Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VII/Letters of Gregory Nazianzen/Miscellaneous Letters/To Sophronius, Prefect of Constantinople/Letter XXII

Ep. XXII.

(Is for Amphilochius, written at the same time and in consequence of the same trouble as that which we have placed second of the letters to C&#230;sarius.)

As we know gold and stones by their look, so too we may distinguish good men from bad in the same way, and do not need a very long trial.&#160; For I should not have needed many words in pleading for my most honourable son Amphilochius with Your Magnanimity.&#160; I should rather have expected some strange and incredible thing to happen than that he would do anything dishonourable, or think of such a thing, in a matter of money; such a universal reputation has he as a gentleman, and as wiser than his years.&#160; But what must he suffer?&#160; Nothing escapes envy, for some word of blame has touched even him, a man who has fallen under accusation of crime through simplicity rather than depravity of disposition.&#160; But do not allow it to be tolerable to you to overlook him in his vexations and trouble.&#160; Not so, I entreat your sacred and great mind, but honour your country and aid his virtue, and have a respect for me who have attained to glory by and through you; and be everything to this man, adding the will to the power, for I know that there is nothing of equal power with Your Excellency.