Original Text(~250 words)
Soon as its final word the blessed flame Had rais’d for utterance, straight the holy mill Began to wheel, nor yet had once revolv’d, Or ere another, circling, compass’d it, Motion to motion, song to song, conjoining, Song, that as much our muses doth excel, Our Sirens with their tuneful pipes, as ray Of primal splendour doth its faint reflex. As when, if Juno bid her handmaid forth, Two arches parallel, and trick’d alike, Span the thin cloud, the outer taking birth From that within (in manner of that voice Whom love did melt away, as sun the mist), And they who gaze, presageful call to mind The compact, made with Noah, of the world No more to be o’erflow’d; about us thus Of sempiternal roses, bending, wreath’d Those garlands twain, and to the innermost E’en thus th’ external answered. When the footing, And other great festivity, of song, And radiance, light with light accordant, each Jocund and blythe, had at their pleasure still’d (E’en as the eyes by quick volition mov’d, Are shut and rais’d together), from the heart Of one amongst the new lights mov’d a voice, That made me seem like needle to the star, In turning to its whereabout, and thus Began: “The love, that makes me beautiful, Prompts me to tell of th’ other guide, for whom Such good of mine is spoken. Where one is, The other worthily should also be; That as their warfare was alike, alike Should be their glory. Slow, and...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
In Paradise's Heaven of the Sun, Dante witnesses a stunning display as blessed souls form spinning circles of light, creating a double rainbow of eternal roses. From this celestial dance, St. Bonaventure speaks, explaining that where one great leader exists, another should be honored alongside them. He tells the story of St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican order, describing how this 'loving champion of the Christian faith' was born in Spain with a divine calling from birth. Dominic's mother even dreamed of the great spiritual fruit her son would bear. Unlike those who study law for worldly gain, Dominic sought only spiritual truth and fought against heresy with the fierce dedication of a rushing torrent. Bonaventure explains that if Francis and Dominic were the two wheels of the church's chariot, both deserve equal praise. However, he laments that Dominic's followers have abandoned their founder's path, becoming corrupt and self-serving. The chapter ends with Bonaventure introducing other blessed souls in their circle, including great theologians and scholars. This passage reveals how even the most noble institutions can decay when followers prioritize personal gain over founding principles, while showing how true spiritual leaders work together rather than in competition.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Dominican Order
A religious order founded by St. Dominic in the 13th century, focused on preaching, teaching, and fighting heresy through scholarship. They were known as the 'Order of Preachers' and emphasized learning as a tool for defending faith.
Modern Usage:
Like specialized training programs in companies that start with noble missions but sometimes lose their way when later generations prioritize personal advancement over the original purpose.
Heresy
Religious beliefs or teachings that go against official church doctrine. In medieval times, fighting heresy was considered essential to protecting the faith and society's moral foundation.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how organizations today fight against ideas or practices that threaten their core values or mission statement.
Institutional Corruption
When an organization's members abandon its founding principles for personal gain or power. Dante shows how even the most sacred institutions can decay when followers prioritize themselves over the mission.
Modern Usage:
We see this in everything from political parties to nonprofits where leaders get rich while the original mission gets forgotten.
Complementary Leadership
The idea that great leaders work together rather than compete, each bringing different strengths to serve the same cause. Francis and Dominic represent two different but equally valid approaches to spiritual leadership.
Modern Usage:
Like successful business partnerships where one person handles operations while another handles vision - different skills, same goal.
Divine Calling
The belief that some people are chosen or destined from birth to serve a special purpose. Dominic's mother's prophetic dream suggests his spiritual mission was predetermined.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we talk about people being 'born to teach' or having a natural calling for certain professions or causes.
Celestial Hierarchy
The organized structure of heaven with different levels and roles for blessed souls. Each soul has its place and purpose in the divine order, working together in perfect harmony.
Modern Usage:
Like well-functioning organizations where everyone knows their role and works together toward common goals without ego or competition.
Characters in This Chapter
St. Bonaventure
Narrator and guide
A Franciscan theologian who tells Dominic's story to honor both founders equally. He demonstrates how true wisdom recognizes and celebrates different paths to the same goal, while also honestly confronting institutional failure.
Modern Equivalent:
The wise mentor who gives credit where it's due and isn't afraid to call out problems in their own organization
St. Dominic
Spiritual founder
Founder of the Dominican order, presented as Francis's equal partner in serving the church. Born with a divine mission, he fought heresy with scholarly dedication but his followers later abandoned his principles.
Modern Equivalent:
The visionary founder whose original mission gets corrupted by later generations seeking personal gain
Dominic's Mother
Prophetic figure
Had a prophetic dream about her son's future spiritual impact before his birth. Represents the idea that great purposes are often recognized early by those closest to us.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who sees their child's special calling before anyone else does
The Corrupt Dominicans
Fallen followers
Later generations of Dominicans who abandoned their founder's mission for personal gain. They represent how noble institutions can decay when members prioritize themselves over the cause.
Modern Equivalent:
The employees who exploit their company's reputation for personal benefit while ignoring its original mission
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when organizations abandon their founding principles for personal gain.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when leaders in your workplace talk more about their own success than the mission they're supposed to serve.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The love, that makes me beautiful, Prompts me to tell of th' other guide, for whom Such good of mine is spoken."
