Orations and Letters

SECOND PREFACE

...there might exist someone who could have perfected, with the greatest success, that which I have so zealously attempted. Since, however, up to now (as far as I know) no such person has come forward—for some lack the leisure, others the will; and while many tackle a few pages, few attempt entire books—and since learned men encouraged me, and this author Isocrates pleased me greatly, I decided that I must commit my sails to the winds. I gave my translation of Isocrates to be printed by Johannes Oporinus A famous scholar-printer in Basel known for publishing the works of the Reformers and classical texts.. Oporinus holds a prominent place among celebrated printers; indeed, if he were given the leisure and time, he would not merely transcribe the labors of others, but, through his own excellent talent and singular industry, he would write works of his own that would be celebrated by the approval of posterity. Out of his kindness toward all scholars and his singular goodwill toward me, he humanely deigned to commit my work to his press and studied most diligently to adorn it in every way.

Because indeed it has been accepted since ancient times that a book published without a patron is regarded as if it were mutilated and imperfect, and because this most troubled age—which is hardly fair or grateful toward good studies—demands defenders, I have chosen you, Most Distinguished Men, without any hesitation. To you I consecrate the first fruits of my talent and learning, a humble gift which I hope you will not reject, in keeping with your long-standing and celebrated kindness toward the learned, which I trust you retain even amidst these present upheavals.

And I seem to have done this with the best of rights. For (as I said at the beginning) I laid the first foundations of my studies in your city, which so pleased me as a boy—an age led by natural inclination and affections—that it seems to me I have never lived more sweetly or more willingly in any other place. Then, when by the will of my parents I was called away from the study of philosophy to another kind of life, I retained the love I had once conceived for your city so constantly that I was refreshed by the very name of Nuremberg original: Norimberga whenever I heard it. Many have heard this from me, and my actions have declared it to be true. For as soon as the opportunity was given to me to return to more refined literature, I sought out Nuremberg above all other academies, even though some tried to dissuade me.

Finally, for the sake of obtaining more abundant learning, I spent time in various academies, and at Nuremberg, under my old teacher Sebald Heiden A famous cantor and schoolmaster at St. Sebald’s in Nuremberg.—a man who deserved great merit from your excellent city and many outstanding talents—I performed my apprenticeship Latin: tyrocinium; a period of training or a first public effort in your principal school. There, I began to teach studious youths those things which I myself had learned from others.

At that time, I began to consider more carefully your republic, which is rightly praised among all good and wise men. I was not so much moved by the magnificent buildings (both public and private), the wealth, the military preparations, the variety and skill of the craftsmen, the crowds of citizens and guests, the abundance of learned men in every branch of knowledge, or the fame of your great market—though most people find these things admirable—as I was by that most wise and humane Aristocracy Wolf uses this in the classical sense: government by the "best" or most excellent citizens, referring to the patrician families who governed the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg. which you have enjoyed happily for many centuries, and which, by God’s favor, you shall continue to enjoy. For all philosophers especially approve of this state of cities, in which the most prudent and best men preside over the citizens just as parents over children, and the rest of the multitude is governed by the moderation of the fairest laws and honorable discipline. In such a place, good men not only live in peace without injury, but are even honored; and the insolence of the wicked is restrained (as much as is possible) by lawful punishments.

These things are truly great, and should be proclaimed without any suspicion of flattery, since they are acknowledged by all. But to preserve such a state in times so afflicted and dangerous—whether one looks at the upheavals of the German Empire or the controversy over religion—and to lead the ship safely into port as if in a stormy sea, was not only a task of singular prudence and moderation (the likes of which I wish all of Germany had used or would yet use), but also of the highest luck and divine favor.

To these public matters were added the kindnesses and most inclined goodwill of private individuals toward me. By these things it was brought about that I left my homeland (which I had to serve only until I saw my labors were of little use) and rejected other conditions that were not to be despised (for this scholarly way of life) to return most eagerly to Nuremberg when the opportunity was offered. I did this with the intention (I call God to witness) that, having found an honorable and philosophical leisure there as if in a most sweet homeland, I might spend the remainder of my life serving your republic to the best of my meager ability. Nor did the inclination of my nature or the omen of my mind entirely deceive me. For this (unless I wish to be arrogant and ungrateful) I must openly profess and proclaim (and this...