Taxation

Quote from Letter 5,38 to Constantina, Augusta. 1 June 595

The island of Corsica is also oppressed by such an excessive number of exacting payments, and by such heave taxes, that those living there are scarcely able to pay the taxes imposed on them, even if they sell their children. Consequently, the owners of the same island have abandoned their holy republic, and are defecting to the most evil race of Lombards. For what could they suffer from the barbarians more grievous, what more cruel, than that they should be compelled to sell their own children under duress?

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 354

The Need To Be Sincere

Quote from Letter 5,37 to Maurice, Augustus. June 595

But while we leave what is appropriate for us and consider what is inappropriate for us, we associate out sins with barbarian forces. Our sins have sharpened the enemy's swords, which burdens the strength of the republic. But what can we possibly say, since we oppress the people of God, over whom we unworthily preside, with the burdens of our sins, and destroy with our example what we preach with our tongue, and teach unjust things with our works and with our voice alone put forward what is just?
Our bones are worn away with fasting, and we are swollen in our mind. Our body is clad in ragged clothes, but we surpass the purple with the pride of our heart. We are lying in ashes, and despise those on high. Teachers of humility, as leaders of arrogance we keep our wolves' teeth hidden looking like a lamb.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 349.

War

Quote from Letter 5,36 to Maurice, Augustus. June 595

And indeed, if the captivity of my land was not increasing every moment of every day, I should happily keep quiet about my being despised and laughed at. But this afflicts me strongly, that while I endure a charge of falsehood, so Italy is led captive each day beneath the Lombards' yoke, and while my suggestions are in no way believed, the forces of the enemy are increasing immensely.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 348

Friendship

Quote from Letter 5,35 to Elias, priest and abbot of the province of Isauria. May 595

I have received the most charming letter of your Holiness, in which you satisfy me so that I should not be upset over your not coming to the abode of Saint Peter, the prince of the apostles, in accordance with my desire. In fact I wanted very much to see you. But if a difficulty over body or age stopped you from coming, this suffices for me, that wherever your Holiness should be, you should pray for me with concern that, although we are divided in body by our locations, we should never be divided in our love.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 346

Arbitration

Quote from Letter 5,34 to Severus, rhetor of the exarch of Ravenna. May 595

But be aware that Agilulf, king of the Lombards, does not refuse to make a general peace, provided the patrician lord will agree to arbitration. For he complains that many acts were committed against him in his territory, during the time of the peace. 

And since he demands satisfaction for himself, if reason leads to arbitration, he also promises that he himself will give satisfaction in every way, if it is agreed that some hostile deed was done on his side during the peace. Since therefore there is no doubt that what he seeks is quite reasonable, there ought to be arbitration, so that, if anything has been done wrongly on either side, it might be settled, provided the general peace can be strengthened with God's protection. For you well know how necessary this is for all of us.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 346

Legal Matters

Quote from Letter 5,33 to Cyprian, deacon. May 595

It has come to our attention from reports of Theodosius, abbot of the monastery of saint Martin, that he has retained three monks there in Sicily, whom he had sent over for the advantage of his monastery. And he asks from us that, with your support, he should recall them into his own monastery. And so, let your Beloved, who knows that we are greatly and fervently zealous over cases of this sort, have them looked for with a careful investigation, and when they are found, have them sent over to the aforesaid abbot, to whom they are being so insolent, under suitable care and strict control. Therefore, be careful that legal strictness is not harmed by some delay or slackness by those allotted.

Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, translated by John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMPS, 2004), II, 345