Letter 12001: Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to the Chancellors of the Individual Provinces.

1. The Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to the various Chancellors of the several provinces. [1] No one is reckoned to be a great man simply because he is dispatched from the inner chambers of a judge, since a person is esteemed to love justice all the more in proportion as it is established that justice has been more frequently heard from him. A judge is understood through his soldiers; and just as disciples reveal the knowledge of their master, so our subordinates' conduct lays us open to view. A hasty man is not thought to have served under a moderate one; a greedy man is not perceived to have obeyed a man of self-restraint; a fool is not believed to have served the prudent. [2] We are in danger, I confess, in our administration, if you conduct yourselves with evil intent; and, though it falls upon none of you, another's vice is made into our reproach. We endure such mischances as we cannot pass judgment upon in others, and the law, which all enjoy, cannot be observed in our case. But again, on the other side, we have this consolation: that your good deeds are believed to be our injunctions, and whatever glory is brought forth by your labors is acquired for us, who remain at leisure. [3] For if anyone should see you acting wisely, he at once exalts the reputation of your instructor, since such teaching is believed to have existed as the deeds no less make themselves felt. There is one verdict of the people: that the judges are such as you happen to be proved to be. And therefore great care must be taken that he not begin to pass judgment upon you whose reputation you happen previously to have torn apart. He avenges with punishments what you have spread about in idle tales, and he requites with his torments what the wounded populace exaggerates. How perilous it is to suffer a judge reasonably angered, and to have him decide concerning your fortunes whom it is established you have grievously provoked! Therefore strive rather to be praised by our voice, since, just as the speech of a judge set against you can cast you down, so a most favorable verdict can raise you up. [4] Proceed, therefore, during that indiction, with God's help, to that province, adorned with the pomp of the chancellor's bars and girded with glorious dignity. Though absent, consider the modesty of one who is present. For why should you, who serve under an honorable office, attempt anything base? The fasces of the judges obey you, and while you are believed to carry the commands of the praetorian seat, you in some manner take up that very authority, to be revered. Observe our edicts before all others: show yourself a good road to those who travel it. For what sort of judge is it whose duty is to guard the mandates, if his soldiers are seen to neglect our ordinances? [5] Flee that queen of insolent vices, avarice, upon whom all crimes wait with detestable devotion; for when she has entered a man's breast, she also admits her malicious cohorts in flocks. Once received, she cannot be borne, since she does not know how to be alone. She has a most fawning retinue, she takes up arms from talents [bribes], and through sweetness she overcomes those whom she takes captive by bitter deception. Accordingly, be attentive to public welfare: see to the duties enjoined upon you with moral persuasion. He who instills reason accomplishes more than one terrible can achieve. Let your person be a refuge for the oppressed, a defense for the weak, a protection for one shut in by some calamity. For in this way you properly administer our chancellery, if you loose the impious bars that confine the injured.

I. DIVERSIS CANCELLARIIS PROVINCIARUM SINGULARUM SENATOR PPO. [1] Nescio quis magnus esse creditur, qui de penetralibus iudicis destinatur, quoniam tanto plus aestimatur quis amare iustitiam, quanto ab illo frequentius constat auditam. per milites suos intellegitur iudex et sicut discipuli magistri scientiam produnt, sic nos obsequentium mores aperiunt. praeceps non putatur observasse moderato, avarus paruisse non advertitur continenti: stultus prudentibus servisse non creditur. [2] Periclitamur, fateor, in actionibus nostris, si vos mala intentione tractetis et, quod nulli accidit vestrum, alienum vitium nostrum celebratur obprobrium. sustinemus tales casus, quales nos in alios iudicare non possumus et lex, qua fruuntur cuncti, in nobis non potest custodiri. sed habemus iterum ex alia parte solacium, quod vestra bona nostra creduntur esse mandata et nobis otiosis adquiritur, quicquid gloriae vestris laboribus expeditur. [3] Si te enim aliquis sapienter agere videat, statim famam tui praeceptoris exaltat, dum tale institutum fuisse creditur, qualia gesta nihilominus sentiuntur. una est sententia plebis tales esse iudices, quales vos contigerit approbari. et ideo magnopere cavendum est, ne ille de vobis incipiat iudicare, cuius vos opinionem contigerit ante lacerasse. ulciscitur poenis quod misistis in fabulis et tormentis vestris compensat, quod populus vulneratus exaggerat. quam periculosum est pati iudicem rationabiliter iratum et illum de fortunis tuis decernere, quem te constat graviter irritasse! quapropter stude magis, ut nostra potius voce lauderis, quia sicut te potest iudicis vel sermo adversus deprimere, ita prosperrima sententia sublevare. [4] Perge igitur per illam indictionem iuvante deo ad illam provinciam, cancellorum pompa decoratus et gloriosa gravitate praecinctus. absens cogita praesentis pudorem. nam quid debeas temptare vile, qui militas sub honore? fasces tibi iudicum parent et dum iussa praetorianae sedis portare crederis, ipsam quodammodo potestatem reverendus adsumis. edicta nostra tu primus observa: ostende bonam te intendentibus viam. nam cuius est iudicis custodire mandata, si milites nostra videantur neglegere constituta? [5] Reginam illam procacium vitiorum avaritiam fuge, cui cuncta crimina detestabili devotione famulantur: quae dum pectus hominis ingressa fuerit, gregatim quoque maleficas cohortes admittit. ferri non potest recepta, quia nescit esse solitaria. agmen habet blandissimum, arma suscipit ex talentis et per dulcedinem superat quos amara deceptione captivat. proinde ad utilitates publicas esto sollicitus: iniuncta morali compulsione procura. plus agit inculcator rationis quam possit exercere terribilis. persona tua refugium sit oppresso, infirmi defensio, praesidium aliqua calamitate concluso. sic enim proprie nostros cancellos agitis, si laesorum impia claustra solvatis.