Благородство

A noble and wise man 17 does not degrade his valor even in his enemies. He values ​​the courage of his enemies more highly than the vices and delicacy of those closest to him (1). It is not for us or philosophers to marvel at the nobility that originates in fables, graves and long-rotten arrogance, is communicated with blood and with letters and which is given by the night or the hand of a ruler, perhaps an ignoble one, who also prescribes to be noble, as well as to do this or that. On the contrary, I mean nobility, the hallmark of which is piety, good morality and ascent to the first good, our beginning (1). There are three types of nobility. One is from above, and according to it we are all equally noble, because we are all created in the image of God. The second depends on the flesh, and according to it, since it consists in corruption, I do not know whether anyone is noble. The third is known by vices and virtues, and we participate in it more or less to the extent that I think we preserve or corrupt the image of God in ourselves. It is this last nobility that the true sage and the truly wise will love. The fourth kind of nobility, which depends on letters and decrees, then I will honor the word when I agree to recognize the beauty of the browned beauty or to respect the monkey, which was ordered to be a lion (1). I descend from the first good. I came from him and I give life to him, trying to free myself from the bonds. And the so-called nobility among the people below, which originates from the body and decay, from the brilliant and long-rotten dead, is no nobler than flowing mud (2). One who is wise is one who has achieved wisdom. – Approx. ed. You might be interested in: