[Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator, “Variae”, lib. II, ep. 12, 537-540 AD.]
Written by Cassiodorus in the name of King Theodoric to the Count of the Siliquatarii.
Italy ought to enjoy her own products, and it is monstrous that anything which she produces should be wanting to her own children. Therefore let no lard be exported to foreign parts, but let it by God's grace be all kept for consumption at home. Now take care not to incur the slightest blame in this matter. It is a very serious fault even in trifles to disobey orders. Sin consists in quality, not in quantity; and injustice cannot be measured. A command, if it be despised in one part, is violated in the whole.
