The Earthly versus the Divine Republic in Italy and France
What possible similarity, one might be tempted to ask, could existbetween the apparently profoundly secular author of "Letter to PeregrinoZambeccari" the Italian humanist and proto-nationalist Coluccio Salutati,whose life was filled chiefly by political and administrative matters andthe holy order of the unworldly French Trappists' However, despite theapparent incongruity of comparing the author of such a text, the points ofview espoused within the "Letter to Peregrino Zambeccari," and the fullcatalogue of Trappist philosophies and modalities of religious existence,there is also a profound similarity in terms of the mutual stress uponthrift, practicality, and a common-sense view of the world between Italianhumanism and Trappist thought. Ultimately, both stress a physical andactive life as the best way of accessing God. A physical and livedexistence in the world is the best way of accessing God's love and theTrappist Physical Life and Mercantilism True, the "Letter to Peregrino Zambeccari," is mainly concerned withrelating to the world in an earthly context, while the Trappist viewfocuses on the relationship between the human and the divine, and how best
It is never allowed for the religious to speakamongst themselves, though the one in charge of a work or employment maygive necessary directions; and all have the right of conversing with thesuperiors at any time except during the night hours, called the greatsilence. Eventhe clothing of the Trappists is prescribed, and different rhythms andmethodologies of existence are detailed for winter and summer. Thus, to dedicate one's self to God and to be a Trappist should not beundertaken out of a desire to avoid life in the world. "The greatest care is insisted on to seethat the postulants are of good character, honest birth, and withoutencumbrances of any kind," that is, encumbrances such as marriage,children, but also simply ties to the world that the adherent was seekingto flee rather than to enter into the order through a desire to commithimself to the true Trappist belief structure. The strongly regulated life, known to all, enables Trappists to livewith such a deep and great silence, as all know what rules they mustfollow, in an austere fashion. Benedict, much asthe rules and the old ideals spoken of in ""Letter to Peregrino Zambeccari"reference that of an older form of Roman morality. In hisletter as well, Salutati stressed the need to contribute to strengtheningand deepening the general sense of Roman identity as well as economicgrowth, and through economic growth, as established by trade. By and large, the views of Salutati, as expressed in "Letter toPeregrino Zambeccari" might be described as mercantile, favoring theinterests of those involved in large-scale, long-distance trade. Love was supposed to comefor both the life created by God, and also to die to the imperfect body andsecular aspects of life, and enter into God's heaven after that life wascreated. He often drew close parallels between the Florentine republic inwhich he dwelt and the ancient Roman Empire he saw as Florentine's closesthistorical forbearer, in terms of its spirit. The "Letterto Peregrino Zambeccari" made a commitment, thus, to the general moralityof economic practice as well as the ability of economic principles such asmercantilism to benefit individual profiteers economically. (Obrecht, "Trappists," The Catholic Encyclopedia, 2004) Trappistrules are derived from the ancient monastic Rule of St. (Obrecht, "Trappists," The Catholic Encyclopedia, 2004)Conclusion-the Physical, Lived Poetry of Physical Labor and Order Rather than a purely unworldly order, Trappist monks are obliged tolive by the labor of their hands, so the task appointed for manual labor isseriously undertaken. Salutatitook a positive view of the value of trade and the ability of individualsto engage in mercantile works to further Italian political unity. The Moral Principles of an Active Life The reason Salutati is viewed as a humanist is that, rather than usingreligious quotes, Salutati frequently quoted great classical and Romanauthors.
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Acceptance Essays
