MARSILIO’S PREFACE

...he may seem poetic. For he rages at times, and wanders like a seer; and meanwhile he maintains an order that is not human, but prophetic and divine. He acts not so much the part of a teacher as that of a certain priest and seer: partly indeed raving original: "furentis" - referring to the concept of 'divine madness' or inspiration, but partly truly purifying others and likewise seizing them into a divine fury. He seems to use fables among these things chiefly for this reason: so that among the various flowers of the Academy everyone may indeed be delighted, but that only those who have been purified may pluck the fruits, eat more sweetly, digest more easily, and be more perfectly nourished. Moreover, he conducts everything through dialogues so that the living speech may place the speaking persons before one's eyes, persuade more effectively, and move more vehemently. Added to this is that he honors his friends (as is fitting) opportunely in his dialogues, easily commending many to posterity. Furthermore, diverse opinions on the same matter are more conveniently reviewed in a dialogue. I pass over how the dialogue delights with a certain wonderful variety and holds the attention of those listening and reading.

But why do we digress further through certain smaller and humbler details? Great-souled Lorenzo, Wisdom original: "Sophia", who was born from the head of Jove alone and was with him from the beginning arranging all things, imitating her father, she herself also gave birth to a daughter from her head alone, named Philosophy: whose delights would be to be with the sons of men. Therefore, while she was once traveling on earth through various nations, more excellent minds everywhere admired her. In their number, our Plato not only admired her, but was the first and only one to cultivate her to the highest degree. For he was the first to bind her temples with a miter a liturgical headdress as if for the priesthood; furthermore, he clothed her in the robe original: "peplum" which would befit the august daughter of Minerva; he even anointed her head, hands, and feet with sweetly smelling ointments. Finally, wherever the philosophical divinity herself might walk, he sprinkled and adorned the very ground with various flowers. Such was, and even is, the habit and such the adornment of this goddess walking within the boundaries of the Academy.

But as often as she wanders outside the Academic gardens, she not only always loses her ointments and flowers, but also—oh, the wickedness!—she often falls among thieves; and having lost the insignia of her priesthood and gravity, she wanders everywhere naked and as if profane. She appears so deformed that she no longer pleases Apollo or Mercury, her familiars, nor is she approved by her grandfather Jove himself or her mother Minerva. However, immediately by her mother's counsel, betaking herself within the walls and gardens of the Academy, she resumes her ancient glory and there rests most willingly as if in her own fatherland.

Wherefore, Lorenzo, it is a joy to exhort together with you all those desirous of learning and of living well toward the Platonic Academy. For here young men, whether amidst jesting, will attain the precepts of character, or amidst play, the industry of debating most pleasantly and easily. Here men will also thoroughly learn the discipline of both domestic and public affairs. Here old men, in exchange for mortal life, will hope for eternal life. In the gardens of the Academy, poets will hear Apollo singing under the laurels. In the vestibule of the Academy, orators will behold Mercury declaiming. In the portico, indeed, and the hall, lawyers and governors of cities will listen to Jove himself, sanctioning laws, dictating rights, and governing empires. Finally, in the very inner sanctums, philosophers will recognize their Saturn: the contemplator of celestial secrets. Everywhere, indeed, priests and overseers of sacred things will find weapons with which to strenuously protect piety against the impious.

Hither, therefore, hither I pray, come all you who cultivate the liberal disciplines: here you shall obtain them and the freedom of life alike. Hither, finally, let all run together whom a perpetual ardor for attaining truth and achieving happiness inflames: here, God breathing upon you, you shall attain truth according to your vow, and felicity. But meanwhile you must be warned not to pass judgment rashly on Platonic—nay, rather divine—matters, but judge by a long and fair examination; nor should you exercise spiteful criticism against those who watch and labor for you far from all spite. Nay, rather favor the pious author, favor also the translator, who is consulting the common utility of all to the best of his strength, not only by the translation of words but by the explanation of meanings. I pray you, do not cruelly pursue and oppress the ancient and salutary doctrine, alas too long oppressed, but recently coming forth into the light by divine providence; lest perhaps that which Almighty God wishes to be alive everywhere, mortal man should wish lost in vain.

Psalm 118 original: "Psal. 117" following the Vulgate numbering

For the right hand of the Lord has done valiantly; the right hand of the Lord has now exalted her; she shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord.

But since, best Lorenzo, a huge love for Plato has snatched us away, not knowing how to hold a limit: have we declaimed in the cause of Plato, the prince of oratorical eloquence? For he himself will have declaimed enough and more than enough for his own cause, especially among those who, free from disturbances, show themselves to be fair listeners. I will not exhort you at present, who are wonderfully inclined by will toward all these things, prompt in genius, and erudite in study. But I shall only wish that you both read happily and live most happily, mindful of your Marsilio. But while I name Marsilio Ficino, understand our fellow Academician Filippo Valori to be named equally. For if Valori and Marsilio are the same in defending Plato and in loving you, they are undoubtedly also the same between themselves. His own singular virtue proves Valori to you, Lorenzo; his Platonic honor praises him; and his incredible love for you strongly commends him.