"Everyone who has a noble attitude has one country, the heavenly Jerusalem, in which we store up our citizenship (Phil 3:20). We all have one family, if you look at what is here below the dust, or if you look higher, to that in-breathing of which we are partakers (Gn 2:7), and which we were bidden to keep, and with which I must stand before my Judge to give an account of my heavenly nobility, and of the divine image (Gn 1:26-27). Everyone then is noble who has guarded this through virtue and consent to his Archetype. On the other hand, everyone who is ignoble has mingled with evil, and put upon himself another form, that of the serpent.

"Our earthly countries and families are the playthings of our temporary life and scene. For our country is whatever each may have first occupied, either as a tyrant, or in misfortune. In this we are all equally strangers and pilgrims, however much we may play with names. The family is accounted noble which is either rich from old days, or is recently raised. The family which is considered to be of ignoble birth is that which is of poor parents, either owing to misfortune or to want of ambition. For how can a nobility be given from above which is at one time beginning and at another coming to an end; and which is not given to some, but is bestowed on others with the letters patent [of the Emperor]? Such is my mind on this matter. Therefore I leave it to you to take pride in tombs or in myths. I will endeavor as far as I can, to purify myself from such deceits, that I may keep if possible my nobility, or else recover it.

"For these reasons I, who am small and of an insignificant country, have come upon you, not of my own accord, nor self-sent, like many of those who now seize upon the chief offices; but because I was invited, and compelled, and have followed the scruples of my conscience and the call of the Spirit. If it is otherwise, may I continue to fight here to no purpose, and deliver no one from his error, but may they obtain their desire who seek the barrenness of my soul, if I lie. I am come, and perhaps with no insignificant power (if I may boast myself a little of my folly). Who of those who are insatiable have I copied, what have I emulated of opportunism, although I have such examples, even apart from which it is hard and rare not to be bad? Concerning what churches or property have I disputed with you; although you have more than enough of both, and the others too little? What imperial edict have we rejected or emulated? What rulers have we fawned upon against you? Whose boldness have we denounced? And what has been done on the other side against me? 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:60), even then I said, for I remembered in season the words of Stephen, and so I pray now. 'When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat' (1Co 4:12-13). 

"If I am doing wrong in this, that when oppressed I endure it, forgive me this wrong. I have suffered oppression by others too; and I am thankful that my moderation has brought upon me the charge of foolishness."