Letter 3011: VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 11

King Theoderic to Argolicus, Most Illustrious Man [vir illustris], Prefect of the City. [1] We desire that every day should run its course full of our benefits; we desire that what we have bestowed should shine forth everywhere, for what princely munificence has granted lives on into eternity. For what is so kingly as to have made a man happy, and to confer favor so far that, once raised up, he is astonished to have attained it? Benefits, indeed, are what exalt kingdoms; and the lord of liberty can grow continually if he is zealous to enlarge the number of those subject to him. By this glorious purpose of our clemency, since we cherish the commonwealth with a father's affection, we bestow upon you, with abundant liberality, the insignia of the urban prefecture for the fourth indiction, so that an illustrious succession may rejoice in your father's honors, and so that whatever has deserved to come down to our times may be able to prosper under us. [2] Look round you, therefore, at how great a thing it is that to your first beginnings venerable Rome could be entrusted, so that in that most ample assembly you may be seen to stand out as a judge upon the tribunal, where it is a hard thing even to obtain membership of the body itself. Strive, then, so that you may be able to require of your own merits what you know we have bestowed. Flee greedy things, pursue just things, love modest things, despise wrathful things. [3] What will be sweeter than to have delivered a noble judgment in that throng of the highest men, where the hearts of so many patricians are summoned to gratitude, where a good deed is celebrated by the mouth of the wise? Nowhere is virtue exercised with greater praise than if Rome be rightly handled. What riches would you reckon more fitting than to bear, in the eyes of the senate, the precious purity of a good conscience, and before the very bosom of Liberty to be captive to no vices? [4] We shall see by what glory the remaining fasces are esteemed: the urban presidency is the very dignity of honors. That renown does not allow one to commit what the noble throng could fail to know. Placed in the midst of all, he draws the gaze of everyone to himself, and the report of the peoples pronounces judgment upon his whole life. That you may both conceive these things in your mind and unfold them in evident deeds is made credible in our eyes by your pursuit of letters, in which you have learned everything that is becoming, and have shaped your mind to the use of a glorious life through the instruction, indeed, of learned men. [5] Let learning, therefore, flee transgression. A mind is untaught that is drawn to vices: one built up by books leaves no place for wrongs, when in tender years there is acquired what may be kept in mature age. Let the deeds of your elders urge you to the path of rectitude; let the authority of your reading admonish you; and then the glorious choice of our judgment, so that you may be able to take up greater things from us, when you have known yourself to fulfill those which we have committed to you.

XI. ARGOLICO V. I. PRAEFECTO URBIS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Optamus cunctum diem plenum beneficiis nostris excurrere: optamus ubique praestita nostra radiare, quia in aevum vivit quod munificentia principalis indulserit. quid enim tam regium quam fecisse felicem et eo usque praestare, quo se erectus stupeat attigisse? beneficia siquidem sunt, quae regna sublimant et libertatis dominus iugiter potest crescere, si sibi subiectos studeat ampliare. hoc mansuetudinis nostrae glorioso proposito, quoniam generalitatem patrio fovemus affectu, per indictionem quartam praefecturae urbanae infulas tibi copiosa liberalitate largimur, ut paternis honoribus successio clara laetetur et sub nobis possit proficere quicquid meruit ad nostra saecula pervenire. [2] Circuminspice itaque quam magnum sit primordiis tuis canam Romam potuisse committi, ut in illo amplissimo coetu iudicis videaris eminere suggestu, ubi est arduum vel ipsum obtinere collegium. stude ergo, ut a meritis tuis exigere possis quod nos praestitisse cognoscis. avara fuge, iusta sequere, modesta dilige, iracunda contemne. [3] Quid erit suavius quam in illa turba summorum nobile protulisse iudicium, ubi tot patriciorum corda provocantur ad gratiam, ubi bonum factum celebretur ore sapientum? nusquam maiore laude virtus agitur, quam si recte Roma tractetur. quas divitias aestimes aptiores quam in oculis senatus conscientiae pretiosam gerere puritatem et ante ipsum Libertatis gremium nullis vitiis esse captivum? [4] Viderimus, reliqui fasces qua gloria censeantur: urbanus praesul dignitas est honorum. non patitur claritas illa committere, quod possit nobilis turba nescire. locatus in medium cunctorum ad se trahit aspectum et totius vitae iudicium promulgat fama populorum. haec te et animo concipere et rebus evidentibus explicare credibile apud nos faciunt studia litterarum, ubi cognovisti omne quod deceat et ad usum vitae gloriosae animum, doctorum nimirum institutione, formasti. [5] Fugiat ergo doctrina delictum. indocilis est animi ad vitia trahi: aedificatus libris locum non relinquit iniuriis, ubi in teneris annis adquiritur, quod matura aetate servetur. ad tramitem recti hortentur te tuorum facta seniorum, ammoneat lectionis auctoritas, deinde iudicii nostri electio gloriosa, ut maiora sumere de nobis possis, cum te ea quae commisimus implere cognoveris.