13.07.2015 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Libanius to <strong>Basil</strong>.Letter CCCXXXVIII.Libanius to <strong>Basil</strong>.I know you will often write, “Here is another Cappadocian for you!” I expect that youwill send me many. I am sure that you are everywhere putting pressure on both fathers <strong>and</strong>sons by all your complimentary expressions about me. But it would not be kind on my partnot to mention what happened about your good letter. There were sitting with me not afew of our people of distinction, <strong>and</strong> among them the very excellent Alypius, Hierocles’cousin. The messengers gave in the letter. I read it right through without a word; then witha smile, <strong>and</strong> evidently gratified, I exclaimed, “I am vanquished!” “How? When? Where?”they asked. “How is it that you are not distressed at being vanquished?” “I am beaten,” Ireplied, “in beautiful letter writing. <strong>Basil</strong> has won. But I love him; <strong>and</strong> so I am delighted.”On hearing this, they all wanted to hear of the victory from the letter itself. It was read byAlypius, while all listened. It was voted that what I had said was quite true. Then the readerwent out, with the letter still in his h<strong>and</strong>, to shew it, I suppose, to others. I had some difficultyin getting it back. Go on writing others like it; go on winning. This is for me to win. Youare quite right in thinking that my services are not measured by money. Enough for himwho has nothing to give, that he is as wishful to receive. If I perceive any one who is poorto be a lover of learning, he takes precedence of the rich. True, I never found such instructors;but nothing shall st<strong>and</strong> in the way of my being, at least in that respect, an improvement onmine. Let no one, then, hesitate to come hither because he is poor, if only he possesses theone qualification of knowing how to work.322905

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!