To Donatus 2

But of what kind or how great is anything that could come into your heart from us? The narrow mediocrity of a slender talent produces a very thin crop and does not grow heavy with stalks to the abundance of a fertile field. Still, I will make the attempt with such ability as I have; for the subject of my speech is on my side. In the law courts, on the rostra, let rich eloquence be tossed about in fluent ambition; when the voice speaks of the Lord and of God, the pure sincerity of the voice relies for the arguments of faith not on the powers of eloquence but on facts. So receive things not eloquent but strong, not painted with elaborate speech to allure a popular audience, but simple with plain truth for proclaiming the divine mercy. Receive what is felt before it is learned, what is not gathered by long acquaintance over lengthy times, but drunk in by the short way of a grace that ripens quickly.