Letter 613: Don't take me for the Euripus.

To Euphemius. (361) Do not suppose me to be a Euripus [a tidal strait notorious for its shifting currents]; for as regards this man, I could neither cease to find fault with him nor cease to love him. I do the former as one who is neglected, the latter as his uncle, or rather, if you will, as a father, and a father gentle enough to know how to bear with the frolics of a son; for it is a fine thing to put it that way. For when I consider the rank of our forefathers, of which he is the heir, I think that in every way one must come to the aid of the dignity of the house, and I should wish my uncle's child to shine forth in the city. But as it is, there is also at hand for me a power that does good service, and no small one. For in regarding your office as my own power I am perhaps committing no injustice. And you must expect both accusations always against him and entreaties on his behalf.

Εὐφημίῳ. (361) Μή με νομίσῃς Εὔριπον· ἐγὼ γάρ τοι τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτον οὔτε μὴ μέμφεσθαι δυναίμην ἂν οὔτε μὴ φιλεῖν. ποιῶ δὲ ἐκεῖνο μὶν ὡς ἀμελούμενος, τοῦτο δὲ ὡς ἀνιψιός, μᾶλλον δέ, εἰ βούλει, πατὴρ καὶ πατὴρ ἤπιος εἰδὼς ἐνεγκεῖν υἱέος σκιρτήματα· καλὸν γὰρ οὕτως εἰπεῖν. ἐννοῶν γὰρ τῶν προ- γόνων τῶν ἡμετέρων τὴν τάξιν, ἧς οὗτος διάδοχος, πάντα τρόπον οἶμαι δεῖν βοηθεῖν τῷ τῆς οἰκίας σχήματι καὶ βου- λοίμην ἂν ἐκλάμπειν ἐν τῇ πόλει τὸν τοῦ θείου μοι παῖδα. νῦν δέ μοι καὶ δύναμις εὖ ποιοῦσα πάρεστιν οὐ μικρά. τὴν γὰρ σὴν ἀρχὴν ἐμαυτοῦ δύναμιν ἡγούμενος ἴσως οὐκ ἀδικῶ. δεῖ δέ σε προσδοκᾶν αἰτίας τε ἀεὶ κατ’ αὐτοῦ καἰ παρακλήσεις ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ.