Everyone who reads "Misopogon" will surely find several points to underline with a pencil. With some, they will laugh, at times they will be tempted to make sad comparisons with today's politicians and intellectuals, some will shed light on Cavafy's poems, which often mention Julian - and perhaps make many fall in love with the story, just as the Alexandrian poet did.
One thing is certain: never in world history has such a revealing and honest speech from a leader to his citizens been written. Never has a lesson in ethics been taught with such frankness, humor, and sarcasm. "Misopogon," apart from its great value as a historical document, is a written monument of Greek character.

"Julian's work 'Misopogon' is so wonderful and intellectual that one can hardly attribute it to an emperor."

Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, Vol. IV