Letter 71

From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus To: Zeno, General and Consul Date: ~440 AD Context: A congratulatory letter to the newly elevated consul Zeno, praising his military virtues and praying he may receive eternal rewards to match his earthly honors. To Zeno, General and Consul, Your courage has won universal admiration -- courage tempered by gentleness and meekness, showing kindness to your household and boldness to your enemies. These are the qualities of an admirable general. In a soldier's character the chief ornament is bravery, but in a commander prudence takes precedence. After these come self-discipline and fairness, by which a whole treasury of virtue is assembled. Such wealth is the reward of a soul that reaches after the good and, with its eyes fixed on the sweetness of the fruit, finds the labor well worth bearing. For virtue's athletes, the God of all -- like some great master of the games -- has offered prizes: some in this life, some in the life beyond that has no end. Those belonging to this present life your excellency has already enjoyed; you have reached the highest honor. May it also be your lot to obtain the lasting, eternal blessings -- to receive not only the consul's robe but the garment that is beyond description and divine. This is the common prayer of all who understand the greatness of that gift.

Letter 71 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 Zeno, General and Consul. Your fortitude rouses universal admiration, tempered as it is by gentleness and meekness, and exhibited to your household in kindliness, to your foes in boldness. These qualities indicate an admirable general. In a soldier's character the main ornament is bravery, but in a commander prudence takes precedence of bravery; after these come self-control and fairness, whereby a wealth of virtue is gathered. Such wealth is the reward of the soul which reaches after good, and with its eyes fixed on the sweetness of the fruit, deems the toil right pleasant. For to virtue's athletes the God of all, like some great giver of games, has offered prizes, some in this life, and some in that life beyond which has no end. Those in this present life your excellency has already enjoyed, and you have achieved the highest honour. Be it also the lot of your greatness to obtain too those abiding and perpetual blessings, and to receive not only the consul's robe, but also the garment that is indescribable and divine. Of all them that understand the greatness of that gift this is the common petition.