The text criticizes certain societal behaviors, such as the hypocritical enforcement of haircut standards for men using religious pretense. It argues against dismissing human studies as witchcraft and emphasizes understanding good posture and behavior. The author suggests that some criticisms are more about enjoying reprimanding than improving oneself, and differences in style and spelling are highlighted as areas where people might falter.
TO THE READER
Talking about the long hair of men may well displease a Pharisaic hypocrite, who might threaten us with the barber's scissors on the Bible, to prove to us by theological arguments, that it should not be worn longer than just over the earlobes, according to Christian decency. A dimwit and dumb donkey who nevertheless needs to work if he wants to eat, would sooner be eager to attack us with hands or ropes, rather than understand how he should, with good posture, gracefully lift a package, carry, box, or transport it without harming the merchant's or lord's goods or daily wage. Those who have a visible deformity in the shape of their limbs, or bear a stigma from unfortunate predictions on their body, could dismiss the knowledge of human studies and facial observation as a devil's art and witchcraft. If they could only hear from afar that there is a subtle art that could be discerned by their gifts: Because the profit-driven and other evil desires of their gifts find too much pleasure in it, that they would want to morally improve such deficiencies in the soul, through virtues, ultimately burning out over time. Those who have adopted foul manners and unfashionable expressions in their speech and dealings with others will have us think they're mad, or want to fool them into behaving childishly unless we also attempt to teach someone how to speak, ask, burden, instruct, listen, stand still, sit, walk, or do something else in a wise and courteous manner. How a monstrous or angry person must act unsensibly is detailed in its place only for painting, and not at all for ethical conduct: For one must not put lice in pelts; and a cantankerous outburst will, beyond that, surely seek opportunities to oppose us. So we also know that those who find more natural enjoyment in rebuking than in having the courage and wisdom to bring forth something beautiful themselves, will undoubtedly know how to pick up the setbacks here as close as the haft. For some may stumble on the Lame Style, others on the ungraceful Dutch, and possibly someone may falter over their spelling: Similarly, another very much so.
Translation Notes:
- The name 'Pharisee' refers to a person who is self-righteous or hypocritical.
- 'Duyvels-konft' can be translated as 'devil's art,' suggesting practices believed to be associated with witchcraft.
- 'Meta' is likely pointing to a term related to change or transformation, possibly suggesting metamorphosis.