The monk Pherebios wanted to emulate Psellos; Psellos explained why he would fail

Summary:
Pherebios, in a pretentious letter, had expressed high ambitions, including emulating Psellos himself. Psellos wrote a long, contemptuous reply, listing the knowledge and skills required to achieve these goals, none of which Pherebios seemed to possess 
Dates:
1060 (Uncertain) 
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He wrote a contemptuous reply to a letter from Pherebios 2101 τῷ μοναχῷ Φερεβίῳ Psellos Letters (Sathas) 167.424-428
  • He wrote a long, contemptuous reply to a pretentious letter from Pherebios 2101, whose high ambitions included emulating Psellos himself; he listed the knowledge and skills required to achieve these goals, none of which Pherebios seemed to have (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 167.424-428
Pherebios, monk and correspondent of Michael Psellos (Pherebios 2101)
  • He wrote a pretentious letter to Michael 61, indicating high ambitions, including emulating Psellos himself; Psellos’ reply listed the knowledge and skills required to achieve these goals, none of which Pherebios seemed to have (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 167.424-428