NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

Julian to Basil.Letter XXXIX. 2048Julian 2049 to Basil.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. Youwill come as friend to friend. Conspicuous and unremitting devotion to business seems, tothose 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 sothat even rest may be permitted to one who neglects nothing. Our mode of life is not markedby the court hypocrisy, of which I think you have had some experience, and in accordancewith which compliments mean deadlier hatred than is felt to our worst foes; but, with becomingfreedom, while we blame and rebuke where blame is due, we love with the love ofthe dearest friends. I may therefore, let me say, with all sincerity, both be diligent in relaxationand, when at work, not get worn out, and sleep secure; since when awake I do not wakemore 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 youthat to have the pleasure of seeing you, wise man as you are, will be more likely to do megood 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, whithersoeveryou will, with my best wishes.1422048 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’sepiscopate. 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 intervalsfor other work. In 344, when Basil was at Cæsarea, Julian was relegated by Constantius to the neighbouringfortress 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 likeBasil. “Malgré l’authorité de dom Maran, nous croyons avec Tillemont, Dupont et M. Albert de Broglie, que cettelettre a été réellement adressée par Julien, non a un homonyme de St. Basile mais à St. Basile lui-même.” Étudehistorique 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 selfpraise.Vide Suidas s.v., σαυτὸν ἐπαινεῖς.434