Dedication, 1601-06-15, Heinrich Nollius to Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
| Author: | Heinrich Nollius |
| Recipient: | Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | 15 June 1601 |
| Place: | Marburg |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5644 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Rudolph Goclenius, Themata ex philosophia deprompta pro ingenii sui modulo, Defendent:, Marburg: Paul Egenolff 1601, sig. A2r-A2v [BP.Nollius.1601-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Nollius expresses his admiration for the flourishing state of various disciplines in Germany during their era. He emphasizes his dedication to scholarly pursuits, undeterred by those who dismiss sciences as mere curiosity. Nollius argues that while philosophical studies might not directly contribute to practical inventions like milling machines, they play a crucial role in eradicating ignorance and sharpening the intellect. He draws a parallel between the pursuit of knowledge and the divine, suggesting that those devoted to learning are in alignment with the creator's intent. Nollius also reflects on the historical commitment of their forefathers to education and governance, highlighting the importance of passing down a legacy of learning and virtue. He acknowledges the personal challenges he faces, including worldly misfortunes that threaten his studies, but remains resilient in his academic endeavors. In a gesture of respect and hope for support, Nollius dedicates his intellectual work to Prince Maurice, seeking his patronage. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. A2r] Illustrissimo et generosissimo Principi, Dn. Mauritio, Landgrauio in Hassia, Comiti in Catineliboco, Diez, & Nidda, suo Domino clementissimo.
Qvoties mecum perpendo, Illustrissime Princeps, Omnes disciplinas in Germania hoc nostro tempore plenè florere, toties ad studiorum honestorum, quæ maximè amplector, amorem incitor: Non me abstrahit ab iis secta eorum, qui sanctitatem in ore habent, otio, supinitate, aut flagitiosa licentia marcentes, scientias contemnunt titulo curiositatis, sed potiùs ab ista secta ad studia adigor: Etsi enim studiorum phiolosophicorum indagatio ad machinas farinarias conficiendas non est utilis, exuit tamen animum inscitiæ rubigine, acuitq́ue ad alia. Eo denique splendore afficit, ut præluceat sibi ad nanciscendum primi opificis similitudinem. Qui ut omnia plenè ac perfectè est, ac præter & supra omnia: ita eos, qui scientiarum studiosi sunt, suops esse voluit, ipsumq́ue intellectum rerum dominum constituit. Hinc patres nostri in literis tot annos, tot secula sudarunt, ex his illud, quò alios perfectè erudire quiverint, hauserunt, modum administrandi remp[ublicam] docuerunt. Qua ratione paterfamiliâs suam familiam benè gubernare posset, tradiderunt, & in hoc tandem incubuerunt, ut eruditionis, & sedulæ in literas inquisitionis exemplum posteris relinquerent, quo posteri ipsos inspicientes similem laudem in virtute & doctrina reportare laborarent. Quid igitur à studiis philosophiæ & aliarum facultatum me avocet? Quæ mala studiis meis impedeimentum afferant? Nihil, inquam, a literis me abripere poterit, nisi infelicitas mundana, quæ me nocte dieq́ue premit, quæ mihi semper peri- [sig. A2v] culum studiorum meorum minatur: ast ego, quamvis magnam molestiam ipsa mihi intulerit, tamen sæpè me sustuli, & adhuc ex eâ me explicare molior, sed meæ vires labefactantur, & minuuntur, fortuna à me abit, me fugit, sic mea studia tandem tota labentur, & ita Musæ meæ deprimentur, nihilq́ue salutis sibi sperandum esse putabunt, nisi Mecœnatem, tutoremq́ue sibi inveniant. Eum spero fore Tuam augustissimum Celsitudinem. Itaque ei hos ingenii mei primos fœtus offero, & dedico, rogans submissè, ut illos, quamvis exiles, animo benigno suspiciat, & mea studia clementer sibi commendata esse patiatur. Cursim Marpurgi è Museo 15. Junii, Anno 1601.
Tuæ Celsitudini subjectissimus
Heinricus Nollius studiosus Philosophiæ.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 30 December 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the Most Illustrious and Most Generous Prince, Lord Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse, Count of Catzenelnbogen, Diez, and Nidda, his most merciful Lord.
Whenever I consider, Most Illustrious Prince, that all disciplines are fully flourishing in Germany in our time, I am repeatedly inspired towards a love of honorable studies, which I embrace most ardently. I am not drawn away from these by the sect of those who, while having sanctity on their lips, languish in idleness, sloth, or scandalous license, and scorn sciences under the pretext of curiosity. Rather, it is from this sect that I am driven to studies: For although the pursuit of philosophical studies may not be useful for constructing milling machines, it nevertheless strips the mind of the rust of ignorance and sharpens it for other things. It ultimately bestows such brilliance that it shines forth in itself to attain the likeness of the first creator. As he is all-encompassing and perfect, beyond and above everything: so he wanted those who are students of sciences to be his own, and he established the intellect as the master of things. Hence, our forefathers toiled in letters for so many years, so many centuries, drawing from them that which enabled them to educate others perfectly, taught the method of administering the state. They conveyed how a head of a family could well govern his household, and finally, they endeavored to leave an example of erudition and diligent inquiry into letters for posterity, so that their descendants, looking upon them, might strive to attain similar praise in virtue and learning. What, then, could divert me from the studies of philosophy and other faculties? What evils could impede my studies? Nothing, I say, can tear me away from letters, except worldly misfortune, which presses upon me night and day, and always threatens the peril of my studies: but I, although it has brought me great trouble, have often lifted myself up, and still strive to extricate myself from it, but my strength is weakened and diminished, fortune departs from me, flees me, thus my studies will eventually completely collapse, and so my Muses will be depressed, and they will think that there is no hope of salvation for themselves, unless they find a patron and protector. I hope that will be Your most august Highness. Therefore, I offer and dedicate these first fruits of my intellect to you, humbly asking that you regard them, although modest, with a kind mind, and allow my studies to be commendably entrusted to you. Hastily from Marburg in my study, June 15, 1601.
Most submissive to Your Highness,
Heinrich Nollius, student of Philosophy.
