Leon Battista Alberti - The Books on the Family

Page 15

Literature of Italy - Einaudi

...of all these most searing anxieties Original: cocentissime cure. This refers to the emotional and physical pains of Lorenzo's illness and his worries for his sons' future., I do not know who could then help but hang upon them with their soul, and I believe perhaps it would not help in sustaining the burden of infirmity. Therefore, you should be praised, Lorenzo, if you remain in better spirits. And so, do this. Comfort yourself, hope for the best from both fortune and yourself first, and believe along with us—if we are not too greatly deceived—that these sons of yours will certainly be such that they will be able to satisfy you greatly.

My sons, for virtue Original: virtú. In the Renaissance, this term referred not just to moral goodness, but to a combination of skill, strength, manliness, and the effective use of one's talents to achieve great things. this was always no small prize: it forces itself to be praised. See how these men value you and how much they promise of you. It will be an honor to you, as much as lies within you, to strive with every work and art to become what they hope you to be. And every praised virtue is accustomed to grow in noble minds Original: buoni ingegni. "Ingegno" refers to innate talent, wit, or natural intellect.. Perhaps I shall say something that is not truly so, Adovardo, and you Lionardo; but let it be permitted for fathers to see the virtues of their sons as greater than they are. Nor should it be attributed to imprudence in me if, in order to ignite these boys to love virtue, I show them in your presence how much they please me, and how much I would love to see them most virtuous, since every small praise of theirs will seem great to me.

It is true that I have always, with all industry and art, strived to be loved by all more than feared; nor did it ever please me, when dealing with those who considered me a father, to wish to appear as a lord Original: signore. Lorenzo is contrasting the role of a loving, guiding father with that of a tyrannical master or political ruler, a central theme in humanist education.. And so these boys have always been obedient and reverent of their own accord, and have listened to me and followed my commands; nor did I ever see in them any hardness or any prominent vice. I have taken pleasure in their every good habit, and it seemed to me that I could hope and expect better of myself from day to day.

But who does not know how doubtful is the path of youth? In that season, if any vice existed, it remained covered and hidden out of fear or shame of fathers or elders, only to be discovered and manifested in time. And as the fear and reverence of the young diminishes, various vices are born and grow in them from day to day—sometimes through their own natural talent being depraved and corrupted, and sometimes through foul...