Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VIII/The Letters/Letter 116

To Firminius.

write seldom, and your letters are short, either because you shrink from writing or from avoiding the satiety that comes from excess; or perhaps to train yourself to curt speech.&#160; I, indeed, am never satisfied and however abundant be your communication, it is less than my desire, because I wish to know every detail about you.&#160; How are you as to health?&#160; How as to ascetic discipline?&#160; Do you persevere in your original purpose?&#160; Or have you formed some new plan, changing your mind according to circumstances?&#160; Had you remained the same, I should not have wanted a great number of letters.&#160; I should have been quite satisfied with &#8220;I am quite well and I hope you are quite well.&#8221;&#160; But I hear what I am ashamed to say, that you have deserted the ranks of your blessed forefathers, and deserted to your paternal grandfather, and are anxious to be rather a Brettanius than a Firminius.&#160; I am very anxious to hear about this, and to learn the reasons which have induced you to take to this kind of life.&#160; You have yourself been silent; ashamed, I suppose, of your intentions, and therefore I must implore you not to entertain any project, which can be associated with shame.&#160; If any such idea has entered into your mind, put it from you, come to yourself again, bid a long farewell to soldiering and arms and the toils of the camp.&#160; Return home thinking it, as your forefathers thought before you, quite enough for ease of life and all possible distinction to hold a high place in your city.&#160; This, I am sure, you will be able to achieve without difficulty, when I consider your natural gifts and the small number of your rivals.&#160; If, then, this was not your original intention, or if after forming it you have rejected it, let me know at once.&#160; If, on the other hand, which God forbid, you remain in the same mind, let the trouble come self announced.&#160; I do not want a letter.