Letter 5019: I do not wonder at your silence regarding words — for I know you well enough to expect it.

19. Ennodius to Parthenius. It is not in your case that I marvel at restraint of speech, since one who has stored up little brings forth nothing. Do you believe that under cover of this opportunity of your departure the substance of the matter lies hidden? Both silence betrays inexperience, and unpolished conversation reveals childish ignorance. In the meantime, before this you were not destitute of charm, knowing what diligence, what the solicitude of one who loves demanded: you have become ignorant of good things, after we sent you across to obtain those things that are reckoned the highest. For what remains, farewell, and, receiving the words of your monitor, make yourself known as improved by the constancy of your writing.

XVIIII. PARTENIO ENNODIVS. Non in te admiror sermonis abstinentiam, quia qui exigua condiderit nil producit. credis sub hac occasione profectus tui latere substantiam? et taciturnitas inperitiam prodit et infabricata confabulatio manifestat infantiam. interea ante inops gratiae non fuisti, sciens quid diligentia, quid amantis sollicitudo flagitaret: factus es bonarum rerum nescius, postquam te ad obtinenda quae putantur summa trasmisimus. quod restat, uale et accipiens monitoris uerba melioratum te scriptionis adsiduitate diuulga.