Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido
Tradução moderna em inglês
Ancient custom dictates that those who travel abroad should write home first, but affection overrides protocol and I'm beating you to the punch. So let me send my greeting ahead of yours, along with a recommendation for a man who deserves to be counted among the very best. Philippus has long been distinguished by his family's reputation, enhanced by the splendor of court rank, and welcomed into the highest senate not as a newcomer but as one who belonged there by right. Yet these honors are secondary to what truly sets our brother Philippus apart: he is more praiseworthy in character and more conspicuous for his integrity than for any gift of fortune. I'd say more if his modesty would permit it, or if lengthy praise suited a letter. Let me simply promise this: you'll find in person many fine qualities I've left unmentioned, and none of those I have mentioned will disappoint. Farewell.
Texto latino / grego
Hunc scribendi morem superstitio vetusta constituit, ut ad peregrina digressi prio- rem sibi locum vindicent cum absentibus conloquendi; sed adfectus moris inpatiens scribendi vices regione mutavit. itaque rupta lege reticendi sermonem tuum festi- natione praevenio, adiciens sedulae salutationis officiis commendationem viri inter op- 25 tinios quosque numerandi, quem dudum a parentibus clarum et aulicae dignitatis splen- 2 dor excoluit et amplissima curia non accepit ut novum sed recepit ut debitum. quae tamen in fratre nostro Philippo secundo loco et honore censenda sunt, quia plus habet laudis in moribus magisque probitate conspicuus est, ^quam fortunae muneribus glo- riatnr. plura dicerem, si aut pudor eius sineret aut prolixa laudatio epistulae con- 30 veniret. certe illud spondeo, multa eximietatem tuam coram in eo reperire posse, quae tacui, nulla ex his desideratumm esse, quae scripsi. vale. 1 .q. aureli. symm&chi. uc. consulis. ordinarii. epistolarum Hb. ii. explic editus post eius obitum a q. fabio memmio symmacho. uc. fllio incipit lib. iii felicit ad iulianum rusticum P, om. F 3 om. F symmacus P 4 obuersatus] P ^ m.y aduersatus P 1 m. DPj conuersatus F repperi F 6 his PF rietur F 31 qnoram P 1 m. repperire (e P 32 ex his deesse quae F mi ante a. 388.