and in my inventory of your high qualities, I outdid him — for I know more of your good deeds than he does. I am vexed only that I cannot praise them all, and that even my summary falls short of what might truly be said of you. But if God grants my words even to approach the truth, you will hold the first place in every kind of virtue among all your contemporaries.

Letter 22 Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... To Count Ulpianus. It is said that what is faulty in men's ways may be brought to order and improved by words. But I think that characters made beautiful by nature, themselves make words fair, though they stand in need of none, just as bodies naturally beautiful need no artificial coloring. These qualities are conspicuous in the right eloquent orator Athanasius, and I have been the more pleased with him because he is an ardent lover of your Excellency, and is constantly sounding your praises. Here, however, I have striven with him, and in enumerating your high qualities, have outdone him, for I know more about good deeds of yours than he. I am however vexed at not being able to praise them all, and to see that my summary of your virtues falls short of what might be said in your praise, but if God grant it even to approach the truth you will hold the pre-eminence in every kind of virtue among all your contemporaries.