The Secret of Secrets and Other Philosophical Treatises (1401-1500) - Page 7

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Therefore, have confidence that this teaching will always be a shining light in your ways and works, and a sufficient knowledge for your governance through all the time of your life; these things will be beneficial and will prevail. Nevertheless, I will tell you a condensed natural wisdom original: "sapientia phisica." In the Middle Ages, "physics" referred to the study of nature and the physical world, often including medicine and biology.. And even if I had never told you anything else except the following instruction, it ought to suffice for you in all your works in this world and in the future.

On the reputation of the king.

2. Know therefore that the intellect original: "intellectus." The faculty of reasoning and understanding. is the head of governance, the health of the soul, the preserver of virtues, and the observer of vices. For in the intellect one observes what is to be avoided, and through it, one chooses what is to be chosen. This is the origin of virtues, the root of all honors—both those that are praiseworthy and those that are not—and of honorable things. And the first instrument of the intellect is the desire for a good reputation original: "bone fame." While "fame" today implies celebrity, here it means a ruler's moral standing and public record.; for he who truly desires a good reputation is renowned and glorious, and he who desires it falsely will be touched by infamy. Reputation, therefore, is what is primarily and of itself sought in governance; for governance is not sought for itself, but for the sake of a good reputation. The beginning of wisdom and intellect is the desire for a good reputation, which is acquired through governance and dominion. If, therefore, dominion or governance is acquired or desired for any other reason, it is not the acquisition of fame, but of envy. Indeed, envy generates lying, which is the root of reprehensible things and the material of vices. Envy generates slander.

Slander, however, generates hatred. Hatred generates injury. Injury generates stubbornness. Stubbornness, however, generates injustice. Injustice generates resistance. Resistance generates enmity. Enmity generates war. War truly dissolves the law and destroys cities, and this is against natural law original: "ius nature." The medieval concept of a universal moral law inherent in human nature and discoverable by reason.. And that which opposes nature destroys the entire work. Study, therefore, and love the desire to rule honorably. But he who reduces his subjects to servitude for the sake of his own kingdom and empire is a transgressor of the truth and a despiser of the law.

On the reverence of the king toward God and his subjects.

3. I say again what the wise philosophers and those speaking by divine inspiration have said: that it seems first of all to befit royal majesty to obey legal statutes—not in a false appearance, but in the evidence of action—so that all may know that he himself fears God on high and is subject to divine power. For people are then accustomed to revere and fear the king when they see him revere and fear God. If he shows himself religious only in appearance while being a doer of evil in his works, then it is difficult for his works of wickedness to be hidden or remain unknown among the people; he will be rejected by God and condemned by men. His deeds will be brought into infamy, and his empire will be diminished.