Once a thing is put into writing, the composition, whatever it may be, drifts all over the place, getting into hands, not only of those who understand it, but equally of those who have no business with it; it doesn't know how to address the right people, and not address the wrong. And when it is ill-treated and unfairly abused it always needs its parent to come to its help, being unable to defend or help itself.

—Phaedrus 275e