The correspondence of Paul and Seneca
From "The Apocryphal New Testament"
M.R. James-Translation and Notes
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924
Introduction
The Correspondence of Paul and Seneca existed in the fourth century,
for Jerome mentions it, says it was 'read by many', and is led
by it to insert Seneca in his catalogue of Christian authors;
Augustine also, quoting the genuine Seneca, says, 'of whom some
letters to the apostle Paul are current read'. The Pseudo-Linus
inserts a paragraph in his Passion of Paul telling how Seneca
frequently conversed and corresponded with Paul, admired him
much, and read some of his writings to Nero.
Manuscripts as old as the ninth century exist, and of the twelfth--fifteenth
centuries there are many. The composition is of the poorest kind:
only its celebrity induces me to translate it once again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I believe, Paul, that you have been informed of the talk which
I had yesterday with my Lucilius about the apocrypha (or possibly
the secret mysteries) and other things; for certain sharers in
your teaching were with me. For we had retired to the gardens of
Sallust, where, because of us, those whom I speak of, going in
another direction, saw and joined us. Certainly we wished for your
presence, and I would have you know it. We were much refreshed
by the reading of your book, by which I mean some of the many letters
which you have addressed to some city or capital of a province,
and which inculcate the moral life with admirable precepts. These
thoughts, I take it, are not uttered by you but through you, but
surely sometimes both by you and through you: for such is the greatness
of them and they are instinct (warm) with such nobility, that I
think whole generations (ages) of men could hardly suffice for
the instilling and perfecting of them. I desire your good health,
brother.
2. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
I received your letter yesterday with delight, and should have
been able to answer it at once, had I had by me the youth I meant
to send to you. For you know when, and by whom, and at what moment,
and to whom things ought to be given and entrusted. I beg, therefore,
that you will not think yourself neglected, when I am respecting
the dignity of your person. Now in that you somewhere write that
you are pleased with my letter (or, write that you are pleased
with part of my letter) I think myself happy in the good opinion
of such a man: for you would not say it, you, a critic, a sophist,
the teacher of a great prince, and indeed of all -unless you spoke
truth. I trust you may long be in health.
3. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I have arranged some writings in a volume, and given them their
proper divisions: I am also resolved to read them to Caesar, if
only fortune be kind, that he may bring a new (an interested) ear
to the hearing. Perhaps you, too, will be there. If not, I will
at another time fix you a day, that we may look over the work together:
indeed, I could not produce this writing to him, without first
conferring with you, if only that could be done without risk: that
you may know that you are not being neglected. Farewell, dearest
Paul.
4. PAUL TO ANNAEUS SENECA, greeting
Whenever I hear your letters read, I think of you as present,
and imagine nothing else but that you are always with us. As soon,
then, as you begin to come, we shall see each other at close quarters.
I desire your good health.
5. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
We are much pained by your retirement. What is it? what causes
keep you away? if it be the anger of the lady (Poppaea) because
you have left the old rite and sect, and have converted others,
there will be a possibility of pleading with her, that she may
consider it as done on due reflection and not lightly.
6. PAUL TO SENECA AND LUCILIUS, greeting
Of the subject on which you have written I must not speak with
pen and ink, of which the former marks out and draws somewhat,
and the latter shows it clearly, especially as I know that among
you -that is, in your homes and in you- there are those who understand
me. Honour is to be paid to all, and so much the more because men
catch at opportunities of being offended. If we are patient with
them, we shall certainly over-come them at every point, provided
they be men who can be sorry for their actions. Farewell.
7. ANNAEUS SENECA TO PAUL AND THEOPHILUS, greeting
I profess myself well content with the reading of your letters
which you sent to the Galatians, Corinthians, and Achaeans; and
may we so live together as you show yourself to be inspired with
the divine frenzy (horror). For it is the holy spirit which is
in you and high above you which expresses these exalted and adorable
thoughts. I would therefore have you careful of other points, that
the polish of the style may not be wanting to the majesty of the
thought. And, brother, not to conceal anything from you, and have
it on my conscience, I confess to you that the Augustus was moved
by your views. When I read to him the beginning of the power (virtue)
that is in you (perhaps he meant your exordium about virtue) his
words were these: that he could wonder that a man not regularly
educated could think thus. I replied that the gods often speak
by the mouths of the simple (innocent), not of those who try deceitfully
to show what they can do by their learning. And when I cited him
the example of Vatienus the rustic, to whom two men appeared in
the territory of Reate, who afterwards were recognized as Castor
and Pollux, he appeared fully convinced. Farewell.
8. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
Though I am aware that Caesar, even if he sometimes lapses, is
a lover of our wonders, you will suffer yourself to be, not wounded
but admonished. For I think that you took a very serious step in
bringing to his notice a matter alien to his religion and training.
For since he is a worshipper of the gods of the nations, I do not
see why you thought you would wish him to know this matter, unless
I am to think that you did it out of excessive attachment to me.
I beg you not to do so in future; For you must be careful not to
offend the empress in your love for me: yet her anger will not
hurt us if it lasts, nor do good if it does not [this is nonsense].
As a queen, she will not be angry: as a woman, she will be offended.
Farewell.
9. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I know that you are not so much disturbed on your own account
by my letter to you on the showing of your letters to Caesar, as
by the nature of things, which so calls away the minds of men from
all right learning and conduct -so that I am not surprised, for
I have learnt this for certain by many examples. Let us then act
differently, and if in the past anything has been done carelessly,
you will pardon it. I have sent you a book on elegance of expression
(store of words). Farewell, dearest Paul.
10. TO SENECA, PAUL, greeting
Whenever I write to you and do not place my name after yours (see
the heading) I do a serious thing and one unbefitting my persuasion
(sect). For I ought, as I have often declared, to be all things
to all men, and to observe in your person that which the Roman
law has granted to the honour of the senate, and choose the last
place in writing (text, reading) a letter, not striving to do as
I please in a confused and disgraceful way. Farewell, most devoted
of masters. Given on the 5th of the kalends of July; Nero the fourth
time, and Messala, consuls (A. D. 58).
11. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Hail, my dearest Paul. If you, so great a man, so beloved in all
ways, be -I say not joined- but intimately associated with me and
my name, it will indeed be well with your Seneca. Since then, you
are the summit and topmost peak of all people, would you not have
me glad that I am so near you as to be counted a second self of
yours ? Do not, then, think that you are unworthy to be named first
on the heading of letters, lest you make me think you are testing
me rather than playing with me -especially as you know yourself
to be a Roman citizen. For the rank that is mine, I would it were
yours, and yours I would were mine. Farewell, dearest Paul. Given
on the 10th of the kalends of April; Apronianus and Capito consuls
(59).
12. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Hail, my dearest Paul. Think you that I am not in sadness and
grief, that your innocent people are so often condemned to suffer?
And next, that the whole people thinks you so callous and so prone
to crime, that you are supposed to be the authors of every misfortune
in the city? Yet let us bear it patiently and content ourselves
with what fortune brings, until supreme happiness puts an end to
our troubles. Former ages had to bear the Macedonian, Philip's
son, and, after Darius, Dionysius, and our own times endured Gaius
Caesar: to all of whom their will was law. The source of the many
fires which Rome suffers plain. But if humble men could speak out
what the reason is, and if it were possible to speak without risk
in this dark time, all would be plain to all. Christians and Jews
are commonly executed as contrivers of the fire. Whoever the criminal
is whose pleasure is that of a butcher, and who veils himself with
a lie, he is reserved for his due season: and as the best of men
is sacrificed, the one for the many, so he, vowed to death for
all, will be burned with fire. A hundred and thirty-two houses
and four blocks have been burnt in six days, the seventh brought
a pause. I pray you may be well, brother. Given the 5th of the
kalends of April; Frugi and Bassus consuls (64).
13. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Much in every part of your works is enclosed in allegory and enigma,
and therefore the great force that is given you of matter and talent
(?) should be beautified, I do not say with elegance of words,
but with a certain care. Nor should you fear what I remember you
have often said; that many who affect such things vitiate the thought
and emasculate the strength of the matter. But I wish you would
yield to me and humour the genius of Latin, and give beauty to
your noble words, that the great gift that has been granted you
may be worthily treated by you. Farewell.
Given on the day before the nones of June; Leo and Sabinus consuls
(non-existent).
14. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
To your meditations have been revealed those things which the
Godhead has granted to few. With confidence, therefore, I sow in
a field already fertile a most prolific seed, not such matter as
is liable to corruption, but the abiding word, an emanation from
God who grows and abides for ever. This your wisdom has attained
and you will see that it is unfailing -so as to judge that the
laws of heathens and Israelites are to be shunned. You may become
a new author, by showing forth with the graces of rhetoric the
unblameable wisdom of Jesus Christ, which you, having well nigh
attained it, will instil into the temporal monarch, his servants,
and his intimate friends, yet the persuading of them will be a
rough and difficult task, for many of them will hardly incline
to your admonitions. Yet the word of God, if it be instilled into
them, will be a vital gain, producing a new man, incorrupt, and
an everlasting soul that shall hasten from hence to God. Farewell,
Seneca, most dear to me.
Given on the kalends of August; Leo and Sabinus consuls.
|
