Two Books of the Elements of Rhetoric

lay buried under the most foolish squabbles, which did not pertain to the matter at all. Furthermore, regarding the use of the art in reading good authors, or in judging serious controversies, no one gave any advice. Finally, an utterly adulterated Dialectics was being taught instead of the native one. Therefore, asked by some, I selected the necessary precepts from those immense volumes, the power and use of which could not be seen before, as they lay hidden in the crowd of other useless instructions. I also added examples, taken from the best authors, in which the use of the art could be discerned. Many approved of these elements at that time for this reason, that they gave diligent warnings about the use of the art. Therefore, since I hoped they would be profitable to adolescents, I did not strongly resist those who urged me toward publication. However, I wanted nothing less than to lead the youth away from other good writers. Aristotle certainly cannot be understood unless we bring to him a summary of the art and some prepared judgment. Therefore, these elements do not deter one from Aristotle, but invite students to his reading. The books of Rodolphus Agricola also exist, which I believe should be read most diligently. Recently the books of Joannes Caesareus have been published, which contain the whole art, and were written for the grasp of the first age. Therefore, I would wish them to be proposed to adolescents in all schools as a proper Methodus method/system. Certainly, for those who use my little books,