Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

Julian 2049 to Basil.
Letter XXXIX. 2048
The proverb says “You are not proclaiming war,” 2050 and, let me add, out of the comedy,
“O messenger of golden words.” 2051 Come then; prove this in act, and hasten to me. You
will come as friend to friend. Conspicuous and unremitting devotion to business seems, to
those that treat it as of secondary importance, a heavy burden; yet the diligent are modest,
as I persuade myself, sensible, and ready for any emergency. I allow myself relaxations so
that even rest may be permitted to one who neglects nothing. Our mode of life is not marked
by the court hypocrisy, of which I think you have had some experience, and in accordance
with which compliments mean deadlier hatred than is felt to our worst foes; but, with becoming
freedom, while we blame and rebuke where blame is due, we love with the love of
the dearest friends. I may therefore, let me say, with all sincerity, both be diligent in relaxation
and, when at work, not get worn out, and sleep secure; since when awake I do not wake
more for myself, than, as is fit, for every one else. I am afraid this is rather silly and trifling,
as I feel rather lazy, (I praise myself like Astydamas 2052 ) but I am writing to prove to you
that to have the pleasure of seeing you, wise man as you are, will be more likely to do me
good than to cause any difficulty. Therefore, as I have said, lose no time: travel post haste.
After you have paid me as long a visit as you like, you shall go on your journey, whithersoever
you will, with my best wishes.
2048 To be placed probably in 362, if genuine.
2049 These Letters are placed in this order by the Ben. Editors as being written, if genuine, before Basil’s
episcopate. Maran (Vita S. Bas. Cap. ii.) is puzzled at Basil’s assertion in xli. that he learned the Bible with Julian,
and points out that at Athens they devoted themselves to profane literature. But this may have allowed intervals
for other work. In 344, when Basil was at Cæsarea, Julian was relegated by Constantius to the neighbouring
fortress of Macellum, and there, with his elder half-brother Gallus, spent six years in compulsory retirement.
Sozomen tells us that the brothers studied the Scripture and became Readers (Soz. v. 2; Amm. Marc. xv. 2, 7).
Their seclusion, in which they were reduced to the society of their own household (Greg. Naz., Or. iii., Julian,
Ad. Ath. 271 c.), may not have been so complete as to prevent all intercourse with a harmless schoolboy like
Basil. “Malgré l’authorité de dom Maran, nous croyons avec Tillemont, Dupont et M. Albert de Broglie, que cette
lettre a été réellement adressée par Julien, non a un homonyme de St. Basile mais à St. Basile lui-même.” Étude
historique et littéraire sur St. Basile. Fialon.
2050 i.e.“your words are friendly.” cf. Plat., Legg. 702 D. οὐ πόλεμόν γε ἐπαγγέλλεις, ὦ Κλεινία.
2051 ὦ χρυσὸν ἀγγείλας ἐπῶν. Aristoph., Plut. 268.
2052 A playwright of Athens, who put a boastful epigram on his own statue, and became a byword for self-
praise. Vide Suidas s.v., σαυτὸν ἐπαινεῖς.
Julian to Basil.
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