Letter 1039: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 39

King Theoderic to Festus, vir illustris and patrician. [1] We gladly embrace the reasonable petitions of those who entreat us, we who consider just measures even when unasked. For what is more worthy that we should turn over by day and by night in constant deliberation, than that, just as arms protect our commonwealth, so equity too may guard it inviolate? And so Philagrius, a man of distinction residing in the city of Syracuse, who has long been detained in attendance upon our palace, has begged that he be permitted to return to his own household; he it is who, for the sake of their studies, brought his brother's sons to the Roman city. [2] Let your illustrious magnificence, in accordance with our command, keep these young men settled in the aforesaid city; nor let it be permitted to them to depart beforehand, unless we again decree this by a second order. For in this way both an advancement of their talent is gained for them, and the reckoning of our advantage is preserved: for whom the delay can be profitable, since it is sometimes expedient to neglect one's homeland, so that one may be able to acquire wisdom. Ulysses of Ithaca might perchance have lain hidden in his own household, he whose wisdom Homer's noble song asserted chiefly from this, that he went about among many cities and peoples, since those have always been held the more prudent who are proven learned by their dealings with many men. For indeed human nature, just as it is instructed by hard labors, so it is made dull through sluggish leisure.

XXXVIIII. FESTO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Rationabiles petitiones supplicum libenter amplectimur, qui etiam non rogati iusta cogitamus. quid est enim dignius quod die noctuque assidua deliberatione volvamus, nisi ut rem publicam nostram sicut arma protegunt, aequitas quoque inviolata custodiat? spectabilis itaque Philagrius in Syracusana civitate consistens, palatii nostri longa observatione dilatus, reverti se ad lares proprios supplicavit, qui studiorum causa fratris filios ad Romanam exhibuit civitatem. [2] Quos illustris magnificentia tua ex nostra continens iussione in supra dicta urbe constituat: nec illis liceat ante discedere, nisi hoc secunda iterum decernamus iussione. ita enim et illis ingenii provectus adquiritur et nostrae utilitatis ratio custoditur: quibus mora potest esse proficus, dum interdum expedit patriam neglegere, ut sapientiam quis possit adquirere. Ulixes Ithacus in laribus propriis forte latuisset, cuius sapientiam hinc maxime Homeri nobile carmen asseruit, quod multas civitates et populos circumivit, dum illi prudentiores sunt semper habiti, qui multorum hominum conversationibus probantur eruditi. nature siquidem humana sicut duris laboribus instruitur, ita per otia torpentia fatuatur.