Treatise on the Morals and Discipline of Human Conduct

...that it should be, and entirely in other actions as is due, so that he carefully orders the Circumstances circumstances of persons, times, and places: lest a descent be made toward the extremes of vices, but then we may be able to persist in the mean of virtue through games, which virtue the Philosopher original: "aphos", a common scribal abbreviation for philosophus, referring to Aristotle. calls wittiness eutrapelia A term from Aristotle's Ethics describing the virtue of pleasantness or well-bred wit, which avoids both the excess of buffoonery and the defect of boorishness.. On the contrary, there are those who occupy their study entirely with the game; however, some things must be done regarding these matters, and it should be known that this same play can occur in three ways.

In the first way, as has been said elsewhere regarding games, it can be done through excess original: "expressus"; likely a scribal error or variant for excessus (excess), as it is contrasted with "defect" and "the mean." or defect, or according to the mean of virtue. For first, regarding this game, it is excessive when a man occupies himself entirely with it; and since he performs it negligently, failing in the duty he owes to himself and the honor he should maintain, such as when he loses through deception in the game, or if he plays with his voice Possibly referring to singing or loud shouting during games.,

2ndly it is seen also if it be at a time and place prohibited, in similar illicit matters; and this seems to be more a matter of honor than of gaming in the chapter-house original: "in capitulo"; referring to the meeting room of a cathedral or monastery, where strict rules of conduct apply.. In the second way, this defect occurs when one behaves too ungracefully and disturbs the company, because through play one ought to be relieved of those things by which one was fatigued.

Thirdly, this game can occur and be done virtuously in the mean of virtue, not by laboring, but while one performs this game for the sake of solace and recreation, not for money nor with an intention of gain for the mind and body. For this reason, it is expedient that one relieves oneself of fatigue and cheers one’s spirit original: "ingenium exhilaret" so that one may be better disposed to better works. But because, on the contrary, there are few who engage in this game or others in such a way—indeed, perhaps the greater part of people play for the sake of profit, inasmuch as men find delight through play—therefore, I say that one should not play for profit in another way as through some other deformed end. Then there are others who also virtuously [perform] this...