Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VII/Letters of Gregory Nazianzen/Miscellaneous Letters/To Nicobulus/Letter LIII

Ep. LIII.

(Gregory put a collection of Basil&#8217;s letters with his own, and gave them the first place.&#160; Nicobulus seems to have been surprised at this, and asked the reason.&#160; Gregory explains as follows.)

I have always preferred the Great Basil to myself, though he was of the contrary opinion; and so I do now, not less for truth&#8217;s sake than for friendship&#8217;s.&#160; This is the reason why I have given his letters the first place and my own the second.&#160; For I hope we two will always be coupled together; and also I would supply others with an example of modesty and submission.