This is St. Augustine's brief treatment of hermeneutics (the science of interpretation) and homiletics (the art of preaching). His own concluding summary of the work says, "I have discussed with whatever slight ability I could muster, not the kind of man I am, for I have many defects, but the kind of man he ought to be who seeks to labor in sound doctrine, which is Christian doctrine, not only for himself, but also for others" (169). As he discusses how one should learn and how own should teach, love is the guiding principle, both the love of God and that of neighbor. "Whoever, therefore, thinks that he understands the Divine Scriptures or any part of them so that it does not build the double love of God and of our neighbor does not understand it at all (30). Charity is so much the goal of interpretation that one does not err if he mistakes the author's intent, so long as he still exhorts the hearers to love. "Whoever finds a lesson there useful to the building of charity, even though he has not said what the author may be shown to have intended in that place, he has not been deceived, nor is he lying in any way" (30). When he comes to discuss oratory Augustine borrows from his secular training in rhetoric. He exhorts speakers to use three different "styles" that the hearers may learn the truth, that their attention may be rapt throughout, and that they may be persuaded to obey. Even here, love reigns supreme. "For charity itself, which is the end and fulfillment of the Law, cannot be right if those things which are loved are not true but false" (166). This is an invaluable insight into patristic exegesis and would be of interest to anyone who loves biblical hermeneutics, patristics, or to someone who is merely a fan of St. Augustine of Hippo.