The Dialogue of Creatures

...it ought also to be permitted. But as Isidore Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636 AD), a scholar and archbishop whose "Etymologies" was a standard reference in the Middle Ages says: "Wicked shepherds have no care for the sheep." But as it is read in the Gospel regarding hirelings: "They see the wolf coming and they flee" John 10:12. For they flee at the moment they keep silent before the powerful and fear to oppose the wicked. Therefore Jerome Saint Jerome (c. 347–420 AD), the translator of the Vulgate Bible comforts us, saying: "Let us take care to please God, and let us not fear the threats of men in the least."

Peter Comestor original: "petrus manducator"; a 12th-century French theologian known as "Peter the Eater" because he "devoured" books relates that while Philip, king of the Macedonians, was resisting and besieging Athens, he said to them: "Give me ten orators whom I shall choose from among you, and I will depart as your ally." Demosthenes, a most skilled orator, replied: "The wolves said to the shepherds: 'The whole cause of the discord between us and you are the dogs; but give us the dogs and we will be friends.'" When the shepherds had done this, the wolves fell upon the flock and devoured them as they pleased.

From this it is clear that there is the greatest danger when the dogs—that is, the preachers and rulers—abandon the flock or neglect to bark. For just as gentleness in a man is praiseworthy and anger is blameworthy, so it is the opposite in a dog. For a dog is not meant to be gentle, because ferocity is praised in it. Thus also a discrete ferocity original: "ferocitas discreta"; a controlled or discerning toughness used for protection is praised in a ruler.

On Fire and Water. Chapter Nine.

A woodcut illustration contained within a rectangular frame. On the left side, a large fire is depicted with thick logs stacked at the base and swirling, curved tongues of flame rising upwards. On the right side, a bird with spread wings flies above a series of overlapping semi-circular patterns consisting of concentric spirals, representing water or clouds.

Fire is light, pure, subtle, mobile, bright, and hot. And because it is so precious in its own nature, it began to exalt itself, saying: "In brief, I prevail over all things on the earth and consume everything; but if I were to prevail in the waters, I would exist as superior to all things." Therefore it called out to the Water, saying: "Dearest sister, you are an element of God; you are even as I. Wherefore if I were to be glorified in you and joined with you, I am great, but I shall appear even more magnificent and excellent. Therefore I beseech you, permit me to dwell with you and to be glorified in you."

Water, indeed, began to feign a similar cleverness, saying: "With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you" original: "Desiderio desideraui tecum hoc pascha manducare"; a direct quote of Jesus in Luke 22:15, here used by the Water to trick the Fire. "Approach me safely, and I shall improve you by my power." Fire, hearing this, began to rejoice and...