I am really ashamed of sending
you the Cappadocians one by one. I should prefer to induce all
our youths to devote themselves to letters and learning, and to avail
themselves of your instruction in their training. But it is
impracticable to get hold of them all at once, while they choose what
suits themselves. I therefore send you those who from time to
time are won over; and this I do with the assurance that I am
conferring on them a boon as great as that which is given by those who
bring thirsty men to the fountain. The lad, whom I am now
sending, will be highly valued for his own sake when he has been in
your society. He is already well known on account of his father,
who has won a name among us both for rectitude of life and for
authority in our community. He is, moreover, a close friend of my
own. To requite him for his friendship to me, I am conferring on
his son the benefit of an introduction to you—a boon well worthy
of being earnestly prayed for by all who are competent to judge of a
man’s high character.