to you. Being wise enough not to regret an act of kindness, be just enough to correct a harmful intention. And even if you do not do it out of love for me, do it for the love of yourself. Ingratitude is a vice that, when seen on a throne, only produces monsters. Generosity and gratitude are the real qualities of kings, while greed and ingratitude are flaws they should never concede to. Kings are the distributors of blessings and rewards, and what is greed in the soul of a subject should be ambition in that of a sovereign. 
       Yes, Theodat, a king can be both ambitious and charitable without being dishonoured. But he can never be greedy or ungrateful without being despised by his subjects, and hated by posterity. Doubtless, your books have taught you what I say, but as for me, only experience has taught me this. But you notice that it is much easier to give a good speech than to perform a decent act. The path to wisdom is easy when filled with altruistic feelings. Conversely, wisdom brings its own reward, and the satisfaction of doing good is its most delightful price. Yet, what makes it difficult for you to walk this path is that you conflict with your own desires. You can only be fair by contending with yourself; you can only be grateful by betraying your feelings, you can only be generous by tearing your own heart out. In reality, you can only follow the path of wisdom by declaring war on yourself. 
       However, Theodat, now that you know you only have one enemy to conquer, wage this battle, and be assured that it will bring you glory. It is not necessary to besiege a city, engage in a battle, endure the inconveniences of the journey, spend the treasures you love so much to raise armies, risk your life, search for your enemy in a distant land, disrupt the profound rest you so adore.
       For ultimately, within yourself, without ever leaving your study, you will find both your adversary and your ally. If you manage to overcome your instincts and firmly choose the most just side, you will barely have initiated the decision to overcome when you will already be victorious. In other words, as soon as you decide to abandon foolishness and embrace wisdom, you will become wise. You may tell me that this internal struggle, taking place without any other witness than yourself, won't be glorious as it won't be known. However, Theodat, wisdom can't be concealed. As soon as you rally to her, the entire world will know. You will no longer seek to accumulate wealth, if not to enrich your subjects; you will go into debt to reward those who have served you; you will reign over your people with fairness and mercy; you will be revered by all neighbouring princes; you will no longer exile me; and your name will cross future centuries with honour. Here, Theodat, is the fruit you can reap from a victory which depends not on the whims of fate or the might of arms, but is entirely in your hands. I grant you the freedom to attack and defeat this enemy I have coronated. I retreat and leave you with all the merit of this fight.
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