Be uariis ominibus
The Vanity of Omens
The author introduces the practice of reading omens in daily life, illustrating the folly of relying on trivial signs.
A Roman consul, sent on an expedition, found himself without any favorable omen; so, he ordered that doves, weakened by fasting, be carried along the road he was to travel, with wheat scattered for them, hoping that even their omen might lighten the harshness of his prospects. When the doves kept abstaining from food with unusual diligence, he ordered them to be thrown into the river so that they might at least drink; once submerged by the force of the current, they taught the consul that he and his army were destined to be submerged as well. For this is indeed the outcome that followed. Bees brought honey to the lips of the infant Plato, foreshadowing the unique sweetness of his future eloquence. Hiero, who later became the highest magistrate of Sicily, was abandoned by his father—a man of noble standing—because he had been conceived by a servant girl and seemed a disgrace to his lineage, a shameful stain on his noble blood. But bees fed the little child, who was destitute of human help, with honey they gathered for many days; and so, by the counsel of those who sang of the omens portending his kingdom, he was recognized by his father, taken back, and diligently educated. Ants gathered grains of wheat into the cradle of the infant Midas, signifying that he would become very wealthy. From this, poets invented the story that things turned to gold at his touch. For the priest Sulpitius, a slip of his cap cost him his priesthood. The squeak of a mouse was enough to cost Marcus Fabius his command. If you believe in these Iberian trifles, and you notice your clothes have been gnawed by mice at the start of your work, you should hold off on your plans. If you trip on the threshold as you leave, or stumble on the road, stop in your tracks. If you suffer any setback while preparing for your tasks, put off what you’ve started so you don't lose your focus entirely or end up doing the work for nothing. Wait until you find a better omen to seize a lucky hour for your business. After all, everything is a sign of something. When you set out, the birds they call 'omen-birds' will foretell the hidden future for you.
The Language of Birds
A detailed exploration of augury through the observation of various birds, from crows and ravens to eagles and domestic fowl.
Perhaps you're asking which ones these are—the ones the poets claim were transformed from human nature into birds. Listen carefully to what the crow says, and don't ignore its position, whether it's sitting or flying. It matters a great deal whether it's on the right or the left, how it looks at the elbow of the person walking, whether it's talkative, noisy, or completely silent, whether it goes before or follows, whether it waits for the traveler's arrival or flies away, and where it goes—pay close attention to all of this. For Virgil says: 'If the crow had not warned me from the hollow holm-oak to cut short my new plans, neither your Moeris nor Menalcas himself would be alive.' Although he seems to have missed the mark in his art by claiming the crow is a preserver of life while it ignores the omens of great events—unless perhaps it is an unnatural sign, like the one the crow gave in Greek on the Tarpeian Rock as the hated emperor's downfall approached, saying, 'It will be well.' The augur interpreted it this way: 'The crow that recently sat on the Tarpeian height, because it could not say more, said: It will be.' But you must forgive the very learned man for expressing rustic simplicity, or perhaps because the life of the poor seems a trivial matter to the rich, who claim that the human race was established to serve the few. The raven, however, which you should observe with no less diligence, gives omens for greater matters and in every way takes precedence over the crow; furthermore, the swan is a bird most welcome in auguries for sailors, since it knows the secrets of the waters through a certain domestic familiarity. Don't you know that in Maro, twelve swans rejoicing in the air announced by Venus's prophecy that Aeneas's fleet was returning? Their cheerfulness promises a grace of happy outcomes not only to sailors, but to all travelers as well, unless it's overcome by the arrival of something stronger. For the eagle is like the king of birds—if you exclude the alarion, which is perhaps the most powerful species of eagle—and it invalidates the reliability of all other birds if it speaks against them, by the majesty of its own kingdom. In Statius, the Greek army could have been encouraged by the omen of the birds. But look, a stronger troop arriving through the air, with Amphiaraus as interpreter, also revealed the destruction of the Greeks. For although the eagle may be surpassed by the strength of certain birds, in the foretelling of truth, none is more powerful. Indeed, it flies more excellently than all birds and is never excluded from the secret counsel of Jove himself. And since it's said to thrive with such keenness of sight that it can behold small fish at the bottom of the sea from the highest ether, and can fix its gaze upon the sun itself—which is permitted to no other living creature—it borrows from the grace of Jove a knowledge of the truth and the mysteries of things