Letter 2029: When you vouch for a good man, you recommend your own judgment as much as you help his cause.

Whoever intervenes on behalf of excellent men seems not so much to advance their interest as to commend his own judgment. Therefore, in following up the wishes of my brother Maximus with these letters, I am of service to him not so much as I gain praise for myself. For he is alike distinguished in life and in the learning of the liberal disciplines, and second to none of the foremost philosophers, and on that account most worthy of your friendship. When he, having been sent on the matter, has settled his business with you, I beg that, with the kindness for which you are renowned, you may follow up his just requests with help ungrudgingly given. [XXX, A.D. 389.]

Pro optimis viris quisquis intervenit, non magis illomm videtur iuvare commodum quam suum commendare iudicium. quare in eo, quod fratris mei Maximi desideria 20 litteris prosequor , non tam illi usui sum , quam mihi laudi est. est enim vita atque eruditione liberalium disciplinamm pariter insignis neque ulli praestantium philoso- phorum secundus ac propterea tua familiaritate dignissimns. cuius tibi negotia cum in rem missus absolverit, quaeso, nt humanitate, qna clams es, iustas petitiones in- gravato auxilio prosequaris. 25 XXX a. 389.