De Praesulum Fastu (Epigr. VII)
The Height of Service
True greatness in leadership is measured not by status, but by the humble illumination of those in need.
Melville, you’re always accusing our bishops of being puffed up with pride. Stop; you’re just showing your own shame. Just because someone stands high above the people on a lofty ceiling, do you immediately assume they’re arrogant? So, you foolish man, would you call the sun arrogant too, just because it travels in such a high orbit? Yet the sun, for all its height, smiles down on your sins and constantly bathes the lowly earth in its light. A bishop who has reached a high position is to be praised only if he uses his power to shine light on the wretched.
Read the original Latin
Praesulibus nostris fastus, Melvine, tumentes Saepius aspergis. Siste, pudore vacas. An quod semotum populo laquearibus altis Eminet, id tumidum protinus esse feres? Ergo etiam solem dicas, ignave, superbum, Qui tam sublimi conspicit orbe viam: Ille tamen, quamvis altus, tua crimina ridens Assiduo vilem lumine cingit humum. Sic laudandus erit nactus sublimia Praesul, Qui dulci miseros irradiabit ope.
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