through the very subtlety of its senses. For who would call an interpreter false, whom he knows to be a participant in the counsels of Jove? When the Locrians were fighting against the Crotoniates, it is said that an eagle flew over them while the battle was raging and brought them victory, as a small number of them destroyed an infinite host. This was supposedly confirmed by an even stronger sign: two tall, elegant young men dressed in white rode ahead of the Locrians on both sides. People generally believed these were Castor and Pollux. Omens like this are more powerful when they appear in pairs. While Hiero, mentioned above, was beginning his first wars, an eagle suddenly landed on the shield of the man as he advanced, signifying that he was ready for action and would be a future king. On the day Alexander was born, two eagles sat all day long on the roof of his father's house, bearing an omen of a double empire over Europe and Asia. Vultures signify difficulty, hardness, and greed, as you can see in the story of Rome's founding. The phoenix promises success of singular happiness, such as when the new Rome was founded under better auspices after the phoenix was sighted. The painted bird gave its name to the city of Poitiers, prefiguring the fickleness of its people through its color and its cry. The heron is a sign of difficult matters. Because the stork is a bird of harmony, it either finds harmony or creates it. The crane always brings what is useful; hence the ancient word 'gruere' (to crane), from which we get 'congruere' (to agree), meaning what is beneficial, and 'ingruere' (to rush in) against what is harmful. Hence the saying: 'Twice the rain rushes upon the vines.' Don't hold smaller things in contempt, since even the chattering magpie, just as it makes you more cautious in many things, can also make you more cautious in receiving guests. If the bird commonly called the harrier flies across your path from left to right, don't doubt the cheerfulness of your hospitality; if it flies the other way, expect the opposite. Domestic birds, too, have this skill, and they don't disdain to give signs. Even small birds, by their arrival or departure, signify whether a household is shrinking or growing.
Signs in the Animal Kingdom
The discussion shifts to interpreting the movements of wild and domestic beasts as indicators of future fortune.
The calmer a bird's flight, the more praiseworthy it is. This is why the aforementioned augur Melampus complains, predicting the slaughter of the Greeks from the flight of birds; you see how no bird follows a calm course. You will also examine the outcomes of your journeys by observing wild beasts. You'll fear encountering a hare if it manages to escape. After all, it's undoubtedly much more convenient on the table than on the road. You'll congratulate yourself if you meet a wolf, for it's a messenger of good—even if it's known to harm the person it sees first just by its gaze, and to silence their voice. According to the saying: The voice itself flees, the ancients saw the wolf's gaze. Hiero of Sicily was busy with his schoolwork among his peers, practicing his writing, when a wolf suddenly appeared in the crowd of boys and snatched his tablet, confirming the man's future success through an unheard-of kind of omen. Why say more? No one who believes the Roman race was raised on wolf's milk will deny the wolf's power. Often, what is most appealing in them still carries a lupine flavor; the first of them kept the trust they had learned from Mother Wolf, and by some law of nature, it has flowed down to their descendants. You'll gladly cross paths with sheep, but you should avoid the goat, of whom the poet playfully says: 'Beware of meeting the goat, for he strikes with his horn.' You will encounter oxen threshing, though you'll more gladly meet them plowing. Don't be annoyed if they break your path, because even if they are very useful for carrying burdens, the delay on the road is a nuisance. A horse is sometimes good, but there is nothing more useful about him than the fact that he serves human needs. Yet he also signifies quarrels and fighting. Sometimes, however, the meaning is softened by color and custom; that is why, in Virgil, when the white horses appear in Italy, the elder Anchises cries out: "War, O war, you bring, O hospitable land." You’d be better off serving a stag, a roe deer, a wild boar, a wild ass, or other animals like that to someone who is eating than to someone who is traveling. When Aeneas saw stags instead of the number of his ships, he used his own strength to turn an omen that seemed unfavorable into a sign of good fortune for himself and his companions. A tracking dog is very useful; if the Hebrew tradition is true, even the angel who was Tobit's companion didn't disdain its company. What about the fact that Cyrus, exposed in the woods by his grandfather's wickedness so that he might perish, gained the kingdom of the Persians through the udders of a female dog? Although a locust can do very little, it still hinders the plans of travelers; perhaps it is called by that name because it makes those who are walking stand in one place. On the other hand, a cicada encourages the traveler's pace and signals the end for those who are starting out. When a spider lets down its thread from above, it seems to bring the hope of money to come.
