Letter 56

56. To Pergamius.

I am by nature prone to forgetfulness, and there has come upon me besides a multitude of occupations, intensifying the natural weakness. So that even if I do not remember receiving a letter from your nobility, I am persuaded that you wrote to us; for you would by no means say what was false. As for my not having answered, I am not the cause, but rather you, who did not demand a reply. But now this letter comes to you, both making good my defence for what has passed and giving the beginning of a second exchange of greetings. So that, when you write to us, do not think of yourself as beginning a second round of correspondence, but as paying off your debt upon the present occasion. For even if our letter is a repayment of one who took the lead, yet by exceeding more than double in measure it will discharge both obligations at once. You see what sophistries necessity compels us to?

But cease, my excellent friend, from bringing in great charges within little words — charges, indeed, that admit of no exceeding in wickedness. For forgetfulness of friends, and the contempt that comes from power, together contain all that is dreadful. For if we do not love according to the Lord's commandment, then we do not even bear the stamp set upon us; and if we have been puffed up with empty pride and arrogance, we fall into the inescapable judgment of the devil. So that, if you held such an opinion of us and used these words, pray that we may flee the wickedness which you have discovered in our character; but if it was through some unexamined habit that your tongue came to these words, we will console ourselves and beg your kindness to add to them the testimonies that come from deeds. For know this well: that the present anxiety has become for us an occasion of humility, so that we shall forget you only when we are ignorant even of ourselves. Do not, then, ever make your occupations a sign of character and ill-nature.