78 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



112. In the mean time, let no one be alarmed at the 

 multitude of particulars, but rather inclined to hope on 

 that very account. For the particular phenomena of the 

 arts and nature are in reality but as a handful, when com 

 pared with the fictions of the imagination removed and 

 separated from the evidence of facts. The termination of 

 our method is clear, and I had almost said, near at hand ; 

 the other admits of no termination but only of infinite con 

 fusion. For men have hitherto dwelt but little, or rather 

 only slightly touched upon experience, whilst they have 

 wasted much time on theories and the fictions of the imagi 

 nation. If we had but any one who could actually answer 

 our interrogations of nature, the invention of all causes and 

 sciences would be the labour of but a few years. 



113. We think some ground of hope is afforded by our own 

 example, which is not mentioned for the sake of boasting, 

 but as a useful remark. Let those who distrust their own 

 powers observe myself, one who have amongst my contempo 

 raries been the most engaged in public business, who am not 

 very strong in health (which causes a great loss of time), and 

 am the first explorer of this course, following the guidance 

 of none, nor even communicating my thoughts to a single 

 individual ; yet having once firmly entered in the right way, 

 and submitting the powers of my mind to things, I have 

 somewhat advanced (as I make bold to think) the matter I 

 now treat of. Then let others consider what may be hoped 

 from men who enjoy abundant leisure, from united labours, 

 and the succession of ages, after these suggestions on our 

 part, especially in a course which is not confined like 

 theories, to individuals, but admits of the best distribution 

 and union of labour and effect, particularly in collecting 

 experiments. For men will then only begin to know their 

 own power, when each performs a separate part, instead of 

 undertaking in crowds the same work. 



114. Lastly, though a much more faint and uncertain 

 breeze of hope were to spring up from our new continent, 

 yet we consider it necessary to make the experiment, if we 

 would not show a dastard spirit. For the risk attending 

 want of success is not to be compared with that of neglect 

 ing the attempt ; the former is attended with the loss of a 

 little human labour, the latter with that of an immense 

 benefit. For these and other reasons it appears to us that 

 there is abundant ground to hope, and to induce not only 

 those who are sanguine to make experiment, but even those 

 who are cautious and sober to give their assent. 



1 15. Such are the grounds for banishing despair, hitherto 



