Treatise on the Morals and Discipline of Human Conduct

The saying of Cato original: "dictu Catonis"; referring to the Disticha Catonis, a popular medieval collection of moral proverbs used to teach Latin and ethics. which says: Intermingle joys with your cares The word "curis" (cares) is struck through in the transcription, likely a scribal correction, but the proverb requires it for sense. joys at times, or rather solaces; for they must be interspersed with labors. They ought to be honorable and not exceed the bounds of reason. And the more things a king In this context, "king" may refer to the highest-ranking card in the deck or to a literal ruler. replenishes, the more they ought to be appropriately assigned.

In speaking of the game of cards ludo cartularum One of the earliest historical references to playing cards in Europe., it follows that many people may be led into various evils. Yet there are some solaces which, according to reason, are more honorable; I do not consider the aforementioned game [of cards] to be a religious matter, provided it is done as was said in the prologue. And whatever the nature of the labor may be, it sometimes needs? a form. This is confirmed above, and by nature how? it proves the form. Thus, for the vineyard,

Book 1 the Lord promises the denarius A silver coin representing a day's wage; in medieval exegesis, it symbolizes the reward of eternal life. of eternal happiness to those who labor, Matthew 20. This happiness, which is the soul? after temporal labors, is received in the world to come. Dealing with those of whom I speak, St. Bernard says: Be[rnard] regarding the king Likely referring to a sermon by St. Bernard of Clairvaux regarding the Heavenly King. [there is] joy without labor, [a kingdom] without sadness and gloom, a feast without pain. Et this feast the Savior invites all who are laboring and burdened by the works of God, saying: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." M[atthew] 11.

And to bring man to this, it is Lead in the Ling The text likely refers to a "Legend" or "Life" of a specific king or saint. regarding a king who, on a certain occasion when he was proceeding against enemies who were throughout the kingdom, spent the day cutting wood with great labor. Finally, he followed this appropriately, or rather on that day he had prepared a banquet and made them feast. And because the day pleased them greatly, some asked [why he did so]. To all of them answering that the day was good, the king withdrew, saying: "Just as you had to abstain from enemies just now, so you did on the other day by cutting wood; and then you shall have peace or rest, and you can feast with a [full] stomach." Whence we also must have a continuous war against vices, which we must restrain.