Letter 4026: No one who carries your letters to me has ever gone back to you empty-handed.

No one who carries your letters has ever returned to you empty of that same gift of mine in return; you, however, count our infrequency a fault, and besides reproach us for our concern about your diligence. You do this after the manner of those who love, among whom, even when such acts of duty abound, the thirst for them is great. Nor do you only demand my letters, but you also enjoin that our little speeches, not yet published to you, be delivered into your hands. This matter seems to show what judgment you have concerning those things which you took up before. For no desire advances to further things, if the earlier ones give displeasure. I have sent, therefore, five in number from among my more recent little speeches, of which the public favor has already given me confidence. But after [...]