CHAPTER IX Popular suspicion is not to be treated with contempt even when unfounded
CHAPTER IX
Popular suspicion is not to be treated with contempt even when unfounded
561. That class which is destitute of right judgment is especially querulous, and would never readily allow a vindication.
562. But “he that rules well” is obliged not to despise even these, but to explain to all the things whereof they accuse him, with much gentleness and meekness, rather forgiving their unreasonable blame than becoming indignant and angry.
563. For if the blessed Paul feared lest he should incur the suspicion of theft among the disciples, and therefore admitted others to the ministration of the funds, saying, “That no man may blame us in this abundance which is administered by us,” ought not we to make every effort to remove evil suspicions, even when they are really false and unreasonable, and at the farthest distance from our thought?
564. We are not so far removed from any sin as Paul was from theft, and yet, notwithstanding he was so remote from this evil deed, he was not therefore indifferent to the suspicion of the multitude, although it was exceedingly unreasonable and insane. For it was madness to cherish any such suspicion of that blessed and admirable person. But he nevertheless puts far away even the occasions of this so irrational suspicion, and which no one would have entertained who was not stark mad. He did not treat with disdain the folly of the multitude, neither did he say, “Whoever could have cherished such surmises about me, when all men honour and admire me on account of my miracles, and my integrity of life?” Quite the contrary; he both foresaw and anticipated this base suspicion, and plucked it up by the roots, or rather did not let it begin to grow. Why so? “Because,” said he, “we provide things honest,” not only before the Lord, but also “before men.”
565. So much diligence must be used, or rather, even more, not only to put down and restrain floating rumours which are not good, but to look forward from afar to where they may originate, and to remove beforehand the pretexts from which they spring; not to wait till they assume consistency, and are put into circulation by the mouths of the multitude, for then it will not be easy to extinguish them finally, but very difficult and perhaps even impossible, and in no case without mischief, because the attempt is made after many have been injured.
566. But how long shall I continue in pursuit of what is unattainable? For to enumerate all the difficulties here, is nothing else than measuring an ocean.
567. Even if one should become free from every passion (which is an impossibility), that he might rectify the failings of others, he would be compelled to endure innumerable ills. When you have added his personal infirmities, behold an abyss of toils and cares, and what he must suffer who is anxious to overcome his own and others’ faults!