$68 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



T HUS 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 in rneh us, and 

 not in 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 ianquam adeps sacrificii, to be incensed to 

 the honour, first of the Divine Majesty, and next of your 

 Majesty, to whom on earth I am most bounden. 



