Letter 1101: The effort I've been putting into writing speeches, you've rewarded with the prize of praise.

The zeal that I have been showing in the composing of orations you have increased by the reward of your praise. For there is an old maxim, that the arts are nourished by honor. And what honor is so abundant as the palm of eloquence? Therefore, even though I understand [...] that you are misled by affection, I will nonetheless mark the distinction of your splendid testimony with a white stone, after the manner of the ancients. For the commendation has not been bestowed on me out of a stingy mouth, but from the storehouse of your eloquence the fruit of a favorable judgment has smiled upon me. I am afraid to indulge the words of your acclamation, lest we be thought to be striving at a mutual labor of gratifying one another. Farewell, and as you are devoted to us, persevere in your scrupulous regard.