"Anyone who might see our letters, my dear friend, and might note their diversity would be very amazed, for at one point he would think that we are very serious men, involved in weighty matters, and that we never entertained a thought which was not lofty and honest. But then, turning the page, he would discover that these same serious men are frivolous, inconstant, lustful, and occupied with trifles. This matter of ours, although to some it may be disgraceful, seems worthy of praise to me, because we imitate nature, which herself is various, and anyone who imitates nature cannot be criticizes."