Letter 7016: It is generally agreed that things go well wherever a person in authority is present.

From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of the King To: The islands of Curitana and Celsina (appointment of a count/judge) Date: ~522 AD Context: A formula for appointing a judge over two small Adriatic islands -- likely Veglia (Krk) and Cherso (Cres) off the Dalmatian coast. It is generally agreed that things go well wherever a person in authority is present. Without a leader, everything falls into confusion, and when each person thinks he can live according to his own will, the rule of discipline is abandoned. Following ancient custom, therefore, our authority grants you jurisdiction over the islands of Curitana and Celsina [two islands in the northern Adriatic, modern Krk and Cres in Croatia] for the current tax year. It is only right that someone should travel to the settlements of people who are cut off from the rest of human society, to arrange their affairs by sound judgment -- lest their remoteness become an excuse for injustice, with those far away remaining ignorant of public business. You now have, people of those islands, a man who can both hear and settle disputes that arise among you. And if anything is decreed by our authority, carry it out with his guidance, since the opportunity for error is removed when you know clearly whom you must obey. We trust he will devote himself so thoroughly to good deeds that he may earn the increase of our favor. For he must necessarily receive a reward from us if he arranges what is beneficial for you.

XVI. FORMULA DE COMITE INSULAE CURITANAE ET CELSINAE. [1] Constat plerumque bene posse agi, ubi non defuerit persona monitoris. omnia enim sine priore confusa sunt et dum unusquisque iuxta voluntatem suam cogitat vivere, regulam cognoscitur omittere disciplinae. itaque antiquae consuetudinis morem secuti Curitanae et Celsinae insulis te iudicem per illam indictionem nostra cedit auctoritas. [2] Iustum est enim ut qui a reliquorum hominum sunt conversatione divisi, ad habitationes corum vadat qui eos probabili ratione componat, ne quaedam sit necessitas iniustitiae communes actus longe positos ignorasse. habetis igitur, supra dicti, qui inter vos emergentes causas et audire debeat et finire. et si quid etiam a nostra fuerit pietate decretum eodem commonente peragite, quia erroribus locus tollitur, quando vobis cui debeatis observare declaratur. quem credimus ita bonis actibus studere, ut augmenta nostrae gratiae possit accipere. necesse est enim ut a nobis remunerationem sumat, si vobis quae sunt profutura disponat.