Epistles of Phalaris, VIII: To Sameas
“Since I am well acquainted with the simplicity of your life and your abundant philanthropy to all, and because you benignly consider the good fortunes of your friends while sympathizing with their private pains and misfortunes, I have decided to write to you in brief that I have conquered in court, on the sea, on land, and on horse. I have done this so that, when you hear it (as befits a good and noble man), you will grieve incessantly, as you take up from your nature these tortures so worthy and befitting such a bad character.”
Σαμέᾳ.
Εἰδώς σου τὴν χρηστότητα τοῦ τρόπου καὶ τὴν ὑπερφυᾶ πρὸς ἅπαντας φιλανθρωπίαν, καὶ ὅτι τὰς τῶν πλησίον εὐτυχίας ἡμέρως καὶ συμπαθῶς ἰδίας ἀλγηδόνας καὶ συμφορὰς ἡγῇ, γέγραφά σοι συντόμως, ὅτι καὶ τὴν δίκην καὶ τὴν ναυμαχίαν καὶ τὴν παράταξιν καὶ τὸ τελευταῖον τὸν ἱππικὸν ἀγῶνα νενικήκαμεν, ἵν’ ἀκούσας, ὡς προσήκει καλῷ κἀγαθῷ, στένῃς ἀδιαλείπτως, λαμβάνων παρὰ τῆς σεαυτοῦ φύσεως τὰς ἀξίας καὶ πρεπούσας τοσαύτῃ κακοηθείᾳ βασάνους.
