Letter 4004: King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome.
Cassiodorus→the Senate of the City of Rome|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
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King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome.
It is indeed a credit to us, Conscript Fathers, to bestow honors freely. But it is more praiseworthy to grant what is fitting to those who have truly earned it, because whatever we give to such men we give for the general good. The advancement of a man who holds firmly to what is right benefits everyone, and no room is left for injustice when the rule of discipline passes to the worthy.
With this noble purpose in mind, we have raised the Illustrious Senarius to the dignity of Count of the Patrimony [administrator of royal estates] — a man who, by the brightness of his character, will shun the darkness of corruption; who will take no pleasure in false accusation; who, though supported by the authority of the patrimony, will not use our fearsome power for his own profit, but will maintain equal justice with everyone else. It is by such conduct that we see our servants commend themselves to us. Our confidence in what he will do rests on the proven record of what he has already done.
While still in the flower of youth, he entered our court — mature in merit — and without being led astray by any newcomer's mistake, he devoted himself entirely to the will of the ruler, giving his commands effective force. Now worthy of confidential audiences, now supremely suited for taking dictation, frequently chosen for the honor of heading an embassy — so various were his merits that we scarcely knew which post to assign him. A man who fulfills many duties cannot be called a man of a single office.
But what commended him even more was his humility — a quality as rare as it is bright. It is extraordinary to maintain modesty while enjoying a prince's favor, since joy always unsettles the heart. Moderation is rarely imposed in happy times; it belongs more naturally to adversity.
And alongside these astonishing merits, the brilliance of his birth shines with equal luster, so that you would be hard pressed to say which makes him richer — since he possesses both in abundance. Qualities that would earn praise individually produce wonder when combined. Therefore, Conscript Fathers, let venerable Liberty rise for this newcomer entering your ranks. Nothing is subtracted from your own distinction when a newcomer is honorably welcomed. You who bear the name of public fathers, appointed by our clemency — let a double reason for benevolence move you: the beginner deserves goodwill, the man advanced deserves your favor.
IIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Gloriosum quidem nobis est, patres conscripti, honores passim impendere, sed laudabilius bene meritis digna praestare. quicquid enim talibus tribuimus, pro generali potius utilitate largimur. cunctis siquidem proficit recti tenax provectus nec locus relinquitur iniuriae, cum ad bonos pervenit regula disciplinae. [2] Hoc itaque praeclaro desiderio illustrem virum Senarium comitivae patrimonii dignitate subveximus, qui venalitatis obscura animi claritate refugiat, qui calumnia non laetetur, nec patrimonii auctoritate suffultus de nostro sibi faciat terrore compendium, sed ius aequabile possit tenere cum ceteris, unde nobis placere respicit servientes. haec de illo futura promittere praeteritorum facit temporum fides. [3] In ipso quippe adulescentiae flore palatia nostra meritis maturus intravit et, quod robustas quoque fatigat aetates, nullo deceptus novitatis errore ad imperantis conversus arbitrium effectum bonarum praestitit iussionum, nunc ad colloquia dignus, nunc ad exceptiones aptissimus, frequenter etiam in honorem legationis electus, cuius multiplex meritum incertum apud nos reddebat officium. non enim unius loci vir debet dici, a quo multa videntur impleri. [4] Sed haec amplius commendabat humilitas, quae tam clara quam rara est. novum est enim sub amore principis custodire modestiam, quia gaudia semper animos inquietant: modus enim raro laetis rebus imponitur, qui magis in tristibus invenitur. [5] Verum inter haec stupenda meritorum originis quoque simili claritate resplendet, ut haereas, qua parte sit ditior, cum copiosius utraque possideat. habent ergo singulatim distributa praeconium, iuncta miraculum. quapropter, patres conscripti, assurgat primaevis introeuntibus cana Libertas. nihil de genio vestro subtrahitur, quando venientium novitas honorabiliter invitatur. parentes publici de clementia nominati, duplex vos ratio benignitatis invitet: incipiens mereatur gratiam, provectus favorem.
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King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome.
It is indeed a credit to us, Conscript Fathers, to bestow honors freely. But it is more praiseworthy to grant what is fitting to those who have truly earned it, because whatever we give to such men we give for the general good. The advancement of a man who holds firmly to what is right benefits everyone, and no room is left for injustice when the rule of discipline passes to the worthy.
With this noble purpose in mind, we have raised the Illustrious Senarius to the dignity of Count of the Patrimony [administrator of royal estates] — a man who, by the brightness of his character, will shun the darkness of corruption; who will take no pleasure in false accusation; who, though supported by the authority of the patrimony, will not use our fearsome power for his own profit, but will maintain equal justice with everyone else. It is by such conduct that we see our servants commend themselves to us. Our confidence in what he will do rests on the proven record of what he has already done.
While still in the flower of youth, he entered our court — mature in merit — and without being led astray by any newcomer's mistake, he devoted himself entirely to the will of the ruler, giving his commands effective force. Now worthy of confidential audiences, now supremely suited for taking dictation, frequently chosen for the honor of heading an embassy — so various were his merits that we scarcely knew which post to assign him. A man who fulfills many duties cannot be called a man of a single office.
But what commended him even more was his humility — a quality as rare as it is bright. It is extraordinary to maintain modesty while enjoying a prince's favor, since joy always unsettles the heart. Moderation is rarely imposed in happy times; it belongs more naturally to adversity.
And alongside these astonishing merits, the brilliance of his birth shines with equal luster, so that you would be hard pressed to say which makes him richer — since he possesses both in abundance. Qualities that would earn praise individually produce wonder when combined. Therefore, Conscript Fathers, let venerable Liberty rise for this newcomer entering your ranks. Nothing is subtracted from your own distinction when a newcomer is honorably welcomed. You who bear the name of public fathers, appointed by our clemency — let a double reason for benevolence move you: the beginner deserves goodwill, the man advanced deserves your favor.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.