The Secret of Secrets and Other Philosophical Treatises (1401-1500) - Page 13

...of your parents. And examine the annals of your fathers; from them you can extract many good examples. In this way, past events provide us with reliable instructions original: "documēta" for the future. Do not despise a person of lower status, for the small can assist the powerful, just as a friend is often seen to rise quickly to honors and riches—and then he becomes more effective and powerful at doing harm.

17.

On the king's pledged word and confirmed treaties.

Beware, beware, lest you break your pledged word original: "fidem dātā," referring to the concept of fides or trust/faithfulness and confirmed treaties, for such behavior is more fitting for impulsive youths and harlots. Faithfully keep the faith you have promised, for a bad end follows all unfaithfulness. And even if some good should happen to come from breaking a treaty, the hope itself is still evil—a shameful example and born from a lineage of evils. Know, therefore, that through the keeping of faith comes the gathering of men, the inhabiting of cities, the union of men, and the very numbering of kings. Through faith, strongholds are held, cities are preserved, and kings rule. If anyone should take away this trust, men will return to their former state—namely, after the manner of brutes and the likeness of wild beasts. Beware, therefore, most faithful one, lest you break your word; firmly keep your oaths, even if they are burdensome. Know that, according to the testimony of Hermogenes This likely refers to the legendary sage Hermes Trismegistus, often cited as a source of wisdom in the Secretum Secretorum, there are two spirits who guard you: one stands at your right and the other at your left, watching and recording all your works.

They report to the Creator whatever you have done or are about to do in truth. This alone should deter you and quietly pull you back from every wicked original: "munesto," likely a scribal error for "funesto" meaning deadly or calamitous deed. Who will exalt you if you are known for frequent changes? Change should not be made unless out of great necessity. Indeed, a king—unless greatly petitioned and frequently requested—ought not to change his mind, for you should know that it does not suit his dignity and detracts from him. This is not because you are denying a request, but because staying constant is the truth expected of kings, while changing is the manner of subjects and servants. If you should ask what was the cause of the destruction of the kingdom of the Libyans and the Scots, I would answer you: it was because their kings used oaths for fraud and the deception of men, leading to private deaths and the ruin of their cities. They broke the treaties that were established for safety and the benefit of the human race. They and their followers never should have misused oaths for the subversion of their neighbors; and therefore the equity of the Most Just Judge A reference to God as the ultimate judge of kings could no longer endure them.

18.

On promoting study in the kingdom.

O most dear son Alexander, I want you to take care, for in the ordering of yourself and your kingdom there are certain special and highly moral instructions pertaining to you, regarding your own household and the governing of the common people. Though they do not have a place here, I will hand them over to you in a secret part of this book—life-giving and very useful instructions, in the observance of which you will persevere, God granting.