Quote from Letter 9.66 to Agilulf, king of the Lombards. November-December 598
We offer thanks to your Excellency, since you listened to our petition and drew up a peace that would be beneficial for both parties, as we were confident you would. For this reason, we have greatly applauded the prudence and goodness of your Excellency, as you show that you love peace through your love of God, who is the author of peace itself. For if peace had not been made (Heaven forbid!), what else was left for Him to do, other that let the blood of wretched country dwellers, whose labor benefits both sides, be poured out, due to the dangerous sinfulness of both parties?
We offer thanks to your Excellency, since you listened to our petition and drew up a peace that would be beneficial for both parties, as we were confident you would. For this reason, we have greatly applauded the prudence and goodness of your Excellency, as you show that you love peace through your love of God, who is the author of peace itself. For if peace had not been made (Heaven forbid!), what else was left for Him to do, other that let the blood of wretched country dwellers, whose labor benefits both sides, be poured out, due to the dangerous sinfulness of both parties?
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), II, 583
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