Human and Celestial Portents
The author examines how human encounters and atmospheric phenomena, such as thunder, are interpreted as divine or fateful signals.
A toad in your path signals future success, yet for me, the mere sight of one is bothersome. Still, you won't find anything more powerful or effective than a human being, and you'll never find anything among mortals that expresses the truth more clearly. Furthermore, if you diligently apply the art, you'll note with your full attention their condition, natural gifts, posture, gestures, and bodily movements, as well as the meaning of their speech. They say it's an unlucky omen to meet a priest or a religious person on the road. I, however, believe it's harmful to oppose not only priests but also wise people. It's also better to meet a group of servants than those who hold supreme power. Likewise, a woman walking with her head uncovered is an omen of progress. When fortune, which had long looked upon the Phrygian exiles with a jaundiced eye, finally looked back more kindly—as if from a watchtower of grace—a dark blue rain cloud stood over them. Venus, preparing a place for her shipwrecked son with Dido, covered him in a hollow cloud while she led him, accompanied by the faithful Achates, into the queen's favor. Thunder also carries various meanings. For if they bring any harm from the lightning's strike, they are considered unlucky. Hence the saying: 'I remember that oaks, struck from the sky, often foretold this evil to us (if our minds hadn't been foolish).' In these cases, it is also considered whether the lightning descended in a single path or whether it scattered its fires through a manifold rupture of the air. This, indeed, is always sadder. While Gaius Caesar threatened his country in the civil war, ancient histories are not enough to recount how thunderous the air was, how many fiery whirlwinds it had, and how many bolts it sent forth; and at that time, the dark nights saw unknown stars. If, however, the thunder is free from lightning and sounds from the left, it's believed to announce the favor of the gods.
Faith Over Fear
The author contrasts the superstitious fear of natural events with the confidence and security found in the Christian faith.
When Aeneas heard Jove thunder on his left, he assumed that his earlier sacrifices had won him favor. Regardless, people's natural fear can be eased by the fact that no one will be struck by lightning if they can hear the thunder or see the flash before the strike occurs. Tiberius Caesar used to wear a laurel wreath during storms, because it was said that lightning could not strike that kind of foliage. In truth, he was always terrified of thunder. Yet there is something that undoubtedly makes a person much safer: keeping the faith of the Cross in their heart, bearing the righteousness of faith on their head, and letting an innocent hand mark their forehead with the life-giving sign of faith. They should always keep in mind the One who, casting out all worldly fear from his followers, says: “Do not be afraid of the signs of heaven, which the nations fear, for I, the Lord your God, am with you.”✦ Some write that these words, when heard or spoken during a thunderstorm, have warded off the harm of lightning. Yet there is nothing that shakes a person so completely when such signs appear as a mind conscious of its own wickedness, and one that fears the penalty for its crimes at every turn; hence the moralist says of the guilty: “These are the ones who tremble and turn pale at every flash of lightning.” On the contrary: “The righteous are as bold as a lion,” and as it is written: “No evil will befall the righteous, whatever happens to them.”✦✦
The Earth's Testimony
The chapter concludes by discussing fiery signs and the earth's own movements, ultimately dismissing such vigilance as a vanity that cannot save.
