Arms vs. Letters
The Count finds the practice of ARMS to be the chief profession and aim of the ideal Courtier. When Bembo objects the Count rejoins:
“…wait until you can hear of a contest wherein the one who defends the cause of arms is permitted to use arms, just as those who defend letters make use of letters in defending their own cause; for if everyone avails himself of his own weapons, you will see that the men of letters will lose.”
(Castiglione The Book of the Courtier, Norton Critical Edition, 53)
