PREFACE

...nor are they Referring to the examples of ciphers mentioned at the end of the previous page. usually brought forward otherwise than they ought to be. For if this were not done, they would be performing the role not of translators original: "interpretum" but of authors, or even of forgers original: "falsariorum". However, those things which he himself devises are sometimes of such a kind that we would have altogether preferred others.

But since the law of Christian charity original: "lex Christianæ charitatis"; a common appeal to the reader's moral responsibility in Renaissance prefaces commands that all things be interpreted in the best possible light, we judge that they were not brought forward for the reason that anyone should seize from them an opportunity for daring similar deeds [misdeeds]. Rather, it is so that one might recognize what has been seized upon by the wicked, and might discourage original: "dehortetur" and hinder them. For in this way, even in certain other excellent books, many wicked things are reviewed original: "recensentur"; not so that we might imitate them, but so that we might learn to avoid and prohibit them with that much greater caution.

And we point out devious and dangerous places to those about to take a journey, lest otherwise, being ignorant of them, they might accidentally fall into loss original: "dispendiũ" or danger, and might themselves be able to discourage others hastening toward those same spots. However the matter may stand, he who assisted us in preparing this edition original: "editione" did not dare to remove them, lest he should seem to have allowed or assumed too much for himself in another man's work. Therefore, we wish even the more incautious readers to be encouraged to consider carefully what their own duty is in this matter, and to beware lest those things which are published for their benefit...