1What could you have laid on me more delightful than to look for a teacher for your brother's children? 1For thanks to you I am going back to school, and as it were taking up again that sweetest time of life: I sit among the young men as I used to, and I even find out how much authority I have among them from my studies. 2For recently, in a crowded lecture hall, they were joking loudly among themselves in the presence of many of our order; 2I came in, and they fell silent; 2which I would not report if it did not redound to their credit more than to mine, and if I did not want you to hope that your brother's sons can learn properly.
3For the rest, when I have heard all those who teach, I will write what I think of each, and I will make sure, as far as a letter can achieve it, that you seem to have heard them all yourself. 4For I owe you, I owe your brother's memory, this good faith, this zeal, especially on so important a matter. 4For what matters more to you both than that the children – I would say yours, except that you love them more now – should be found worthy of such a father, and of you as their uncle? 4a responsibility which, even if you had not entrusted it to me, I would have claimed for myself.
5Nor am I unaware that offence must be incurred in choosing a teacher, but I ought to undergo not only offence but even enmities for your brother's sons as calmly as parents do for their own. 5Farewell.