The Emperor

But I, most noble Emperor, have associated with you, and am perhaps experienced in your nature as much as any man, knowing that you delight in truth and frank speech rather than in flattery and deceit.

And since I see you, Emperor, consorting with the men of old and grasping prudent and exact discourses, I declare plainly that he is a blessed man who, holding the greatest power after the gods, makes the noblest use of that power.

But that I may neither incur the charge of flattery from those who wish to slander me, nor you the charge of wishing to be praised to your face, I shall make my discourse concerning the good king—what sort of man he ought to be, and what the difference is between him and the one who pretends to be a ruler,

That you flash like the stars, rising now in one part of the barbarian land, now in another — now furnishing provisions to the soldiers, now appearing before the emperor in splendid array — the report that is herald of good things does not cease to announce to us.

Whence it seems to me that the great emperor too, having understood this busy zeal of ours, has left us to administer the churches by ourselves.

And it will be a sufficient favour to us, and a comfort for what has befallen, if you both commend him to the emperor and clear away the slanders brought against him.

And so we sacrifice for the emperor's welfare too, but to our God and his, yet in the way God has commanded — by pure prayer.