To Zeno, General and Consul, on Prizes That Last

Everyone admires your courage, tempered as it is by gentleness and mildness, shown to your own household in kindness and to your enemies in boldness. These qualities mark an admirable general. In a soldier’s character the chief ornament is bravery, but in a commander good judgment comes before bravery. After these come self-control and fairness, and by them a wealth of virtue is gathered. Such wealth is the reward of the soul that reaches out for what is good, and that keeps its eyes fixed on the sweetness of the fruit and counts the toil a real pleasure. For the God of all, like some great giver of games, has offered prizes to virtue’s athletes, some in this life, and some in the life beyond, which has no end. The prizes of this present life your excellency has already enjoyed, and you have reached the highest honor. May it be the lot of your greatness to win the lasting and everlasting blessings too, and to receive not only the consul’s robe but also the garment that is beyond words and divine. This is the prayer shared by all who understand how great that gift is. [a]