The Book of Chess

That no one should undertake this
unless they possess some skill,
for they act in this way
so that they might earn their food
by working in such a manner
that they do not remain idle original: "müssig",
but rather succeed in their efforts. toward
The devil, who came like a lion
and mocks whenever a deed must be done—
for when he finds a man idle,
he very quickly devours him.
It is as if he, with his touch,
might steer a rough path;
after the ship [of the soul], our greatest salvation,
I fear that I have perhaps
included a bit too much in this book,
because it all touches upon idleness müssikeit From the German 'müssig' (idle). In medieval theology, idleness was considered the 'pillow of the devil' and the root of all sin.,
which may lead to harm.
In this little book original: "buchlyn," referring to his source text by Jacobus de Cessolis.,
I wish to specifically name where I left off
and where I began,
or what the end of the book contains.
There, concerning idleness,
I found many evil things written.
In this book, it is quite well known
regarding Amon of Egypt original: "eymabros egipty." Likely referring to Saint Amun or one of the Desert Fathers, whose lives were common moral examples.;
it was once asked here
why he practiced unchastity.
Then it was said on the spot
of him: he did it for the reason
that he ate godlessly and in idleness.

Otherwise, he would not have done it.
I have also read more in the little book
concerning idleness:
that some may be idle
so often that they fall into
a state of [false] contemplation.
Therefore, regarding human nature,
I advise against idleness—
not from myself alone, but as
the wise master Referring to the legendary philosopher (often called Xerxes or Philometor) who supposedly invented chess to reform a wicked king. taught,
who first invented the game.
Of this lowly matter, I will
at this time say no more.
The third reason that I wrote of,
I will also bring before you;
I will soon tell you hereafter
the third reason regarding chess original: "schach".
The meaning of the game-board Zabelbret The medieval term for a chessboard or gaming table, derived from the Latin 'tabula'. is set forth:
the third reason why
the master, whom I have mentioned,
sent it to the king.
Just as I read it, so it is:
for every human person
desires things that are new
and seeks foreign knowledge at all times,
which gives us an original understanding.
As I read in the book
that was at hand before:
many columns therein contain much meaning,
which takes up strange things
to learn, so that one might be capable.