Severus the presbyter, surnamed Sulpicius, of the province of Aquitania, a man distinguished by the nobility of both origin and literary work, and by his devotion to poverty and humility, dear also to the holy men: Martin, bishop of Tours, and Paulinus of Nola, wrote several works which should not be disregarded.

He wrote, for instance, to his sister many letters exhorting to love of God and contempt of the world, which are well-known. He wrote two to the above mentioned Paulinus of Nola and other [letters] to other [people], but because in some family matters are included, they have not been distributed. He composed a Chronicle as well.

He wrote also to the profit of many, a Life of the the blessed Martin, monk and bishop, a man famous for signs, miracles, and virtues. He also wrote a Conference between Postumianus and Gallus [i.e. the Dialogues], in which he himself acted as mediator and judge. The subject matter was the manner of life of the oriental monks and of St. Martin presented in the type of a dialogue in two parts. In the first, he mentions a decree of the bishops at the synod of Alexandria in his own time to the effect that Origen is to be read, though cautiously, by those who are wise, for the good that is in him, and is to be rejected by the less able on account of the evil. In his old age, he was led astray by the Pelagians, and, recognizing the guilt of talkativeness, kept silent until his death, in order that by penitent silence he might atone for the sin which he had contracted by speaking.