BOETHIUS 5
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s unworthiest of it, as it lately did to this same Theodoric,and also formerly to Nero the Caesar, and moreover fre-quently to many like them? Will he not then do as theydid, and still do? slay and destroy all the rich who are under,or an3rwhere near him, as the flame of fire does the dryheath field, or as the burning brimstone bumeth the moun-tain which we call ^tna, which is in the island of Sicily?very like to the great flood which was formerly in Noah'sdays. I think that thou mayest remember that your ancientRoman senators formerly, in the days of Tarquin the proudking, on account of his arrogance first banished the kinglyname from the city of Rome. And again, in like manner,the consuls who had driven them out, these they were after-ward desirous to expel on account of their arrogance (butthey could not) ; because the latter government of the con-suls still less pleased the Roman senators, than the formerone of the kings. If, however, it happens, that power and dignity come togood men and to wise; what is there then worthy of es-teem, except the good and the dignity of him, the good king,not of the power? For power never is good unless he isgood who possesses it. Therefore if power be good, it isthe good of the man, not of the power. Hence it is, that noman by his authority comes to virtues and to merit : but byhis virtues, and by his merit, he comes to authority and topower. Therefore is no man for his power the better ; butfor his virtues he is good, if he be good : and for his virtueshe is deserving of power, if he be deserving of it. Learn,therefore, wisdom; and when ye have learned it, do notthen despise it. Then I say to you, without all doubt, thatye may through it arrive at power, though ye be not desir-ous of power. Ye need not be anxious for power, nor pressafter it. If ye are wise and good, it will follow you, thoughye are not desirous of it. But tell me now, what is yourmost valuable wealth and power, which ye most desire? Iknow, however, that it is this present life, and this perishingwealth, which we before spoke about. When Wisdom had sung this lay, then began he again tospeak, and thus said: Dost thou think that the king's famil-iarity, and the wealth and the power which he gives to his
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