Of all parts of the earth the nearest is that whereon a man lives, because he is most united to it.

And thus his own Native Language is nearest to him, inasmuch as he is most united to it; for it, and it alone, is first in the mind before any other.

And not only of itself is it united, but by accident, inasmuch as it is united with the persons nearest to him, as his parents, and his fellow-citizens, and his own people.

And this is his own Mother Tongue, which is not only nearest, but especially the nearest to each man.

Therefore, if near neighbourhood be the seed of friendship, as is said above, it is manifest that it has been one of the causes of the love which I bear to my Native Language, which is nearer to me than the others.