Letter 1058: I'm no less pleased that you liked my speech than that the Senate — the better part of humanity — heard it with...

That my speech has won your approval gives me no less joy than the fact that the better part of the human race, the Senate, heard it with discerning judgment. You have added the weight of an oath and sworn in handsome words, although you knew that the judgments of those who love come under suspicion of partiality. For where friendship is sure, there the trustworthiness of praise is the less certain. Therefore, confident of your scrutiny, I make no account of the opinions of the rest. What if you had been present as a listener of such goodwill? Then I would, as they say, have touched the vault of heaven above with my finger. There will perhaps be another time more longed for by us, when we shall have an abundance of your presence. For now we enjoy the testimony of your letter; then we shall make use of the help of your favor. Farewell. [Book 1, letter 47; before the year 385.]

Orationem meam tibi esse conplacitam nihilo setius gandeo, qnam qaod eam secanda existimatione pars melior bumani generis senatns aadivit. adiecisti sacramenti pondns et in bona verba iurasti, at qui scires in suspicionem gratiae venire amantium 6 iudicata. nam ubi certa est amicitia, ibi fides laudis incertior. ergo secums examinis PVM tui nihil moror sententias ceterorum. quid si adfuisses | tam bonae voluntatis auditor? ne ego digito, ut aiunt, supera conyexa tetigissem. erit alias fortasse nobis optatior praesentiae tuae copia. nunc testimonio epistulae tuae fruimur, tunc adiumento fayoris utemur. vale. lo LHI (XXXXVH) ante a. 385.