As he recalled Eudoxie today, so may he assess the state in which I am leaving his government.<hr>
     Regarding Empress Eudoxie, I would be pleased if she knew that even though I haven't particularly studied philosophy, even though I am from a birth that banishes others and not from a birth to be exiled, even though I have a share of the throne that she entirely occupies today, I do not suffer from my exile, and I leave this throne with more restraint than she has shown in receiving the crown I gave her. May heaven allow me to use my misfortune better than she knew how to take advantage of her good fortune. In conclusion of this speech, remember, my father, you who have guided my conscience for as long as I have ruled the empire, that I have never set myself any other goal in life but to always do what I must to be more glorious and fair. True prudence is to use well the events that happen to us: one must not stick scrupulously to one single quality but practice all of them according to different occasions. There are moments when humility is not praiseworthy, and where a great spirit is more necessary, and others where dissimulation equals wisdom and where frankness is criminal. One must know how to evolve when it is necessary, without however changing the resolution of doing what is right. If a prince to whom I would have waged a fair war reduced me to slavery by force of arms, I would not consider him as my enemy any more, but as my master. I would be faithful to him in this state and I would renew the chains that he would make me wear if they happened to break by themselves, for I could not break them without committing a crime.<hr>
     It is for the same reason, Flavien, and with the same thought, that without causing troubles in the empire, without raising the people in my favour and without reminding the ecclesiastics that I supported them, I decide after having known how to reign sovereignly to obey with as much submission as I had courage in commanding half of the world from the age of fifteen until today.<hr>
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                                             Effect of this Speech<hr>
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     This speech, which was transmitted to Theodosius, had its effect at the time, just like that of the empress. As things did not thrive under Eudoxie's administration, Pulcheria was recalled four years later to take the reins of the government, a role she fulfilled with great honor until her death, after having beheaded Chrysaphios. As for the beautiful and scholarly Eudoxie, tired of changes at the court, she returned to Palestine, where she lived and died with remarkable holiness.<hr>
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