Orations and Letters

THE PREFACE OF HIERONYMUS WOLF

...the words did not always occur to me with sufficient propriety, nor was there space to explore and direct every mode of speaking according to Cicero’s rule Latin: amussim; literally a carpenter's plumb line, used here to mean a perfect standard of style, as it were. I believe I have rendered the meanings with such faithfulness and diligence that if I had been required to give sworn testimony before a judge original: prætorem, I could hardly have done so with greater religious reverence. I never wished to appear wiser than Isocrates; I added almost nothing, took nothing away, and changed nothing. I attempted not only to weigh the meanings but almost to count the words themselves, as far as the different nature of the Latin language allows.

I have removed many errors from the Greek manuscript, though not without the most attentive consideration. I have illustrated obscure passages with brief commentaries, and I have looked out for the busy reader's time by placing annotations in the margins marginal notes. I have provided summaries Latin: argumenta; introductory synopses explaining the context and purpose of a speech for each oration. I have extracted nearly all the maxims of Isocrates (except for the Paraenetic Exhortatory or advisory books, which consist almost entirely of maxims) for the benefit of young students and placed them separately. In short, as far as was within my power, I have devoted my effort to ensuring that Isocrates might be most truly understood by all without any impediments, and read with the greatest fruit and pleasure.

I would hope that these efforts are accepted in good faith by honorable men (for I do not care about the wicked). I wish to be forgiven for the unpolished nature of my speech original: dictionis ruditatem, a fault for which fortune is partly to blame, as I have said, and partly the inherent difficulty of the task of translation. I know well enough there will even be young boys who do not doubt that they could say many things more ornately, and I do not deny that this is possible. Indeed, if a longer life and a more tranquil leisure should ever fall to my lot, I will myself endeavor (following the example of great men) to ensure that Isocrates comes forth in public more elegantly in both Greek and Latin.

However, if these same critics were to undertake the task of explaining the entire work from beginning to end in a proper and splendid style—provided they do not stray from the author's meaning—they would undoubtedly find themselves destitute of all resources amidst the great diversity of the Greek language, not to mention the poverty of the Latin tongue. They would find themselves using not what they most desired, but whatever they could find when nothing better was available. I frankly admit that this has been my own experience. For although the unskilled think nothing is easier than to clothe the thoughts of the Greeks in a sort of Latin garment—since they believe one need not labor over invention or artistic arrangement—I would nevertheless, if given the choice, always prefer to write a thousand verses of my own free will and by my own effort original: meo marte; literally "by my own Mars," meaning by one's own strength, than far fewer within the fences of another's prescriptions, as if with my hands tied.

And yet, perhaps there will be those (for the human spirit is prone to slander, and as each man attributes much to himself, so he grants little to others) who, belittling my work, will say it was easy to translate an author who is not so very difficult after so many previous interpreters. I suspect those who say such things will speak no further once they have diligently compared my translation and those of others against the Greek sources, and have tried to imitate my efforts themselves.

That I have not been much aided by others is clearly apparent from the fact that I have made many intricate and difficult passages—which were either omitted, obscured, or wrongly explained by others—correspond to the author's meaning (as I hope) and laid them open to everyone's understanding. Just as I confess that many years ago, for the sake of learning, I studiously read and compared the translations of all those I could obtain against the language of the authors themselves; so now I would not deny doing the same thing. I do this now not as a student—though I shall not be sorry to learn as long as I live, much less ashamed—but rather as a diligent judge and a fair appraiser.

I could make this plain to all experts in the Greek language without any arrogance, but with the truth of the matter supporting me, by bringing to light many slips made by translators who are by no means common. However, it was not my purpose to do so; I wish only to "adorn my Sparta" A classical proverb meaning to do one's duty and improve the lot one has been given in such a way that I cast no stain on anyone else. I would prefer to wipe such stains away, were it not considered impious to wish to seem clever by meddling in the works of others. While I do not claim this for myself, being conscious of my own weakness, I nonetheless desire to look out for the interests of studious men to the best of my ability.

Therefore, I ask all learned men to show the same fairness toward me. If they cannot approve of my work, let them not attack it bitterly; but let them either take it in good part, or let them publish better versions themselves and deserve better of Isocrates. I will not grieve or be troubled that my "shadows" and fruitless labors are abolished by their brilliance; rather, I will congratulate the studies of our youth. For I myself have long wished that some learned and eloquent man...