THe Doctrine of Wisedome ( like running water ) ought to be common , because , by how much any one instructeth others , by so much hee multiplieth and acquireth wisedome to himselfe , according to that , Qui alios docet , seipsum instruit , Hee that teacheth others , learneth himselfe . For knowledge is described to be an incomparable Treasure , and a noble possession of the minde , which beeing distributed by parts , taketh increase , and disdaining a couetous possessor , without distribution quickly decayeth .

I therefore considering that the Morall Distichs intituled Cato , beeing in the Latine tongue , were learned and read only in Schooles by Children , and desiring to spend my vacant houres in some commendable studie for the benefit of my Countrey , ( to which end especially we are born ) conceiued it a work of worth to translate the same in our mother tongue , both for the Instruction of such Parents , and others , as were ignorant of the Latine , and for a generall vse for which they were intended , as hereafter in this Preface I shall declare .

But first let me search into , and expresse the foure-fold cause of this worke , that concurreth to the ordering of euery thing , to wit , the Materiall , Finall , Efficient , and Formall cause .

The Materiall cause or matter of this Booke ( which is the same ) are the foure Cardinall vertues , Prudence , Iustice , Fortitude , and Temperance , which are called Cardinall , by a Metaphor or Figure , of Cardo a hinge , because as a doore is turned on the hinges , so all other vertues are reduced to these foure , as formes to their kindes . The first introduceth or bringeth in , because a man through Wisedome is brought vnto Sciences and Vertues . The Second directeth , because a man is directed by Iustice to the kingdome of Heauen . The Third ouercomes for a man is said through Fortitude to ouercome his spirituall enemies , the world , the Flesh , and the Deuill . The Fourth tempereth , for it teacheth vs to liue soberly in this world , and to abstaine from carnall desires . All which vertues , with their seuerall Daughters or Branches are copiously handled in this Booke .

The Finall cause is profit ; both priuate , as to the Authours owne sonne ; and common , as to vs ; for by perusing this booke like prudent Husbandmen , wee may extirpe or roote out vices , and sowe the seedes of vertues in our hearts , whereby with Gods assistance we may auoid the calamities of this present life , and that to come .

The efficient cause is the Authour of this Booke , which is vnknowne , or very doubtfull , so as it may be called Apocryphus , a word signifying greatly obscure : For the famous Philosopher , and Historiographer , Plutarch , setting fotth ( amongst others ) the liues of two vertuous and learned men , bearing the name of Cato , the one Marcus Portius Cato , called also Censo●●aus of being Censor ; the other likewise , M. P. Cato called also Vticensis , of Vtica , where he slue himselfe , whom he further distinguisheth with the Additions of maior the elder , and minor the yonger , sheweth that Cato maior died before , and Cato minor in the time of Julius Caesar , and that ( notwithstanding the saying of Iuuenal , Tertius è coelo cecidit Cato ) Cato maior had two Sonnes , whereof the one had also a Sonne , and that Sonne the like . And the other had two Sonnes , whereof the one was Father of Cato minor . And that Cato minor had a Sonne , the whole Progenie bearing the name of Cato , who were all extinct before the time of Augustus the second Emperour of Rome .

But I obserue in the Preface to the second Booke of these Distichs , that the Author aduiseth the Reader , if he desire to knowe the Romane and ciuill warres , ( which were those betweene Iulius Caesar and Pompey ) hee should search Lucan ; whereby it is euident that this booke was not before Lucan , who writ his worke after the time of Julius Caesar , and consequently none of the Catones could possibly be the Author therof . And therefore some father it on Seneca , who was Tutor to Nero the fift Roman Emperor ; others on golden-mouth'd Chrysostome : And it was attributed to the Poet Ausonius , by Baptista Pius , ( whose opinion some haue lately followed ) whom Joseph Scaliger in his Ausonian Lectures sharpely reprooueth , and plainely confuteth . Whereupon may be said , Indiscussa manet , & adhuc sub Judice lis est . The strife no Iudge did yet decide , But vndiscust it doth abide .

Yet some say it is thus intituled , Incipit Ethica Catonis , The Morall Science of Cato beginneth ; not because Cato composed it , but to the end it might be of the more authoritie . Others say the Title is thus , Incipit Tullius de praeceptis Catonis ; and that hee composed this worke when hee first entred Rhetoricke , but called the same by the name of Cato ( as his Treatise , intituled , Cato maior de Senectute ) that it might bee the more willingly receiued : which Tully also ( as Plutarch reciteth in the life of Caesar ) writ the praise of Cato minor , and inscribed it Cato ; and now it is intituled , Libellus elegantissimus qui inscribitur Cato , that is , a most elegant booke inscribed Cato . And the same Scaliger in the afore-mentioned place , saith , that these Distichs were inscribed with the name of Cato , because the goodnesse of Cato was knowne to all men by way of Prouerbe ; for good men , and of most approued manners , in those dayes were called Catones . And such is the censure of the learned Erasmus , exprest in an Epistle prefixed to an ancient Latine Edition of these Distichs ( wherewith the Greeke of Planudes is intermixt ) Catonis ( saith he ) ob id tantum arbitror dici , quod Sententias habeat Catone dignas . I suppose it to be called Cato , because it hath Sentences worthy of Cato .

