Dialogues of Luis Vives

The Dialogues on Education are a collection of short conversations, written by Joan Lluís Vives, and dedicated to the future Spanish emperor Philip II, with the intention of instructing the monarch in morals, good manners, as well as giving him a greater and deeper knowledge of the society of his time.
Luis Vives says at the beginning of his Dialogues, addressing the young Prince Philip:

“For the knowledge of the Latin language I wrote these first exercises, which I hope will be profitable to childhood, and it seemed to me that I should dedicate them to you, docile Prince and great hope, and this for you and for the benevolence that your father always showed me, who educates your mind excellently in the upright customs of Spain, which is my homeland, whose preservation will be tomorrow entrusted to your probity and wisdom.”

Vives was born in Valencia in 1492, into a prominent family of the Jewish community that converted to Christianity to protect their integrity and property.
However, the Vives practiced Judaism in a synagogue in their home. They were discovered in the middle of a religious service and the Inquisition condemned them.
In 1509, his father decided to send him to Paris, where he studied at the Sorbonne and graduated 1512 with the degree of doctor. At that time he went to Bruges and there he received the news that his father had been executed at the stake.
Despite this tragedy, Vives had a relevant influence on the Spanish Court, through these Dialogues.

Translation by Juan Francisco Alsina.