Resultados25 letters/passages
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
It is fitting that we adorn our court with noble men, so that their wishes may be fulfilled and our retinue may be graced by the merits of distinguished persons. We therefore summon your greatness by this edict to our presence -- which we have no doubt is most welcome to you -- so that you, who have spent a long life i …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
[1] You can see from the very care we take how deep our love for you runs, since we appear so concerned for your welfare that we will not let any point of guidance be omitted. Vigilance reveals affection, and what we cherish most devotedly we guard with the greatest care. [2] This is why we have granted the illustrious …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Even when the pleasures of country retreat and provincial leisure might have tempted you, crowds of litigants and the anxious hopes of the wronged came running to you. You took on the office of a good judge among them, as if by some premonition of the future -- performing through the assumption of merit what you could …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
The wisdom of antiquity rightly provided that those who serve the public interest should receive the just rewards of their labor, so that no one who deserved praise for honorable service should be overlooked. For to what office would compensation be paid, if the rewards for praetorian service were delayed? Nearly every …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
It seems an entirely honorable and necessary undertaking to petition a pious Emperor for the security of the Roman state, since it is fitting to seek from you what can benefit our liberty. For among all the blessings God has uniquely granted you, nothing is more glorious than the knowledge that you have the power to gi …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Provide protection pleasing to God for orphans and widows against cruel oppression -- but in such a way that, as sometimes happens through excessive compassion, in trying to help the wretched you do not override the law. And if something in the strict enforcement of law gives offense, counsel everyone so well that you …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
The only real punishment for the wicked is when they feel that public opinion is against their character. There can be no such thing as discipline when discipline itself needs correcting. Strive together with me to give the provincials good governance while removing their hardship. Let the discussion be about remedies, …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Therefore, both these revenue streams, now converted to cash assessments, shall be administered by your diligence at the appointed installments — so that under my administration no one appears negligent who under other authorities served with praiseworthy integrity. For although I have taken care to assist other provin …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
You should gladly obey Roman custom, to which you have been restored after so long -- for the return is welcome to a place where your ancestors are known to have prospered. Therefore, recalled by God's grace to your ancient liberty, clothe yourselves in the manners of the toga. Cast off barbarism; throw away the cruelt …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
There can be no doubt about the loyalty of one chosen to guard a city, because what is entrusted for the security of many must be given to a man of proven conscience. Therefore, we grant you by our authority the care of such-and-such gate of such-and-such city, so that it neither lies open to the approach of the wicked …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] The utility of good men must be renewed through succession, so that no public business suffers harm from the loss of those who serve. We therefore order you by our authority to take up the post of the late Benedictus in the city of Pedona, managing everything with vigilant administration, so that you may earn the i …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
We give thanks to God, to whom the peace of kings is always welcome, that you have declared our accession most pleasing to your clemency. It is clear that you can love one whom you are glad to see reach the summit of kingship. This is how a man should be received who presumed to be elevated through your favor. Grant th …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Having thoroughly investigated all these and similar matters pertaining to the public good and the provincials, we wish you to act in all respects in a manner that cannot displease our clemency. Our foresight has further determined that once all facts are carefully and fairly ascertained by you, they shall be entered i …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
No shameful transaction will enter my court. No one will leave my presence poorer than when he arrived. My private quarters will not differ from my judicial bench — whoever observes me will find a judge, wherever he looks. Mindful of propriety and with God's help, I intend to govern exactly as I was instructed by our s …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
When we requested your presence, we were not planning to inflict the injury of harassment, but considering with deep thought what was truly in your interest — so that you should have done willingly what we knew would benefit you. [6] Return, then, to your former devotion. Let my cares, which I bear for the common good, …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Where the season calls for a moderate order, I will not demand that things be purchased, nor will I attach official pricing to goods that are not actually needed. Concern yourselves only with what is customary; be at ease regarding innovation. I have judged that the only thing profitable for me is to keep you, with God …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] Rewarding merit reveals a ruler's just government, since under such a lord nothing that anyone has labored for can perish. If we bestow unexpected gifts, how can we deny what is owed? Every act of devotion banks its reward safely with us, and the man who has proven his obedience to us in any way reaps a double harv …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
It is customary for those approaching court offices to be weighed by long examination, lest the royal judgment seem to approve anything doubtful -- since the glory of a reign lies in selecting distinguished judges. But the fortunate record of advancement in your family is so frequent, and the wisdom displayed by so man …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
What kind of man, then, must he be judged to have allied to his own blood -- he who would never have admitted an unworthy person even into his fellowship? Therefore, although you come to this honor at a young age, after the judgment of so great a man it would be foolish to call you untested. For if we willingly lend ou …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
It is our policy to assess future merit even in youth and to judge a child's prospects by the virtues of the parents -- because good outcomes are certain when they draw their credibility from the very beginning, and a stock that has always put down deep roots does not know how to fail. A spring's life-giving flow runs …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] It befits a sovereign's care to preserve the harmony of all, since peace beloved by all redounds to the ruler's praise. What speaks better of us than a quiet people, a united Senate, and a whole commonwealth clothed in the honor of our standards? [2] Therefore by this order we decree that the magnificent patricians …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Now procure what has been ordered. You make the soldier devoted when you willingly accept the command. The fair prices will be communicated to you at the next opportunity, once the bearer of this letter has reported to me the extent of the harvest. Nothing can be justly assessed until the abundance of the supply has be …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
If we owe honor even to priests we have never met, how much more to those we have known and revered with affection! We seek out a familiar face differently than we address a stranger. The bond with those we have seen is always stronger, since we hold most dear those joined to us through constant and pleasant conversati …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
She nourished them with sustenance, increased them with estates, adorned them with honors, and for every young man she brought into the family, she gave a consular back to the Senate. Our perceptive judgment observed all of this -- for we seek out even private domestic virtue, so that we may bestow public honors on tho …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
For where would a king's reputation be if we allowed you -- heaven forbid -- to suffer? Do not imagine things that you do not see us doing. Rather, if anyone has been weighed down by some injustice, let him not lose hope in a good conscience, since we are eager to lift up those we find devoted to upright conduct. We ha …