INTRODUCTION

...[they stain] a mirror that is well polished; and sometimes they cause the one who has intercourse with them to become leprous, and sometimes cancerous. And because evil is not avoided unless it is known, it is therefore necessary for those wishing to abstain from it to know the uncleanness of intercourse and many other things which are taught in this book. And so Albert, seeing that he the priest mentioned on the previous page asked justly, consented to him; and thus the efficient cause the person responsible for making the book happen is touched upon, being moved to act when it is said, "I write," etc. Wisdom is the knowledge of God and of eternal effects. And therefore the Philosopher a common medieval nickname for Aristotle says in the introduction to the Metaphysics: "Strictly speaking, there is no science of God" original: "De Deo proprie non est scientia"; meaning God transcends human empirical study. Likewise, nothing is better in this life, because through this wisdom we are made happy, as witnessed by Averroes the 12th-century Andalusian philosopher known for his commentaries on Aristotle in the prologue to the fourth book of the Physics. Therefore, the author writes for the increase of the present life; and he writes these things well for him, because through wisdom, a man is rendered praiseworthy to God and to men.

When your favorable and gracious company asked me that I might more clearly reveal certain things which are hidden and secret regarding the nature and condition of women, having seen your petition, no laziness held me back from the compilation of this brief and concise little treatise, once the material was obtained. But although I have a small and youthful mind, which is drawn to other matters according to its capacity and the opportunity of the time, I am nevertheless desiring to satisfy your appe- The text cuts off mid-word: "appetitui," meaning "desire" or "request"