Letter 3004: There is a temptation that affects good people more than bad ones: the desire for human praise when doing good works.

Gregory to Bonifatius, bishop. There is a temptation that affects good people more than bad ones: the desire for human praise when doing good works. The wicked generally do not care whether their wickedness is admired; but the virtuous often find themselves subtly seeking recognition for their virtue, and this seeking corrupts the virtue itself. I urge you to be vigilant against this. When you do good — when you help the poor, resolve disputes justly, protect the weak, maintain discipline in your church — do it for God, not for the admiration of those who will observe it. If praise comes, receive it humbly and let it pass. If it does not come, or if you are actually blamed for doing right, remain steady. The audience that matters is not assembled here. The One who sees all things is a better judge than any human observer, and his praise is the only praise worth seeking. Do your work well and quietly. Gregory

AD BONIFACIUM EPISCOPUE. Vitandum in operibus bonis humane laudis desiderium. Gregorius Bonifacio episeopo *® Regiens]. B Quibusdam veniealibus agnovi fralernitatem tnam misericordize operibus vehementer insislere; alque omnipotenti Deo gralias retuli, quia juxta egregii pra:dicatoris vocem, nunc vivimas, $i yos Statis in Domino (I Thess. m, 8). Sed illud, fateor, non I&- viter mentem meam momordit, qttod eadem opera maliis vosipsi nuntiatis ; ex qna re collegi qrod mens vestra non $tudeat Dei oculis, 8ed hamanoe judicie placere. Unde necesse est, frater charissime, ut cum bona exterius agis, h&@c interius cum magna cautela custodias, pe appelitus placendi hominibus subrepat, et omnis labor boni operis incassum fiat. Nos enim qui sumus, quibus placeri ab hominibus queritur ? Quid namque aliud quam pulvis et cinis sa@mus? Sed illi tua ſraternitas placere desideret, qui et non longe C est ut appareat, et omne quod” reiribuerit finem nullo modo habebit. > Mense Octobriz indictione un- decima.