IX. Verba ignaviae

IX. Verba ignaviae

But the fifth had a head like a hare, except that its left ear was like that of a rabbit, and yet it was of such size that it completely covered the whole head. But the remaining body of his was like that of a worm, which lacks bones and lies hidden in its little burrow, like an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. And he said with great awe: 49. I won't go to anyone's injury, lest I become an exile without consolation or help. For if I pursue the injury of others, I would lose my own soul and be deprived of grace. I will honor the noble and the wealthy; but I won’t care about the saints or the poor, because no one can depend on their benefits. I want everyone to be at peace, so that they don’t perish; but if I were to fight for something, perhaps it would strike back; and if I were to inflict an injury, it would return a greater one to me. As long as I care for people, I'll remain quiet with them, whether they do good or evil, I'll stay silent. It's better for me to endure lying and deceiving than to speak the truth; it's easier to acquire something false than to lose it; and it's better to flee from the strong than to fight against them. What good is it to me to start something I can't finish? The victorious and wise mock me; but let them have what they have, while I have chosen to seek something greater. Often, those who speak the truth are mocked for their good deeds; but those who fight against it are struck down. •)«tt(tormW. I have often heard that those who speak the truth are often attacked, while those who fight are often killed.