Painting of Charlemagne by Karl Baumeister. Photo taken by Bene16.
When Charlemagne was informed of the death of one of his bishops he asked:
— “How much did he leave for the poor?”
— “Two pounds of silver.”
A young priest who was present interjected, saying:
— “That’s a very small viaticum to take on such a long journey.”
The Emperor was pleased with the priest’s remark and recommended him to the Pope as a replacement for the deceased bishop.
He then said to the priest:
— “Never forget what you told me and always give more to the poor than him whose conduct you rebuked.”
Edmond Guérard, Dictionnaire encyclopédique d’anécdotes (Paris: Firmin Didot, 1872), Vol. 2, 466. (Nobility.org translation.)
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 453
