126 Bacon 



by syllogism, that is, by touch and reduction of them to 

 principles in a middle term. It is true that in sciences 

 popular, as moralities, laws, and the like, yea, and divinity, 

 (because it pleaseth God to apply himself to the capacity of 

 the simplest,) that form may have use; and in natural 

 philosophy likewise, by way of argument or satisfactory 

 reason, Qua assensum pant, operis effceta est: 1 but the 

 subtlety of nature and operations will not be enchained in 

 those bonds: for arguments consist of propositions, and 

 propositions of words ; and words are but the current tokens 

 or marks 2 of popular notions of things ; which notions, if 

 they be grossly and variably collected out particulars, it is 

 not the laborious examination either of consequence of argu 

 ments, or of the truth of propositions, that can ever correct 

 that error, being, as the physicians speak, in the first diges 

 tion : and therefore it was not without cause, that so many 

 excellent philosophers became Sceptics and Academics, and 

 denied any certainty of knowledge or comprehension ; and 

 held opinion that the knowledge of man extended only to 

 appearances and probabilities. It is true that in Socrates 

 it was supposed to be but a form of irony, Scientiam dis- 

 simulando simulavit? for he used to disable his knowledge, 

 to the end to enhance his knowledge: like the humour of 

 Tiberius in his beginnings, that would reign, but would not 

 acknowledge so much : 4 and in the later Academy, which 

 Cicero embraced, this opinion also of acatalepsia, 5 I doubt, 

 was not held sincerely : for that all those which excelled in 

 copie of speech seem to have chosen that sect, as that which 

 was fittest to give glory to their eloquence and variable 

 discourses; being rather like progresses of pleasure, than 

 journeys to an end. But assuredly many scattered in both 

 Academies did hold it in subtilty and integrity: but here 

 was their chief error; they charged the deceit upon the 

 senses; which in my judgment, notwithstanding all their 



1 This quotation is omitted in the Latin, nor can I find whence it 

 comes; could it be a saying of Bacon s own ? 



2 Tesserae. Arist. Interp. i. i. 2 TO. r&v tv rfj 



3 Cic. A cad. ii. 5, 15. Cf. Cic. ad Att. xiii. 19, 3. These very 

 words do not occur. 



4 Tac. Ann, i. 7, n. 



5 Cic. A cad. ii. 6, 18. where v ardXTji/as only is mentioned. Cf. 

 Nov. Org. i. 37. 



