#3: Leon Battista Alberti, Advice
Evaluate the validity of Leon Battista Alberti's advice in light of contemporary standards. Use evidence from your own experiences, reading, or observation to develop your essay and convince the reader of your ideas.
But be strong and unbroken spirit. Adversities are the material of which character is built. Whose unshakeable spirit, constant mind, energetic intelligence, indefatigable industry and art can show its full merit in favorable and quiet situation? Where fortune is easy and tranquil, who can win such praise and reputation as the man who faces a hostile and difficult fate? Conquer fortune with patience, therefore, and conquer the wickedness of men by the pursuit of virtue. Adapt yourselves to such needs as arise, adjust to the times with reason and wisdom, and accept the usage and custom of men with modesty, civility, and discretion. Above all, seek with all your intelligence, art, zeal, and labor, first to be and second to appear men of noble character. Let there be nothing more dear to you, nor more eagerly sought, than virtue. Be sure you have decided within yourselves to place knowledge and wisdom before any other thing. You will then see the conveniences fortune can give as small advantages. Let honor alone claim first place in your desire. Let fame stand first, and never subordinate reputation to riches. In the attainment of honor and reputation nothing, no matter how arduous or laborious, will seem too much for you to attempt and to carry through. You will be satisfied with the sole reward of public appreciation and high reputation. Do not doubt that a man who has excellence sooner or later sees his work bear fruit. Never lose faith in the persevering and assiduous study of the noble arts, in the continual searching out of rare and highly honorable things, in learning and following good teachings and labors. Often it is the slow debtor who pays at last with ample interest.
by Leon Battista Alberti
translation by Renee Watkins
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