Letter 299

299. To a Tax-Assessor

You wrote, to one who knew it already, that you are reluctant toward the management of public affairs. For there is an old saying, that those who lay claim to virtue do not take up offices with pleasure. For what is proper to physicians, this I see belongs to rulers also. They look upon dreadful things, they meet with unpleasant ones, and over the misfortunes of others they reap griefs of their own—those, at least, who are truly rulers. Whereas all that part of mankind which is given to trade, and looks to money, and is excited about this kind of glory, counts it the greatest of goods to take up some position of power, from which they will be able to do good to friends, to take vengeance on enemies, and to win for themselves the things they crave. But you are not such a man—how could you be?—you who, when civic power so great was within your reach, withdrew willingly, and when it was in your hands to rule a city as one household, chose instead the untroubled and quiet life, counting it of more worth to have no business and to give none to others than is the price at which the rest are esteemed for their harshness.

But since the Lord has willed that the country of the Iborites should not fall under hucksters of men, nor that the assessment should be like a market of slaves, but that each be registered as is just, take up the matter—even though otherwise burdensome—as one that can yet procure for you good repute with God. And neither cower before power, nor despise poverty, but offer to those you administer a judgement more unswerving than any balance. For thus your zeal for justice will become manifest to those who have trusted you, and they will admire you above the rest. Or even if it should escape their notice, it will not escape our God, who has set before us great rewards for good works.