Letter 4020: The virtue of diligence is exercised and strengthened through the regular discipline of correspondence.

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Julianus, vir illustris Date: ~509 AD Context: A letter arguing that the practice of dutiful correspondence exercises the virtue of diligence. Ennodius to Julianus, the Illustrious. The virtue of diligence is exercised and strengthened through the regular discipline of correspondence. A man who writes faithfully trains himself in faithfulness; one who neglects his letters trains himself in neglect. I write to you in this spirit: as an exercise in the virtue I aspire to, and as a reminder that you too should practice it. Farewell.

XX. ENNODIVS IVLIANO V. L Exercetur bonum diligentiae scriptione multiplici: linguae enim indicio animorum secreta panduntur. adsiduis curam inpendit adloquiis qui otium amore commutat. haec sunt officia, per quae tacitus innotescit affectus. familiaris perlator, nisi reddendas culmini uestro paginas accepisset, me oblitum reuerentiae debitae testaretur. nescio enim esse caritatis neglegens nec partam labore gratiam quieti seruiens effugare. multa debeo uerba foederi, sed ad breuitatem cogit epistola. uale, mi domine, honorem salutati accipiens et circa me adultam serua dignationem. sic bono in medium adscitus reipublicae de felicitatis tuae diuturnitate gratuleris.