" - Tantum
Carmina Nostra Valent Tela Inter Martia, Quantum
Chaonias Dicunt, Aquila Veniente, Columbas."
Who would hesitate in deciding which are more profitable, the works
of St. Jerom, or the riches of Croesus?
But where now shine the gold
and silver of Croesus? whilst the world is instructed by the example
and enlightened by the learning of the poor coenobite. Yet even he,
through envy, suffered stripes and contumely at Rome, although his
character was so illustrious; and at length being driven beyond the
seas, found a refuge for his studies in the solitude of Bethlehem.
Thus it appears, that gold and arms may support us in this life, but
avail nothing after death; and that letters through envy profit
nothing in this world, but, like a testament, acquire an immortal
value from the seal of death.
According to the poet,
"Pascitur in vivis livor, post fata quiescit;
Cum suus ex merito quemque tuetur honor."
And also
"Denique si quis adhuc praetendit nubila, livor
Occidet, et meriti post me referentur honores."
Those who by artifice endeavour to acquire or preserve the
reputation of abilities or ingenuity, while they abound in the words
of others, have little cause to boast of their own inventions. For
the composers of that polished language, in which such various cases
as occur in the great body of law are treated with such an
appropriate elegance of style, must ever stand forward in the first
ranks of praise. I should indeed have said, that the authors of
refined language, not the hearers only, the inventors, not the
reciters, are most worthy of commendation.
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