The temperate man, or, The right way of preserving life and health, together with soundness of the senses, judgment and memory unto extream old age in three treatises / the first written by the learned Leonardus Lessius, the second by Lodowich Cornaro, a noble gentleman of Venice, the third by a famous Italian; faithfully Englished.

A TREATISE of Temperance and Sobriety.

Written by LƲD. CORN ARƲS, Translated into English by Mr. GEORGE HERBERT.

HAving observed in my time many of my friends, of ex∣cellent wit and noble dis∣position, overthrown and undone by Intemperance; who, if they had lived, would have been an ornament to the world, and a comfort to their friends: I thought fit to discover in a short Treatise, that Intemperance was not such an evil, but it might easily be remedied: which I undertake the more willingly, because divers wor∣thy young men have obliged me unto it. For when they saw their parents and kindred snatcht away in the midst

of their days, and me contrariwise, at the age of Eighty and one, strong and lusty; they had a great desire to know the way of my life, and how I came to be so. Wherefore that I may sa∣tisfie their honest desire, and withal help many others, who will take this into consideration, I will declare the causes which moved me to forsake In∣temperance, and live a sober life, ex∣pressing also the means which I have used therein. I say therefore, that the infirmities, which did not only begin, but had already gone far in me, first caused me to leave Intem∣perance, to which I was much addict∣ed: For by it, and my ill constitution, (having a most cold and moist sto∣mach) I fell into divers diseases, to wit, into the pain of the stomach, and often of the side, and the beginning of the Gout, with almost a continual fe∣ver and thirst.

From this ill temper there remained little else to be expected of me, than that after many troubles and griefs I should quickly come to an end; where∣as my life seemed as far from it by Na∣ture,

as it was near it by Intemperance? When therefore I was thus affected from the Thirty fifth year of my age to the Fortieth, having tried all reme∣dies fruitlesly, the Physicians told me that yet there was one help for me, if I could constantly pursue it, to wit, A sober and orderly life: for this had every way great force for the recover∣ing and preserving of Health, as a dis∣orderly life to the overthrowing of it; as I too well by experience found. For Temperance preserves even old men and sickly men sound: But In∣temperance destroys most healthy and flourishing constitutions: For contra∣ry causes have contrary effects, and the faults of Nature are often amend∣ed by Art, as barren grounds are made fruitful by good husbandry. They ad∣ded withal, that unless I speedily used that remedy, within a few months I should be driven to that exigent, that there would be no help for me, but Death, shortly to be expected.

Upon this, weighing their reasons with my self, and abhorring from so sudden an end, and finding my self

continually oppressed with pain and sickness, I grew fully perswaded, that all my griefs arose out of Intempe∣rance: and therefore out of an hope of avoiding death and pain, I resolved to live a temperate life.

Whereupon, being directed by them in the way I ought to hold, I under∣stood, that the food I was to use, was such as belonged to sickly constituti∣ons, and that in a small quantity. This they had told me before: But I, then not liking that kind of Diet, followed my Appetite, and did eat meats plea∣sing to my taste; and, when I felt inward heats, drank delightful wines, and that in great quantity, telling my Physicians nothing thereof, as is the custom of sick people. But after I had resolved to follow Temperance and Reason, and saw that it was no hard thing to do so, but the proper duty of man; I so addicted my self to this course of life, that I never went a foot out of the way. Upon this, I found within a few days, that I was exceedingly helped, and by con∣tinuance thereof, within less than one

year (although it may seem to some incredible) I was perfectly cured of all my infirmities.

Being now sound and well, I began to consider the force of Temperance, and to think thus with my self: If Temperance had so much power as to bring me health; how much more to preserve it: Wherefore I began to search out most diligently what meats were agreeable unto me, and what disagreeable: And I purposed to try, whether those that pleased my taste brought me commodity or discommo∣dity; and whether that Proverb, wherewith Gluttons use to defend themselves, to wit, That which savors is good and nourisheth, be consonant to truth. This upon trial I found most false: for strong and very cool wines pleased my taste best, as also melons, and other fruit; in like manner, raw lettice, fish, pork, sausages, pulse, and cake, and py-crust, and the like: and yet all these I found hurtful.

Therefore trusting on experience, I forsook all these kind of meats and drinks, and chose that wine that fit∣ted

my stomach, and in such measure, as easily might be digested: Above all, taking care never to rise with a full stomach, but so as I might well both eat and drink more. By this means, within less than a year I was not only freed from all those evils which had so long beset me, and were almost be∣come incurable; but also afterwards I fell not into that yearly disease, whereinto I was wont, when I pleased my Sense and Appetite. Which bene∣fits also still continue, because from the time that I was made whole, I never since departed from my setled course of Sobriety, whose admirable power causeth that the meat and drink that is taken in fit measure, gives true strength to the body, all super∣fluities passing away without difficul∣ty, and no ill humors being ingendred in the body.

