Letter 336
Late Antiquity Basil of Caesarea Greek- Libanius to Basil After a long time a young Cappadocian has come to us. Here is one gain: that he is a Cappadocian. But more, this Cappadocian is of the first rank. Here is a second gain. But more, he brings us a letter from the admirable Basil. And what could anyone call greater than this? For the man whom you suppose to have forgotten you—I held him in respect even long ago, when he was young, seeing him vie with old men in temperance, and that too in that city which teems with pleasures, and already possessing a great share of eloquence. And when you thought you ought to see Athens as well, and were persuading Celsus to go, I rejoiced with Celsus for being so attached to your soul. And when you had come home again and were keeping to your homeland, I said to myself: "What is Basil now doing for us, and to what kind of life has he set out? Does he turn to the law courts, emulating the orators of old? Or does he make orators of the sons of prosperous fathers?" But when certain men came reporting that you were walking a far better road than these, and were considering how you might become more a friend to God than gather up gold, I counted you happy, and the Cappadocians too: you, for wishing to be such a man, and them, for being able to display such a citizen. That famous Firmus, I well know, has continued to prevail everywhere; for from this comes his power in words. But though he has enjoyed much praise, I do not know that he ever enjoyed any so great as I have now heard in your letter. For your saying that no one could surpass that man's reputation—how great a thing must this be reckoned for him, coming from you who say it? You seem to me, moreover, to have sent these men off before you had seen Firminus; for otherwise your letter could not have failed to contain him. And what is Firminus now doing, or what does he intend? Is he still amid longings for marriage, or have those long since ceased, while the council weighs heavy upon him, and there is every necessity that he remain? Or what hopes are there that he will once more be a sharer in eloquence? Let him answer us something, and may it be something good; but if it should also bring some grief, it will at least release us from gazing toward the gates. And if Firminus were now at Athens, what would your councillors do? Would they send the Salaminia after him? You see that I am insulted by your fellow-citizens, and that alone. Yet I for my part will not cease to love and praise the Cappadocians; but I pray that they may become better disposed toward me, and if they remain as they are, I shall bear it. Firminus stayed with us four months, and not a single day did he idle away. How much he has amassed, you yourself will learn, and perhaps you will not find fault. But to make it possible for him to come here again, what ally must I call upon besides? For if the councillors are right-minded, and it would befit educated men, they will do him honour by the second sort, since by the first they gave him pain.