Letter 521: Other men take pride in various things, but Severus takes pride in being my friend.

To Anatolius. (356) Different men take pride in different things, but Severus takes pride in being a friend of mine. And it is clear that, the moment he arrives among you, he will proclaim this. I was therefore afraid that, hearing this but not receiving any letter of mine through the man who says it, you would consider either him a liar or me a bad friend toward him. For in what greater matter could I have wronged him than by depriving him of your support? For not to give, when it is in one's power, I for my part would set down as depriving. Now, the things he needs are among the very easiest; but I am afraid that this very thing may prevent you from giving aid, on the ground that it befits you to display your strength in great affairs. But, my good sir, for my sake lay hold even of small things.

Ἀνατολίῳ. (356) Ἄλλοις μὲν ἄλλος φιλοτιμεῖται, Σευῆρος δὲ τῷ φίλος ἐμὸς εἶναι. καὶ δῆλον ὡς εὐθὺς ἥκων πρὸς ὑμᾶς τοῦτο κη- ρύξει. ἔδεισα δὴ μὴ τὸ μὲν ἀκούων, γράμματα δὲ ἐμὰ διὰ τοῦ ταῦτα λέγοντος οὐ λαβὼν ἢ ψεύστην ἐκεῖνον ἢ κακὸν ἐμὲ περὶ τὸν φίλον ἡγήσῃ. τί γὰρ ἂν αὐτὸν ἠδίκησα μεῖζον ἢ τῆς σῆς ῥοπῆς ἀποστερῶν; τὸ γὰρ μὴ δοῦναι παρὸν εἰς τὸ ἀποστερεῖν ἔγωγε ἂν θείην. ὧν μὲν οὖν δεῖται, τῶν πάνυ ῥᾴστων ἐστί· φοβοῦμαι δὲ μὴ τοῦτό σε κωλύσῃ συμμαχεῖν, ὡς πρέπον σοι τὴν ῥώμην ἐν μεγάλοις δεικνύειν. ἀλλ’, ὦ δαιμόνιε, χάριν ἐμὴν ἅψαι καὶ τῶν μικρῶν.