Letter 12005: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to the Chancellors of the Individual Provinces.

Senator, distinguished and illustrious gentleman, former quaestor of the palace, former ordinary consul, former master of the offices, praetorian prefect and patrician. The Variae, in twelve books. Book Twelve. 1. Senator, praetorian prefect, to the various cancellarii [chancery officers] of the several provinces. [1] I know not who is held to be a great man if he is dispatched from the inner chambers of a judge, since a person is esteemed to love justice all the more, the more often it is established that he has been heard by him. A judge is understood through his soldiers, and just as pupils reveal the knowledge of their master, so the characters of those who serve us lay us open. A rash man is not thought to have served under one who is moderate, a greedy man is not noticed to have obeyed one who is self-restrained, a foolish man is not believed to have served the prudent. [2] We are in peril, I confess, in our administrations, if you conduct yourselves with evil intent, and that which befalls none of you, another's fault, becomes our reproach when made notorious. We endure such mischances as we cannot judge in others, and the law, which all enjoy, cannot be kept in our case. But again, on the other side, we have a consolation: that your good deeds are believed to be our commissions, and to us, at our leisure, is acquired whatever of glory is accomplished by your labors. [3] For if anyone should see you act wisely, he at once exalts the fame of your instructor, since the instruction is believed to have been of such a kind as the deeds are nonetheless perceived to be. There is one verdict of the common people: that judges are such as you happen to be approved to be. And therefore it must be greatly guarded against, lest that man begin to pass judgment upon you whose reputation you happen to have torn apart beforehand. He avenges with penalties what you set going in idle tales, and he repays with your torments what the wounded populace heaps up. How dangerous it is to suffer a judge reasonably angered, and to have him decide about your fortunes whom it is established that you have grievously provoked! Wherefore strive rather to be praised by our voice, because, just as a judge's adverse word can press you down, so a most favorable verdict can lift you up. [4] Proceed therefore, throughout the present indiction, with God's help, to that province, adorned with the pomp of the chancery and girt about with glorious gravity. Though absent, consider the shame of one present. For what base thing ought you to attempt, you who serve under an honor? The fasces of the judges obey you, and while you are believed to carry the commands of the praetorian seat, you in a manner take up that very power, an object of reverence. Be the first yourself to observe our edicts: show a good way to those who look to you. For of what use is it for a judge to keep his charges, if our soldiers seem to neglect our ordinances? [5] Flee that queen of insolent vices, avarice, to whom all crimes do service with detestable devotion: for when she has entered the breast of a man, she also admits in droves whole cohorts of evildoers. Once received, she cannot be borne, because she knows not how to be solitary. She has a most flattering retinue, she takes up arms from men's talents, and through sweetness she overcomes those whom she takes captive by bitter deception. Accordingly, be attentive to the public interests: see to your enjoined duties with moral compulsion. He who instills reason accomplishes more than the man of terror can effect. Let your person be a refuge to the oppressed, a defense to the weak, a protection to one shut in by some calamity. For in this way you properly conduct our chancery, if you loose the impious bars that confine the injured.

V. C. ET INL. EXQUAEST. PAL. EXCONS. ORD. EXMAG. OFF. PPO ATQUE PAT. VARIARUM LIBRI DUODECIM LIBER DUODECIMUS I. DIVERSIS CANCELLARIIS PROVINCIARUM SINGULARUM SENATOR PPO. [1] Nescio quis magnus esse creditur, qui de penetralibus iudicis destinatur, quoniam tanto plus aestimatur quis amare iustitiam, quanto ab illo frequentius constat auditam. per milites suos intellegitur iudex et sicut discipuli magistri scientiam produnt, sic nos obsequentium mores aperiunt. praeceps non putatur observasse moderato, avarus paruisse non advertitur continenti: stultus prudentibus servisse non creditur. [2] Periclitamur, fateor, in actionibus nostris, si vos mala intentione tractetis et, quod nulli accidit vestrum, alienum vitium nostrum celebratur obprobrium. sustinemus tales casus, quales nos in alios iudicare non possumus et lex, qua fruuntur cuncti, in nobis non potest custodiri. sed habemus iterum ex alia parte solacium, quod vestra bona nostra creduntur esse mandata et nobis otiosis adquiritur, quicquid gloriae vestris laboribus expeditur. [3] Si te enim aliquis sapienter agere videat, statim famam tui praeceptoris exaltat, dum tale institutum fuisse creditur, qualia gesta nihilominus sentiuntur. una est sententia plebis tales esse iudices, quales vos contigerit approbari. et ideo magnopere cavendum est, ne ille de vobis incipiat iudicare, cuius vos opinionem contigerit ante lacerasse. ulciscitur poenis quod misistis in fabulis et tormentis vestris compensat, quod populus vulneratus exaggerat. quam periculosum est pati iudicem rationabiliter iratum et illum de fortunis tuis decernere, quem te constat graviter irritasse! quapropter stude magis, ut nostra potius voce lauderis, quia sicut te potest iudicis vel sermo adversus deprimere, ita prosperrima sententia sublevare. [4] Perge igitur per illam indictionem iuvante deo ad illam provinciam, cancellorum pompa decoratus et gloriosa gravitate praecinctus. absens cogita praesentis pudorem. nam quid debeas temptare vile, qui militas sub honore? fasces tibi iudicum parent et dum iussa praetorianae sedis portare crederis, ipsam quodammodo potestatem reverendus adsumis. edicta nostra tu primus observa: ostende bonam te intendentibus viam. nam cuius est iudicis custodire mandata, si milites nostra videantur neglegere constituta? [5] Reginam illam procacium vitiorum avaritiam fuge, cui cuncta crimina detestabili devotione famulantur: quae dum pectus hominis ingressa fuerit, gregatim quoque maleficas cohortes admittit. ferri non potest recepta, quia nescit esse solitaria. agmen habet blandissimum, arma suscipit ex talentis et per dulcedinem superat quos amara deceptione captivat. proinde ad utilitates publicas esto sollicitus: iniuncta morali compulsione procura. plus agit inculcator rationis quam possit exercere terribilis. persona tua refugium sit oppresso, infirmi defensio, praesidium aliqua calamitate concluso. sic enim proprie nostros cancellos agitis, si laesorum impia claustra solvatis.