9. Well, among the noble traits of
Cæsarius’ character, we must not fail to note one, which
perhaps is in others’ eyes slight and unworthy of mention, but
seemed to me, both at the time and since, of the highest import, if
indeed brotherly love be a praiseworthy quality; nor shall I ever cease
to place it in the first rank, in relating the story of his life.
Although the metropolis strove to retain him by the honours I have
mentioned, and declared that it would under no circumstances let him
go, my influence, which he valued most highly on all occasions,
prevailed upon him to listen to the prayer of his parents, to supply
his country’s need, and to grant me my own desire. And when
he thus returned home in my company, he preferred me not only to cities
and peoples, not only to honours and revenues, which had in part
already flowed to him in abundance from many sources and in part were
within his reach, but even to the Emperor himself and his imperial
commands. From this time, then, having shaken off all ambition,
as a hard master and a painful disorder, I resolved to practise
philosophy and adapt myself to the higher life: or rather the
desire was earlier born, the life came later. But my brother, who
had dedicated to his country the firstfruits of his learning, and
gained an admiration worthy of his efforts, was afterwards led by the
desire of fame, and, as he persuaded me, of being the guardian of the
city, to betake himself to court, not indeed according to my own wishes
or judgment; for I will confess to you that I think it a better and
grander thing to be in the lowest rank with God than to win the first
place with an earthly king. Nevertheless I cannot blame him, for
inasmuch as philosophy is the greatest, so is it the most difficult, of
professions, which can be taken in hand by but few, and only by those
who have been called forth by the Divine magnanimity, which gives its
hand to those who are honoured by its preference. Yet it is no
small thing if one, who has chosen the lower form of life, follows
after goodness, and sets greater store on God and his own salvation
than on earthly lustre; using it as a stage, or a manifold ephemeral
mask while playing in the drama of this world, but himself living unto
God with that image which he knows that he has received from Him, and
must render to Him Who gave it. That this was certainly the
purpose of Cæsarius, we know full well.