Leon Battista Alberti - The Books on the Family

Page 17

Literature of Italy - Einaudi

...to attempt anything rashly or foolishly, whether to seek revenge or to fulfill some youthful and flighty opinion; and in the tranquility and calm of fortune, and even more so in stormy times, never to leave the helm of reason and the rule of life. One must stay awake, foresee from afar every mist of envy, every cloud of hatred, every flash of enmity on the faces of the citizens, and every crosswind, every reef and danger which the family might strike in any part. One must be there like a practical and highly experienced pilot Original: navichiero. Alberti frequently uses maritime metaphors to describe the navigation of the volatile political and social waters of Renaissance Florence., keeping in mind the winds by which others have sailed, with what sails, and in what manner they have spotted and avoided each danger. And do not forget that in our land, no one ever unfurled all their sails—even if they were not overly large—who did not eventually pull them back in, often frayed and torn in many places. Thus, he will know that it is more damaging to sail poorly once than it is useful to reach safety a thousand times. Envy vanishes where modesty, not pomp, shines; hatred is quelled where affability Original: facilità. In this context, it refers to being easy to approach and converse with, a social grace intended to deflect the resentment of others. grows rather than arrogance; enmity is set aside and extinguished where you arm and fortify yourself not with disdain and anger, but with humanity and grace. To all these things, the elders of the families must open their eyes and minds, focus their thoughts and souls, stay prepared and ready on every side to foresee and know everything, enduring fatigue and concern, taking the greatest care and diligence in making the youth more honest, more virtuous, and more pleasing to our fellow citizens day by day.

"And let fathers know that virtuous sons provide the father with much joy and great support at every age, and in the father’s care lies the son's virtue. Sloth and idleness make a family rustic and dishonorable; diligent and dutiful fathers refine Original: rigentiliscono. Literally to "make noble again." This implies that nobility is not a permanent state but a quality that must be maintained through active effort. it. Covetous, lascivious, unjust, and proud men burden their families with infamy, misfortune, and misery. Good men, however gentle, moderate, and humane they may be, if they are not very [active] within the family...