The Secret of Secrets of Aristotle

and lastly, it induces that evil which we have predicted.

Concerning the musical solace of the king.

It befits imperial majesty to have faithful confidants with whom he may be delighted with various instruments and with the organs when he is weary, for the human soul is naturally delighted in such things; the senses rest, anxiety and curiosity vanish, the whole body is invigorated. If you, therefore, wish to be delighted in such things, persevere in such a life for no more than three or four days, according to what you see fit; and it is always better and more honest that this be done privately. When, therefore, you are in that solace, abstain from drink and allow others to drink at will, and feign that you are warmed by wine, for then you will be able to perceive and hear many secrets; and let this not be done frequently, but you ought to do it twice or three times a year. You should also have around you special members of your family who report to you those things that are done and said throughout your kingdom. When you are among good barons, honor the wise and those whom you see are worthy of honor; keep each one in his status. Invite one today, another tomorrow, according to what befits the race of each, and honor him. Let there be no one of your nobles who does not feel your generosity; let the clemency of majesty and the nobility of a liberal mind be open to all.

Concerning avoiding excessive laughter.

It befits the king, therefore, among other things, to have discretion and continence, and to abstain much from laughter, for frequent laughter takes away reverence and generates old age. Moreover, you ought to know that the king holds it better to honor men in his court and in his consistory than elsewhere, for then it is his interest; if anyone does an injury to anyone, he is to be punished according to the quality of his person, so that others may fear and learn to abstain from injuries; for a noble and high-born person is to be punished one way, and a popular and abject person another. It is good to observe rigor and continence, so that there may be a distinction of persons between the king and his subjects. For it is written in the book of Esculapii Aesculapius/The Aesculapian physicians that that king is praiseworthy and to be loved who is likened to an eagle dominating among birds, not he who is likened to one of the subjected birds. If anyone, therefore, in the court or in the presence of royal majesty presumes to perpetrate an injury or to do an offense, one must consider with what intention he does it: whether in jest, so that he may please you and turn the minds to joy...