A wide horizontal ornament features a symmetrical design of scrolling acanthus leaves, flowers, and vines, with a central circular medallion.

TO THE MOST AMPLE, NOBLE,

ILLUSTRIOUS, COUN-

SULTED, AND PRUDENT, OF THIS RENOWNED

A decorative drop cap 'O' is set within a square frame. The letter 'O' contains a foliated face, and the background is filled with detailed foliage.

O HAPPY times of the ancients! In which Emperors themselves, governing the world, devoted themselves to Philosophy; as was evident regarding Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and King Ptolemy, as the most learned Hugo says. For the glory of any kingdom grew immensely as long as the studies of the liberal arts flourished within it. For the victory of the military, glory, and Philosophy grew simultaneously. And deservedly so, because true Philosophy teaches how to reign justly and rightly. For by me Kings reign, says wisdom. Cicero in the first book of his De Officiis says: What is more desirable than wisdom? What more excellent? What more worthy of man? Those who seek this are called Philosophers, nor is Philosophy anything other than the study of wisdom. Wisdom, however, is the knowledge of divine and human things and the causes by which those things are contained. Hence the philosopher says elsewhere: the human mind becomes mindful of its own origin, a contemplator of the highest divine wisdom, and a companion of holy Divinity. Hence man is the lantern of God (Proverbs 20), having been made a participant in divine light. Hence the admiration for ancient wisdom called men gods. A certain philosopher, when asked when he had begun to philosophize, replied: when I began to know myself. O that divine "know thyself" original: γνῶθι σεαυτὸν fallen from heaven, the identity and similarity of the Microcosm with the Macrocosm. From this follows the knowledge and recognition...