Letter 12006: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to All Those Administering Offices Under the Prefecture.

VI. Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to all who administer the offices of the Prefecture. [1] Although those things which the lords of affairs [the sovereigns] have laid down by their inborn piety are more than sufficient, nevertheless we redouble our threats against the importunate and the foolish, applying severity, so that those who are unable to blush may at least restrain themselves through fear. For who is to congratulate himself on his own presumption, when he who has attempted what is forbidden is about to lose his good name? Let the blind ambition of the covetous be beaten back; let insolent audacity be reined in; let him who seeks gain from wrongdoing be terrified by the penalty set before him; let him who desires honor through wicked deeds be thrown into confusion by the loss of his reputation instead. [2] It is added, too, that in our times wicked money will not avail, nor does he redeem his fault who knows himself to be guilty. No opportunity will lie open to iniquitous frauds: we prosecute those who transgress, we do not sell them pardon. Where now, you ill-gotten gainers, will you have hope, when both the lords of affairs and your own judges threaten you? You, however, whom our choice has caused to attain to public administrations, have confidence in the honesty of your conduct, since no venality shuts you out, if uprightness has kept your conduct within bounds. [3] Serve the public interests steadfastly, since no private losses shall shake you. Render this return to my judgment, so that you, whom I have caused to be burdened by no payment for your own appointment, may strive to have my deeds praised in you. Know, therefore, that the term fixed by the lords of affairs is to be observed, yet in such a way that you ought to provide for and discharge those things which have been decreed to you for the public benefit.

VI. UNIVERSIS PRAEFECTURAE TITULOS ADMINISTRANTIBUS SENATOR PPO. [1] Quamvis abunde sufficiant quae rerum domini ingenita pietate praeceperunt, interminationes tamen importunis et fatuis adhibita districtione geminamus, ut qui nequeunt erubescere, saltem se contineant per timorem. quis enim de sua praesumptione gratuletur, quando famam perditurus est qui interdicta temptaverit? retundatur ambitio caeca cupientum: proterva refrenetur audacia: qui lucrum de malo quaerit, poena proposita terreatur: qui honorem per nefanda desiderat, amissa potius opinione turbetur. [2] Additur etiam quod nostris temporibus sceleratae pecuniae non valebunt nec culpam suam redimit, qui se reum esse cognoscit. iniquis fraudibus non patebit occasio: persequimur, non vendimus excedentes. ubi iam, male capientes, spem habebitis, quando vobis et rerum domini et vestri iudices comminantur? vos tamen, quos ad publicas amministrationes pervenire nostra fecit electio, de actionum honestate confidite, quia vos nulla venalitas excludit, si probitas continuerit actionis. [3] Publicis utilitatibus servite fixi, quando vos nulla privata damna concutient. reddite hanc vicissitudinem iudicio meo, ut qui vos nullo proprio suffragio gravari feci, studeatis in vobis mea facta laudari. praefixum itaque tempus a rerum dominis noveritis esse servandum, ita tamen, ut ea, quae vobis pro publica utilitate decreta sunt, providere ac solvere debeatis.