Yet with this diet I avoided other hurtful things also, as too much heat and cold, weariness, watching, ill air, overmuch use of the benefit of marriage. For although the power of health consists most in the propor∣tion

of meat and drink, yet these fore∣named things have also their force. I preserved me also, asmuch as I could, from hatred and melancholy, and other perturbations of the mind, which have a great power over our consti∣tutions. Yet could I not so avoid all these, but that now and then I fell in∣to them; which gained me this expe∣rience, that I perceived, that they had no great power to hurt those bo∣dies, which were kept in good order by a moderate Diet: So that I can truly say, That they who in these two things that enter in at the mouth, keep a fit proportion, shall receive lit∣tle hurt from other excesses.

This Galen confirms, when he says, that immoderate heats and colds, and winds and labors did little hurt him, because in his meats and drinks he kept a due moderation; and there∣fore never was sick by any of these in∣conveniences, except it were for one only day. But mine own experience confirmeth this more; as all that know me, can testifie: For having en∣dured many heats and colds, and other

like discommodities of the body, and troubles of the mind, all these did hurt me little, whereas they hurt them ve∣ry much who live intemperately. For when my brother and others of my kindred saw some great powerful men pick quarrels against me, fearing lest I should be overthrown, they were possessed with a deep Melancholy (a thing usual to disorderly lives) which increased so much in them, that it brought them to a sudden end. But I, whom that matter ought to have affected most, received no inconve∣nience thereby, because that humor abounded not in me.

Nay, I began to perswade my self, that this suit and contention was rai∣sed by the Divine Providence, that I might know what great power a so∣ber and temperate life hath over our bodies and minds, and that at length I should be a conqueror, as also a little after it came to pass: For in the end I got the victory, to my great honor, and no less profit: whereupon also I joyed exceedingly; which excess of joy neither could do me any hurt. By

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which it is manifest, That neither melancholy, nor any other passion can hurt a temperate life.

Moreover I say, That even bruises and squats, and falls, which often kill others, can bring little grief or hurt to those that are temperate. This I found by experience, when I was Seventy years old: for riding in a Coach in great haste, it happened that the Coach was overturned, and then was dragged for a good space by the fury of the horses, whereby my head and whole body was sore hurt, and also one of my arms and legs put out of joynt. Being carried home, when the Physicians saw in what case I was, they concluded that I would die with∣in Three days. Nevertheless at a venture Two Remedies might be used, letting of blood, and purging, that the store of humors, and inflamation, and fever (which was certainly ex∣pected) might be hindred.

But I, considering what an orderly life I had led for many years together, which must needs so temper the hu∣mors of the body, that they could

not be much troubled, or make a great concourse, refused both remedies, and only commanded that my arm and leg should be set, and my whole body anointed with oyl: and so without other remedy or inconvenience I re∣covered; which seemed as a miracle to the Physicians. Whence I conclude, That they that live a temperate life, can receive little hurt from other in∣conveniences.

But my experience taught me ano∣ther thing also, to wit, That an or∣derly and regular life can hardly be al∣tered without exceeding great danger.

About Four years since, I was led by the advice of Physicians, and the daily importunity of my friends, to add something to my usual stint and measure. Divers reasons they brought, as, that old age could not be sustained with so little meat and drink; which yet needs not only to be sustained, but also to gather strength, which could not be but by meat and drink. On the other side I argued, that Nature was contented with a little, and that I had for many years continued in

good health, with that little measure; that Custom was turned into Nature, and therefore it was agreeable to rea∣son, that my years increasing, and strength decreasing, my stint of meat and drink should be diminished, ra∣ther than increased; that the patient might be proportionable to the agent, and especially since the power of my stomach every day decreased. To this agreed two Italian Proverbs, the one whereof was, * 1.1 He that will eat much, let him eat little; be∣cause by eating little he pro∣longs his life. The other Pro∣verb was, * 1.2 The meat which remaineth, profits more than that which is eaten. By which is intimated, that the hurt of too much meat is great∣er, than the commodity of meat taken in a moderate proportion.

But all these things could not de∣fend me against their importunities. Therefore, to avoid obstinacy, and gra∣tifie my friends, at lengh I yielded, and

permitted the quantity of meat to be increased, yet but Two ounces only. For whereas before the measure of my whole days meat, viz. of my bread, and eggs, and flesh, and broth, was 12 ounces exactly weighed; I increased it to the quantity of 2 ounces more: and the measure of my drink, which before was 14 ounces, I made now 16.

