Letters · letter_0642

123. Now my speech is ending, and I withdraw to higher things. The knowledge and learning of the Pontiff of God must be so great that even his steps and movements and all his vocal expressions should be knowledgeable. He must comprehend truth in his mind and it should echo and adorn his entire being, so that everything he does and says may be the teaching of the people. Without bells and different colors, and gems and flowers of virtues, she cannot enter the Holy Church nor possess the name of Bishop. When this short composition was being hurriedly dictated to the shore, as the rope was already being loosed, and the sailors were calling out for it more frequently, I quickly dictated with the language that I was able to remember and what I had gathered by reading continually in the Reasoning of my heart: aware enough that I flowed more from the impetus of speaking, rather than from the judgment of a writer, and that I was producing a tumultuous speech in the manner of a raging torrent. There is said to be a book of Tertullian about Aaron's vestments in the index, which as of today has not been found by me. If it has been found by you on account of the city's fame, I ask that my little drop not be compared to the river. For I am to be valued by my own abilities, not by those of great men.