Letter 52: I did not hesitate to write to you on behalf of a man who has a case in court -- I might even say in his defense.

To Urbanus. (359) I did not hesitate to write to you by the hand of a man who has a lawsuit, and I would even add that I write on the man's behalf. For if he had appeared to me to be in the wrong, he would have been driven away from me; but since he has just claims to plead, the man who has handed over a letter has done no wrong to the judge. For if he himself summons himself to come to the aid of what is just, what harm is there if he should hear from another about what is just? For he will come to know the things which even without the letter he would have voted for, and there will be added to him also the appearance of having honored a friend.

To Urbanus (359) I have not hesitated to write to you on behalf of a man who has a case before you — and I might add, in his favor as well. For if he had appeared to me to be in the wrong, I would have turned him away; but to a man who has justice on his side, the one who gave him a letter has done the judge no wrong. For if the judge himself urges himself to uphold what is just, what harm is there if he hears from another about what is just? He will reach the same verdict he would have rendered even without my letter, but he will have the added distinction of appearing to have honored a friend.

Οὐρβανῷ. (359) Οὐκ ὤκνησά σοι γράψαι δι’ ἀνδρὸς δικαζομένου, προσ- θείην δ’ ἂν καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀνδρός. εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἀδικεῖν ἐφαίνετό μοι ἂν ἀπηλαύνετο παρ’ ἐμοῦ δίκαια δὲ ἔχοντι λέγειν ὁ δοὺς ἐπιστολὴν οὐκ ἠδίκηκε τὸν δικαστήν. εἰ γὰρ αὐτὸς αὑτὸν παρακαλεῖ τῷ δικαίῳ βοηθεῖν, τί δεινόν, ἂν ἀκούσῃ παρ’ ἄλλου περὶ τῶν δικαίων; γνώσεται μὲν γὰρ ἃ καὶ γραμ- μάτων χωρὶς ἐψηφίζετ’ ἄν, προσέσται δὲ αὐτῷ τὸ καὶ φίλον τετιμηκέναι δοκεῖν