62 NOVUM OROANUM 



selves, are ancient and elder, with respect to the world mod 

 ern and younger. And as we expect a greater knowledge 

 of human affairs, and more mature judgment from an old 

 man than from a youth, on account of his experience, and 

 the variety and number of things he has seen, heard, and 

 meditated upon, so we have reason to expect much greater 

 things of our own age (if it knew but its strength and would 

 essay and exert it) than from antiquity, since the world has 

 grown older, and its stock has been increased and accumu 

 lated with an infinite number of experiments and observa 

 tions. 



We must also take into our consideration that many ob 

 jects in nature fit to throw light upon philosophy have been 

 exposed to our view, and discovered by means of long voy 

 ages and travels, in which our times have abounded. It 

 would, indeed, be dishonorable to mankind, if the regions 

 of the material globe, the earth, the sea, and stars, should 

 be so prodigiously developed and illustrated in our age, and 

 yet the boundaries of the intellectual globe should be con 

 fined to the narrow discoveries of the ancients. 



With regard to authority, it is the greatest weakness to 

 attribute infinite credit to particular authors, and to refuse 

 his own prerogative to time, the author of all authors, and, 

 therefore, of all authority. For truth is rightly named the 

 daughter of time, not of authority. It is not wonderful, 

 therefore, if the bonds of antiquity, authority, and unanim 

 ity, have so enchained the power of man, that he is unable 

 (as if bewitched) to become familiar with things themselves. 



LXXXV. Nor is it only the admiration of antiquity, 

 authority, and unanimity, that has forced man s industry 

 to rest satisfied with present discoveries, but, also, the ad 

 miration of the effects already placed within his power. For 



