BOOK I.J APHORISMS. 383 



mankind (especially in so great a restoration of learning and the sciences), 

 that whosoever may be desirous oi forming any determinatior. upon an 

 opinion oi this our work either from his own perceptions, or the crowd 

 of authorities, or the iorms oi demonstrations, he will not expect to be 

 able to do so in a cursory manner, and whilst attending to other 

 matters ; but in order to have a thorough knowledge of the subject, 

 will himself by degrees attempt the course which we describe and 

 maintain ; will be accustomed to the subtilty of things which is 

 maniiested by experience ; and will correct the depraved and deeply 

 rooted habits of his mind by a seasonable, and, as it were, just hesita 

 tion : and then, finally (if he will), use his judgment when he has begun 

 to be master of himseli. 



APHORISMS. BOOK I. 



On the Interpretation oj Nature and the Empire oj Man. 



I. MAN, as the minister and interpreter of Eature, does and 

 understands as much as his observations on the order of nature, 

 either with regard to things or the mind, permit him, and 

 neither knows nor is capable of more. 



II. The unassisted hand and the understanding left to itself 

 possess but little power. Effects are produced by the means of 

 instruments and helps, which the understanding requires no less 

 than the hand ; and as instruments either promote or regulate 

 the motion of the hand, so those that are applied to the mind 

 prompt or protect the understanding. 



III. Knowledge and human power are synonymous, since 

 the ignorance of the cause frustrates the effect; tor nature is 

 only subdued by submission, and that which in contemplative 

 philosophy corresponds with the cause in practical science be 

 comes the rule. 



IV. Man whilst operating can only apply or withdraw natural 

 bodies, nature internally performs the rest. 



V. Those who become practically versed in nature are, the 

 mechanic, the mathematician, the physician, the alchemist, and 

 the magician* but all (as matters now stand) with faint efforts 

 and meagre success. 



Bacon uses the term in its ancient sense, and means one who, 

 knowing the occult properties of bodies, is able to startle the ignorant by 

 drawing out of them wonderful and unforeseen changes. See the 85th 

 aphorism of this book, and the 5th cap. book iii. of the De A-agiaentia 

 Scientiarum, w lere he speaks more clearly. 