A flash of fire, provided it does no harm by burning, brings the glory of fame. And just because it doesn't burn, it doesn't mean it isn't fire—if we accept Plato on this point. He says, as I understand it, that there are two properties of fire: one that is consuming and destructive, and another that is soothing and harmless in its light. He claims the latter is a visual phenomenon, and that it exerts its power most strongly in the upper regions. When Ascanius was enduring the hardships of his fated exile with his father, a fire from heaven illuminated him, as if his head were ablaze, foretelling that the happiness of exile was owed to him and that he would grow into a great nation. The brilliance of fire was also declared by a miracle at the very birth of Alexander the Great and Octavian Augustus. A favorable wind follows someone setting out on an expedition, bringing good fortune through the hope of success; when banners are carried against enemies, the testimony of the air suggests those banners will triumph. But if they threaten the homeland, they strike a very justified fear. The earth itself is also aware of mysteries, but it carries all heavy things more frequently, because it is founded upon its own stability and prefers to rest rather than be moved. When, therefore, its lowing is heard, it sympathizes with bitter events, and by the sadness of its voice, it protests with what affection it suffers with its own children; for it is indeed a great and loving parent of all. She had tried to keep the Phoenician woman from the embrace of her guest, but because Venus, the matchmaker of the hospitality, had already prevailed, she was touched by an inward pain of heart and lowed, since for her, lowing is a substitute for groaning. Whenever this same earth trembles, it foresees something to be feared for its children, unless perhaps it is laboring in childbirth. Then, in truth, it either causes a complete miscarriage or brings forth a useless offspring, because, for the most part, when mountains are in labor, a ridiculous mouse often comes forth. These are the things to which you might see very many people applying their entire vigilance. The rest of this kind are so numerous that they could tire out a talkative Fabius; and I believe that any house that persists in them cannot be saved, even by salvation itself.
Read the original Latin
In expeditionem missus consul Romanorum, dum nullius boni ominis sortiretur auspicium, columbas ieiunio confectas granis sparsis triticeis in uia qua iturus erat, praeferri iussit, ut uel earum omine auspicii duritiam sulleuaret. Quae cum diligentius a cibis abstinerent, eas praecipitari iussit in fluuium, ut saltem biberent; submersaeque ui fluminis docuerunt consulem cum exercitu submergendum. Hic etenim secutus est euentus. Apes Platonis infantuli mel labiis inferebant, singularem dulcedinem eloquentiae eius futuram praesignantes. Hiero, summus postea Siciliae magistratus, quod uirtute promeruit, a patre nobilissimo uiro expositus est, eo quod ex ancilla susceptus dehonestamentum generis uidebatur, et quasi probrosa clari sanguinis macula. Sed paruulum et indigentem opis humanae apes circa eum melle congesto plurimis aluere diebus; et sic consilio anispicum ei regnum portendi canentium, a patre agnitus recollectus et diligenter institutus est. Paruuli Midae cimabulis formicae grana tritici congerebant, significantes eum futurum ditissimum. Ynde et res aureas ipsius attactu fieri poetae finxerunt.
Sulpitio sacerdoti lapsus apex de capite sacerdotium abstulit. Occentus soricis auditus Marco Fabio praefecturam. Si nugis Hiberis per omnia credis, si uestem in operis tui initio a soricibus corrosam senseris, tempera ab inceptis. Si egrediens limen calcaueris, aut in uia offenderis, pedem contine. Si in procinctu agendorum aliquid dampni pertuleris, differes inchoata, ne uel tota intentione frustreris, aut inutiliter impleatur. Expecta, dum omine meliori faustam agendis horam arripias. Omnia namque sunt aliquid. Cum processeris, abscondita futurorum aues, quas ominales uocant, a tibi praenuntiabunt.
Quaenam sint istae, fort interrogas; quas scilicet de natura hominum in formam auium poetae asserunt esse conuersas. Quid comix loquatur diligenter ausculta, situmque eius sedentis aut uolantis nullo modo contempnas. Refert etenim plurimum, a dextris sit an a sinistris, qua positione respiciat cubitum gradientis, loquax sit an clamosa an silens omnino, praecedat an sequatur, transeuntis expectet aduentum an fugiat, quoue discedat; non negligenter attende. Ait namque Virgilius: Quod nisi me quacumque nouas incidere Ktes ante sinistra caua monuisset ab ilice comix, nec tuus hic Meris nec uiueret ipse Menalcas. Quamuis in eo uideatur in artem offendisse, quod comix, quam uitae seruatricem asserait, rerum magnarum ignorat auspicia; nisi forte in ea praeter naturam fiat ostentum, quale est quod imminente bono et optato perosi imperatoris exitio de rupe Tarpeia per urbem comix Graeco eloquio protulit, Bene erit. Quod augur interpretatus ita exposuit; Nuper quae sedit Tarpei culmine coraix, Ed quia non potuit dicere, dixit Erit, Sed ignosces uiro doctissimo rusticanam simplicitatem exprimenti, aut quia pauperum uita diuitibus res uideatur exigua, qui humanum genus ut paucis seruiat asserunt institutum. Coruus uero, quem non minori diligentia obseruabis, rebus maioribus auspicatur, et usquequaque coraici praeiudicat, Porro cignus, in auguriis ales gratissima nautis, utpote quae aquaram domestica quadam gratia familiaritatis earamdem secreta praenouerit. An nescis apud Maronem bis senos letantes aere cygnos reducem classem Eneae Veneris uaticinio nuntiasse?
