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PREFACE

...[those who compare] these books of Porta will find that they are to be valued for their diligent method, the great variety of types included, or the clarity of certain explanations; although we do not deny that reading both works together The publisher likely refers to this new edition alongside previous versions or related works by other authors can be done with great benefit.

Indeed, if for no other reason, Porta must be read by those especially devoted to military and civil prudence original: "prudentiæ"; in this context, it refers to the practical wisdom, foresight, and strategic judgment required by leaders, and indeed by all who have a desire to peer into the secrets of others. For while it is within our power to choose not to use this art ourselves, we cannot prevent adversaries, enemies, and others from employing it.

Yet, if it should happen—an outcome for which those focused on military and civil affairs must labor greatly—that hostile stratagems original: "stratagemata"; tactical deceptions, ruses, or encrypted messages used to outwit an opponent or other such writings fall into our hands, we will be able to recognize and uncover them with Porta's help. This is one of the very reasons these books far surpass the monuments original: "monumenta"; here referring to the established scholarly works or published records others have produced on this subject: they explain, with singular industry and skill, the method not only for inventing such stratagems, but also for unraveling those used by others, as far as is possible. Furthermore, many passages from ancient writers that discuss this art—or were derived from it—and which are often quite obscure, are rendered perfectly clear through this work.