Letter 1047: It's an old saying that talent is nourished by honor.

There is an old saying that the arts are nourished by honor. The experience of our own age has confirmed it. For no one renowned in war or distinguished at home has ever found his industry left without its reward. Thus, when the fruit is bestowed upon the deserving, hope is prepared for those who set out upon the same path. I swell with joy, therefore, both on account of others, whom a skillful life reconciles to good fortune, and most of all for the sake of my brother Julianus, whom I wish to be esteemed by you in just the way I am confident he can prove himself worthy. You know well, of course, how rare a kinship there is, in that forensic dust, between an eloquent tongue and a good heart, when either modesty cramps a self-effacing talent, or one grown eloquent by success becomes insolent. In this friend and intimate of mine these two qualities have flourished in such a partnership that his eloquence neither dried up under the check of modesty, nor overflowed to the detriment of his self-respect. Never did he corrupt the ornaments of his tongue into a wage, and, though slender in fortune, he exchanged abundance for fidelity and gain for praise. Deservedly do I gladly hand him over into your hand, or rather into your heart. For my highest care is that good men should enrich your friendship. I have ascertained that you too wish the same. For nature always delights in equals, and everything that is alike is akin to itself. But, lest by a long testimonial I incur the suspicion of being a flatterer, I beg you yourself to judge of him by a weightier examination. Thus, when you have approved his character, you will have made trial of my judgment. Farewell.