Three Books on Life

The Nine Guides of Scholars. Chapter 1

¶ Whoever enters upon that rough, steep, and long path which—only after constant labor—finally leads to the high temple of the nine Muses In Greek mythology, the Muses are the nine goddesses of the arts and sciences. Ficino uses the "Temple of the Muses" as a metaphor for reaching the heights of intellectual and artistic achievement., seems to stand in need of exactly nine guides for this journey. Of these, the first three lead us in heaven. The next three lead us in the mind. The last three lead us on earth. In the beginning, in heaven, Mercury either impels or encourages us to undertake the path of the Muses by investigating. Indeed, the duty of all investigation is attributed to Mercury. Then Phoebus Another name for Apollo, the god of the sun, music, and prophecy. himself so illuminates both the searching minds and the things being sought with his most abundant splendor, that what we were seeking is clearly found by us. Then comes most graceful Venus, the mother of the Graces; with her entirely nurturing and joyful rays, she so seasons and adorns the whole matter that whatever was sought through the instigation of Mercury, and had already been found through the showing of Phoebus, might always delight and be of use, being bathed in a certain marvelous and healthful beauty | of Venus. There follow three guides of this journey | in the mind: namely, an ardent and stable will, | sharpness of wit, and a tenacious memory. The last three are on earth: the most prudent head of the household paterfamiliasThe male head of a Roman household, responsible for the management and economic stability of the family unit., the most proven teacher, and the most skilled physician. Without these nine guides, no one has been able, or will ever be able, to reach the temple of the nine Muses itself. Certainly, God almighty and nature granted us the other guides from the beginning. But our own diligence provides the last three. However, many ancient and wise men have treated the precepts and duties that pertain to the head of the household and to the teacher regarding the study of letters; especially our Plato, both elsewhere and most diligently in his books on The Republic and The Laws. Then Aristotle in his Politics. Plutarch also and Quintilian Quintilian was a Roman educator whose work Institutio Oratoria was the gold standard for Renaissance education. have done so excellently. But until now, only a certain physician has been missing for the students of letters—someone to reach out a hand to those who are traveling, and to help with healthful advice and medicines those whom neither heaven, nor the mind, nor the head of the household, nor the teacher has abandoned. I, therefore, having pitied the lot of those who are most hardworking, who travel the difficult path of Minerva The goddess of wisdom. Ficino uses the phrase "Minerva minuentis neruos," a play on words suggesting that the pursuit of wisdom often "diminishes the nerves" or physical strength. which drains the strength, stand ready as the first physician, as it were, for the weak and the sickly.