And this name of Cato was first giuen to Cato maior , ( as Plutarch affirmeth ) for his skilfulnesse in affaires . For ( to Etymologize the word ) it may be deriued of Catus a Cat , because he was crafty as that creature , or rather of Catus , an old syncopation of Cautus , interpreted , wary , subtill and skilfull . Yet Tranquillus makes mention of one Valerius Cato , a Grammarian at Rome , who taught many , and of noble stocke , in the time of Scylla , whose fame these verses record to vs ; Cato Grammaticus Latina Syren Qui solus legit , & facit Poetas . Which may I thus translate .

Whereby it may be coniectured , and it is probable enough , that Valerius Cato , if any of the name , writ this booke , especially for his Schollers instruction , and education in vertue , and generally for the benefit of the Common-wealth , as Socrates , Isocrates , and others instructed their Countrey in morall vertues , by way of Precept . To conclude , for my part , seeing the name or person is not so much to be traced out or regarded as his good doctrine , I wil not certainly ascribe the penning of these Precepts to any one particular man , or more , more then Erasmus Maturinus Corderius , or any others haue done in their precedent Comments , or Translations , but leaue the deciding thereof , as a Schoole-question , to the deeper Schollership of others .

Now the Formall cause is , the manner of composing this Worke , which is two-fold , to wit , in Prose , as the Preface ; in Verse , as the Execution or Treatise ; for he vseth an Hexameter stile , distinguishing his worke into foure parts . Wee must note therefore that the Author premiseth a Preface to his worke , or the first booke thereof . In the first part of which Preface , considering that men beyond measure gaped after worldly desires , and were remote from the way of Trueth , he promiseth to giue them aide . In the Second he speakes to his Sonne , and all others in the person of him , insinuating vnto them an order of wel-liuing . In the Third , he treateth of Diuine worship . In the Fourth , of piety towards our Parents , and Kinred . And in the Fifth and last , hee handleth vertues and Sciences , and warnes vs to beware of vices . Which Preface being ended , hee sets vpon the Treatise , where hee executes in Meeter , what he premised in Prose , for profit , delight and ornament , and that it may bee more firmely committed to memory , euery Distich , or two Verses , ( for so the word signifies ) containing a Precept , and ( for the most part ) a Sentence , teaching vs our duety towards God and man ; as also how to demeane our selues in all estates and conuersations . So that whosoeuer was the Author , it worthily deserues , not onely of all sorts to bee gratefully receiued , diligently perused , dearely esteemed , and faithfully obserued ; but to be translated into the vulgar tongue of all Nations .

Neuerthelesse , let me by the way admonish and forewarne you ( which Erasmus hath omitted ) to beware of some fewe of these Precepts , which I haue noted with an Asteriske thus * being in part Heathenish , & contrary to Christian doctrine or not fully therewith cohering , as their seuerall Annotations in the last leafe of this Booke , vnder the Title of Necessary Notes , &c. doe make manifest .

But all the rest being iust , and appertinent to our faith and good carriage ( though they may not bee compared to that Booke of Bookes , the sacred Scripture ) wee are not onely to credit and follow ( as Saint Augustine teacheth in his Booke De Doctrina Christiana ) but to challenge and retaine them euen as our owne , the rather for that the Authour is not knowne , and if hee were , being a Heathen , hee is indeed no right owner thereof . For God made manifest his wonderfull power and wisedome in the hearts of the Heathen or Gentiles , chefly for the better instruction and confirmation of the faith of Christians to come , Graces and Gifts being not now so plenteously bestowed by him , as in ages past .

Lastly , for my study and labour in this present worke , not onely by mine owne consideration and desire , as aforesaid , but by the aduice of diuers worthy friends , I was thereunto animated ▪ and am now cherished with an assured confidence , that you will not reiect nor neglect it , for the vnlearned style or rudenesse of my Pen , but rather louingly accept it , in respect of the excellent Counsels and Sentences it containeth , and for my good will and great paines therein expended , as may appeare , not onely in the translation of the Verse , but in the addition of a Three-fold Table at the end , by mee diligently and elaborately ordred and contriued , both for pleasure and profit , and for the better vse of the originall , whereby may bee readily found any Document or Saying therein contained , either for Grammar-Schollers to insert and apply in their Theames and other exercises , or for Children to bee taught and learned both within and without Booke at the Reading-schoole , or for their Copies at the Writing-schoole , or for Men and Women vnlearned not onely to reade , vnderstand , and learne , for the furnishing of their hearts and behauiours , but to adorne their Houses with good and godly Poesies , aswel for dayly obiects to their owne optike senses , lest beeing out of sight , they should be also ( to vphold the Prouerbe ) out of minde , as also for the instruction of all Commers , or friendly visitants , that haue not been so happy as to reade the whole worke , which representeth both the beauties and blemishes of the minde , and manners ; as a Chrystall mirrour or looking glasse the conditions of each Countenance , for which cause I may iustly intitle it , The mirrour of the minde , and so leaue it in your hands as A handfull of honesty ; not vegetatiue , like the weede so called , but rationall , Philosophicall , and for the most part , Theologicall ; wishing your eyes may neuer part from it , nor the clapper of your lips take intermission before your hearts , and such , whose eares attend you , bee edified by the discipline ensuing . And so , lest vnto me yee allude the saying of the Philosopher , when hee cryed , Hoe , Citizens , shut your gates , that the Citie runne not out , I heere conclude mine , and giue place to the Authours Preface .