Marsilio Ficino and Plato’s Charmides
The following article, devoted to Ficino’s interpretation of Plato’s Charmides, consists of two parts. The first one is an introduction to Ficino’s comment. It brings up Ficino’s stylistics and the place of Charmides among the Plato’s dialogues. It seems that the decision to translate the works of Plato was not accidental. Th e philosopher’s views on governance perfectly justified the strong power of Cosimo de’ Medici in Florence. Poliziano praised his rule in his own preface to Charmides. Charmides, in turn, is an interesting dialogue because it was followed by Ficino’s censorship where the philosopher tackles Plato’s homoerotic fascinations. Th e translator, so honest and conscientious in other translations, this time decides to pare down the content of the dialogue. However, a comment written by him becomes a valuable compensation for these shortcomings. Ficino’s main philosophical notions (above all the prisca theologia doctrine) bloom in every passage of the paper. The author interweaves the wisdom of Arab mystics with the wisdom of ancient Greek mystics in order to reconcile these thoughts with the Christian revelation. Particularly interesting is the psychosomatic approach to human nature, that is the interdependence of the health of body and soul. As by the means of sophrosyne full harmony is to be discovered between them, we can even reach immortality. We are like Adam Kadmon, who, though imperfect, can improve his own and the world’s nature.
The second part of the paper is a translation of Ficino’s synopsis of the dialogue, in which the author explains what can be understood under the term sophrosyne. Temperance needs to be instilled into a man’s mind early, as early as the patient is given medication. It should be given especially to young people, to those from noble families and to the beautiful. Physical beauty, in particular, hinders striking the right balance but, on the other hand, it can also stimulate insight into the beauty of the soul. The form allows us to explore the idea. When the violent desires are tamed, it is easier to balance all other activities. Th at is the reason why “moderation is best”, as Cleobulos of Lindos would say. When both the soul and body are healed, we achieve a harmonious consonance. In the spirit of this harmony, Pythagorean magical practices agree with the thoughts of Avicenna and Hippocrates’s medical practice to end up with the mysteries of Moses. That is what they have achieved – Enoch, Elijah and St. John the Evangelist. Enriched with necessary footnotes, the translation seems to represent an important example of Italian Renaissance interpretation of Platonic thought.

The following article, devoted to Ficino’s interpretation of Plato’s Charmides, consists of two parts. The first one is an introduction to Ficino’s comment. It brings up Ficino’s stylistics and the place of Charmides among the Plato’s dialogues. It seems that the decision to translate the works of Plato was not accidental. Th e philosopher’s views on governance perfectly justified the strong power of Cosimo de’ Medici in Florence. Poliziano praised his rule in his own preface to Charmides. Charmides, in turn, is an interesting dialogue because it was followed by Ficino’s censorship where the philosopher tackles Plato’s homoerotic fascinations. Th e translator, so honest and conscientious in other translations, this time decides to pare down the content of the dialogue. However, a comment written by him becomes a valuable compensation for these shortcomings. Ficino’s main philosophical notions (above all the prisca theologia doctrine) bloom in every passage of the paper. The author interweaves the wisdom of Arab mystics with the wisdom of ancient Greek mystics in order to reconcile these thoughts with the Christian revelation. Particularly interesting is the psychosomatic approach to human nature, that is the interdependence of the health of body and soul. As by the means of sophrosyne full harmony is to be discovered between them, we can even reach immortality. We are like Adam Kadmon, who, though imperfect, can improve his own and the world’s nature.
The second part of the paper is a translation of Ficino’s synopsis of the dialogue, in which the author explains what can be understood under the term sophrosyne. Temperance needs to be instilled into a man’s mind early, as early as the patient is given medication. It should be given especially to young people, to those from noble families and to the beautiful. Physical beauty, in particular, hinders striking the right balance but, on the other hand, it can also stimulate insight into the beauty of the soul. The form allows us to explore the idea. When the violent desires are tamed, it is easier to balance all other activities. Th at is the reason why “moderation is best”, as Cleobulos of Lindos would say. When both the soul and body are healed, we achieve a harmonious consonance. In the spirit of this harmony, Pythagorean magical practices agree with the thoughts of Avicenna and Hippocrates’s medical practice to end up with the mysteries of Moses. That is what they have achieved – Enoch, Elijah and St. John the Evangelist. Enriched with necessary footnotes, the translation seems to represent an important example of Italian Renaissance interpretation of Platonic thought.