c. Letters, CLIV (Schopp, III, pp. 303-304).
POLITICAL WRITINGS 265 former life ought to do even this, so that, if the dishonest litigant is not willing to make amends for his injustice after this warning, he at least will take no pay for the injustice. Otherwise, it might happen that there is an obUgation to pay back what is secretly taken from another by theft, but none to pay back what is gotten by deceiving the judge and evading the law in the very court of law where offenses are punished. And what about lending money at interest,^ which the very laws and judges require to be paid back? Who is more cruel: the one who steals from or cheats a rich man or the one who destroys a poor man by usury? What is acquired this way is certainly ill-gotten gain, and I would wish restitution to be made of it, but it is not possible to sue for it in court . . . For a long time I seem to have been putting a burden on a busy man by my talk, whereas it would have been possible to explain quickly what was asked by a man as clear-sighted and experienced as you are. I ought to have made an end of this long since, and I would have if I had thought you would be the only one to read what you urged me to write. May you enjoy a happy life in Christ, my dearest son.
to his Justly Revered Lord and Truly Estimable Father, Augustine.
I am deeply impressed by your wisdom, both in the writings which you have published and in those which you did not refuse to send, taking pity on my anxiety. The former have a superlative degree of penetration, knowledge, and holiness, and the
5. Forbidden by early Church law.
c. Letters, CLIV (Schopp, III, pp. 303-304).
266 ST. AUGUSTINE latter are so full of moderation that, if I do not do what you advise, I should have to account the fault in myself, not in my office, justly revered lord and estimable father. For you do not insist, as most men in your circle do, on extorting from me whatever any anxious client happens to want, but you suggest what you think can properly be asked of a judge weighed down by many cares, and you do this with a due regard and respect, which is a most successful way of overcoming difficulties among good people. Therefore, I have granted to those you recommended the fulfillment of their desire, having previously opened the way to hope. . . .
I have written this in the midst of my preoccupation with other cares, which may be vain when we think of the end of the world, but are still pressing enough, being part of the consequence of our being born. If I have time, and if my life holds out, I shall write again from Italy, so as to pay my debt to such learning by due if not adequate services. May the almighty God keep your Holiness safe and happy for an extended age, justly revered lord and truly estimable father.
Bishop, Servant of Christ and of His Family, gives greeting in the Lord to his Beloved Son, Macedonius.
Although I do not recognize in myself the wisdom with which you endow me, I do owe and return the most hvely thanks to your great and sincere kindness toward me, and I am delighted that the result of my studies has given pleasure to a man of such character and influence as you are.
d. Letters, CLV (Schopp, HI, pp. 305, 310-318).