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| To Athanasius, father of Athanasius bishop of Ancyra.
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Letter XXIV.1980
| 1980 Placed before
Basil’s episcopate. |
To Athanasius, father of Athanasius bishop of
Ancyra.1981
| 1981 Vide
note on Letter xxv. Nothing more is known of the
elder of these two Athanasii than is to be gathered from this
letter. |
That one of the things
hardest to achieve, if indeed it be not impossible, is to rise superior
to calumny, I am myself fully persuaded, and so too, I presume, is your
excellency. Yet not to give a handle by one’s own conduct,
either to inquisitive critics of society, or to mischief makers who lie
in wait to catch us tripping, is not only possible, but is the special
characteristic of all who order their lives wisely and according to the
rule of true religion. And do not think me so simple and
credulous as to accept depreciatory remarks from any one without due
investigation. I bear in mind the admonition of the Spirit,
“Thou shalt not receive a false report.”1982
But you, learned men, yourselves say
that “The seen is significant of the unseen.” I
therefore beg;—(and pray do not take it ill if I seem to be
speaking as though I were giving a lesson; for “God has chosen
the weak” and “despised things of the
world,”1983
and often by
their means brings about the salvation of such as are being saved);
what I say and urge is this; that by word and deed we act with
scrupulous attention to propriety, and, in accordance with the
apostolic precept, “give no offence in
anything.”1984
The life
of one who has toiled hard in the acquisition of knowledge, who has
governed cities and states, and who is jealous of the high character
of his forefathers, ought to be an example of high character
itself. You ought not now to be exhibiting your disposition
towards your children in word only, as you have long exhibited its
ever since you became a father; you ought not only to shew that
natural affection which is shewn by brutes, as you yourself have
said, and as experience shews. You ought to make your love go
further, and be a love all the more personal and voluntary in that
you see your children worthy of a father’s prayers. On
this point I do not need to be convinced. The evidence of
facts is enough. One thing, however, I will say for
truth’s sake, that it is not our brother Timotheus, the
Chorepiscopus, who has brought me word of what is noised
abroad. For neither by word of mouth nor by letter has he ever
conveyed anything in the shape of slander, be it small or
great. That I have heard something I do not deny, but it is
not Timotheus who accuses you. Yet while I hear whatever I do,
at least I will follow the example of Alexander, and will keep one
ear clear for the accused.1985
| 1985 cf.
Plut., Vit. Alex. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