This addition after ten days wrought so much upon me, that of a chearful and merry man I became melancholy and cholerick; so that all things were troublesome to me: neither did I know well, what I did or said. On the Twelfth day, a pain of the side took me, which held me Two and twenty hours. Upon the neck of it came a terrible fever, which continued Thirty five days and nights; although after the Fifteenth day it grew less and less. Besides all this, I could not sleep, no not a quarter of an hour: whereupon all gave me for dead.

Nevertheless, I by the grace of God cured my self, only with returning to my former course of Diet, although I was now Seventy eight years old, and

my body spent with extream leanness, and the season of the year was winter and most cold air. And I am confi∣dent, that under God nothing holp me, but that exact rule which I had so long continued. In all which time I felt no grief, save now then a little in∣disposition for a day or Two.

For the Temperance of so many years spent all ill humors, and suffered not any new of that kind to arise, nei∣ther the good humors to be corrup∣ted or contract any ill quality, as usually happens in old mens bodies, which live without rule. For there is no malignity of old age in the hu∣mors of my body, which commonly kills men. And that new one, which I contracted by breaking my diet, al∣though it was a sore evil, yet had no power to kill me.

By this it may clearly be perceived, how great is the power of order and disorder; whereof the one kept me well for many years; the other, though it was but a little excess, in a few days had so soon overthrown me. If the world consist of order, if our corporal

life depend on the harmony of humors and elements, it is no wonder that or∣der should preserve, and disorder de∣stroy. Order makes arts easie, and armies victorious, and retains and confirms kingdoms, cities, and fami∣lies in peace. Whence I conclude, that an orderly life is the most sure way and ground of health and long days, and the true and only medicine of ma∣ny diseases.

Neither can any man deny this, who will narrowly consider it. Hence it comes, that a Physician, when he cometh to visit his Patient, prescribes this Physick first, That he use a mode∣rate diet: and when he hath cured him, commends this also to him, if he will live in health. Neither is it to be doubted, but that he shall ever after live free from diseases, if he will keep such a course of life; because this will cut off all causes of diseases, so that he shall need neither Physick nor Phy∣sician: yea, if he will give his mind to those things which he should, he will prove himself a Physician, and that a very compleat one: For indeed no man

can be a perfect Physician to another, but to himself only. The reason where∣of is this, Every one by long expe∣rience may know the qualities of his own nature, and what hidden pro∣perties it hath, what meat and drink agrees best with it; which things in others cannot be known without such observation, as is not easily to be made upon others; especially since there is a greater diversity of tempers, than of faces. Who would believe that old wine should hurt my stomach, and new should help it; or that cinnamon should heat me more than pepper? What Physician could have discovered these hidden qualities to me, if I had not found them out by long expe∣rience? Wherefore one to another can∣not be a perfect Physician. Whereup∣on I conclude, since none can have a better Physician than himself, nor bet∣ter Physick than a Temperate Life; Temperance by all means is to be im∣braced.

Nevertheless, I deny not but that Physicians are necessary, and greatly to be esteemed for the knowing and

curing of diseases, into which they often fall, who live disorderly: For if a friend who visits thee in thy sick∣ness and only comforts and condoles, doth perform an acceptable thing to thee; how much more dearly should a Physician be esteemed, who not only as a friend doth visit thee, but help thee!

But that a man may preserve him∣self in health, I advise, that instead of a Physician a regular life is to be imbra∣ced, which, as is manifest by experi∣ence, is a natural Physick most agreea∣ble to us, and also doth preserve even ill tempers in good health, and procure that they prolong their life even to a hundred years and more, and that at length they shut up their days like a Lamp, only by a pure consumption of the radical moisture, without grief or perturbation of humors. Many have thought that this could be done by Au∣rum potabile, or the Philosophers-stone, sought of many, and found of few. But surely there is no such matter, if Tem∣perance be wanting.

But sensual men (as most are) desiring to satisfie their Appetite, and pamper

their belly, although they see them∣selves ill-handled by their intemper∣ance, yet shun a sober life: because they say, It is better to please the Appetite (though they live Ten years less than otherwise they should do) than always to live under bit and bridle. But they consider not, of how great moment Ten years are in mature age, wherein wis∣dom and all kind of vertues is most vi∣gorous; which, but in that age, can hard∣ly be perfected. And that I may say no∣thing of other things, are not almost all the learned books that we have, writ∣ten by their Authors in that age, and those Ten years, which they set at nought in regard of their belly?

