Greek Education in the Family of the Patriarch

To the Patriarch

Your son came with ability to learn; indeed, through the rhetorical power of Argeus¹ he had something in common with me even before he saw me. He has not attained anything more noble, but perhaps it will be profitable for him to see many cities—as it was for Odysseus. I entreat you to forgive his flight and not to treat him harshly or to make him despair, for that could cause sorrow, which, we see, becomes an obstacle even for those who earnestly desire rhetorical training.