Letter 992: A praise letter for a skilled, self-controlled physician who treats the poor generously.

Since a good doctor is a great blessing to a city, and since you care for the happiness of cities and rejoice with those that possess such a man, it is time for you to rejoice with us, your Antiochenes. We have Dionysius, a doctor skilled at turning diseases back and forcing them to flee from bodies. He has defeated many illnesses at their height, kept others from reaching their height, prevented some from attacking again, and preserved bodies free from disease by diet and exercise. Those who entrusted themselves to Dionysius have enjoyed such benefits; those deceived and carried off to others learned through suffering what they ought to have known before they suffered. In the qualities most needed by a doctor he excels: self-control and mastery over pleasure. Such as he is in his art and in character, he is also toward the poor. Not because there are no people willing to pay him, for those he has saved exist, but because he is ashamed even to stretch out his hand for a little and now pushes away the whole payment. It was right for me to write on his behalf and for you to read.