Letter 9019: Blameworthy excesses often provide the occasion for praiseworthy commands, and in a wonderful way the workings of...

Blameworthy excesses often provide the occasion for praiseworthy commands, and in a wonderful way the workings of justice are born from occasions of injustice. Justice keeps silent when no offense cries out, and the prince's ingenuity rests idle when no complaint has provoked it. Driven by the voices of complainants and prompted by the petitions of the people concerning various matters, we have drafted in an edict of twelve chapters -- just as civil law is known to have been established [an echo of the Twelve Tables, the foundation of Roman law] -- certain measures necessary for the peace of Rome, to be preserved for all time. Once observed, these should not weaken but rather strengthen the remaining body of law. Let these be read before the splendor of your assembly, and for thirty days let the Prefect of the City post them in the most frequented places in the customary solemn manner...

XVIIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Laudabilium iussionum causas plerumque praebet vituperabilis excessus alienus et miro modo momenta iustitiae de iniquitatis occasione nascuntur. silet enim aequitas, si culpa non vociferetur admissa et feriatum quiescit principis ingenium, quod non fuerit aliqua querella provocatum. [2] Conquerentium siquidem vocibus adacti et frequentium populorum de rebus quibusdam interpellatione commoniti necessaria quaedam Romanae quieti edictali programmate duodecim capitibus, sicut ius civile legitur institutum, in aevum servanda conscripsimus, quae custodita residuum ius non debilitare, sed potius corroborare videantur. [3] Haec in coetus vestri splendore recitentur et per triginta dies praefectus urbis locis celeberrimis faciat sollemni more proponi, ut nostra civilitate recognita spes truculentis moribus auferatur. nam qua confidentia protervus assumat quod principis agnoverit damnasse clementiam? redeat amor omnibus disciplinae, per quam et parva coalescunt et potiora servantur. [4] Ideo enim exercitus nostros iuvante deo crebris expeditionibus commovemus, ut universitatem compositam vivere legibus sentiamus. reddatur haec animo nostro vicissitudo praemiorum, ut, quem rei publicae utilitatibus cognoscitis occupatum, rarissima querellarum aditione pulsetur. teneant iudices legitimas districtiones: votum foedissimae venalitatis abiciant. metus cuncta componit, si reus crimen in iudicante non invenit.