The Secret of Secrets and Other Philosophical Treatises

...will provide [guidance for] judgment. original: "tionis prestabit." This likely completes the word "iudicationis," referring to the practice of using astrology to make specific predictions or judgments. Because we choose that which we love, and we seek that which we intend. Indeed, you should not doubt that Aristotle original: "Aristiles", who was like a god among the other philosophers, did more to restore the sciences for the Greeks and to provide knowledge of the types of natural things. I have given you assurance of this elsewhere; therefore, we have proposed to treat this subject according to his teachings in this book, God permitting.

And so, the wise men and natural philosophers agreed that man is composed of opposite elements and of four humors humors: the four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) believed in medieval medicine to determine a person's health and temperament, which always require food and drink. If a man were to lack these, his physical substance would be destroyed; and if he uses them excessively or insufficiently, he incurs weakness, infirmity, and many other disturbing ailments.

But if he uses them temperately, he finds help for his life, strength for his body, and health for his entire being. However, they unanimously agreed that whoever oversteps the proper measure in fullness or emptiness referring to overeating or fasting, in sleep or waking, in the loosening or tightening of the bowels, in movement or in rest, and in the drawing of blood bloodletting was a standard medical treatment used to balance the body's humors, will not be able to escape the fury of diseases and the troubles of infirmity. Concerning all these things, I intend to decide with appropriate brevity, handing down the most skillful doctrine regarding the types of sicknesses and their principal remedies.

And so they all agreed that he who guards himself against excess and deficiency by maintaining balance and temperance, perceives a health-giving wellness and a great length of days. I have certainly not found any of the philosophers to differ from this opinion: namely, that all the delightful things of this world—whether they be riches, or delicacies, or honors, or pleasures—all exist for the sake of durability original: "durabilitatem" – refers here to the preservation of life and the enduring health of the body and soul. Therefore, whoever desires to live and to endure should study to acquire those things which are suited to durability and which preserve life; let him renounce the desires of his own will, and not add meal upon meal.

There is the story of Hippocrates original: "Ypocras", who observed such strict diets that he suffered from physical weakness. His disciple said to him, "Distinguished Teacher, if you were willing to eat more, you would not have to endure such great bodily weakness." Responding to him, Hippocrates said: "My son, I say that I eat so that I may live; I do not live so that I may eat."

For food must be sought for the sake of durability, and not durability for the sake of food. Indeed, I have known many who, while they lived on food but abstained from their own appetites—purging themselves of gluttony and living temperately through diets—were because of this most healthy in body, better in their actions, and longer in life; for...