THE MAXIMILIAN

...they shall enter into the race of life; then Choice original: "Optio" begins to twist the mind. At that point, hesitating somewhat in the uncertainty of judgment, they stand at a crossroads original: "Bivio"; a reference to the "Choice of Hercules" between Virtue and Vice. Finally, they decide: either they must strain every nerve toward the study of philosophy original: "Philosophandum" for the entire remainder of their lives (these are the ones captured by the love of Truth and Virtue); or, they must labor anxiously by all means to lead a life of luxury or profit (these, certainly, are the ones ensnared by worldly enticements or burning with a desire for riches). And of the latter, you may indeed very easily find a thousand; whereas of the former—those who more sincerely devote their efforts to philosophy—you can scarcely point out one who has tasted even the first and true foundations of physics original: "Physicae"; here meaning the study of the natural world and its laws. But as for one who has more deeply and fully scrutinized the causes of celestial forces and actions original: "Caelestium virium & Actionum", and the origins, states, and deaths of all other things: you could not bring forth even the thousandth part of those who have turned themselves entirely to the studies of wisdom original: "sapientiæ studia".