Eoram namque hilaritas non modo nautis, sed et quibusque peregrinantibus felicium euentuum gratiam spondet, nisi fortioris superetur aduentu. Aquila namque sicut rex auium est, si non alarionem excipias, quae forte aquilarum species potentissima est, regni sui maiestate omnium auium, si contra loquatur, fidem euacuat. Potuerat apud Statium praesagio uolucrum Graecoram exercitus confortari. Sed fortior ecce aduentans per inane cohors, Amphiorao interprete, Graecoram quoque exitium patefecit. Licet enim aquila quarumdam auium uiribus superetur, in praenuntiatione ueri nulla potentior est. Cunctis siquidem auibus excellentius uolat et ab ipsius louis archano numquam excluditur. Cumque tanto uisus acumine uigere dicatur, ut ab ethere summo pisciculos in fundo maris contueatur, et in ipsum solem, quod nuUi animantium licet, figat obtutum, sensuum quidem subtilitate de louis gratia conscientiam ueritatis rerumque mysteria mutuatur. Quis enim falsum interpretem dicat, quem consiliorum louis nouit esse pariiicipem?
Locris aduersus Crotonienses dimicantibus, aquila dum pugnabatur supeniolans uica toriam dicitur contulisse, cum pauci numero deleuerint infinitos. Hoc tamen ualidiori signo scribitur roboratum, eo quod duo iuuenes procerioris staturae, elegantioris formae, in candido habitu, ab utroque latere Locros praecesserint; scilicet, ut erat communis opinio, Castor et Pollux. Omina uero huiusmodi cum geminantur potentiora sunt. Dum Hiero, de quo supra, prima bella iniret, aquila ex improuiso resedit in clipeo progredientis, manu promptum regemque futurum significans. Ea die qua natus est Alexander, duae aquilae tota die per pedes supra culmen domus patris eius sederunt, omen duplicis imperii Europae Asiaeque praeferentes. Vultures difficultatem portant, duritiam, rapacitatem, sicut habes in origine urbis conb dendae. Fenix singularis felicitatis successus pollicetur, quale est quod noua Roma uiso fenice melioribus auspiciis condita est. Auis picta urbi Pictauonim contulit nomen, leuitatem gentis colore et uoce praefigurans.
Ardea rerum arduarum auspicium est. Ciconia, quoniam auis concordiae est, concordiam inuenit aut concordiam facit. Grus semper affert quod expedit; unde et gruere, uerbum antiquum, a quo congruere, quod proficit; et ingruere contra, quod officit. Vnde illud: bis uitibus ingruit imber. Nec tamen minores contemptui habeas, cum et pica loquax, sicut ad multa, sic ad susceptionem hospitum te faciat cautiorem. Si auis, quae uulgo dicitur albanellus, praeteruolans uiam, a sinistris feratur ad dextram, de hospitii hilaritate ne dubites; si contra, contrarium expectabis. Aues quoque domesticae artificii huius non sunt expertes, doque portendere non dedignatur. Minutae etiam aues aduentu suo uel recessu significant familiam nunc minui, nunc augeri.
