Letter 7026: The honor of this world is a clear test of the human mind, because freedom of will always reveals itself when a man...

The honor of this world is a clear test of the human mind, because freedom of will always reveals itself when a man knows others are subject to him. But fortunate is the condition of a mind that confines the exercise of its advancement within the bounds of moderation and conducts the brief span of an office in such a way as to be accepted for all time. Therefore, judges, descend at times to gentle persuasion. It is laborious but not impossible to recommend justice to mortals -- God's gift has so placed the sense of it in every mind that even those who do not know the law still recognize the truth of what is right. What nature grants is easily heard when nature itself gently reminds us. Do not labor to impose on the people what they already feel of their own will -- they easily follow the footsteps of another's words when they can be compelled by their own inner monitor. Therefore, for the designated indiction, in the designated city, we grant you the honor of a count of the second order with divine favor, so that you may govern the citizens entrusted to you with fairness and firmly carry out the orders of public administration. We will grant you better things when we see that you have acted well in these.

XXVI. FORMULA COMITIVAE DIVERSARUM CIVITATUM. [1] Saeculi huius honor humanae mentis est manifesta probatio, quia libertas animi voluntatem propriam semper ostendit, dum se contemnit occulere, qui sibi alios cognoverit subiacere. sed humanae mentis felix illa condicio est, quae arbitrium provectionis suae intra terminum moderationis includit et sic peragit dignitatis brevissimum spatium, ut universis temporibus reddatur acceptus. [2] Quapropter interdum, iudices, ad blanda descendite. laboriosum quidem, sed non est impossibile iustitiam suadere mortalibus, quam ita cunctorum sensibus beneficium divinitatis attribuit, ut et qui nesciunt iura rationem tamen veritatis agnoscant. necesse est enim, ut, quod a natura conceditur, summonente iterum eadem suaviter audiatur. et ideo non laboretis populis imponere quod eos constat et propria voluntate sentire. facile enim sequuntur vestigia verbi alieni, qui se possunt monitore compelli. [3] Propterea per indictionem illam in illa civitate comitivae honorem secundi ordinis tibi propitia divinitate largimur, ut et cives commissos aequitate regas et publicarum ordinationum iussiones constanter adimpleas, quatenus tibi meliora praestemus, quando te probabiliter egisse praesentia senserimus.