Letter 22: It is said that what is defective in human behavior can be corrected and improved by words.

To Count Ulpianus. It is said that what is defective in human behavior can be corrected and improved by words. But I think that characters already made beautiful by nature make words beautiful in their turn — just as naturally beautiful bodies need no artificial coloring. These qualities shine in the gifted orator Athanasius, and what pleased me most about him was this: he is a devoted admirer of your Excellency and constantly speaks your praises. I strove with him on that ground, however, and in my inventory of your high qualities, I outdid him — for I know more of your good deeds than he does. I am vexed only that I cannot praise them all, and that even my summary falls short of what might truly be said of you. But if God grants my words even to approach the truth, you will hold the first place in every kind of virtue among all your contemporaries.

Letter 22