106 NOVUM OEGANUM 



tion (if it may be so termed) is both more sound and more 

 noble than the other two. Now the empire of man over 

 things is founded on the arts and sciences alone, for nature 

 is only to be commanded by obeying her. 



Besides this, if the benefit of any particular invention has 

 had such an effect as to induce men to consider him greater 

 than a man, who has thus obliged the whole race, how 

 much more exalted will that discovery be, which leads to 

 the easy discovery of everything else! Yet (to speak the 

 truth) in the same manner as we are very thankful for light 

 which enables us to enter on our way, to practice arts, to 

 read, to distinguish each other, and yet sight is more excel 

 lent and beautiful than the various uses of light; so is the 

 contemplation of things as they are, free from superstition 

 or imposture, error or confusion, much more dignified in 

 itself than all the advantage to be derived from discoveries. 



Lastly, let none be alarmed at the objection of the arts 

 and sciences becoming depraved to malevolent or luxurious 

 purposes and the like, for the same can be said of every 

 worldly good; talent, courage, strength, beauty, riches, 

 light itself, and the rest. Only let mankind regain their 

 rights over nature, assigned to them by the gift of God, 

 and obtain that power, whose exercise will be governed by 

 right reason and true religion. 



CXXX. But it is time for us to lay down the art of 

 interpreting nature, to which we attribute no absolute ne 

 cessity (as if nothing could be done without it) nor perfec 

 tion, although we think that our precepts are most useful 

 and correct. For we are of opinion, that if men had at 

 their command a proper history of nature and experience, 

 and would apply themselves steadily to it, and could 

 bind themselves to two things: 1, to lay aside received 



