The Life of Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc

and wished me to be aware of all his thoughts. For into my bosom, as with all other matters, he finally breathed his last words and his very soul original: "animámque ipsam tandem exhalârit." This phrase emphasizes the intimacy between Gassendi and Peiresc, suggesting Gassendi was present at his deathbed.. For that reason, since the memory of so dear a friend original: "capitis tam cari." Literally "of so dear a head," a classical Latin expression of deep affection for a person. should be closer to no one’s heart than mine, you are indeed applying a spur to one who is already running when you demand by your authority what gratitude and the law of friendship already incline me to do. For as often as I think, speak, or hear anything about him, I am flooded with a certain deep and most sweet joy. How could I not find it pleasant to recreate the sequence of his life by writing it down so that it may be shared with most people? Will I not seem to still converse most kindly with him and spend sweet hours in his company? I will finally satisfy my duty when I have done everything in my power to ensure the glory of such a great friend flourishes. Truly, as for the kindness he felt toward all people, no one seems to have existed who, being born for the common good, cared more earnestly for it. He most constantly sought to benefit the whole of the human race original: "uniuersitati generis humani." Here "universitas" refers to the totality or the collective whole of mankind rather than an educational institution.. While he may have been surpassed by many in terms of his personal wealth, he was surpassed by no one in the extent of his efforts and his will to do good. He was worthy, therefore, to have reigned in the minds of men, and especially in the minds of scholars. He never ceased to encourage and nurture these students with his learning, advice, authority, influence, and his own resources. All good and learned men are witnesses to this, confessing by unanimous consent that there never was