Letter 132. To a Young Nobleman

( There are only two fragments of this letter extant, )

Well! I will grant that you have the greatest possible aversion to all that is good 1 but, nevertheless, I affirm that you can alter this natural inclination; and if you will do as I tell you, you need have no very great difficulty in becoming what you ought to be, or in acquiring such goodness as is becoming to one in your position. Now, sir, I would beg you often to call to mind what God in His Goodness has intended to effect in your soul, and what He would have of you when He endowed you with property, influence, and power. Princes and nobles usually possess, firom their birth, many things which other people strive wearily to obtain. Nothing is lacking to them which they cannot acquire; they have but to will a thing, and it is accomplished. But in order to conform this will to that of God, men in such a position should seek after a perfect will, which desires nothing save His Good Pleasure. And God requires of a prince that he should rule over his people by means of fear and love, himself fearing and loving God with a filial fear, and a most pure, holy, and hearty love. Often, the indulgence of princes is real cruelty, and their justice is true mercy; the happiness or misery of their people often depends upon their example. Well were it if all princes would say with Trajan, “ I must be such a prince over my subjects as I should wish my prince to be were I a subject.” And in like manner, as every nobleman and gentleman is a monarch on a small scale over his own household, he ought to bear in mind the Apostle’s words: “ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven.”*

They must not be as lions in their own homes, angering and oppressing their dependants; their piety should be generous, their courage full of kindliness and mercy. This is the first lesson they must learn, so as to give due submission to God and the King, and to use their power over others to the ends ot justice and charity.. •.

• CoL iv. 1.

Fragment II.

My brother, what should hinder you from the paths of holiness? A poor man may indeed become saintly, but a powerful lord, such as you are, not only may, but ought to be holy, and to work for good upon all who behold the tenor of his life.

[784.1 CXXXVII.