When, as you know, you and I were examining together Caecilius' little work (συγγραμμάτιον) on the subject of the sublime, my dear Postumius Terentianus, it seemed to us too humble (ταπεινότερον) for the subject as a whole and not to cover what was salient, thus offering little help to the readers, which must be the principal aim of a writer. Every technical work must first define its subject and secondly, though in fact more importantly, demonstrate how and through what procedures we may achieve the end. Caecilius, however, tries through countless instances to show what the sublime (τὸ ὑψηλόν) is, as though we were quite ignorant of this, but neglected to say, perhaps deeming it unnecessary, how we might be able to develop our own natures towards some higher level of grandeur (μέγεθος). Perhaps, however, we ought to applaud the intention and effort involved in this man's work rather than fault its omissions.[…]