Loud praise might bear risks
Once upon a time in the 15th century, a clever priest lived in Florence. His name was Piovano Arlotto. He was gifted with a mother wit and a sixth sense to solve difficult situations.
In that time, the Pope introduced the church tenth also for Florentines. He sent a Bishop to Florence to collect the money. Before his trip, the bishop met his superior to get some information about Florentines. His superior knew only Piovano Arlotto and described him as a simple priest, but extraordinary man. He asked the bishop to treat Piovano as he would treat him. The bishop respected what the superior said.
Once he arrived in Florence, many priests came to pay a visit to him, amongst them also Piovano Arlotto. When the bishop heard his name, he remembered what his superior said and invited Piovano to the official dinner. At the dinner Piovano sat at the best place in front of the bishop, enjoying this honor. At the end of the dinner, the bishop felt like to explain to the upset Florentines why Piovano had the best place. And he said: before I left Rome to come to Florence, I promised to my superior to treat Piovano as himself. And as I would have offered him the place in front of me, I gave it to Piovano. At this point, Piovano stood up and thanked for the honor and for all what the bishop did for him up to that moment. Than, he kindly asked the bishop to remain engaged with him to avoid that happens to him what happened to Christ the Sunday after his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the death at the cross.
