The Dialogue of Creatures

original: "valeri⁹" Valerius

What is our high rank original: "sublimitas" if not a storm that brings shipwreck? Who can hold honor without pain? Who can be in high office without tribulation? Who can have dignity without vanity? As Valerius relates in his seventh book regarding that king of subtle wit and counsel: when the crown original: "dyadema" was handed to him, he held it for a long time before placing it on his head, and considering it, he said: "O noble and happy scepter! If only you were not full of such anxieties and dangers." Augustine Because of this, Augustine says: Nothing is more laborious, nothing more difficult, and nothing more dangerous than to lead. This is also why Valerius tells in his seventh book of Cornelius Scipio, to whom Spain happened to be offered as a gift. He replied that he did not wish to go there, adding the reason: that he did not know how to act rightly there. For he did not consider himself a man sufficiently brilliant for such great honor and danger.

A rectangular woodcut illustration depicting two identical eight-pointed stars side-by-side, bordered by a double-lined frame.

The Evening Star Hesperusthe planet Venus appearing in the evening is a star of the night. And the Morning Star Luciferthe planet Venus appearing in the morning is the star of the early day which appears in the morning. Whence the verse: "The Evening Star shines by night, and the Morning Star by day." These two stars gathered all the others to themselves, and with all of them, they proceeded to the Creator of the stars, saying: "Lord Saturn, you have radiated upon us and placed us fittingly, but in this we have been supplanted: for our splendor and beauty do not always sparkle. Therefore, we piously pray that you should obscure the sun and deprive it of light, so that we may shine throughout the day as well." To them, the Creator replied: "This is not permitted. For the sun is the decorator of the day, the divider of the hours, and the origin of all things being born; without it, nothing could sprout. Therefore, I will not hear your prayers in this matter." Finally, the stars petitioned the Creator, saying: "O Maker of all creatures, at least hear us in this: stir up and destroy the clouds original: "nebulas" in the air which hinder our light. For because of the clouds, we are often unable to be contemplated or seen." To this, the Creator said: "Be silent, and do not present unjust things. It is even written in Cato: 'Ask for what is just, or what appears honorable.' For the clouds irrigate the world with their downpour. If it did not rain, the earth would be entirely unable to germinate or sprout." And saying this, he drove the stars away and said: "Let those who do not seek things that are orderly or pleasing be cast out." In this, it is clear that he who wishes to be heard ought to ask for those things that are just and honorable to do, and which are according to reason and the will of God. For this reason, Augustine says: "When you ask for those things which God praises and permits, ask with confidence." For that petition is granted by God. Whence it is that Isidore says: Seneca Many who pray are not heard because God confers better things upon them than those they requested. For Seneca relates in his second book On Benefits that Alexander the Great gave a city to a certain man asking for a penny. And when the man said that such a great gift was not appropriate for him, Alexander replied: "I am not looking at what is fitting for you to receive, but what is fitting for me to give." For God acts in this way: he often does not grant the things requested so that he may give better and more ample things. And as Isidore says: God often does not hear many according to their will, so that he may hear them according to their salvation.