Letter 7026: The honor of this world is a clear test of the human mind, because freedom of will always reveals itself when a man...

XXVI. FORM OF THE COUNTSHIP OF THE VARIOUS CITIES. [1] An honor in this world is a plain proof of the human mind, because liberty of spirit always reveals one's own will, since a man scorns to hide himself once he has come to know that others are subject to him. But that is the happy condition of the human mind which confines the judgment of its own advancement within the bound of moderation, and so passes through the very brief span of high office in such a way that it is rendered acceptable for all time. [2] Therefore at times, O judges, condescend to gentleness. It is laborious indeed, but it is not impossible to persuade mortals to justice, which the bounty of the Divinity has so bestowed upon the perceptions of all, that even those who do not know the laws nonetheless recognize the reasoning of truth. For it is necessary that what is granted by nature should, when that same nature again prompts, be heard with pleasure. And therefore do not labor to impose upon the peoples what they are known to feel of their own will as well. For those who can be compelled by an admonisher easily follow the footsteps of another's word. [3] For this reason, by that indiction, in that city, with the Divinity favorable to us, we bestow upon you the honor of the countship of the second order, so that you may both govern the citizens committed to you with equity and steadfastly fulfill the commands of the public ordinances, to the end that we may grant you better things, when we perceive by the present results that you have acted in a commendable manner.

XXVI. FORMULA COMITIVAE DIVERSARUM CIVITATUM. [1] Saeculi huius honor humanae mentis est manifesta probatio, quia libertas animi voluntatem propriam semper ostendit, dum se contemnit occulere, qui sibi alios cognoverit subiacere. sed humanae mentis felix illa condicio est, quae arbitrium provectionis suae intra terminum moderationis includit et sic peragit dignitatis brevissimum spatium, ut universis temporibus reddatur acceptus. [2] Quapropter interdum, iudices, ad blanda descendite. laboriosum quidem, sed non est impossibile iustitiam suadere mortalibus, quam ita cunctorum sensibus beneficium divinitatis attribuit, ut et qui nesciunt iura rationem tamen veritatis agnoscant. necesse est enim, ut, quod a natura conceditur, summonente iterum eadem suaviter audiatur. et ideo non laboretis populis imponere quod eos constat et propria voluntate sentire. facile enim sequuntur vestigia verbi alieni, qui se possunt monitore compelli. [3] Propterea per indictionem illam in illa civitate comitivae honorem secundi ordinis tibi propitia divinitate largimur, ut et cives commissos aequitate regas et publicarum ordinationum iussiones constanter adimpleas, quatenus tibi meliora praestemus, quando te probabiliter egisse praesentia senserimus.