THE PREFACE OF DONATO ACCIAIUOLI,

FLORENTINE, TO THE EXPO-

SITION OF THE BOOK OF ETHICS

Of Aristotle, to the most distinguished man,
Cosimo de' Medici.

A decorative woodcut initial 'C' featuring a seated figure, possibly a scholar or saint, surrounded by foliage.

Johannes Argyropoulos of Byzantium.

Since, after the passing of certain most learned men, Florentine studies seemed to have for the most part slackened, there came to this city Johannes Argyropoulos of Byzantium, a man of outstanding genius and a supreme philosopher, to instruct the youth in Greek letters and the liberal arts; and for several years now he has imparted his teaching to us with such abundance, and in such manifold and varied discourses, that he has seemed to renew the memory of the ancient philosophers in our times. But since, among other works of philosophy, he had most admirably embraced the books of Aristotle written to Nicomachus concerning ethics, he rendered them into Latin in your name and thereafter explained them publicly, not without the great approval of his audience. For these books possess the highest dignity and an admirable doctrine, and indeed a nearly singular order. Thus, if a certain accurate and refined explanation be added, it will bring great fruit to the listeners. Considering this within myself from the very beginning, along with many others who also follow the instruction of this teacher, I applied particular care and diligence in listening to them, so that I might grasp only those teachings which contribute to good morals and the right way of living; but afterward, seeing that these books were most gladly read by you and by all those who greatly excel in genius, and thinking that I should proceed further, I decided to commit to writing this teacher’s exposition—adapted especially to the mind of the Philosopher—so that those who could not be present, and [those desirous] of these matters...

Fr. Erhard, Camaldolese, in the Island of Vigrensia