[hprints-00683151, v2] Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pius II ... - Hprints.org

hprints-00683151, version 2 - 19 Mar 2013
[b] Therefore, I desire nothing more than that, in this deliberation, all minds should
be free and not influenced by sin or passion, so that you may without hesitation
choose a location that will advantageous and safe for you, and that you may ordain
matters so that it is possible to make agreements with the Oriental Church without
detriment to the Occidental Church. I often think on this matter and ponder its
importance, and I consider it to be useful that many should speak and describe more
clearly the condition of the venues proposed to you. Therefore I find it reasonable
that you should also hear me, though unworthy, speak in your assembly: I shall be
talking only about the location of Pavia, without insulting anybody else and without
transgressing the limits of propriety – though, for the sake of finding the truth, I
consider it legitimate to contradict some of those who have spoken before. For as
you know, Cicero states that it is an old and Socratic method to speak against the
opinion of somebody else. Socrates thought that in this way it is easy to find what is
most likely to be true. But, of course, I owe greater obedience to you than to
Socrates.
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