Letter 9019: Blameworthy excesses often provide the occasion for praiseworthy commands, and in a wonderful way the workings of...

XIX. KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] More often than not, another man's blameworthy transgression furnishes the occasion for praiseworthy decrees, and in a remarkable way the weights of justice are born from the occasion of iniquity. For fairness keeps silent if guilt does not cry out that an offense has been committed, and the prince's intelligence rests idle, as on a holiday, when it has not been roused by some complaint. [2] Driven, therefore, by the voices of those who lodge grievances, and admonished by the frequent peoples' protests concerning certain matters, we have set down in writing, in an edictal proclamation of twelve chapters, just as the civil law is read to have been established, certain things necessary for the peace of the Romans, to be preserved forever, which, when observed, will seem not to weaken the remaining body of law but rather to strengthen it. [3] Let these things be read aloud amid the splendor of your assembly, and for thirty days let the prefect of the city have them posted, in solemn fashion, in the most frequented places, so that, our civility being made known again, hope may be taken away from savage characters. For with what assurance would an insolent man take up that which he has recognized that the prince's clemency has condemned? Let love of discipline return to all, through which both small things grow together and greater things are preserved. [4] For it is for this reason that we set our armies in motion, with God's help, on frequent campaigns: that we may perceive the whole community living in an orderly way under the laws. Let this reciprocity of rewards be rendered to our spirit, so that he whom you know to be occupied with the interests of the commonwealth may be assailed by the rarest possible recourse to complaints. Let the judges maintain the lawful severities; let them cast away all desire for that most foul venality. Fear sets everything in order, if the accused does not find his own crime in the one who judges.

XVIIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Laudabilium iussionum causas plerumque praebet vituperabilis excessus alienus et miro modo momenta iustitiae de iniquitatis occasione nascuntur. silet enim aequitas, si culpa non vociferetur admissa et feriatum quiescit principis ingenium, quod non fuerit aliqua querella provocatum. [2] Conquerentium siquidem vocibus adacti et frequentium populorum de rebus quibusdam interpellatione commoniti necessaria quaedam Romanae quieti edictali programmate duodecim capitibus, sicut ius civile legitur institutum, in aevum servanda conscripsimus, quae custodita residuum ius non debilitare, sed potius corroborare videantur. [3] Haec in coetus vestri splendore recitentur et per triginta dies praefectus urbis locis celeberrimis faciat sollemni more proponi, ut nostra civilitate recognita spes truculentis moribus auferatur. nam qua confidentia protervus assumat quod principis agnoverit damnasse clementiam? redeat amor omnibus disciplinae, per quam et parva coalescunt et potiora servantur. [4] Ideo enim exercitus nostros iuvante deo crebris expeditionibus commovemus, ut universitatem compositam vivere legibus sentiamus. reddatur haec animo nostro vicissitudo praemiorum, ut, quem rei publicae utilitatibus cognoscitis occupatum, rarissima querellarum aditione pulsetur. teneant iudices legitimas districtiones: votum foedissimae venalitatis abiciant. metus cuncta componit, si reus crimen in iudicante non invenit.