Letter 1579: If, speaking of a man and a woman as two separate persons, it is said: "What God has joined, let no man put asunder"...

To Palladius the Deacon. It is not right for one who, like you, has not tasted of toils to say that he needs rest. For rest comes second to toils; but without those toils, it would rightly be called luxury. For those who are ceasing from labors need rest; but those who have entirely abstained from laboring should be called profligates and idlers. So until you accept the sweat of labor, you must also abstain from the very name of rest. But you — for you are above both insult and reproach, and for this reason you have mixed philosophy with lawful authority — after admonishing this man a little, make him better by granting him pardon. For to punish readily is within the power of any ordinary person; but to grant pardon belongs to those who are such as you yourself happen to be.