Omnium uero uolatus quanto serenior, tanto laudabilior. Vnde Melampo augur praenominatus conqueritur, stragem Graecorum coniciens ex uolatu; Vides ut nulla serenos ales agat cursus. a A bestiis quoque uiarum tuarum euentus scrutaberis. Leporis timebis occursum, si tamen euaserit. Est enim proculdubio longe commodior in mensa quam in uia. Lupo obuio congratulaberis; boni siquidem nxmtius est, licet solo uisu nocere soleat ei quem ante praeuiderit, uocemque praecludere. luxta illud: Vox fugit ipsa, lupi Merim uidere priores. Hiero Siculus litteratorio insistens studio inter coaequales stilo operam dabat, eique lupus in turba pueronun repente conspectus tabellam eripuit, successus hominis firmans inaudita forma prodigii.
Quid multa? lupi efficaciam non negabit, quisquis genus Romanorum lupino lacte non ambigit educatum. Vnde plerumque quod in eis dulcius est, adhuc lupinum saporem retinet; primique eorum fidem, quam a matre Lupa didicerant, sibi inuicem seruauerunt, eademque quadam lege naturae manauit ad posteros. Ouibus gratanter obuiam gradieris, dum capram uites, cui alludens poeta ait: Occursare capro, comu ferit ille, caueto. Bobus triturantibus, libentius tamen arantibus, obuiabis. Nec displiceat si uiam ruperint, quia mora itineris hospitii etsi utilissimi sint ad onera perferenda. Equus quandoque bonus est; sed in eo nichil utilius quam quod humanis usibus seruit. Habet uero iurgiorum et pugnae significationem.
Interdum tamen ex colore et usu mitigatur; unde apud Virgilium, uisis albis equis apparente Italia, senior Anchises exclamat: Bellum, o bellum, terra hospita, portas. Ceruum, capreolum, aprumque siluestrem, onagrum et cetera huius generis malo prandenti apponas quam uianti opponas. Eneas, ceruis pro nauium numero fusis, omen quod contrarium uidebatur, ad se sociorumque fortunam uirtute retorsit. Canis sequipeda commodissimus est; cuius, si uera est Hebreorum traditio, nec angelus ipse Tobyae socius aspernatus est comitatum. Quid quod Cirus scelere aui expositus in siluis ut periret, caniculae uberibus regnum adeptus est Persarum. Locusta etsi minimum possit, itinerantium tamen praepedit uota; ex eo forte sic dicta, quod loco stare faciat gradientes. E contra cicada uiatoris promouet gressum et initiatorum amenat exitum. Aranea dum a superioribus filum ducit, spem uenturae pecuniae uidetur afferre.
Obuius buffo futuros successus denuntiat; michi tamen uel solo uisu molestus est. Verumtamen homine ipso nichil potentius, nichil eflacacius est, nichilque mortalium umquam inuenies quod euidentius exprimat ueritatem. Porro si artem diligenter exequeris, conditionem eius, et dona naturae, situm, gestum, motumque corporis, a sensumque sermonis, tota mentis intentione notabis. Sacerdotem obuium aliumue religiosum, dicunt esse infaustum. Ego quoque pemiciosum credo non modo sacerdotibus sed et uiris sapientibus contraire. Melius quoque est obuiare genti seruorum quam his qui summa sunt praediti potestate. Feminam quoque, quae capite discooperto incedit, processum. Cum fortuna quae Frigios exules liuenti oculo diu perstrinxerat, tandem benignius, quasi de specula gratiae, respexisset, oUi ceruleus supra caput astitit imber.
Venus naufrago filio apud Didonem hospitium praeparans eundem fido Acate comitatum, dum in reginae gratiam introduceret, caua nube obtexit. Tonitrua quoque uarias liabent significationes. Si enim afierant quamcumque fuld minis lesionem, infausta sunt. Vnde illud: Saepe malum hoc nobis (si mens non leua fuisset) de celo tactas memini praedicere quercus. In his autem et illud perpenditur, an semita una descenderit, an multipharia aeris ruptione difiusos sparserit ignes. Hoc equidem semper tristius est. Dum Gaius Cesar ciuili bello patriae immineret, quam fulminosus aer extiterit, quot habuerit igneos turbines, quot trabes emiserit, nec ueteres historiae sufficiunt enarrare; et tunc ignota obscurae uiderunt sidera noctes. Si uero fulminis careat tempestate, si leuum sonet, deorum a creditur nuntiare fauorem.
