v. 2] | THE FIRST BOOK. 39 
be done, wonder that it can be done; and as soon as 
it is done, wonder again that it was no sooner done: 
as we see in the expedition of Alexander into Asia, 
which at first was prejudged as a vast and impossible 
enterprise ; and yet afterwards it pleaseth Livy to make 
no more of it than this, 1V27 aliud quam bene ausus vana 
contemnere. And the same happened to Columbus in the 
western navigation. But in intellectual matters it is 
much more common; as may be seen in most of the 
propositions of Euclid; which till they be demonstrate, 
they seem strange to our assent; but being demonstrate, 
our mind accepteth of them by a kind of relation (as the 
lawyers speak) as if we had known them before. 
3. Another error, that hath also some affinity with the 
former, is a conceit that of former opinions or sects after 
variety and examination the best hath still prevailed and 
suppressed the rest; so as if a man should begin the 
labour of a new search, he were but like to light upon 
somewhat formerly rejected, and by rejection brought into 
oblivion: as if the multitude, or the wisest for the mult- 
itude’s sake, were not ready to give passage rather to that 
which is popular and superficial, than to that which is 
substantial and profound; for the truth is, that time 
seemeth to be of the nature of a river or stream, whic 
carrieth down to us that which is light and blown up, an 
sinketh and drowneth that which is weighty and solid. 
4. Another error, of a diverse nature from all the 
former, is the over-early and peremptory reduction of 
knowledge into arts and methods ; from which time 
commonly sciences receive small or no augmentation. 
But as young men, when they knit and shape perfectly, 
do seldom grow to a further stature; so knowledge, while 
it is in aphorisms and observations, it is in growth: but 
