D E D I C A T I O N

deservedly merit, we hardly perceive with dim eyes original: "luscis"; literally "one-eyed" or "half-blind," suggesting that humans are often blind to their own faults. However, since
forgiveness for an error is more easily given to a youth than to an old man,
you, in your fairness, will grant me—a young man—forgiveness if
I have conjectured something too boldly that displeases you. Nay, even
you, if you judge differently than I do, must consider that
you too love your own ideas vehemently, and that you are also liable
to error. Therefore, I would wish and I implore you to read this
writing with the same spirit in which you would want your own to be read;
that is, a fair spirit, free from malicious suspicions. For why would
you interpret with a bad mind those things I have written with a good
mind? Truly, that sincere zeal for charity and piety, with which
every Christian ought to be imbued, forbids it. If, therefore,
certain things should come your way concerning miracles, concerning the
cultivation of only the East before the flood The Great Flood of Noah, concerning the
first book of Moses The Book of Genesis and the reasoning and occasion for its
writing, concerning the origin of the vowel points original: "vocalium punctorum"; the dots and marks used in Hebrew to indicate vowel sounds. In the 17th century, scholars fiercely debated whether these marks were given by God at Sinai or added later by medieval scribes.,
and their absence in ancient copies, or concerning new versions
of certain sacred sayings—do not, I beg you, take them ill or
explain them poorly. You cannot, whoever you are, Reader, with your
mind more ve- The text cuts off here; the catchword "nera-" suggests the word continues as "venerari," likely meaning "to more vehemently revere/venerate."