Preface.

Finally, that first Volume is most happily concluded with the book on pleasure, which however (as the story goes) he wrote first of all in his youth, when he was twenty-four years old. This was certainly no ordinary demonstration of a most talented and learned young man’s work, from which we can clearly understand that he was already deeply engaged in philosophy and had studied and read many books by many philosophers from every school of thought. For in this work, the thoughts and opinions of the Platonists, Pythagoreans, Peripatetics, Stoics, Sceptics, Epicureans, and almost all other sects—which had long since been debated by those very groups—are recounted.

However, in this our age, you will find very few young men who devote themselves to Platonic philosophy or turn their minds toward it. This is a cause for regret, since there is almost no philosophy that approaches more closely to the divine books of Moses than this; indeed, it is said that Plato himself was not ignorant of them, having traveled to Egypt where it is reported he studied them. For Numenius A 2nd-century philosopher who sought to harmonize Greek philosophy with Eastern wisdom the Pythagorean, whom Origen A prominent early Christian scholar and theologian ranks above not only the Pythagoreans but almost all philosophers, having read both the books of Moses and of Plato, used to say that he recognized Moses within Plato, and that Plato was nothing else than Moses speaking in the Attic The dialect of Athens; the quote "What is Plato but Moses speaking Attic Greek?" was famous in the Renaissance tongue.

In his books, the subject matter is nearly the same as that of Moses: such as the idea that there is one principle of all things, God; that the world was brought forth by God for the sake of His goodness; and that in the beginning God created heaven and earth with all their adornment, and all these things would remain according to the purpose of His will. He wrote that God made man in His own likeness, as master of earthly things but a worshiper of God Himself; that men were created from the earth and placed under the guard of divine spirits; that they received the law from a messenger of God alone; and finally, that after the course of the world (at God's command) they would rise again.

He placed our happiness in the enjoyment of God alone, stated that the world was arranged by the Word original: "Verbo", referring to the Logos or divine reason of God, and that God is the measure of all things. Finally, he preached to all that whether they descend into hell or ascend into heaven, the divine judge is found everywhere. He taught that God is the leader and cause of all things, Father and Son, and that the highest good is established in His love; that all things exist by His grace and He is the cause of all good things. Furthermore, he distinguished the blessed spirits in this order: some reflect the power of God as the efficient cause, others His wisdom as the pattern, and others His goodness as the end of all things—and other matters of this kind, which are certainly entirely in harmony with the Mosaic doctrine.

These, therefore, Reverend Father, are the highlights of this first Volume, in which (as far as I can tell) there is absolutely nothing that could displease readers, for all things agree with Holy Scripture and contain nothing discordant with it. We dedicate these books of such a great philosopher to your Dignity, Most Reverend Prelate, both on account of those many and distinguished virtues of yours, and also because of your excellent learning, your singular knowledge of the sacred languages and scriptures (which is greatly to be praised in you), and also for your supreme humanity and benevolence toward all—especially toward those who surpass others in learning, doctrine, and integrity of character, whom you invite to you of your own accord and receive kindly when they come,