268 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 
“pas have I made as it were a small globe of the 
intellectual world, as truly and faithfully as I could 
discover; with a note and description of those parts 
which seem to me not constantly occupate, or not well 
converted by the labour of man. In which, if I have in 
any point receded from that which is commonly received, 
it hath been with a purpose of proceeding 7 melius, and 
not 2” aliud; a mind of amendment and proficience, and 
not of change and difference. For I could not be true 
and constant to the argument I handle, if I were not 
willing to go beyond others; but yet not more willing 
than to have others go beyond me again: which may 
the better appear by this, that I have propounded my 
opinions naked and unarmed, not seeking to preoccupate 
the liberty of men’s judgements by confutations. For in 
anything which is well set down, I am in good hope, that 
if the first reading move an objection, the second reading 
will make an answer. And in those things wherein I 
have erred, I am sure I have not prejudiced the right by 
litigious arguments; which certainly have this contrary 
effect and operation, that they add authority to error, and 
destroy the authority of that which is well invented. For 
question is an honour and preferment to falsehood, as on 
the other side it is a repulse to truth. But the errors I 
claim and challenge to myself as mine own, The good, if 
any be, is due fanguam adeps sacrificti, to be incensed to 
the honour, first of the Divine Majesty, and next of your 
Majesty, to whom on earth I am most bounden. 