Besides, these Belly-gods say, that an orderly life is so hard a thing that it cannot be kept. To this I answer, that Galen kept it, and held it, for the best Physick: so did Plato also, and Isocrates, and Tully, and many others of the an∣cient; and in our age, Paul the Third, and Cardinal Bembo, who therefore lived so long; and among other Dukes, Laudus, and Donatus, and many others of inferior condition, not only in the

city, but also in villages and hamlets:

Wherefore since many have obser∣ved a regular life, both of old times and later years, it is no such thing which may not be performed; especially since in observing it, there needs not many and curious things, but only that a man should begin and by little and lit∣tle accustom himself unto it.

Neither, doth it hinder, that Plato says, That they who are imployed in the common-wealth, cannot live regu∣larly, because they must often endure heats, and colds, and winds, and show∣ers, and divers labors, which suit not with an orderly life: For I answer, that those inconveniences are of no great moment (as I shewed before) if a man be temperate in meat and drink; which is both easie for common-weals-men, and very convenient, both that they may preserve themselves from diseases, which hinder publick imployment; as also that their mind, in all things wherein they deal, may be more lively and vigorous.

But some may say, he which lives a regular life, eating always light meats,

and in a little quantity, what diet shall he use in diseases, which being in health he hath anticapated? I answer first; Na∣ture, which endeavors to preserve a man as much as she can, teacheth us how to govern our selves in sickness: For suddenly it takes away our appe∣tite, so that we can eat but a very little, wherewith she is very well contented: So that a sick man, whether he hath li∣ved heretofore orderly or disorderly, when he is sick, ought not to eat, but such meats as are agreeable to his dis∣ease, and that in much smaller quanti∣ty than when he was well. For if he should keep his former proportion; Na∣ture, which is already burdened with a disease, would be wholly oppressed. Se∣condly, I answer better, That he which lives a temperate life, cannot fall into diseases, and but very seldom into indis∣positions; Because Temperance takes away the causes of diseases; and the cause being taken away, there is no place for the effect.

Wherefore since an orderly life is so profitable, so vertuous, so decent, and so holy it is worthy by all means to be

imbraced; especially since it is easie and most agreeable to the Nature of Man. No man that follows it, is bound to eat and drink so little as I: No man is for∣bidden to eat fruit or fish, which I eat not: For I eat little, because a little suffi∣ceth my weak stomach: and I abstain from fruit, and fish, and the like, be∣cause they hurt me. But they who find benefit in these meats, may, yea ought to use them: yet all must needs take heed, lest they take a greater quantity of any meat or drink (though most a∣greeable to them) then their stomach can easily digest: So that he which is of∣fended with no kind of meat and drink, hath the quantity, and not the quality for his rule, which is very easie to be observed.

Let no man here object unto me, That there are many, who though they live disorderly, yet continue in health to their lives end: Because, since this is at the best but uncertain, dangerous, and very rare, the presuming upon it ought not to lead us to a disorderly life.

It is not the part of a wise man, to ex∣pose himself to so many dangers of dis∣cases

and death, only upon a hope of an happy issue, which yet befalls very few. An old man of an ill constitution, but li∣ving orderly, is more sure of life, than the most strong young man who lives disorderly.

But some, too much given to Appe∣tite, object, that a long life is no such desirable thing, because that after one is once Sixty five years old, all the time we live after, is rather death than life. But these err greatly, as I will shew by my self, recounting the delights and pleasures in this age of 83, which now I take, and which are such, as that men generally account me happy.

I am continually in health, and I am so nimble, that I can easily get on horse∣back without the advantage of the ground, and sometimes I go up high stairs and hills on foot. Then, I am ever chearful, merry, and well-contented, free from all troubles and troublesome thoughts; in whose place, joy and peace have taken up their standing in my heart. I am not weary of life, which I pass with great delight. I confer often with worthy men, excelling in wit,

learning, behavior, and other vertues. When I cannot have their company, I give my self to the reading of some learned book, and afterwards to wri∣ting; makinglit my aim in all things, how I may help others to the furthest of my power.

All these things I do at my ease, and at fit seasons, and in mine own houses; which, besides that they are in the fair∣est place of this learned City of Padua, are very beautiful and convenient a∣bove most in this age, being so built by me according to the rules of Archi∣tecture, that they are coll in summer, and warm in winter.

