Letter 8017: My most beloved son, Cyprian the deacon, had pleased me much by his return to me, if his whole self had returned to me. But now that your Glory has stayed in Sicily, I know most certainly that he has returned indeed in body, but in mind has remained in Sicily. Yet, in saying this, I rejoice with you for your quiet as much as I groan for my own o...

Gregory to Maurentius, magister militum [military commander]. My beloved son Cyprian the deacon has returned to me -- though I would have been happier if all of him had come back. As it is, with your Glory remaining in Sicily, I know perfectly well that Cyprian returned in body but left his heart behind with you. Still, while I say this, I rejoice for your peace of mind as much as I groan under my own burdens. I urge you earnestly: if the sweet taste of inner spiritual life has touched your heart, let your mind be so absorbed in it that everything external -- all the noise, all the pleasures of the world -- loses its appeal. I also commend you for avoiding crowds. A mind that seeks renewal in God through the grace of compunction often falls back into its old habits through bad company and careless talk. I looked for companions to join you in sacred reading, but could find no one. The scarcity of good people is something I deeply lament. Still, even though I am a sinner weighed down with responsibilities, if you should wish to come to the threshold of the blessed Apostle Peter, I would gladly be your close companion in the study of Holy Scripture. May Almighty God keep you under his heavenly protection and defend you from the snares of the ancient enemy.

Book VIII, Letter 17 To Maurentius. Gregory to Maurentius, magister militum. My most beloved son, Cyprian the deacon, had pleased me much by his return to me, if his whole self had returned to me. But now that your Glory has stayed in Sicily, I know most certainly that he has returned indeed in body, but in mind has remained in Sicily. Yet, in saying this, I rejoice with you for your quiet as much as I groan for my own occupations. And to this I earnestly exhort you, that, if the pleasant savour of inward sweetness has touched the palate of your heart, your mind be so rapt within itself that all which sounds without, all that delights without, may be distasteful. Moreover I commend you for avoiding concourses of men, seeing that a mind which desires to be renewed in God through the grace of compunction often relapses into its old state through evil conversation and words. I have sought for some to join you in a society for sacred reading, but have found no one, and I exceedingly lament the scarcity of what is good. And though I, a sinner, am very much occupied, yet, if you should wish to come to the threshold of the blessed apostle Peter, you will be able to have me as a close associate in the study of Holy Writ. May Almighty God keep you under His heavenly protection, and grant you to remain defended against the snares of the ancient foe.