Letter 4002: I feel utterly unequal to the task of thanking you properly for what you've done for my son Flavianus.

In giving you thanks on behalf of my son Flavianus I feel myself in every way unequal to the task, and although words come more easily than deeds, I cannot match the greatness of your kindness with my speech. For the rejoicing is not mine alone, because together with him a lost honor has returned into favor: the senate and all good men share this gladness among themselves. Therefore it is hard for a single speech to make up for what the affection of so many has drawn together. You will grant pardon, then, to one who says but little for so great a matter. It is something greater to restore an honor than to have bestowed it; the one fortune consents to be done, the other humanity grants in fortune's despite. The father of our princes, received into heaven, had already sent before him other examples of clemency, and had restored to my Flavianus many things that misfortune had stripped away; but one and most weighty title of his goodness was reserved for his heir, which our lord Honorius, prompted by your greatness, has added to his father's benefactions, interpreting it indeed thus: that it was time, not the will, that had failed the deified prince. Now the works of clemency, interrupted by fate, have been brought to completion by a successor like himself. The most gentle and most august prince has set a kind of crowning point upon his father's beginnings, for which, in turn for that favor, I wish that you and those like you may be his counselors. For to the supreme rulers of empire those who urge what is dutiful and seemly are the instruments of a good age. Our ruler does indeed possess a genius of divine source and a nature ready in the practice of all the virtues; but, that I may be allowed to use an image, even the best helmsmen are not a little aided by the hands of the rowers. But you the trust of your service, as well as the affection of close attachment, render the more friendly to his fame. From this it comes that you find ways everywhere of earning love for him, and that you advise one occupied with greater concerns to look back upon the fortunes of private men. The misfortunes of mankind have been put to flight, and nothing sorrowful has remained seated in the senate. To some honor has been granted, to others restored. Whatever each of us is, we owe it to the one family. But now I shall keep within the bounds of a letter. For I fear lest these very words bring weariness to your illustrious modesty, since they cannot match the return owed for your favor. Let those joys rather be your reward, which the assurance of merits brings forth. I do not wish you to hope for the discharge of so great a kindness from anyone's words. Before all others you know that the reward of a good conscience alone can give satisfaction to those who confer great things. Yet one thing, like an immoderate man, I add: that you may continually cherish your benefactions in my Flavianus. Issued five (four) days before [the Kalends], in the year 397.