THE SECOND BOOK 111 



For the invention of the mariner s needle, which giveth 

 the direction, is of no less benefit for navigation than 

 the invention of the sails which give the motion. 



4. Thus have I passed through natural philosophy 

 and the deficiencies thereof ; wherein if I have differed 

 from the ancient and received doctrines, and thereby 

 shall move contradiction, for my part, as I affect not 

 to dissent, so I purpose not to contend. If it be truth, 



Non canimus surdis, respondent omnia sylvae; 



the voice of nature will consent, whether the voice of 

 man do or no. And as Alexander Borgia was wont to 

 say of the expedition of the French for Naples, that 

 they came with chalk in their hands to mark up their 

 lodgings, and not with weapons to fight ; so I like 

 better that entry of truth which cometh peaceably 

 with chalk to mark up those minds which are capable 

 to lodge and harbour it, than that which cometh with 

 pugnacity and contention. 



5. But there remaineth a division of natural philo 

 sophy according to the report of the inquiry, and 

 nothing concerning the matter or subject : and that is 

 positive and considerative ; when the inquiry reporteth 

 either an assertion or a doubt. These doubts or non 

 liquets are of two sorts, particular and total. For the 

 first, we see a good example thereof in Aristotle s 

 Problems, which deserved to have had a better con 

 tinuance ; but so nevertheless as there is one point 

 whereof warning is to be given and taken. The 

 registering of doubts hath two excellent uses : the 

 one, that it saveth philosophy from errors and false 

 hoods ; when that which is not fully appearing is not 

 collected into assertion, whereby error might draw 

 error, but reserved in doubt : the other, that the entry 

 of doubts are as so many suckers or sponges to draw 

 use of knowledge ; insomuch as that which, if doubts 

 had not preceded, a man should never have advised, 

 but passed it over without note, by the suggestion and 

 solicitation of doubts is made to be attended and 

 applied. But both these commodities do scarcely 



