Letter 4017: It is rightly believed that the tongue announces what lies within the heart.

XVII. Ennodius to Decoratus. Rightly is the tongue believed to be the announcer of our inmost parts, since it summons to the light, by speech, the secrets of the hidden soul: the love of hearts would go unknown, unless a betraying word disclosed it. By good right the wisdom of the ancients, having made use of letters as if they were keys, by means of them published abroad the affection laid up within. The mind has been drawn forth as witness of the writing, attesting its diligence: it has not been permitted to alter the love which the longing page, intervening, had promised. To this custom, or rather to this law, I have bound myself, declaring by the trustworthiness of letters what concerning your greatness has taken root in my feelings. If you, with equal care, come together with me into a binding bond, if friendship, a faithful interpreter, judging itself, sees the wish of the other, let the writing-tablet, conveying a reply, give the sign. I, bestowing the gifts of a greeting, have not concealed my deliberation as though I were a miser of words.

XVII. ENNODIVS DECORATO. Recte creditur enuntiatrix esse lingua penetralium, quae latentis secreta animae ad lucem uocat eloquio: nesciretur amor pectorum, nisi illum sermo proditor indicaret: iure ueterum sapientia epistolis usa quasi clauibus repositum per eas uulgauit affectum. tracta est in testimonium scriptionis mens testata diligentiam: mutari caritatem non licuit, quam desiderans pagina interueniente promisisset. huic me ego consuetudini uel legi potius mancipaui, adserens litterarum fide quid de magnitudine tua sensibus inoleuit. uos si mecum pari cura in deuinctionem conuenitis, si fida interpres amicitia se aestimans uotum uidet alterius, responsum deferens tabella significet. ego munera salutationis inpertiens deliberationem meam non tamquam uerborum auarus occului.