VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 44
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: King Thrasamund of the Vandals
Date: ~507-511 AD
Context: A gracious follow-up: Thrasamund has explained himself satisfactorily regarding Gesalic, and Theoderic accepts his explanation, even returning the gold Thrasamund had sent -- declaring that this dispute was never about money.
[1] You have shown, wisest of kings, that after a misstep, wise counsel can still prevail, and that you do not cling to the vice of stubbornness -- a fault that belongs to brutish men. You have won our heart by changing course so quickly. When a king makes amends, he dissolves even the hardest grievance, since humility in a sovereign is as glorious as boasting in a lesser man is odious. [2] Recently we reproached you over the underhanded departure of the former King Gesalic. But you, mindful of your own nobility and honor, explained the matter to us truthfully. It was not so blameworthy to have given room for suspicion as it was glorious for a ruler to have cleared himself so swiftly. A man who could not have been compelled chose not to let the truth of his conscience be violated. [3] In return for this praiseworthy act, we accept your sincere explanation with a sincere heart. But we are not keeping the gold you sent. Let you yourselves understand that this dispute was raised in the name of justice, not settled by any bribe. We have acted as befits royalty on both sides: we overcame the tyrant's greed, just as you have overcome your error. Let the gifts return to your treasury -- it is the offering alone that we find most welcome. Let gold be dismissed where the reward of a clear conscience has been chosen. Let money, for once, suffer rejection -- money that always commanded obedient service from greedy kings. Let this deed go abroad among the nations: that a dear kinsman did not excuse a fault, and that the offended party refused the payment. [4] Thus what used to be sought through war has been shown, through mutual affection, to be worthy of contempt. Let our descendants understand that these were rulers who could not be provoked into conflict by the lure of greed. Affection has conquered all: the petition began to fade the moment the accused refused to deny the charge. Receive, therefore, what we return, so that our name may be known for having given back what was freely offered.
XLIIII.
TRANSIMUNDO REGI VVANDALORUM THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Ostendisti, prudentissime regum, post erroris eventum sapientibus subvenire posse consilium nec pertinaciae vitium vos amare, quod brutis hominibus videtur accidere. obligastis animum meum tanta vos in melius celeritate mutando. nam cum rex satisfacit, quaelibet dura dissolvit, quia sic est in principibus humilitas gloriosa, quemadmodum in mediocribus odiosa potest esse iactantia. [2] Nuper vobis obiecimus Gesaleci quondam regis dolosa meditatione discessum: sed vos nobilitatis vestrae memores et honoris actum rei nobis sub veritate declarastis. unde non fuit sic vituperabile hominem pravis suspicionibus locum dedisse, quantum gloriosum est dominantem tam celerrime se potuisse purgare. ille enim, qui minus poterat cogi, animae non passus est arcana violare. [3] Cui laudi vicissitudinem, in qua possumus parte, reddentes sincerem purgationem pura mente suscepimus. sed auri transmissi munera non tenemus, ut et ipsi intellegatis causam per iustitiam fuisse motam, quam nulla potuit finire venalitas. fecimus utrique regalia: sic nos superavimus tyrannicam cupiditatem, sicut et vos vicisse constat errorem. redeant ad cubiculum vestrum munera, quorum tantum oblatio videtur esse gratissima. neglegatur aurum, ubi electum est conscientiae praemium: patiatur aliquando repulsam, quod semper avaris regibus imperabat. eat nunc actus isto per gentes carum parentem non excusasse culpam et laesos animos respuisse pecuniam. [4] Ita, quod per bella solebat quaeri, amoris studio declaratum est potuisse contemni. intellegant parentes tales fuisse qui studio avaritiae causas sibi nequiverint excitare. omnia siquidem superavit affectus: tunc coepit petitio magis desinere, quando pulsatus obiecta non passus est abnegare. recipite igitur munera sensibus suscepta, non manibus. suavius nobis fuit ista reddere quam multo grandia suscepisse. estote nunc ad similia cauti, ad ventura solliciti: quia instructus redditur animus in futuris, quando praeteritorum commonetur exemplis. quapropter illo et illo legatis vestris redeuntibus plenissime reddimus salutationis affectum, optantes ut sospitatem vestram divina concedant, cuius nobis animos validissime cognoscimus esse sociatos.
Cassiodorus
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VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 44
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: King Thrasamund of the Vandals Date: ~507-511 AD Context: A gracious follow-up: Thrasamund has explained himself satisfactorily regarding Gesalic, and Theoderic accepts his explanation, even returning the gold Thrasamund had sent -- declaring that this dispute was never about money.
[1] You have shown, wisest of kings, that after a misstep, wise counsel can still prevail, and that you do not cling to the vice of stubbornness -- a fault that belongs to brutish men. You have won our heart by changing course so quickly. When a king makes amends, he dissolves even the hardest grievance, since humility in a sovereign is as glorious as boasting in a lesser man is odious. [2] Recently we reproached you over the underhanded departure of the former King Gesalic. But you, mindful of your own nobility and honor, explained the matter to us truthfully. It was not so blameworthy to have given room for suspicion as it was glorious for a ruler to have cleared himself so swiftly. A man who could not have been compelled chose not to let the truth of his conscience be violated. [3] In return for this praiseworthy act, we accept your sincere explanation with a sincere heart. But we are not keeping the gold you sent. Let you yourselves understand that this dispute was raised in the name of justice, not settled by any bribe. We have acted as befits royalty on both sides: we overcame the tyrant's greed, just as you have overcome your error. Let the gifts return to your treasury -- it is the offering alone that we find most welcome. Let gold be dismissed where the reward of a clear conscience has been chosen. Let money, for once, suffer rejection -- money that always commanded obedient service from greedy kings. Let this deed go abroad among the nations: that a dear kinsman did not excuse a fault, and that the offended party refused the payment. [4] Thus what used to be sought through war has been shown, through mutual affection, to be worthy of contempt. Let our descendants understand that these were rulers who could not be provoked into conflict by the lure of greed. Affection has conquered all: the petition began to fade the moment the accused refused to deny the charge. Receive, therefore, what we return, so that our name may be known for having given back what was freely offered.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.