To Count Patricius, for Celestinianus

Every kind of goodness deserves praise, but loving-kindness makes them all more beautiful. We earnestly pray to the God of all for it; through it alone we obtain forgiveness when we go wrong; it makes wealth stoop down to the poor. Because I know that your excellency is richly endowed with it, I confidently commend to you the admirable and excellent Celestinianus. He was once master of vast wealth and property, and was suddenly stripped of everything; yet he bears his poverty as easily as few people bear their riches. [a]

The tragedy of his fallen fortunes has for its subject the barbarian invasion of Libya and Carthage. I have introduced him to your greatness; please put his case before others, and move them to pity. You will win greater gain by giving many people a lesson in loving-kindness.