Ep. XLIX. To
Basil. (The Praises of Quiet.)
You accuse me of laziness and idleness, because I did
not accept your Sasima, and because I have not bestirred myself like a
Bishop,
and do not arm you against
each other like a bone thrown into the midst of dogs. My greatest
business always is to keep free from business. And to give you an
idea of one of my good points, so much do I value freedom from
business, that I think I might even be a standard to all men of this
kind of magnanimity, and if only all men would imitate me the Churches
would have no troubles; nor would the faith, which every one uses as a
weapon in his private quarrels, be pulled in pieces.