Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 69 / §§229–234

Printed page 69 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §229, §230, §231, §232, §233, §234. The opening continues §228 from the preceding page. calling a friend 'the equal of a man's own soul.'{1} But thou dost well in making all men thy friends." (27) He spoke kindly to him, and inquired of the following one, " What is of like value with beauty ?" And he said, " Piety, for this is a beauty of the first quality; and its power is love, which is God's gift. And this dost thou possess, and hast in it all blessings comprised." (28) He applauded his answer very warmly, and asked of the next how, after a failure, he should regain the esteem which he enjoyed before. And he replied, " Failure for thee is impossible, as thou hast sown the seeds of gratitude in all men, and these produce a crop of goodwill, which is mightier than the strongest armour and affords the greatest protection. But should any fail, they should no longer do those things which occasion their failure, but form friendships and act righteously. But to be a doer of good deeds and not of the contrary is a gift of God." (29) Well pleased with this answer, he asked of the next one how he might be free from grief. And he replied, " By injuring no one, doing good to all, and following after righteousness, since its fruits produce freedom from grief. But supplication must be made to God, that unforeseen accidents may not surprise and injure us, I mean such as deaths, diseases, pains and the like. But, as thou art pious, no such misfortune will surely befall thee." (30) He commended him highly, and asked the tenth man, " What is the highest form of glory ?" And he said, " To honour God, and that not with gifts or sacrifices, but with purity of soul and devout conviction that all things are fashioned and directed by God in TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 69 {1} Deut. xiii. 6 (LXX text).