Letter 111

111. To Modestus, the Prefect

In other circumstances I would not have presumed to be a trouble to your greatness, knowing how to measure myself and to recognize the powers that be. But since I saw a man, a friend, in great anxiety at being summoned, I made bold to give him this letter, that by presenting it in place of a petition he might meet with some kindness. And surely, even if we ourselves are worth nothing, yet our very moderation is enough to move the most benevolent of prefects to grant us pardon — so that, if the man has committed no fault, he may be saved for the very sake of the truth, and if he has indeed erred, it may be forgiven him for the sake of us who have interceded.

But as to what the affairs here are like, who knows better than you, who both oversee what is unsound in each man and hold all things together by your admirable forethought?