TO JOHANN CRATO,

Counselor to the Emperor, a most distinguished man. Johann Crato von Krafftheim (1519–1585) was the personal physician to Emperors Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, and Rudolf II. He was a central figure in the intellectual and political life of the Imperial court.

I am sending you these "philosophical lives," most excellent man—or rather, the "lives of philosophers." For most of them (if we are willing to admit the truth) are anything but philosophical—that is, worthy of philosophers. Unless, perhaps, we should say that these lives were indeed worthy of those men, but that the men themselves were unworthy of the name of philosopher. Certainly, we shall find here certain lives of philosophers that are suitable for "courtly philosophy" (for I am pleased to speak with a man of the court about courtly matters). From these, we might first learn to scrape the blush from one's face original Greek: τὸ ἐρυθριᾶν ἀποξύσαι τοῦ προσώπου; a Greek idiom for losing all sense of shame or modesty—for what is more destructive to courtiers than modesty? Next, we might learn to be inclined toward flattery, lying, greed, mockery, jesting, and pleasure. original Greek: κολακευτικῶς ἔχειν, φιλοψευδῶς, φιλοχρημάτως, φιλογελοίως, φιλοσκωμμόνως, φιληδόνως I even add—so as to please your fellow courtiers—to be fond of drinking. original Greek: φιλοπότως Clearly, this is the "sweet life," the thrice-longed-for, the thrice-blessed. original Greek: οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ ἡδὺς βίος, ὁ τριπόθητος, ὁ τρισμακάριστος

But what? You will say, "My dear Estienne, do you place me also in the number of such courtiers?" Certainly not. For not everyone who is a "courtier"—that is, who lives in the court—should be considered a courtier in his life and character. Since, therefore, for those I have mentioned, some kind of life is suitable...