Epistula 7
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 July 2023
Summary
Sidonius greets his dear Explicius
1. Since your justice has rightly become admirable to all through multiple experiences of your righteous behaviour, I therefore gladly and eagerly send any individual persons to your arbitration, when they demand this urgently themselves. I ask that as soon as possible you release me from the examination of their case and them from that of their enmity. And it will happen in this way, if as a modest censor you do not completely deny both parties’ complaints; though also the very fact that you do not want to offer your help easily for the disputants is a sign of your good judgement. After all, who would not seek to be elected arbitrator if he was willing to be compliant in exchange for money or other gratitude?
2. Therefore forgive those who are running hastily to the privilege of your sacred conscience, since neither do losers lament your verdict as if they have been foolish, nor do victors smile as if they have been clever. Because they respect truthfulness, the convicted have reverence for you and the exonerated express their gratitude. That is why I beg you urgently to settle the dispute coming to judgement between Alethius and Paulus, as soon as both plead their cases. I think I am right to believe that the moderation of your character will heal the sickness of this virtually interminable dispute better than the decisions of the decemviri and pontiffs, thanks to the habitual good sense of your judgement. Goodbye.
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- Sidonius Apollinaris' Letters, Book 2Text, Translation and Commentary, pp. 24 - 25Publisher: Edinburgh University PressPrint publication year: 2022