Oration on the Dignity of Man

The Chaldeans The "Chaldeans" were ancient Babylonian astronomers and sages often cited by Renaissance thinkers as the founders of magic and astrology. desired that at the birth of a future philosopher, Mars should look upon Mercury from a trine aspect trine aspect: An astrological position where planets are 120 degrees apart, considered a highly harmonious and powerful alignment., for all philosophy, if stripped of battles and contests, would become sluggish and dormant. It is more difficult for me to defend myself against those who claim I am unfit for such an undertaking: if I were to consider myself equal to it, I would perhaps be immodest, yet if I judge myself incapable, I would seem reckless and rash. You see the narrow straits into which I have fallen, the position I find myself in, where I cannot promise without guilt that which I cannot then provide without being censured. I might cite the words of Job—

“the spirit exists in all things” original: spiritus est in omnibus (Job 32:8).
—and hear alongside Timothy:
“let no one despise your youth.” original: nemo adolescentiam tuam contemnat (1 Timothy 4:12).

I will say sincerely that there is nothing great or extraordinary in me. While I do not deny that I am educated and possess a passion for literature, I do not yet claim or accept the title of a scholar. Why then have I taken this heavy burden upon my shoulders? Not because I was unaware of my own weakness, but because I knew that to be defeated in such a battle—that is, in a scholarly dispute—is also useful, and this is its distinguishing quality.

Therefore, even the weak should not avoid the battle; rather, they can and must throw themselves into the fray. For the one who suffers defeat will receive from the victor not a loss, but a reward—for he will come to future battles more learned and more experienced. Inspired by such hope, I, a weak soldier, did not fear to enter into so difficult a contest against the strongest and bravest.

If this was indeed a bold act, then I should be judged not so much by my age as by the outcome of the battle.

Thirdly, there remain those to answer who are outraged by the great number of proposed theses, as if this weight fell upon their shoulders and not mine alone to carry, however heavy it might be. Surely, it is unseemly and quite petty to measure the labor of another, especially in a matter where, as Cicero says,

the more one strives for moderation, the better. A reference to Cicero's view that in the pursuit of wisdom or virtue, "excess" is actually a virtue.

Undoubtedly, in such a large undertaking, I had to either yield or, if I could, convince. I do not understand why it is praiseworthy to present ten theses and a crime to present nine hundred. If I fail the test, then let those who hate me accuse me, and those who love me, forgive me. Moreover, the fact that such a heavy and great undertaking was started by a youth of weak abilities and insufficient learning deserves praise rather than blame. For as the poet says:

if strength fails, the daring will be praiseworthy A quote from Propertius (Elegies 2.10.6), often used to justify ambitious failures.;
in a great matter, even the desire means much. But if in our time the imitators of Gorgias of Leontini Gorgias was a famous Greek Sophist who claimed he could speak eloquently on any subject presented to him. are accustomed to offering for dispute not just nine hundred theses, but all questions on all sciences—which is considered praiseworthy—then why am I not allowed (or at least why is it held against me) to debate many specific and defined questions? They say this is excessive and ambitious. I, on the contrary, assert that to do this is not only not superfluous, but necessary; for if one considers the very principle of philosophizing, it becomes clear that this is absolutely essential.