59. If it is not possible to help one
without injuring another, it is better to help neither than to press
hard upon one. Therefore it is not a priest’s duty to
interfere in money affairs. For here it must often happen that he
who loses his case receives harm; and then he considers that he has
been worsted through the action of the intervener. It is a
priest’s duty to hurt no one, to be ready to help all. To
be able to do this is in God’s power alone. In a case of
life and death, without doubt it is a grave sin to injure him whom one
ought to help when in danger. But it is foolish to gain
others’ hate in taking up money matters, though for the sake of a
man’s safety great trouble and toil may often be
undertaken. It is glorious in such a case to run risks.
Let, then, this be firmly held to in the priestly duties, namely, to
injure none, not even when provoked and embittered by some
injury. Cic. de
Off. III. 15, § 64. Good was the man who said:
“If I have rewarded evil to those who did me
good.” Ps. vii. 4. For what
glory is it if we do not injure him who has not injured us? But
it is true virtue to forgive when injured.