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| A Testimonial.
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Letter V.—A Testimonial.
That for which the king of the Macedonians is most admired by people of
understanding,—for he is admired not so much for his famous
victories2179
| 2179 διηγήμασιν. “He believed in fidelity, and was capable of the
sublimest, most intimate friendships. He loved Hephæstion so
fervently, that.…he remained inconsolable for his
loss.”—F. Schlegel. Achilles was his hero: for he too knew
the delight of a constant friendship. | over the Persians and Indians, and his
penetrating as far the Ocean, as for his saying that he had his
treasure in his friends;—in this respect I dare to compare myself
with his marvellous exploits, and it will be right for me to utter such
a sentiment too. Now because I am rich in friendships, perhaps I
surpass in that kind of property even that great man who plumed himself
upon that very thing. For who was such a friend to him as you are to
me, perpetually endeavouring to surpass yourself in every kind of
excellence? For assuredly no one would ever charge me with flattery,
when I say this, if he were to look at my age and your life: for grey
hairs are out of season for flattery, and old age is ill-suited for
complaisance, and as for you, even if you are ever in season for
flattery, yet praise would not fall under the suspicion of flattery, as
your life shows forth your praise before words. But since, when men are
rich in blessings, it is a special gift to know how to use what one
has, and the best use of superfluities is to let one’s friends
share them with one, and since my beloved son Alexander is most of
all a friend united to me in all sincerity, be persuaded to show him my
treasure, and not only to show it to him, but also to put it at his
disposal to enjoy abundantly, by extending to him your protection in
those matters about which he has come to you, begging you to be his
patron. He will tell you all with his own lips. For it is better so
than that I should go into details in a letter.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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