To Diodorus, a Fragment

To my lord, my son, and my most beloved fellow minister Diodorus, bishop of Tyre, Athanasius sends greeting in the Lord. [a]

I thank my Lord, who is establishing his teaching everywhere, and chiefly through his own sons, such as the facts themselves show you to be. Even before Your Reverence wrote, we knew how great a grace has come about in Tyre through your perseverance. And we rejoice with you that through you Tyre too has learned the right word of godliness. I did take an opportunity of writing to you, longed-for and beloved; but I am surprised that you have not answered my letter. So do not be slow to write at once, knowing that you refresh me as a son refreshes his father, and make me exceedingly glad as a herald of the truth. And enter into no controversy with the heretics, but overcome their quarrelsomeness with silence, and their ill will with courtesy. For in this way your speech will be “with grace, seasoned with salt,” while they will be judged by the conscience of everyone. [c]