"
(In the hand of Lodovico.)
"He says he will help me to pay Consiglio."(75)
Nevertheless, Milanesi tells us in a note, Lodovico settled with
Consiglio, to whom he owed ninety gold florins, in the way Michael Angelo
did not approve and after going to law about it. A letter of Lodovico's
refers to the kindness of Michael Angelo in establishing his brothers in
the cloth business. It is dated December 19, 1500. "... and more, I know
that you have advanced money, and the love you have for your brothers; it
is a great consolation to me. About this matter of the money with which
you wish to set up Buonarroto and Giansimone in a shop, I have hunted and
I am still hunting, but as yet I have not found anything to please me.
True it is I have my hands on a good thing, but it is necessary to keep
one's eyes open and to take care not to get into difficulties; I want to
go slowly and with good counsel, and I will tell you all about it day by
day. Buonarroto tells me how you live yonder, very economically, or rather
penuriously; economy is good, but penuriousness is evil, for it is a vice
displeasing to God and man, and, moreover, it is bad for the body and
soul. Whilst you are young you will be able to bear these hardships for a
time, but when the strength of youth fails you, disease and infirmities
will develop, for they are engendered by hardship, mean living, and
penurious habits. As I said, economy is good. But, above all, do not be
penurious; live moderately and do not stint yourself; above all things
avoid hardships, because in your art, if you fall ill (which God forbid),
you are a lost man; above all things have a care of your head, keep it
moderately warm, and never wash; have yourself rubbed down, but never
wash.
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