Gilberti Cognati Nozereni aliquot epistolae

the course so that one does not stumble into some danger. But I have moderated my affairs thus far as was worthy of one who, having despised all the goods of the world, was eager to benefit the Christian commonwealth and public studies. Koinōs In common, he labors with a certain peculiar hatred or rather envy, because he perceives my writings being worn away by the hands of everyone with applause, and printed so often: on the contrary, he himself is laughed at by many and held for a fanatic. He was not ashamed to trifle thus even before your Excellency, to whom he knows, unless he is stupider than all fools, his deceptions are not unknown. These things could be laughed at, if he did not make an end of nothing at all. For my part, I do not perceive what that trifler wants for himself, unless it is to become known to the world by his calumnies: in which he delights so much that he proceeds to act the sycophant more and more every day. Those who are honest do not want to have dealings with him: and he takes this for his glory, that he is feared by some: as if mangy dogs were not feared in the same way.

What is there, however, that he would not snatch into calumny? For he is entirely intent on this, to denigrate me: and he has some companions in wickedness. But where, meanwhile, is Christian charity, which delights in no one's misfortune: for to be delighted by the evils of others without cause is of a certain beastly malice,