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

To Martinianus.that the evils of Podandus are a match for such a place. So, of three parts, some have lefttheir homes and are in exile, wives and hearth and all; some are being led away like captives,the majority of the best men in the city, a piteous spectacle to their friends, fulfilling theirenemies’ prayers; if, that is, any one has ever been found to call down so dire a curse uponour heads. A third division yet remains: these, unable to endure abandonment by their oldcompanions, and at the same time unable to provide for themselves, have to hate their verylives.This is what I implore you to make known everywhere with an eloquence all your own,and that righteous boldness of speech which your manner of life gives you. One thing distinctlystate; that, unless the authorities soon change their counsels, they will find none lefton whom to exercise their clemency. You will either prove some help to the state, or at leastyou will have done as Solon did, who, when he was unable to defend his abandoned fellowcitizens on the capture of the Acropolis, put on his armour, and sat down before the gates,thus making it plain by this guise that he was no party to what was going on. 2265 Of onething I am assured, even though at the present moment there may be some who do not approveof your advice, the day is not far distant when they will give you the greatest creditfor benevolence and sagacity, because they see events corresponding with your prediction.2265 i.e. on the seizure of the Acropolis by Pisistratus, Solon, resisting the instance of his friends that heshould flee, returned them for answer, when they asked him on what he relied for protection, “on my old age.”Plutarch, Solon 30. The senate being of the faction of Pisistratus, said that he was mad. Solon replied: Δείξειδὴ μανίην μὲν ἐμὴν Βαιὸς χρόνος ἀστοῖς, Δείξει ἀληθείης ἐς μέσον ἐρχομένης. Diog. Laert. 1–49501