Chapter 12
William of Ockham they never make seditions." And in [Fisics], Book vui, chapter 1, he says, "And it seems also that friendship holds cities together, and legislators care more about it than justice: fer concord seems to be something like friendship, and they seek this most of all."
Also, truth himself seems to suggest this in Matthew 12[:25], when he says, "Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made desolate, and every city or household divided against itself' by discord and hatred 'will nor stand," etc.
Chapter 11% Student Now you have indeed sufficiently proved by many arguments, though you could bring forward many more, that there should be one person in the rulership of the Church because greater unity and harmony are thereby produced and fostered.
| would, however, very much like to know what sort of person he should be.
Master Concerning the question you want explained there are two modes of speaking. Some say [1] that no one should rule everyone else unless he surpasses all the rest in wisdom and virtue. Others say [2] that someone can rule ail the rest even if he does not excel them all in wisdom and virtue; and this mode of speaking is again diversificd, since some say [2ai} that if among the Christian people no one is found more excellent than the rest, yet someone good is found, then such a person should be chosen pope, but (zaii] if no one good and suitable is found no one should be elevated to so great an office; according to others, [2b] whether someone good is found or not, nevertheless someone should be chosen as highest pontiff, and to prove this they rely on the argument that it is better to have a head of any kind than not to have a head at all.
Chapter 12 Student Since I regard as rather unreasonable the second mode of those who say that sometimes the Church should be without a * 1155 423.
"| According '0 a note in each of the manuscripts, chapter ro is incomplete. Chapters 11 and 12 are not in the manuscnpts and may not be authentic.
A Dialogue, Part un, Tract 1 ruler and shepherd," since it destroys the whole constitution and hierarchy, I therefore do not want you to bring forward any arguments for it; let us leave it as being vacuous. But the other mode of this second mode* — that someone may be elected as highest pontiff, whatever kind of person he may be, if no one else is found better and more worthy — this conflicts altogether with the first mode of speaking." Therefore bring forward some arguments and authorities to the contrary," for by them the first mode will be the more confirmed.
Master Against that mode of speaking, and in confirmation of the first, some argue first as follows. That person should be elected as shepherd in relation to whom the rest can be called a flock;* but they are called a flock in relation to no one except one who surpasses each of them in knowledge and holiness; therefore no one should be elected as highest pontiff who is equal to the rest.
The major premise seems to need no proof, but the minor is proved: A shepherd should offer to everyone guidance in knowledge, as we read in dist. 63, Ephestos,"' and in 8, q.
1, dudacter, at the end;™similarly also in holiness of life, as is written m 11, q. 3
Praecipue;® and consequently he should surpass each of them in such qualities. Also, the same is clear from a text of Pope Symmachus included in 1, q.
1, Ubi sit." He says, "He who is more outstanding in honor must be regarded as most contemptible unless he excels in knowledge and holiness." Moreover, "the more outstanding" and "more holy" should be chosen for the priesthood and should be preferred to everyone, as Jerome says." And, as we read in dist. 63, Si forte, Pope Leo says this: "By the judgment of the metropolitan let that person be preferred who is supported
"* That is, with [z}.
* That is, arguments for {1}, the proposition that no one should be pope unless he surpasses all other Christians. This occupies chapters 12 and 13.
" See dist. 25, dictum post c. 3, para 2 There is no c. Aphesies. According to 43 dist. c. Epfestis, a pastor who does not correct his flock kills them by his silence.
* It speaks of the hunger of the people to hear the word of God.
# relates who do samething wrong should know that they deserve as many deaths as they transmit to their subjects by their cxample.
© Rather, c. blsstnrs.