The Dialogue of Creatures

Ambrose Saint Ambrose (c. 340–397 AD), the Bishop of Milan who famously stood up to imperial authority says: "If you followed him when he was wandering in error, follow him also when he corrects himself." The Emperor This refers to Theodosius I, who performed public penance after the Massacre of Thessalonica, hearing this, was struck with remorse and performed penance, saying: "I have found only one man of truth, the bishop Ambrose." And he decreed that no man should be judged to death until forty days had passed original: "ante quadraginta dies"; a reference to the law intended to prevent hasty executions by allowing time for imperial mercy or review.

On the Shore and the Sea. Chapter 8.

A rectangular woodcut illustration showing a body of water with stylized, swirling, spiral-patterned waves situated between two rocky, jagged shores. Small tufts of grass are visible on the left bank.

A circular woodcut decorative initial 'M', intricately designed with symmetrical floral and foliate patterns, serving as the first letter of the following section.

The Sea, according to the philosopher original: "scdm phlm" / "secundum philosophum"; referring to Aristotle, is the embrace of the world, the source of moisture, and the host of rivers; for as the book of Ecclesiastes says: "All rivers enter into the sea, and the sea does not overflow; to the place from where the rivers come, they return to flow again" Ecclesiastes 1:7. This sea is great and spacious, says the philosopher. Wherefore, in its magnificence, it spoke to the shore as if it were a living being, saying: "I wonder greatly at your hardness. You have always contradicted me and existed as my opposite. Because of you, I cannot invade the land. I ask that you be moved from your place so that I may be able to trample the land underfoot; otherwise, I shall not cease to contend with you."

To which the Shore replied: "You speak poorly, brother. The Creator of all things placed me here, and I, because of obedience to Him, endure great labor in restraining you. You many times boldly climb over me and weigh heavily upon me, yet I bear you patiently for the sake of God. Therefore, you may chatter as much as you like against Him original: "verbosari," meaning to use many words or argue, for I will not change."

The Sea, hearing this, responded furiously: "If you can endure, then endure! For I will never leave you in peace, but will beat you with my force original: "visibus," likely a scribe's error for "viribus" (strength/force) or "fluctibus" (waves)."

The Shore truly placed its neck patiently under the yoke, saying: "It is fitting for the good to be purified and for the wicked to be chastened." For indeed, any prelate prelate: a high-ranking member of the clergy, such as a bishop or abbot and ruler original: "rector" ought to fight and act manfully in this way so that the wicked cannot prevail. Nevertheless, Gregory Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD) says: "Just as the sea always rebels against the shore by which it is held and restrained, so in religious life some always rebel against the prelates who cannot restrain them; but good shepherds ought not to fear the threats of the wicked, but should remain vigilant like a shepherd who is accustomed to guard the sheep against wild beasts. Thus also the ruler of God over his flock..."