Context: Bonaventure begins telling Dominic's story to balance the praise given to Francis
This shows true leadership - when you're secure in your own worth, you can celebrate others without feeling threatened. Bonaventure demonstrates that love, not competition, should motivate how we talk about other leaders.
In Today's Words:
Because I'm confident in my own value, I want to give credit to the other leader who deserves recognition.
"Where one is, The other worthily should also be; That as their warfare was alike, alike Should be their glory."
Context: Explaining why both Francis and Dominic deserve equal honor
This reveals the principle of complementary leadership - different people can serve the same cause in different ways, and all deserve recognition. It's about shared mission, not individual glory.
In Today's Words:
When two people fight the same fight in different ways, they both deserve the same respect and recognition.
"Not for the world, for which men now are bent Upon Ostiense and Taddeo, but for love Of the true manna sought he."
Context: Contrasting Dominic's pure motives with those who study law for worldly gain
This highlights the difference between pursuing knowledge for personal advancement versus seeking truth for its own sake. Dominic chose spiritual over material rewards.
In Today's Words:
He didn't study to get rich like today's lawyers and consultants - he was after real truth, not money.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Institutional Decay - When Noble Missions Become Personal Empires
Organizations gradually abandon their founding purpose as followers prioritize personal benefit over institutional mission.
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Bonaventure explains how true leaders like Francis and Dominic worked as complementary forces rather than competitors
Development
Builds on earlier themes of guidance and authority, now showing collaborative leadership model
In Your Life:
You might see this in effective partnerships where each person's strengths cover the other's weaknesses.
Corruption
In This Chapter
Dominican followers have abandoned their founder's spiritual path for personal gain and worldly concerns
Development
Continues the pattern of institutional decay seen throughout Paradise
In Your Life:
You might see this in any organization where the original helpers become more concerned with their position than their purpose.
Purpose
In This Chapter
Dominic sought only spiritual truth while others study law for worldly gain, showing the difference between mission-driven and self-serving motivation
Development
Reinforces the theme of authentic versus superficial motivation seen throughout the journey
In Your Life:
You might see this in your own career choices between what serves others and what serves only yourself.
Recognition
In This Chapter
Bonaventure insists that where one great leader is honored, another should be equally praised, showing the importance of acknowledging all contributors
Development
Introduced here as a principle of fairness and complete truth
In Your Life:
You might see this when credit is given to only one person in a team effort, leaving others feeling invisible.
Legacy
In This Chapter
The chapter contrasts the noble intentions of founders with the corrupt practices of their followers across generations
Development
Develops the theme of how actions ripple through time, now focusing on institutional inheritance
In Your Life:
You might see this in family businesses or traditions that lose their original meaning over time.
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following George's story...
Maya gets promoted to shift supervisor at the nursing home where she works as a CNA. Her mentor, Elena, pulls her aside to explain how the facility used to operate. 'Twenty years ago, this place was founded by two incredible women - Dr. Martinez who believed in dignity-centered care, and Administrator Johnson who fought insurance companies to protect our residents. They worked as a team, each handling what they did best.' Elena points around the break room at photos of past staff. 'But look what happened. Johnson's successors cared more about bonuses than residents. They cut staff, raised prices, and turned this into a profit machine. Meanwhile, Martinez's medical philosophy got buried under corporate protocols.' Maya realizes she's seeing the same pattern everywhere - the union rep who's more politician than advocate, the head nurse who's forgotten what bedside manner means, the maintenance supervisor who hoards overtime instead of training new people. Elena warns her: 'You can either become part of the decay, or remember why we're really here.'
The Road
The road Bonaventure walked in 1320, Maya walks today. The pattern is identical: noble institutions decay when followers prioritize personal benefit over founding mission, while true leaders recognize that complementary partners strengthen rather than threaten their work.
The Map
This chapter provides a diagnostic tool for institutional health. Maya can assess any organization by asking: What was the original mission, who benefits from current operations, and where is the energy flowing?
Amplification
Before reading this, Maya might have accepted workplace dysfunction as 'just how things are.' Now she can NAME institutional decay, PREDICT its trajectory, and NAVIGATE by aligning with mission-focused people rather than power-hungry ones.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Bonaventure reveal about what happened to St. Dominic's followers after their founder died?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Bonaventure compare Francis and Dominic to 'two wheels of a chariot' rather than competitors?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen organizations drift from their original mission once the founders are gone?
application • medium - 4
If you were joining an organization or workplace, what warning signs would tell you it's lost its founding purpose?
application • deep - 5
What does this pattern reveal about why good intentions alone aren't enough to keep institutions honest?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Audit an Institution You Know
Choose an organization you're familiar with - your workplace, kids' school, local church, or community group. Research or recall its founding mission, then honestly assess how it operates today. Map where the energy and resources actually flow versus where the mission says they should go.
Consider:
- •Look at who gets promoted or rewarded - mission-focused people or politics players?
- •Follow the money - where do resources actually go versus stated priorities?
- •Notice the language - do leaders talk about the mission or about growth, efficiency, and metrics?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you stayed in an organization that had drifted from its purpose. What kept you there, and what finally made you realize it wasn't serving its mission anymore?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 80: Divine Wisdom and Human Judgment
In the next chapter, you'll discover to distinguish between different types of wisdom and knowledge, and learn rushing to judgment without understanding leads to mistakes. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.