Letters of Julian/Letter 43

by Julian

43. To Eustathius the Philosopher^[1]

[362, Antioch]

Perhaps the proverb "An honest man"^[2] — is too hackneyed. I am sure you know the rest. More than this, you possess it; for, rhetorician and philosopher as you are, you know the words that come next, and you possess me for a friend, at least if we are both honest men. On your behalf I would strenuously maintain that you are in that category, but about myself I say nothing. I only pray that others may find by experience that I also am honest! You ask why I go round in a circle as though I were going to say something extraordinary when I ought to speak out? Come, then, lose no time; fly hither, as we say. A kindly god will speed you on your way with the aid of the Maiden of the Cross Roads and the state post^[3] will be at your disposal if you wish to use a carriage; and two extra horses.

Footnotes

1. See Introduction under Eustathius. He evidently accepted this invitation; see the next letter. He was a pagan and a friend of Libanius; cf. Ammianus 17. 5. 15; Eunapius, Lives, pp. 392 foll. (Wright).
2. Euripides frag. 902, Nauck:

   Τὸν ἐσθλὸν ἄνδρα, κἂν ἑκὰς ναίῃ χθονός,
   Κἄν μήποτ᾽ ὔσσοις εἰσίδω, κρίνω φίλον.

   "An honest man, though he dwell far away and I never see him with my eyes, him I count a friend."
3. The cursus publicus was the system of posting stations where horses were kept ready for the use of the Emperor or his friends; cf. Letter 26 To Basil, end.