On Love (Commentary on Plato's Symposium)

In addition to the antiquity of its use, we should hold it dear, and maintain it in its being, continued for so many, many years: And that, finally, the experience had of it another time, and by a man other than I—though not departing much from his useless findings—should reasonably make me little bold and very wise.

They add, shortly after, that the use of Accents was not only unnecessary—besides the fact that it will make the writing confused—but that, if I truly wished to use some, there was no need for me to presumptuously change what is used, and—drawn more by opinion than by truth—add to it even the Circumflex. Seeing that, until today, it has not been recognized in this language by those many talented men who have written of it. Nor should one think that I have discovered it, having no example from Greek or Latin men, as the true pronunciation of those languages has died entirely with them.

And finally they say that even if it were granted to me that the whole thing were well done: not teaching you the sounds of the other letters, I cannot fulfill your desire, nor do what I promise you. And thus, as a presumptuous, arrogant man of little judgment, they go about slandering me.