Prologus
The Humble Craftsman
The author acknowledges his limitations as a writer while committing to the diligent task of mirroring the virtues of the prince.
There is that well-known saying of the moralist: a craftsman can perfectly capture the nails and the soft hair of an Aemilius, yet he fails in the work as a whole because he doesn't know how to put it all together. If I were to try to put something together, I wouldn't want to live with a crooked nose, even if it were framed by dark eyes and black hair. As I follow the footsteps of Plutarch in his 'Institution of Trajan' more closely, I feel as though I am being addressed by this very image, and I'll be a laughingstock to everyone unless I pursue what I've begun with greater diligence. For I have already professed myself to be his client. I follow him, then, and will descend with him from the head of the state down to its very feet, but on this condition: if I appear too sharp in this part to those who are permitted to be ignorant of the laws, they should attribute it not to me but to Plutarch—or rather, to themselves, for refusing to learn the rule they profess and by which they are bound to live. For I added what was said about our own people with the sole intention that they might return to the path of virtue, even if against their will. For the examples of our ancestors and the greatness of an unconquered prince are enough to stir us to action; I am now gathering his titles together so that, when the trumpets and horns of others and every kind of musical instrument proclaim his praises in unison, I, a common and unlearned man, might share his praises with those like me on a shrill pipe. For who would expect a pipe joined with brass and rivaling a grander trumpet from a half-pagan?
Devotion as Compensation
The author asserts that his sincere devotion compensates for his lack of talent, while reminding leaders that corrective words are intended for their healing.
I will be there, however, and insert myself into such solemnities; and what the vein of my talent lacks, an abundance of devotion will make up. As long as the wild boar loves the mountain ridges, the fish the rivers, the bees the thyme, and the cicadas the dew, their honor, their name, and their praises will endure forever. But if leaders think that something has been said to their injury, let them be taught by the prince that bitter medicines are offered not for the destruction of the sick, but for their health. With these things set out, let the discussion move on to the rest.
Read the original Latin
NOTVM est illud ethici quia Emilium circa ludum faber unus et ungues exprimet et moUes imitabitur ere capillos, infelix operis summa, quia ponere totum nesciet. Hunc ego me si quid componere curem, non magis esse uelim quam naso uiuere prauo, spectandum nigris oculis nigroque capillo. Dum Plutarchi uestigia in Traiani Institutione familiarius sequor, meipsum hac imagine arbitror compellari, eroque ludibrio omnium, nisi diligentius persequar quod incepi. Me enim in praesenti clientem eius esse professus sum. Sequor ergo eum et a capite rei publicae cum eo ad pedes usque descendam, ea tamen conditione ut si his, quibus iura permittitur ignorare, mordacior in hac parte apparuero, id d, non michi sed Plutarco adscribant, aut sibi potius, qui regulam, quam profitentur et qua uiuendum est eis, discere noluerunt. Nam quod de nostratibus dictum est, ea sola intentione adieci ut ad uirtutis uiam redeant uel inuiti. Ek s namque ad agenda sufiiciunt animare tam exempla maiorum quam principis magnitudo inuicti, cuius titulos nunc apud me in unum congero ut, cum aliorum tuba et litui et omne genus musicomm laudes eius pariter in unum conclamabunt, ego uir plebeius et indoctus mei similibus praeconia eius fistula stridenti dispertiam. Nam quis a semipagano tibiam orichalco iunctam et emulam tubae grandioris expectet?
Adero tamen et me tantis solenniis ingeram; et quod ingenii uena subtrahit deuotionis copia subplebit. a Dum iuga montis aper, fluuios dum piscis amabit, dumque thimo pascentur apes, dum rore cicadae, semper honos nomenque suum laudesque manebunt. Quod si duces in iniuriam suam aliquid dictum putant, doceantur a principe quia non in perniciem sed salutem egrotantium propinantur amara medicinae. His praemissis ad reliqua progrediatur oratio.
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