Letter 55: A novel kind of theft this is -- to announce in advance where the theft will take place and that you intend to...
Libanius→Acacius|c. 319 AD|Libanius|AI-assisted
friendship
To Acacius (359)
A novel kind of theft, surely, this is: that a man should announce beforehand to the one from whom he is going to filch something that he will steal it, and only then set about the theft. But you, while plundering openly, say that you are stealing, so that the wrong you do may not seem to you tyrannical, but may share in some measure of caution.
For my part, I would have kept Titianus by me no less gladly than you summon him; yet I am sending him back, since whatever you command must become a deed. And I trust that the young man will accomplish that for which he has been sent back. For you say that you are weary and stripped bare of companions, and that you seek your consolation from him.
And he will lighten your grief for you not only by the pleasure of his presence to the eye, which indeed is the common gift of sons, but also because he brings you a certain power of words, which you yourself planted, but which we nourished. But see that you remember the agreements you have made concerning the time, and before the season comes to its end, give us back the colt. And from your own experience you will surely pardon me as well. For if you long for a son, we too long for a son; for both of us reared him.
**To Acacius** (359 AD)
A novel kind of theft indeed — to announce in advance to the person from whom one intends to steal that one *will* steal, and then to proceed with the robbery! But you, seizing openly, call it "stealing," so that your offense may not seem tyrannical but may share in a certain modest restraint.
For my part, I would have been no less happy to keep Titianus than you are eager to summon him. But I send him back, since whatever you command must be done. And I trust the young man will accomplish the very purpose for which he has been sent back. For you say that you are weary and stripped of your companions, and that you seek from him some consolation.
He will lighten your grief not merely by the pleasure of seeing him — that common gift of all sons — but because he also brings you a certain power in eloquence which you yourself planted and we have nurtured. But mind you remember our agreement regarding the time: before the fair season has fully run its course, give us back our colt. Surely from your own feelings you will forgive me as well. For if you long for a son, we too long for a son — since we have both had the raising of him.
A novel kind of theft, surely, this is: that a man should announce beforehand to the one from whom he is going to filch something that he will steal it, and only then set about the theft. But you, while plundering openly, say that you are stealing, so that the wrong you do may not seem to you tyrannical, but may share in some measure of caution.
For my part, I would have kept Titianus by me no less gladly than you summon him; yet I am sending him back, since whatever you command must become a deed. And I trust that the young man will accomplish that for which he has been sent back. For you say that you are weary and stripped bare of companions, and that you seek your consolation from him.
And he will lighten your grief for you not only by the pleasure of his presence to the eye, which indeed is the common gift of sons, but also because he brings you a certain power of words, which you yourself planted, but which we nourished. But see that you remember the agreements you have made concerning the time, and before the season comes to its end, give us back the colt. And from your own experience you will surely pardon me as well. For if you long for a son, we too long for a son; for both of us reared him.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.