Letter 4025: King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Praefectus Urbis [Prefect of the City].

XXV. King Theoderic to Argolicus, Most Illustrious and Most Eminent Prefect of the City. [1] It is established that he has confidence in himself who desires to attain to the heights of the sacred order [the Senate]. For the strivings of a good ambition bespeak merits, and in the quality of one's desire an honorable mind can be recognized. For who, ignorant of the art of wrestling, would enter into the stadium to grapple? Or who would join in a contest which the awareness of his own strength does not urge him to? In their very attempts those things grow sickly and languish which are not aided by the assurances of merit. [2] The profession of public commendations, therefore, is to have desired the company of the highest, and he conveys a good judgment about himself who seeks the steps of lofty dignity. To such desires, accordingly, our piety gladly indulges itself, we who even in hope raise up drooping prayers, so that, while advancement is sought, the pursuits of probity may be loved the more. [3] Therefore let your illustrious magnificence take care to enroll Petrus, conspicuous by the luster of his parents and now a senator by his own gravity, in the register of the sacred order according to ancient custom, so that the number may benefit so great an assembly, and so that ornament may accrue to the candidate from the sacred order.

XXV. ARGOLICO V. I. P. U. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Constat eum de se praesumere, qui ad sacri ordinis cupit fastigia pervenire. merita enim suggerunt bonae appetentiae nisus et in qualitate desiderii potest mens honesta cognosci. quis enim palaestricae artis ignarus in stadium luctaturus introeat? aut quis certamini misceatur, quod virtutis conscientia non suadet? in ipsis conatibus aegra languescunt, quae meritorum praesumptionibus non iuvantur. [2] Praeconiorum ergo professio est collegium desiderasse summorum bonumque de se iudicium tradit, qui celsae gradus expetit dignitatis. his igitur desideriis pietas se nostra libenter indulget, qui etiam in spe erigimus vota marcentia, ut, dum provectus quaeritur, probitatis studia plus amentur. [3] Proinde illustris magnificentia tua Petrum parentum luce conspicuum suaque iam gravitate senatorem in album sacri ordinis secundum priscam consuetudinem curet referri, ut et tanto coetui proficiat numerus et candidato de sacro ordine crescat ornatus.