Letter 143: This Philoxenus has proven himself splendid in every way -- in stature, in voice, in his sense of propriety, and in...

To Ecdicius. (359/60) But this Philoxenus here is distinguished both in stature and in voice, and in his sense of modesty, and in knowing how to seek out and to receive learned discourse. But you, in persuading the young men to hasten to us, do the same thing as if you were urging them to hasten to yourself. For you know that, if I appear distinguished, this too redounds to your glory, and if I seem to be not bad at teaching, this likewise will profit you, who chose to teach. For [...] men are not unaware that what we gained at Athens we hold in common. That in deed, then, our interests should have been chosen is nothing to wonder at, for your life from youth onward has been to advance the affairs of your friends; but that you should acknowledge it in writing, as you do, this is not in keeping with your timidity, but rather it is the work of love, which makes even the timid more bold.

**To Ekdikios** (359/60) Well now, this Philoxenus is a splendid fellow — in stature, in voice, in his sense of propriety, and in his ability both to seek out learning and to receive it. As for you, by persuading young men to hasten to my school, you do something equivalent to urging them to hasten to your own. For you know that if I appear distinguished, the credit is yours as well; and if I am thought to be no poor teacher, that too would benefit you, who chose the same profession. People are well aware, after all, of what we shared in Athens. That you should support my work in practice is no surprise — your whole life since youth has been devoted to advancing the fortunes of your friends. But that you should declare it openly in your letters, as you do — that is not in keeping with your usual caution. No, this is the work of affection, which makes even the timid bolder.

Ἐκδικίῳ. (359/60) Ἀλλ᾿ οὑτοσὶ Φιλόξενος <λαμπρὸς> καὶ μεγέθει καὶ κοὶ φωνῇ καὶ τῷ αἰδεῖσθαι καὶ τῷ λόγους ζητεῖν <τε> καὶ λαμβάνειν εἰδέναι. σὺ δὲ πείθων τοὺς νέους παρ’ ἡμᾶς τρέχειν ὅμοιον ποιεῖς ὥσπερ ἂν εἰ παρῄνεις αὐτοῖς παρὰ σὲ τρέχειν. οἶσθα γάρ, ὡς, ἂν ἐγὼ φαίνωμαι λαμπρός, καὶ σὸν ἐν δόξῃ, κἂν ἐγὼ δόξω μὴ κακὸς εἶναι παιδεύειν, καὶ σοὶ ταῦτα ἂν ὀνήσαι παιδεύειν ἑλομένῳ. οὐ γὰρ ἀγνοοῦσιν οἱ ἄν- ex ὁ corr m4 | ἠρόμην scripsi ex Α ἠρώτων Wolf 131,18 ἐκεῖνο D fol. 54 A ἐκείνῳ V Va Vo S Vind D fol. 50v corr Wolf | οὕ θρωποι τὰ Ἀθήνησιν ἡμῖν κοινά. τὸ μὲν οὖν ἔργῳ τὰ ἡμέτερα ᾑρῆσθαι θαυμαστὸν οὐδέν, σοὶ γὰρ ὁ βίος ἐκ νέου τὰ φίλων αὔξειν, τὸ δ’ ὁμολογεῖν ἐν γράμμασιν, ὃ ποιεῖς, τοῦ- το δὲ οὐ κατὰ τὴν σὴν δειλίαν, ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἔργον τοῦτο τοῦ ἔρωτος, ὃς καὶ τοὺς δειλοὺς θρασυτέρους ποιεῖ.