I enjoy aso my gardens, and those di∣vers, parted with rills of running wa∣ter, which truly is very delightful. Sometimes of the year I injoy the plea∣sure of the Euganean hills, where also I have fountains and gardens, and a very convenient house. At other times, I re∣pair to a village of mine; seated in the valley; which is therefore very plea∣sant, because many ways thither are so ordered, that they all meet and end in a fain plot of ground; in the midst

whereof is a Church suitable to the condition of the place. This place is washed with the river Brenta; on both sides whereof are great and fruitful fields, well manured and adorned: with many habitations. In former time it was not so, because the place was moorish and unhealthy, fitter for beasts than men. But I drained the ground, and made the air good: Whereupon men flockt thither, and built houses with happy success. By this means the place is come to that perfection we now see it is: So that I can truly say, that I have both given God a Temple, and men to worship him in it: The memory where∣of is exceeding delightful to me.

Sometimes I ride to some of the neighbor cities, that I may enjoy the sight & communication of my friends, as also of excellent Artificers in Archi∣tecture, painting, stone-cutting, musick, and husbandry, whereof in this age there is great plenty. I view their pieces, I com∣pare them with those of Antiquity; and ever I learn somewhat which is worthy of my knowledg: I survey places, gar∣dens, antiquities, publick fabricks, tem∣ples,

and fortifications: neither omit I any thing that may either teach, or delight me. I am much pleased also in my tra∣vels, with the beauty of situation. Nei∣ther is this my pleasure made less by the decaying dulness of my senses, which are all in their perfect vigor, but especially my Taste; so that any simple fare is more savoury to me now, than heretofore, when I was given to disor∣der and all the delights that could be.

To change my bed, troubles me not; I sleep well and quietly any where, and my dreams are fair and pleasant. But this chiefly delights me, that my advice hath taken effect in the reducing of many rude and untoiled places in my country, to cultivation and good hus∣bandry. I was one of those that was de∣puted for the managing of that work, and abode in those fenny places two whole months in the heat of summer (which in Italy is very great) receiving not any hurt or inconvenience there∣by: So great is the power and efficacy of that Temperance which ever accom∣panied me.

These are the delights and solaces of

my old age, which is altogether to be preferred before others youth: Because that by Temperance and the Grace of God I feel not those perturbations of body and mind, wherewith infinite both young and old are afflicted.

Moreover, by this also, in what estate I am, may be discovered, because at these years (viz. 83.) I have made a most pleasant Comedy, full of honest wit and merriment: which kind of Po∣ems useth to be the child of Youth, which it most suits withal for variety and pleasantness; as a Tragedy with old Age, by reason of the sad events which it contains. And if a Greek Poet of old was praised, that at the age of 73 years he writ a Tragedy; why should I be ac∣counted less happy, or less my self, who being Ten years older have made a Comedy?

Now lest there should be any delight wanting to my old age, I daily behold a kind of immortality in the succession of my posterity. For when I come home, I find eleven grand-children of mine, all the sons of one father and mo∣ther, all in perfect health; all, as far as I

can conjecture, very apt and well given both for learning and behavior. I am delighted with their musick and fa∣shion, and I my self also sing often; be∣cause I have now a clearer voice, than ever I had in my life.

By which it is evident, That the life which I live at this age, is not a dead, dumpish, and sower life; but chearful, lively and pleasant. Neither, if I had my wish, would I change age and consti∣tution with them who follow their youthful appetites, although they be of a most strong temper: Because such are daily exposed to a thousand dan∣gers and deaths, as daily experience sheweth, and I also, when I was a young man, too well found. I know how in∣considerate that age is, and, though subject to death, yet continually afraid of it: For death to all young men is a terrible thing, as also to those that live in sin, and follow their appetites: whereas I by the experience of so ma∣ny years have learned to give way to Reason: whence it seems to me, not on∣ly a shameful thing to fear that which cannot be avoided; but also I hope,

when I shall come ta that point, I shall find no little comfort in the favor of Jesus Christ. Yet I am sure, that my end is far from me: for I know that (set∣ting casualties aside) I shall not die but by a pure resolution: because that by the regularity of my life I have shut out death all other ways. And that is a fair and desirable death, which Nature brings by way of resolution.

Since therefore a Temperate life is so happy and pleasant a thing; what remains, but that I should wish all who have the care of themselves, to imbrace it with open arms?

Many things more might be said in commendation hereof: but lest in any thing I forsake that Temperance which I have found so good, I here make an End.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mangerà più, chi manco man∣gia. Ed è contrario. Chi più onangia, manco man∣gia. Il senso, è Poco vive; chi treppo sparechia.
• * 1.2

  Fa più pro quel' che si lascia sul' tondo, che quel' che si mette nel ventre.