The Book of Chess

Whether one be poor or rich,
one may benefit from this honor.
I have heard from Solomon King Solomon, the Biblical figure traditionally associated with supreme wisdom.
who observes how the wise man acts:
if he loves you, you shall flourish.
Therefore, if you wish to offer correction,
keep yourself from the wicked.
In what way should good be told to us?
I will now pause this speech,
for it stands in the master's book
from which I took these thoughts.
I wish to begin again
where I left off:
that a little while before in the city,
when the king had learned
the game, and he applied himself
to virtue and to discernment original: "beschaidenhait"; a key medieval virtue encompassing modesty, discretion, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.,
at that same hour he asked
the master about the invention original: "funt"; refers to the discovery or creation of the game of chess as a tool for moral instruction..
Instead of sin, service now occurs,
and he was comforted by what was sent from above.
It must concern his life more deeply
if he did not wish to let the matter rest.
The master spoke: "I will tell you this.
By my soul, throughout my days,
I have truly desired
that those I have taught—
and that one might find this in you,
among both strangers and kin—
that my praise should grow original: "wahen"; Middle High German for to grow, increase, or wax (as the moon).,
which by right is due to me."

"You must, with virtue,
measure your deeds late and early,
and uphold justice.
How sorrowful it has been until now
that I must say to you, with your permission,
that I hear complaints about you
from all who are subject to you:
that for no man's sake do you refrain
from whatever enters your mind,
whether it be gluttonous rage
or whatever counsel is given,
so that you act in a way that is ill-becoming.
A king who has chosen such a path
has, alas, lost his days,"
meant the master.
"In short, a king should be able
to overcome himself.
Whichever king has found himself
in such thoughts
that he does not follow kind counsel
according to discernment,
and allows vice original: "vnhait"; the opposite of 'beschaidenhait', implying lack of integrity or discord.
to overcome virtue—
the wise do not praise him much.
Now, alas, it is a matter of justice:
if a king who wears the crown
has rewarded himself with instability,
his arbitrary power original: "sinnacht gewalt"; literally 'night-like power', referring to power exercised without the 'light' of reason or justice. shall not grow old.
Hear a thought, O King,
and guard against this forevermore:
that you give hope to those you correct,
and fulfill that which I have carefully considered."