Letter 3004: There is a temptation that affects good people more than bad ones: the desire for human praise when doing good works.

To Bishop Boniface. That the desire for human praise is to be avoided in good works. Gregory to Boniface, bishop of Reggio. From certain men coming hither I have learned that your Fraternity presses on vigorously in works of mercy; and I have given thanks to almighty God, because, according to the word of the excellent preacher, we now live, if you stand fast in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8). But this, I confess, has stung my mind not lightly, that you yourself announce these same works to many; from which thing I have gathered that your mind is eager to please, not the eyes of God, but human judgment. Wherefore it is necessary, most dear brother, that, when you do good things outwardly, you guard them inwardly with great caution, lest the appetite for pleasing men creep in, and the whole labor of the good work be made in vain. For we, who are we, by whom it is sought to be pleasing to men? For what indeed are we other than dust and ashes? But let your Fraternity desire to please Him who both is not far off from appearing, and whatever He shall repay will in no way have an end. In the month of October, in the eleventh indiction.

AD BONIFACIUM EPISCOPUE. Vitandum in operibus bonis humane laudis desiderium. Gregorius Bonifacio episeopo *® Regiens]. B Quibusdam veniealibus agnovi fralernitatem tnam misericordize operibus vehementer insislere; alque omnipotenti Deo gralias retuli, quia juxta egregii pra:dicatoris vocem, nunc vivimas, $i yos Statis in Domino (I Thess. m, 8). Sed illud, fateor, non I&- viter mentem meam momordit, qttod eadem opera maliis vosipsi nuntiatis ; ex qna re collegi qrod mens vestra non $tudeat Dei oculis, 8ed hamanoe judicie placere. Unde necesse est, frater charissime, ut cum bona exterius agis, h&@c interius cum magna cautela custodias, pe appelitus placendi hominibus subrepat, et omnis labor boni operis incassum fiat. Nos enim qui sumus, quibus placeri ab hominibus queritur ? Quid namque aliud quam pulvis et cinis sa@mus? Sed illi tua ſraternitas placere desideret, qui et non longe C est ut appareat, et omne quod” reiribuerit finem nullo modo habebit. > Mense Octobriz indictione un- decima.