Letter 5014: Students gain confidence from the perfection of their masters.

Disciples are confident of perfection whenever they await the presence of their masters: the hope of learning is manifest when, to enjoy its own genius, it invites the teacher. Bright are the talents that are stirred by longing for an instructor: those seek a guide who have learned by a fortunate lot. Thus I, possessed by the affection of your sanctity — although I dare not boast of any skill — yet I await the face of a teacher, lest you think you have entrusted the ecclesiastical seedling to an unworthy son, because although my memory cannot raise itself to a hundredfold fruit, it knows how to return multiplied seeds to its cultivator. Come, therefore, that in my presence you may inspect your crop like a good farmer. God avert the evil eye\! So well has the plant of ecclesiastical fruitfulness thrived under your plowshares that it can be overthrown by the assault of no raging storm. I do not wish to burden the conscience of your sanctity with the prejudice of praise: you will inspect what is declared by the testimony of letters. It remains, with greeting offered in advance, that you hasten now to your joys, because divine benefits always arrive by degrees, and to those upon whom they confer good things they promise better.