Nigrinus

Best wishes to Nigrinus from Lucian !

The proverb says “An ow] to Athens!” meaning that it would be ridiculous for anyone to bring owls there, because they have plenty in the city. If I wanted to display my command of language, and were sending Nigrinus a book written for that purpose, I should be exposing myself to ridicule as a genuine importer of owls. But it is only my state of mind which I wish to reveal to you, how I feel now, and how deeply I have been moved by your discourse. So I may fairly be acquitted even of the charge contained in Thucydides’ saying[*](2, 40, 3.) that ignorance makes men bold, but discourse [*](To bring out the play on words, "discourse” is used here in the obsolete sense of "consideration, reflection.”) cautious, for clearly this great hardihood of mine is not due to ignorance alone, but also to fondness for discourse ! Good health to you !