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

To Sophronius the magister officiorum. 3227
Letter CCLXXII. 3226
1. It has been reported to me by Actiacus the deacon, that certain men have moved you
to anger against me, by falsely stating me to be ill-disposed towards your excellency. I cannot
be astonished at a man in your position being followed by certain sycophants. High position
seems to be in some way naturally attended by miserable hangers-on of this kind. Destitute
as they are of any good quality of their own whereby they may be known, they endeavour
to recommend themselves by means of other people’s ills. Peradventure, just as mildew is
a blight which grows in corn, so flattery stealing upon friendship is a blight of friendship.
So, as I said, I am by no means astonished that these men should buzz about your bright
and distinguished hearth, as drones do about the hives. But what has moved my wonderment,
and has seemed altogether astounding, is that a man like yourself, specially distinguished
by the seriousness of your character, should have been induced to give both your ears to
these people and to accept their calumny against me. From my youth up to this my old age
I have felt affection for many men, but I am not aware that I have ever felt greater affection
for any one than for your excellency. Even had not my reason induced me to regard a man
of such a character, our intimacy from boyhood would have sufficed to attach me to your
soul. You know yourself how much custom has to do with friendship. Pardon my deficiency,
if I can show nothing worthy of this preference. You will not ask some deed from me in
proof of my good will; you will be satisfied with a temper of mind which assuredly prays
for you that you may have all that is best. May your fortunes never fall so low, as that you
should need the aid of any one so insignificant as myself!
2. How then was I likely to say anything against you, or to take any action in the matter
of Memnonius? These points were reported to me by the deacon. How could I put the
wealth of Hymetius before the friendship of one so prodigal of his substance as you are?
There is no truth in any of these things. I have neither said nor done anything against you.
Possibly some ground may have been given for some of the lies that are being told, by my
remarking to some of those who are causing disturbance, “If the man has determined to
accomplish what he has in mind, then, whether you make disturbance or not, what he means
to be done will certainly be done. You will speak, or hold your tongues; it will make no
difference. If he changes his mind, beware how you defame my friend’s honourable name.
Do not, under the pretence of zeal in your patron’s cause, attempt to make some personal
profit out of your attempts to threaten and alarm.” As to that person’s making his will, I
have never said one word, great or small, directly or indirectly, about the matter.
3226 Written in the last years of Basil’s life.
3227 cf. p. 134, n.
To Sophronius the magister officiorum.
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