8 PREFACE 



strengthen their minds with logic, which may be con 

 sidered as an athletic preparation, but yet do not desist 

 (if we rightly consider the matter) from applying their own 

 understandings merely with all this zeal and effort. While 

 nothing is more clear, than that in every great work exe 

 cuted by the hand of man without machines or implements, 

 it is impossible for the strength of individuals to be in 

 creased, or for that of the multitude to combine. 



Having premised so much, we lay down two points on 

 which we would admonish mankind, lest they should fail 

 to see or to observe them. The first of these is, that it is 

 our good fortune (as we consider it), for the sake of extin 

 guishing and removing contradiction and irritation of mind, 

 to leave the honor and reverence due to the ancients un 

 touched and undiminished, so that we can perform our 

 intended work, and yet enjoy the benefit of our respectful 

 moderation. For if we should profess to offer something 

 better than the ancients, and yet should pursue the same 

 course as they have done, we could never, by any artifice, 

 contrive to avoid the imputation of having engaged in a 

 contest or rivalry as to our respective wits, excellences, 

 or talents; which, though neither inadmissible nor new (for 

 why should we not blame and point out anything that is 

 imperfectly discovered or laid down by them, of our own 

 right, a right common to all?), yet however just and allow 

 able, would perhaps be scarcely an equal match, on account 

 of the disproportion of our strength. But since our present 

 plan leads up to open an entirely different course to the 

 understanding, and one unattempted and unknown to them, 

 the case is altered. There is an end to party zeal, and we 

 only take upon ourselves the character of a guide, which 

 requires a moderate share of authority and good fortune, 



