Letter 1,74 - to Gaudiosus, a general in Africa. August 591.
"Just as the light of a lamp spreads through the areas bordering it wherever it shines, even so the honesty of some person's good actions is recognized not only in the place where he spends his time, but also through various provinces, spread by his fame. And so since no sign of his presence can exist therein, the circulation of good report effects what the truth of the matter could have shown, if he were present.
For we have learnt that various judges, sent out to take administer the province of Africa, admire your Glory with a very great affection. This would not result, unless the sincerity of your mind were apparent among the same judges, so that they arranged the administration received by them with the participation of your counsel.
For this we give very great thanks to the Lord, as when we realize that the provinces have such fine inhabitants of their own, who are strong with innate nobility and stick close to men in power, and provide a remedy for their provincials, while making use of opportunities as they arise."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 188.
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Monday, 11 October 2010
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
On Pastoral Care
Letter 1,24a - to (the) most holy and fellow-bishop John. February, 591.
"For one must think hard about how each man should attain to the pinnacle of power, when the necessity of affairs demands this, and duly reaching it, how he should live his life, and living it honestly, how he should teach others, and teaching rightly, with how much consideration he should recognize his own weakness, each day, so that his humility does not flee from accession to power, nor his life speak against his reaching it, nor his learning forsake his life, nor his self-assurance applaud his learning.
And so let fear first temper his appetite. But afterwards, let his life recommend him for high office, which is undertaken by the person who does not seek it.
Then the pastor's goodness, which is shown by the way he ives his life, must also be spread by the way he speaks."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
"For one must think hard about how each man should attain to the pinnacle of power, when the necessity of affairs demands this, and duly reaching it, how he should live his life, and living it honestly, how he should teach others, and teaching rightly, with how much consideration he should recognize his own weakness, each day, so that his humility does not flee from accession to power, nor his life speak against his reaching it, nor his learning forsake his life, nor his self-assurance applaud his learning.
And so let fear first temper his appetite. But afterwards, let his life recommend him for high office, which is undertaken by the person who does not seek it.
Then the pastor's goodness, which is shown by the way he ives his life, must also be spread by the way he speaks."
Cited from: The Letters of Gregory the Great, trans. John R.C. Martyn (Toronto: PIMS, 2004), I: 147.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
