Letter 7038: It is a fact that the taste of good things is pleasing, and the useful pursuit of praise -- sought through...

XXXVIII. FORMULA OF THE CLARISSIMATE [the rank of clarissimus, the lowest senatorial grade]. [1] It is established that the savor of good things is pleasant, and that the pursuit of praise is profitable, since it is sought through the increases of virtue. We pour in this zeal of provident generosity, so that the cultivation of character may be the greater, while the desire for rewards grows. The royal authority therefore bestows upon you the honor of the clarissimate, the adornments of our judgment, that it may both furnish a testimony of a well-lived life and promise an increase of future prosperity. Wherefore allow yourself now to do nothing obscure, you who shine resplendent with the dignity of the clarissimate. For it is a great testimony of one's life to be called not so much illustrious as most illustrious, since nearly everything of the best is believed of him who is named with the superlative of so great a brilliance.

XXXVIII. FORMULA CLARISSIMATUS. [1] Constat iucundum esse rerum bonarum saporem et utilem ambitum laudis, qui appetitur per augmenta virtutis. hoc nos studium providae liberalitatis infundimus, ut maior sit cultus morum, dum crescunt desideria praemiorum. clarissimatus igitur honorem, ornamenta iudicii nostri, regia tibi largitur auctoritas, quod praebeat et exactae vitae testimonium et futurae prosperitatis polliceatur augmentum. quapropter nihil iam obscurum agere patiaris, qui clarissimatus dignitate resplendes. grande siquidem vitae testimonium est non tam clarum quam clarissimum dici, quando paene totum de illo optimum creditur qui tanti fulgoris superlativo nomine vocitatur.