Letter 4025: King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Praefectus Urbis [Prefect of the City].

King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Praefectus Urbis [Prefect of the City]. It is clear that a man who aspires to the heights of senatorial rank is making a statement about his own worth. Merit drives the effort of honorable ambition, and a man's true character can be read in the quality of his aspirations. Who would enter the wrestling ring without knowing the sport? Who would join a contest without the confidence that comes from proven ability? Efforts that are not sustained by a genuine claim to merit wither at the very start. To seek admission to the company of the highest order is itself a profession of one's credentials, and a man reveals a good opinion of himself when he seeks the steps of high office. Our generosity gladly responds to such ambitions, since we wish to lift up even flagging hopes, so that as men seek advancement, their devotion to virtue may grow all the more. Therefore let Your Illustrious Greatness see to it that Petrus -- distinguished by the luster of his ancestors and already a man of weight in his own right -- is enrolled in the roll of the sacred order [the senatorial album] according to ancient custom, so that so great an assembly may gain in number and the candidate may gain in dignity through his admission to the sacred order.

XXV. ARGOLICO V. I. P. U. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Constat eum de se praesumere, qui ad sacri ordinis cupit fastigia pervenire. merita enim suggerunt bonae appetentiae nisus et in qualitate desiderii potest mens honesta cognosci. quis enim palaestricae artis ignarus in stadium luctaturus introeat? aut quis certamini misceatur, quod virtutis conscientia non suadet? in ipsis conatibus aegra languescunt, quae meritorum praesumptionibus non iuvantur. [2] Praeconiorum ergo professio est collegium desiderasse summorum bonumque de se iudicium tradit, qui celsae gradus expetit dignitatis. his igitur desideriis pietas se nostra libenter indulget, qui etiam in spe erigimus vota marcentia, ut, dum provectus quaeritur, probitatis studia plus amentur. [3] Proinde illustris magnificentia tua Petrum parentum luce conspicuum suaque iam gravitate senatorem in album sacri ordinis secundum priscam consuetudinem curet referri, ut et tanto coetui proficiat numerus et candidato de sacro ordine crescat ornatus.