Responding to earlier dialogue, Theophilus writes to pagan Autolycus with these opening words: “A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in, to wretched men who have been corrupted in mind. ”
Vastuseks paganast Autolycusega toimunud varasemale dialoogile alustab Theophilus oma kirja temale sõnadega: „Osav keel ja elegantne stiil rõõmustab viletsaid, laostunud meelega inimesi ning ülistab nende tühiseid naudinguid. ”