Letter 8008: It serves the public interest that greater responsibilities have been entrusted to you.

It was in the public interest that greater affairs be entrusted to you. For this reason the attestation of my joy ought not to be lengthy, lest a suspicion of flattery should mar the truth of my judgment. I hope, therefore, that the course of the office you have undertaken may be pleasing to you, although I cannot doubt either that uprightness can be altered, or that good qualities are more happily spurred on by the incentive of rewards. XXXI. To Eudoxius. I exulted with joy at the honor of your friendship when I received your letter. But when our friend Annius reported that you are uncertain in health, my gladness was turned aside into grave anxiety. For I see that to travel abroad, which is like an illness, there has been added the loss of your health. Yet my disquiet is consoled by the fact that frugality is familiar to you, that, your wisdom being known, your spirit is even greater amid the adversities of fortune; and these good qualities are wont to restore the vigor of the body and the serenity of strength. I hope, therefore, for happier news to learn of you, and I now make my ears ready for fortunate tidings. Justice, which regards the pious, will bring it about that, after the swift passing of this misfortune, the prosperous things of your life may be extended further. XXXII. To Urbicus. You ought to have made the first overture of writing to me, as is the custom, since the return of the diligent letter-carrier of this household was reminding you of that obligation. Since either forgetfulness or preoccupation has begrudged us the awaited gift of your devotion, I take up the beginning, intending for the future to judge, from the rarity or abundance of your letters, whether you have been wanting in writing by your own will or rather by necessity. XXXIII. To Justinianus. I know that I have been slow in writing. I deliberately put off my pen while I restored the strength worn thin by the journey, so that a page befitting your wish might be delivered to you, who desire glad news of me. Let there be, therefore, a compensation for the delay by means of the best of tidings. Certainly I lay down this law for the letters of friends: that they should approve their spirits by their constancy, and delight mine by their kindness. XXXIV.

Interfuit publicae utilitatis, ut tibi maiora negotia crederentur. quare prolixa esse non debet gaudii mei adtestatio, ne adulationis suspicio devenustet iudicii veritatem. opto igitur, ut tibi suscepti officii cursus adrideat quamvis dubitare non possim, ne- que mutari posse probitatem et bonas artes stimulo praemiorum felicius incitari. 10 XXXI. 15 AD EVDOXIVM. Exultavi gaudio ob amicitiae honorem , cum litteras tuas sumerem. sed ubi An- nius noster, quod sis dubius valetudinis, indicavit, in gravem curam laetitia derivata est. video enim peregrinationi . quae morbi instar est, damnum sanitatis adiectum. solatur tamen sollicitudinem meam , quod parsimonia tibi familiaris est , quod cognita io sapientia et adversis fortunae animus ingentior; quae bona reducere solent valentiam corporis et vigoris serenum. spero igitur de te cognitu laetiora et aures iam felicibus nuntiis paro. faciet iustitia, quae pios respicit, ut post huius incommodi citum transi- tum vitae tuae prospera longius porrigantur. 2 m P non mpersunt huius epistulae nisi haee: 2 . . . uiam 3 . . . redditis reli . . . i gaadiii et a{) 4 . . . quid ex amicoiii . . . aptatis asarpes 5 . . . r et dillgo postqaa . . . mtis — et qaam 6 . . . ino — excellen . . . scriptoni — flaui . . . i honore retulerim 7 . . . m qoaeso — mag . . . talatioiUs — apud 8 . . . eneflcii — ads 2 /////uium P, Symmachus Salnio (7^), Saluino (77); Saluinas etiam in eod. Theod. XI 1, 27 nuncupalur 5 te] Leetiui, et P 7 detnlerim (77) tu] ego^ om, P prolixa gaudii mei esse desinit attestatio F^ esse non debet] non est F^ 12 ueritatem ludicii F^ quod sis] quod si F^ quasi F^, quam sis F3 dubie F^ peregrinationem po$t ualitudinis inser. F2 2 m. iudicaait F» graue F2 / m. diriuata F2 19 inuideo F» additum F2, ad- ditum uel adiectum F*, om, F» 20 solatus F2 tamen om. F3 quia noui poit meam inter, F2 2 m, parsinio F» cognato P 2 m. 21 et om. F'.2 22 corporis aereni uigoris F2 spero] scribo F2 cogniU leticia F2 1 m. fldelibus F^ 23 post] propter F huius in- commodi] huiasmodi F» 24 tuae] F'.3, uiae Pl m., del. 2 m., snae F2 uale add, F^* XXXII. AD VRBICVM. P Auspicium mihi scribendi prior, ut mos est, facere debuisti, cum te huius dili- gentiae domestici tabellarii reditus commoneret. quia nobis vel oblivio vel occupatio 5 religionis tuae desideraturn munus invidit, ego usurpo principium, aestimaturus in reli- quum de raritate vel copia scriptorum tuorum , utrum voluntate litteris brdiendis an magis necessitate defueris. xxxm. AD IVSTINIANVM. 10 Scio me in scribendo tardum fuisse. consulto distuli stilum, dum refoveo itinere tenuatum vigorem, quo tibi de me laeta cupienti voto similis pagina traderetur. fiat igitur ex optimo nuntio morae conpensatio. certe ego eam dico legem litteris amico- rum, nt adsiduitate illorum animos probent, meum bonitate delectent. xxxim.