Familiar Letters

marginal note: Regarding the thanks for favors, he does not have them.

...nature of your speech. But above all, that huge and incredible affection that you clearly appeared to have for me in your letters moved me. ua that huge and incredible affection that you clearly appeared to have for me in your letters re- cat Which, because it seemed to proceed from a true spirit and a certain simple goodness, was pleasing to all in a wonderful way. And so, everyone looked at me as if they were seeing you yourself, and they turned over in their minds those studies and exercises of ours in which you said we had sharpened iron with iron, and they applauded our friendship and familiarity. They could not help but think something of me, whom you had not hesitated to praise with such great zeal. Therefore, I see that from your letters, the effect has been that whatever reputation for noble character had already been established among men regarding me, it has not only been confirmed, but even increased. And if I had received only this one favor from you, I would now be thanking you with many words. But there are so many and such ample things you have bestowed upon me that if I wished to satisfy you with words, I would be considered a great fool. And so, I will not thank you, but I will always hold them. I will return the favor with a willing heart, if the opportunity is ever given. However, I did not think your letters, of which you sent me a copy d, should be returned. For it did not seem to me that I should do this in any way, if many now...