MARSILIO FICINO’S PREFACE TO

THE BOOK OF THE SUN, ADDRESSED TO THE MAGNANIMOUS

PIERO DE’ MEDICI

The text on this page is a mirrored impression, likely caused by wet ink pressing against this leaf from the opposite page during the binding process. It bears the stamp of the National Library of Florence.

ALTHOUGH my duty and authority as a translator have drawn my own "Marsilian Plotinus" original: "Marsilium Plotinum"; Ficino refers to his life's work translating and interpreting the philosopher Plotinus (so to speak) away through the habit of daily association, and have demanded longer explanations for his arguments; nevertheless, when yesterday I brought a certain Latin explanation to that very most holy likeness of God The Sun which the Platonic parent Plato participates in according to the highest degree: for our Dionysius the Areopagite A 5th-century Christian theologian whom Ficino believed was a disciple of St. Paul; he blended Christian thought with Neoplatonism, in the manner of the Platonists, attempts an edition of punctuation likely referring to the clarity of divine arrangement in minds liberated by the most blessed illustration of the Sun. Since God and the rare light shine red with many names, I have now judged this matter and this clarity worthy (for you wish from this work what is especially convenient in a brief summary: this glowing Phoebus A name for Apollo, the sun god as it has been set down). I lead this sum greatly toward Rhodes A metaphor for a place of great light or perhaps a specific destination: to send it to the parent of the Medici; since it will be the one thing to which I have dedicated this new interpretation of Plato, lest any force should stand in the way. For light for light, and again that highest mind of Plato’s work prepares for the King of Lights; which merit has inspired your mind toward Marsilio. And so, having been kindled by this ardor of light, may you revere it and embrace it with your whole loving mind.