Letter 3060: We have received your letter, which is full of sweetness, and rejoice to hear that your Excellency is well. Such is the sincerity of our own mind with regard to it that paternal affection does not allow us to suspect any latent ill-feeling concealed under its calmness. But may Almighty God bring it to pass, that, as we think what is good of you,...

Gregory to Italica, Patrician. We have received your letter, which is full of warmth, and we rejoice to hear that Your Excellency is well. The sincerity of our own heart is such that fatherly affection prevents us from suspecting any hidden ill-will beneath its pleasant surface. May Almighty God bring it about that, as we think well of you, so your heart may respond with equal goodwill toward us — and that you show in your actions the warmth you express in words. For the most impressive outward appearance of health and beauty means nothing if there is a hidden wound within. And that discord is most dangerous which wears an exterior of peace as its bodyguard. As for what Your Excellency takes pains to remind us of in your letter — you will recall that we told you in writing we would not press the claims of the poor against you in any way that would cause public offense or open conflict. We remember writing exactly that, and we know, with God's help, how to restrain ourselves with proper ecclesiastical restraint from the wrangling of lawsuits. As the Apostle says, we can endure joyfully the loss of our possessions. But we want you to understand this: our silence and patience will not bind my successors in the affairs of the poor. In keeping with our stated promise, we have already resolved to say nothing more on these matters. We have no desire to involve ourselves personally in transactions where, frankly, we see too little generosity being shown. Still, lest you conclude, distinguished daughter, that we have entirely given up on the possibility of agreement — we have instructed our son, the deacon Cyprian, who is traveling to Sicily, that if you are willing to settle these matters in a just way, without burdening your conscience, he has our authority to reach an agreement with you.

Book III, Letter 60 To Italica, Patrician. Gregory to Italica, etc. We have received your letter, which is full of sweetness, and rejoice to hear that your Excellency is well. Such is the sincerity of our own mind with regard to it that paternal affection does not allow us to suspect any latent ill-feeling concealed under its calmness. But may Almighty God bring it to pass, that, as we think what is good of you, so your mind may respond with good towards us, and that you may exhibit in your deeds the sweetness which you express in words. For the most glorious health and beauty on the surface of the body profit nothing if there is a hidden sore within. And that discord is the more to be guarded against to which exterior peace affords a bodyguard. But as to what your Excellency in your aforesaid epistle takes pains to recall to our recollection, remember that you have been told in writing that we would not settle anything with you concerning the causes of the poor so as to cause offense, or with public clamour. We remember writing to you to this effect, and also know, God helping us how to restrain ourselves with ecclesiastical moderation from the wrangling of suits at law, and, according to that apostolic sentence, to endure joyfully the spoiling of our goods. But this we suppose you to know; that our silence and patience will not be to the prejudice of future pontiffs after me in the affairs of the poor. Wherefore we, in fulfilment of our aforesaid promise, have already determined to keep silence on these questions; nor do we desire to mix ourselves personally in these transactions, wherein we feel that too little kindness is being shown. But, lest you should hence imagine, glorious daughter, that we still altogether renounce what pertains to concord, we have given directions to our son, Cyprianus the deacon, who is going to Sicily, that, if you arrange about these matters in a salutary way, and without sin to your soul, he should settle them with you by our authority, and that we should be no further vexed by the business which may thus be brought to a conclusion amicably. Now may Almighty God, who well knows how to turn to possibility things altogether impossible, may He inspire you both to arrange your affairs with a view to peace, and, for the good of your soul, to consult the benefit of the poor of this Church in matters which concern them.