Treatise on the Morals and Discipline of Human Conduct

...to imagine. ¶ And it seemed to me that it could be well done, and indeed ought to be done in turn that is, then reflecting upon the Lord, to compile a treatise on this kind of subject. Therefore, on the following day, I began that is, with the help of God to fulfill and complete my own hope. However, because the language in some parts is not everywhere intelligible, but in some places the matter emerges obscure and difficult at length, it comes again to Rheinfelden original: "Rinvelden"; the author's home town on the Rhine, and let the treatise go forth everywhere. In reading it through to the end nevertheless this well p[...] that is, the aforementioned in its passage, and rather in friendship original: "amigio," likely a variant of "amicitia" for those who are unaware Referring to those who do not yet know the game or its moral lessons; therefore, it pleases me that they go out in this manner. Let such a person not shrink back from proceeding in friendship, so that the rest may appear. And because many might look to this treatise regarding the game, since there are queens and noble princes and commoners everywhere, let it be, as it were, a treatise on both kinds of games, as well as on morality ¶ In which treatise I intend

The treatise is divided to do three things: ¶ First, to describe the game of cards regarding the material and the method of playing. ¶ Second, to draw this game toward morals, or to give the nobility a rule of living. ¶ And third, to instruct more people, or to inform them on the way of living honestly.

He titles his proposed work Wherefore it seemed to me that this present treatise should be titled: On the Morals and Disciplines original: "De moribus et disciplinis" of this type of faculty. For the first part of this present treatise will have six chapters:

In the first, mention will be made of the material of the game and the diversity of the instruments.
In the 2nd, it will be declared that in this game there is an art of virtues and vices.
In the 3rd, it will be suggested how it prevails toward the relief of the mind and the governance of workers.
In the 4th, it will be demonstrated that it is useful for idle men, and that it is valuable for their solace.
In the 5th, it will be compared to the state of the world and things, regarding how it pertains to the acts of nature and morals.