The Canon of Medicine (Canon Medicinae), Vol. I

and who judge what the ancients taught according to the judgment of Avicenna, and consider it both beautiful and worthy of a prudent physician: and you who, in the practice of medicine, follow this guide—not a vain or deceptive one—not only in voice and reason, but you prove it also in work and daily experiment. Therefore, I rightly wished for this book to appear in the name of your most honorable and praiseworthy order. So that the studious youth may understand that Avicenna, an author so highly esteemed by you, is to be studied by them even more studiously; and that those annotations of mine—ancient indeed, but now in some part better—may be a testimony of my spirit toward you, whose favor I have had as a most constant supporter of my dignity for the many years I have lived among you. From you, both generally and privately, so many daily offices of kindness are bestowed upon me that, beyond the splendor of letters, which makes this sacred College of yours second to none, I recognize that virtue which is called humanity—the common ornament of this country, but which shines in you in an extraordinary way—makes you worthy of being venerated and honored by all good men, and I profess that I will proclaim this perpetually.

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