6. To Hugh The Prior.
The Letters of St. Anselm
6. TO HUGH THE PRIOR.
Anselm implores Hugh to perform the duties of his office obediently and calmly, with due respect for his superior, with whom he does not get on well.
TO HUGH, HIS LORD DESERVEDLY REVERED FOR HIS HOLINESS, HIS
BROTHER, DULY LOVED OUT OF CHARITY: BROTHER ANSELM, [WHO
HOPES] TO LIVE THIS LIFE IN A SAINTLY WAY IN PROSPERITY AND
THE NEXT BLISSFULLY FOR ETERNITY.
I REPLY TO THE LETTER of your blessedness briefly be cause I have no opportunity of dictating much at the mo ment. If you are unable to hold office harmoniously with him with whom you have to share it, it is better for both of you, if having humbly begged for and been granted per mission you rest from the worry of your burden, rather than hurt each other gravely by quarreling under its weight. And if he will not concede this to you, it is better for you to bear the burden, even unprofitably, in obedience, than to cast it off impatiently in disobedience. But if you have ex perienced that the matter is not improved but aggravated by your advice, it is better, by remaining mute and silent with the prophet for the sake of good,1 to keep peace with all men as far as you can,2 according to the Apostle, than to give an occasion to the evil one3 by uttering good words use lessly. For since the prime responsibility was entrusted to him, not to you, you will not be held responsible if, through the fault of a shepherd who ignored your advice, the flock is not governed well.
Furthermore, as long as he does not force you to turn from good to evil, it is not advisable for you to dare to disregard the vow of submission and stability you once professed by changing your abode, except with his consent, as long as you can envisage any reason or opportunity that would en able you somehow to live well under his authority. If his headship is in any way a hindrance to your endeavors, yet does not block the path of salvation, it is better that, being judged unworthy of greater grace by the hidden judgement