Twelve Books of Letters and Lectures

to embrace it in a single word, we have abundantly learned both to endure adversities and to abstain from pleasures. See how point by point we have fashioned our life after your Epictetus; see also how quickly—lest in this regard we should not be Stoics, who wish us to be reminded that a man is failing for as long as he is not progressing. While I have marveled at this in others, I have done so most of all in my own case: though I have always frequented the Lyceum or the Academy and never the Portico, I was so overcome by the old man’s discourse that I went over to his opinion, not with my feet alone, but with my hands also and my whole body. Farewell.

ANGELO POLIZIANO sends many greetings to GIOVANNI PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA, 6.

Your letters are of such value to me, my dear Pico, that I by no means believe I can satisfy them in my reply. Yet such, in turn, is your kindness that I trust you will take in good part whatever proceeds from us. If words were as sufficient as my spirit, I would attempt to praise your genius, your learning, and your eloquence as they deserve; but I fear that I may be forced, as Flaccus says, to diminish such great praises through the fault of my own talent. Therefore, I shall imitate Timanthes: what I cannot express with my brush, I shall cover with a veil. But if I must exhort one who is himself an example to all, I shall exhort my Pico as that Mycenaean did Teucer: "Shoot thus." Indeed, I understand that I am indebted to you on many accounts.