Eneas louem a sinistris tonantem audiens se eum praemissis sacrificiis opinatur habere propitium. Sed qualitercumque ista se habeant, innatum timorem hominum poterit mitigare, quod nemo sentiet fulminis ictum, si ante tonitrui sonum audierit aut praeuiderit choruscationem. Tiberius Caesar turbatiore celo lauream coronam gestabat in capite, quia hoc genus frondis fulmine negatur afflari. Tonitrua siquidem timidissime et uehementer semper exhorruit. Est tamen quod proculdubio longe tutiorem faciat hominem, si fidem crucis seniet in pectore, iustitiam fidei gestet in capite, et salutiferum signum fidei manus innocens figat in fronte, illum semper prae mente habens, qui cultoribus suis omnem mundi timorem excutiens ait: A signis celi ne timueritis, quae timent gentes, quia ego uobiscum Dominus Deus uester. Haec quoque uerba inter tonandum uel audita uel dicta scribimtur a quibusdam noxam fulminis amouisse. Nichil autem est, quod imminentibus signis ita totum concutiat hominem, sicut mens sibi conscia • iniquitatis, et quae scelenmi suonmi penam ad singula timet exposcL Vnde ethicus de criminosis: Hi sunt qui trepidant et ad omnia fulgura pallent. E contra: lustus confidit ut leo; et illud: Non contristabit iustum quicquid ei aceiderit.
Fulgor equidem igneus, si urendo non noceat, celebritatis gloriam afiert. Neque quia non urit, igneus non est; si tamen in hoc Plato recipitur. Duae sunt, inquit ille, ut opinor, uirtutes ignis; altera edax et peremptoria, altera mulcebris et innoxio lumine. Posteriorem asserit operatricem uisus, et in superioribus uim suam maxime exercere. Ascanium fatalis exilii cum patre discrimina subeimtem ignis de celo quasi succenso capite illustrauit, praenuntians ei deberi felicitatem exilii, ipsumque futurum in gentem magnam. Alexandri Macedonis et Octauiani Augusti sub ipso eorum ortu claritas ignis miraculo declarata est. Proficiscentem, expeditionem dum egreditur, prosequens uentus successuum spe fortunat; dum in hostes uexilla feruntur, aeris testimonio uexilla triumphabunt. Si uero patriae imminent, iustissimum incutiunt metum.
Terra quoque ipsa mysteriorum conscia est, sed grauia omnia frequentius portat, eo quod fundata super stabilitatem suam mauult quiescere quam moueri. Cum ergo mugitus eius auditur, amaris euentibus condolet, et quo affectu suis compatiatur alumpnis, uocis suae tristitia protestatur; magna siquidem et pia parens omnium est. Studuerat haec ab amplexu hospitis arcere Phenissam, sed quia conciliatrix hospitii Venus iam praeualuerat, tacta ■ dolore cordis intrinsecus mugiit, quoniam ei mugitus pro gemitu est. Haec eadem quotiens tremit, filiis suis praeuidet aliquid metuendum, nisi forte parturiendo laboret. Tunc uero uel omnino facit abortum, aut inutilem fetum parit, quia ut multum, saepe cum aparturiunt montes, procedit ridiculus mus. Haec sunt quibus totam uigilantiam suam uideas accommodare quam plurimos. a Cetera de genere hoc adeo sunt multa, loquacem ut lassare queant Fabium, quibus quaecumque domus institerit, eam nec ab ipsa salute arbitror posse saluari.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Jer.10.2 — Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be dismayed at the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.
- ↩Prov.28.1 — The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
- ↩Prov.12.21 — No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Policraticus companion
Study the argument weekly; pray the tradition daily
Pair the outline with the Chosen Portion app, which serves short daily portions from the same royal devotional tradition — free on iOS.
John of Salisbury argued that rulers must keep the law of God before their eyes daily; Chosen Portion gives modern readers that same daily discipline in five minutes a morning.
- 8 weeks, one book per week, with the 3-4 key chapters flagged in each
- Discussion questions usable for a reading group from week one
- A daily 5-minute companion portion in the app alongside your weekly study