Letter 311

311. To a leading citizen

Many letters to your honour are made for us by those who do not heed our assurances, but seek something private and special in their own affairs. For long ago we testified to them that you would be so common and equal a guardian of justice to us that no one would seek anything more in the way of kindness, unless he were to go beyond all bounds in greed. Nevertheless, to satisfy this man, we have given him the letter, commending the man to you and entreating you both to look upon him favourably, and—because his house has in time been worn down by public services—to deem him worthy of such relief as may be possible.