Ethical Handbook

Preface to the Reader Concerning this Second Edition.

1. Lest you should perhaps think, dear Reader, that I have accomplished more in this Second Edition than I actually have, I decided I should briefly explain to you what I have done in it.

2. First, then, I have not decorated or enriched this new Edition of our Enchiridion From the Greek word for a "handbook" or manual; in this context, it refers to More's Enchiridion Ethicum (Manual of Ethics). with any new opinions or information, although it presents you with more Chapters in the first Book than that previous Edition. For I have divided the fourth Chapter into two, and the seventh into five; this was done so that readers might have more frequent opportunities to pause and reflect; and so that from the distinct Titles or Summaries that I have placed before each Chapter, a somewhat easier and clearer understanding of the matters taught might arise.

3. Second, I have rendered into English original: Latine (Latin). In this Latin text, More explains he has translated Greek quotes into Latin for the reader's convenience. For this English edition, all such passages are rendered in English. all those passages that occurred in Greek; not indeed in a manner so dry and meager—or as others might prefer to call it, so "accurate"—that word corresponds to word at every turn, but rather more loosely in terms of the vocabulary, and occasionally in the form of a Paraphrase An explanation of a text in different words to make the meaning clearer.; yet always faithfully regarding the sense, and with sufficient restraint and precision. For this [interpretation...]