Quae sit prima contemplatio hominis sapientiam
The Necessity of Self-Knowledge
True wisdom begins with the contemplation of the self, yet many fail by focusing on external things while neglecting their own inner state.
about the one who is striving, and what the fruit of this contemplation is. Therefore, the first step for anyone seeking wisdom is to contemplate what they are, what is within them, what is outside, what is below, what is above, what is against them, and what is before or after them. Perhaps this is why those who took care to hand down the first elements of all philosophy to posterity thought it necessary to observe the substance of individual things: their quantity, relation, quality, position, place, time, possession, action, and passion, along with their properties in all these things—whether they admit of degree, whether they are susceptible to opposites, and whether anything can be found that is contrary to them. They did this prudently and diligently, even if they were more negligent in that they did not attain knowledge of themselves in such a great light of things, and lost the knowledge of the inaccessible light, while they became futile in their own thoughts; and claiming to be wise, they became fools, and their foolish heart was darkened. This is proven by the fact that, having been given over to shameful passions, they did things that were not fitting for their sex, age, fortune, or nature, and they disgraced the persons of all through the testimony of their works. Indeed, they were given over to a reprobate mind, which is plain to those who know the Apostle more fully. However, the most valid argument for everything is that one should judge the faith and sincerity of individuals by their works. For the works that a person does bear witness to him.
The Fruits of Contemplation
Self-knowledge, urged by both ancient wisdom and scripture, leads to the fourfold fruit of humility, love for neighbor, contempt for the world, and love for God.
But if you don't know yourself, what is it that you actually know? “If you don't know yourself,” it says, “you who are the most beautiful among women, go follow the tracks of the shepherds and graze your flocks.” This is the oracle of Apollo, believed to have come down from heaven: Gnothi seauton, which means, “Know yourself.” The moralist didn't miss this, saying: “Learn, you wretches, and understand the causes of things: what we are, or what we are born to be, what order is given, or what the boundaries of our shifting life are and where they come from, what the measure of money is, what it is right to desire, what useful thing harsh coin holds, how much it is fitting to give to children and dear relatives, what God has commanded you to be, and in what part of the world you are placed.” For this contemplation produces a fourfold fruit: humility regarding oneself, love for one's neighbor, contempt for the world, and love for God. Isn't it a good tree that produces such sweet fruit and offers such great benefit? Certainly, anyone who is small in their own eyes doesn't grow proud. While everyone thinks about the number of things they desire—whether present or absent—who doesn't blush at their own poverty?
The Humble Heart
The realization of one's own limitations and desires leads to a state of holy sorrow and humble prayer before the Lord.
If anyone considers what they shouldn't desire in themselves, they'll find a constant source of modest sorrow and humility. Wherever they turn, those who ask the Lord for strength find themselves humbled, saying: "I am humbled in every way; give me life according to your word." And again: "I am ready for the lash, and my sorrow is always before me."
Read the original Latin
affedantis, et quis sit frudus speculationis huius. Est ergo primum hominis sapientiam affectantis, quid ipse sit, quid intra se, quid extra, quid infra, quid supra, quid contra, quid ante uel postea sit, contemplari. Inde est forte quod illi, qui prima totius philosophiae elementa posteris tradere curauerunt, substantiam singulorum arbitrati sunt intuendam, quantitatem, ad aliquid, qualitatem, situm esse, ubi, quando, habere, facere, et pati, et suas in omnibus his proprietates, an intensionem admittant, et susceptibilia sint contrariorum, et an eis ipsis aliquid inueniatur aduersum. Prouide quidem haec et diligenter, etsi in eo neghgentiores extiterint, quod sui ipsius notitiam in tanta rerum luce non assecuti sunt, et lucis inaccessibihs notitiam perdiderunt, dum euanuerunt in cogitationibus suis, et dicentes se esse sapientes stulti facti sunt, et obscuratum est insipiens cor eorum. Quod ex eo conuincitur, quod traditi in passiones ignominiae faciebant quae nec sexui nec etati nec fortunae conueniant nec naturae, et personas omnium operis testimonio deuenustent. Dati siquidem sunt in sensum reprobum, quod planum est his a qui Apostolum plenius nouerunt. Argumentum tamen ad omnia ualidissimum est, ut de fide et sinceritate singulorum credatur operibus suis. Opera enim quae facit aliquis, testimonium perhibent de eo.
Verum qui seipsum ignorat, quid utiliter nouit? Si ignoras, inquit, te pulcherrima inter mulieres, abi post uestigia sodalium et post greges. Oraculum Apollinis est et descendisse de celo creditur: Noti seliton, id est, Scito teipsum. Non nesciuit hoc ethicus dicens: Discite et o miseri causas cognoscite rerum, quid sumus, aut quidnam uicturi gignimur, ordo quis datur, aut metae quam moUis flexus et unde, quis modus argento, quid fas optare, quid asper utile nummus habet, pueris carisque propinquis quantum elargiri deceat, quem te Deus esse iussit, et humana qua parte locatus es in re. Haec etenim contemplatio quadripertitum parit fructum, uilitatem sui, caritatem proximi, contemptum mundi, amorem Dei. Annon est arbor bona, quae tantam fructuum dulcedinem affert, tantam affert utilitatem'? Certe non superbit qui paruulus est in oculis suis. Dum quisque quae adsunt uel absunt expetibilium numerum cogitat, quis de sua paupertate non erubescit?
Si quis non appetenda sui recenseat, ei iugis materia modesti doloris et humilitatis occurrit. Quocumque se uertat, in seipso deicitur, qui petit a Domino confortari dicens: Humiliatus sum usquequaque, uiuifica me secundum eloquium tuum. Itemque: Ego, inquit, in flagella paratus sum, et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper.
Policraticus companion
Study the argument weekly; pray the tradition daily
Pair the outline with the Chosen Portion app, which serves short daily portions from the same royal devotional tradition — free on iOS.
John of Salisbury argued that rulers must keep the law of God before their eyes daily; Chosen Portion gives modern readers that same daily discipline in five minutes a morning.
- 8 weeks, one book per week, with the 3-4 key chapters flagged in each
- Discussion questions usable for a reading group from week one
- A daily 5-minute companion portion in the app alongside your weekly study