To Theonilla, on the Death of Her Husband

Had I heard of the death of your dignity’s most honorable husband, I would have written long ago. And now my purpose in writing is not to lull your great sorrow to sleep with words of comfort. They are not needed. Those who have learned the wisdom of the philosophers and consider what this life is find reason strong enough to meet and break the rising surge of grief. And even while you remember your long life together, reason recognizes the divine decrees, and against the force of sorrow’s tears it at once marshals the course of nature, the law of God and the hope of the resurrection. Since I know this, there is no need for many words. I only beg you to make use of good sense in the hour of need. Think of the death of the one who is gone as nothing more than a long journey, and wait for the promise of our God and Savior. For he who promised the resurrection cannot lie, and he is the fountain of truth. [a]