Text.Harvet.1597-01.A2r/Translation

To the esteemed and powerful Lady Marie du Fou, widow of the noble and powerful Sir Charles Eschalard, in his lifetime Lord of La Boulaye, Counselor & Chamberlain to the King, Captain of fifty men-at-arms under the King's command, Governor & Lieutenant General for His Majesty in Fontenay-le-Comte and the region of Bas-Poitou, and Vice-Admiral in Guyenne.

Madam,

Of all the emotions that stir the soul, I believe there is none more universal than ambition. Unlike other passions, where some may lean more towards one and others towards another, this particular vice is indiscriminately common to all types of minds. There is no one, whether great, average, or small, who is not tainted by it. It is the root and source of wars, massacres, rebellions, and the downfall of cities, provinces, and kingdoms.

But what is so surprising if this disease, fueled by the impiety of flatterers who convince the powerful that everything exists for their glory, shakes both heaven and earth? There is even more reason for astonishment in matters of religion.

For although all those who profess to fear God freely admit that everything was created by Him for His own glory, how many actually strive towards this goal? Who crucified the Savior of the world? Who thereafter persecuted His Apostles? And finally, who has sown so many schisms and heresies in the Church? Considering these things, Madam, I have ceased to be amazed when I see in all human sciences so many thousands of opinions on the same matter. This is because, among philosophers, there is no less ambition than among any other group of people. Moreover, one can freely say and write what one thinks (or rather, what one wishes) without punishment. The reason for this is that there is no penalty established against those who attempt to demolish and overturn ancient opinions. On the contrary, glory and profit often follow such endeavors. Why not? They are seeking the truth.

This is the common cloak of our impudence, the pretext for the ambitious defense of our errors and fantasies. It is the sword with which we attack the most truthful conclusions and maxims. It is no longer enough to reply that this is the opinion of the most excellent authors, that it is the general consensus of all. You will be astonished when you hear whispered in your ear that you are stuck at the simplest level, that Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Galen, and their likes were merely men like others.

Indeed, I confess that these ancients were not evangelists, and it is free for anyone to contradict them. However, I will also add that it is not as easy to triumph over them as one might imagine. They say there is glory in the challenge, for nothing beautiful comes without difficulty.

Let those who wish chase the shadows of their fantasies. There is far more honor in upholding the truth, even if it is without sweat and toil, than in fighting against it with all the labor, pain, and danger one can imagine. Besides, it is certain that those who delight in danger often perish by it. Moreover, the truth can never be truly defeated. Even if it may be obscured by mists and besieged by darkness for a time, in the end, its father comes to its aid. With its own fire and brilliance, it dispels and consumes all clouds, driving away the darkness to shine brighter than the sun, crowning with immortal glory those who, despite oppression, have recognized, confessed, and maintained its cause.

For you, Madam, who have always been recognized as magnanimous (as one who was the daughter of one of the most virtuous gentlemen in the world, then the wife of a man most excellent in piety, and subsequently of another whose noble deeds are so well known that there is no need to name him for recognition), you have courageously set aside all that men call honor to embrace and defend the truth. This has inspired me to dedicate this brief discourse to you, confident that its simple arguments, adorned with truth, will be as pleasing to you as you are averse to the subtle and profound arguments that defend falsehood.

Your very humble and obedient servant, Israel Harvet.