DEDICATION

DEDICATION.

)( 5

...it seemed The text begins mid-sentence, continuing from the previous page's conclusion: "it seemed [fitting]." fitting. Therefore, I am not ashamed—however speculative original: "umbratica," literally "shadowy" or "belonging to the shade," often used to describe academic theories that lack practical application and trivial this treatment might appear to many—to place your names at the head of this work. For I am certain that no one judges wisdom more correctly than those who have proven, through their deeds and their entire lives, that they are governed by it and driven toward every excellence by its love.

Indeed, I believe those idle men, who nourish themselves and others with sweet dreams and empty fabrications original: "commentis," referring to intellectual fictions or unfounded theories, are utterly unworthy of the name of Philosophers. In my view, he truly deserves to be called wise and a "lover of wisdom" The author here alludes to the Greek etymology of "philosopher" who has learned to discern the honorable from the base, and the just from the unjust. He is one who daily provides examples of courage, self-restraint, loyalty toward his sovereign and his very fatherland, and skill in the duties entrusted to him. These are the virtues that most befit those who, above all others, hold the helm of the state original: "reipublicae clavum," a common Latin metaphor comparing the government of a state to the steering of a ship. In...