Letter 6011: VARIAE, BOOK 6, LETTER 11

11. FORMULA FOR THE RANK OF ILLUSTRIS VACANS [an honorary grade of "illustris" without active office]. [1] It is established that a state is fortunate which shines forth adorned with many citizens; for just as the sky is rendered bright by its stars, so cities glow with the light of dignities -- not because a man becomes another person through honors, but because he is made more temperate, since from one upon whom honors are conferred a better order of conduct is demanded. For who would wish to handle his own reputation in a blameworthy manner, when he knows that it has been chosen specifically for praises? For honors glorify the man whom his very life also commends. For it is not even permitted to a prince to live by an evil rule, since the people can secretly say even of that man against whom no one has publicly dared to charge his own ways. [2] Receive, therefore, in return for your loyalty and your labors, the honorary rank of illustris of the comitiva of the domestici [count of the household troops, here held as an honorary grade], so that you may appear distinguished among your fellow citizens, and -- what is sweetest to good minds -- may be continually occupied with your own concerns. For what is more fortunate than to cultivate a field and to shine in the city, where one's own work delights its author, and nothing is acquired by deceiving, while the granaries are heaped up by pleasant labor? Wherefore we have granted a delightful honor; do you join to it the dignity of your conduct, for the two are joined to each other: the one depends upon the other; scattered seeds do not grow together unless the quality of the soil too has done its work. You will have an abundant harvest from our favor, if we shall have learned that our judgments have been treated by you in the best manner.

XI. FORMULA ILLUSTRATUS VACANTIS. [1] Constat felicem esse rem publicam, quae multis civibus resplendet ornata. nam sicut caelum stellis redditur clarum, sic relucent urbes lumine dignitatum: non quia fiat homo alter honoribus, sed quia modestior efficitur, a quo conversationis ordo melior postulator. quis enim opinionem suam vituperabiliter tractare velit, quam specialiter ad laudes electam esse cognoscit? illum siquidem honores glorificant, quem commendat et vita. nam malo instituto vivere nec principi fas est, quando et de illo populus occulte potest dicere, cui mores suos publice nullus ausus est imputare. [2] Cape igitur pro fide ac laboribus tuis comitivae domesticorum illustratum vacantem, ut et tuis civibus decoratus appareas, et, quod est dulcissimum mentibus bonis, iugiter propriis utilitatibus occuperis. quid enim fortunatius quam agrum colere et in urbe lucere, ubi opus proprium delectat auctorem nec aliquid fallendo conquiritur, dum suavi horrea labore cumulantur? quapropter nos dedimus delectabilem honorem, tu conversationis associa dignitatem, nam utraque sibi coniuncta sunt: unum pendet ex altero: non coalescunt sparsa semina, nisi et terrae qualitas fuerit operata: habiturus messem de nostra gratia copiosam, si a te iudicia nostra cognoverimus optime fuisse tractata.