BOOK I.I AfHORISMS. 423 



of men in such situations are, as it were, chained down to tlia 

 writings of particular authors, and if any one dare to dissent 

 from them he is immediately attacked as a turbulent and revolu 

 tionary spirit. Yet how great is the difference between civil 

 matters and the arts, for there is not the same danger from new- 

 activity and new light. In civil matters even a change for the 

 better is suspected on account of the commotion it occasions, for 

 civil government is supported by authority, unanimity, fame, 

 and public opinion, and not by demonstration. In the arts and 

 sciences, on the contrary, every department should resound, as 

 in mines, with new works and advances. And this is the ra 

 tional, though not the actual view of the case, for that adminis 

 tration and government of science we have spoken of is wont too 

 rigorously to repress its growth. 



XCI. And even should the odium I have alluded to be 

 avoided, yet it is sufficient to repress the increase of science 

 that such attempts and industry pass unrewarded ; for the culti 

 vation of science and its reward belong not to the same indivi 

 dual. The advancement of science is the work of a powerful 

 genius, the prize and reward belong to the vulgar or to princes, 

 who (with a few exceptions) are scarcely moderately well in 

 formed. Nay, such progress is not only deprived of the rewards 

 and beneficence of individuals, but even of popular praise ; for it 

 is above the reach of the generality, and easily overwhelmed and 

 extinguished by the winds of common opinions. It is not won 

 derful, therefore, that little success has attended that which has 

 been little honoured. 



XCII. But by far the greatest obstacle to the advancement of 

 the sciences, and the undertaking of any new attempt or depart 

 ment, is to be found in men s despair and the idea of impos 

 sibility; for men of a prudent and exact turn of thought are 

 altogether diffident in matters of this nature, considering the 

 obscurity of nature, the shortness of life, the deception of the 

 senses, and weakness of the judgment. They think, therefore, 

 that in the revolutions of ages and of the world there are certain 

 floods and ebbs of the sciences, and that they grow and flourish 

 at one time, and wither and fall off at another, that when they 

 have attained a certain degree and condition they can proceed 

 no further. 



If, therefore, any one believe or promise greater things, they 

 impute it to an uncurbed and immature mind, and imagine that 

 such efforts begin pleasantly, then become laborious, and end in 

 confusion. And since such thoughts easily enter the minds of 

 men of dignity and excellent iudgment, we must really take heed 

 lest we should be eaptivated by our affection for an excellent 

 id ir.ost beautiful object, and relax or diminish the severity of 

 our judgment; and we must diligently examine what gleam of 



