Link to an image of this page [I3v p134]
In senatum boni principis.
On the senate of a good prince
LIX.
Effigies manibus truncae ante altaria divûm
Hîc resident, quarum lumine capta prior.
Signa potestatis summae, sanctique senatus
Thebanis fuerant ista reperta viris.[1]
Cur resident? quia mente graves decet esse quieta
Iuridicos, animo nec variare levi.
Cur sine sunt manibus? capiant ne xenia, nec se
Pollicitis flecti muneribusve sinant.
Caecus at est princeps, quòd solis auribus absque
Affectu, constans iussa senatus agit.
Figures without hands sit here before the altars of the gods. The chief of them is deprived of sight. These symbols of the supreme power and of the reverend senate were discovered by men of Thebes. - Why do they sit? - Because lawgivers should be serious, of a calm mind, and not change with inconstant thoughts. - Why have they no hands? - So that they may not take gifts, nor let themselves be influenced by promises or bribes. But the president is blind, because the Senate, by hearing alone, uninfluenced by feeling, impartially discharges what it is bidden to do.
Link to an image of this page [I4r p135]
Ain frommer Furst, und seine rat.
LIX.
Hye sihst eins fromen Fursten rat,
Warumb sitzt er? das zaigt verstand,
Und stet gmuet daß ein weyser hat.
Was deutt das sye haben kain hand?
Das sye gab und schanck mueßig gand.
Warumb ist der Furst selber blind?
Das er ansech kains menschen stand,
Und richt wie er in rat befindt.
1. This is Thebes in Egypt. See Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 10; also Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
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- arm or hand held in front of the body [31A2516] Search | Browse Iconclass
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