NOVUM ORGANUM 95 



pelled to admit the most common objects into our nistory. 

 Besides, we have observed that nothing has been so injuri 

 ous to philosophy as this circumstance, namely, that famil 

 iar and frequent objects do not arrest and detain men s con 

 templation, but are carelessly admitted, and their causes 

 never inquired after; so that information on unknown sub 

 jects is not more often wanted than attention to those which 

 are known. 



CXX. With regard to the meanness, or even the filthi- 

 ness of particulars, for which (as Pliny observes), an apology 

 is requisite, such subjects are no less worthy of admission 

 into natural history than the most magnificent and costly; 

 nor do they at all pollute natural history, for the sun enters 

 alike the palace and the privy, and is not thereby polluted. 

 We neither dedicate nor raise a capitol or pyramid to the 

 pride of man, but rear a holy temple in his mind, on the 

 model of the universe, which model therefore we imitate. 

 For that which is deserving of existence is deserving of 

 knowledge, the image of existence. Now the mean and 

 splendid alike exist. Nay, as the finest odors are some 

 times produced from putrid matter (such as musk and 

 civet), so does valuable light and information emanate from 

 mean and sordid instances. But we have already said too 

 much, for such fastidious feelings are childish and effemi 

 nate. 



CXXI. The next point requires a more accurate consid 

 eration, namely, that many parts of our history will appear 

 to the vulgar, or even any mind accustomed to the present 

 state of things, fantastically and uselessly refined. Hence, 

 we have in regard to this matter said from the first, and must 

 again repeat, that we look for experiments that shall afford 

 light rather than profit, imitating the divine creation, which, 



