92 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



state. To supply this want it may be of service to perform, 

 as it were, a lustrum of the sciences, and take account of 

 what have been prosecuted and what omitted. For the 

 idea of abundance is one of the causes of dearth; and 

 the multitude of books produces a deceitful impression 

 of superfluity. This, however, is not to be remedied by 

 destroying the books already written, but by making more 

 good ones, which, like the serpent of Moses, may devour 

 the serpents of the enchanters. 9 The removal of the de 

 fects I have enumerated, except the last, are indeed opera 

 basilica, toward which the endeavors of one man can be 

 but as an image on a crossroad, which points out the way, 

 but cannot tread it. But as the survey of the sciences 

 which we have proposed lies within the power of a pri 

 vate individual, it is my intention to make the circuit of 

 knowledge, noticing what parts lie waste and unculti 

 vated, and abandoned by the industry of man, with a 

 view to engage, by a faithful mapping out of the de 

 serted tracks, the energies of public and private persons 

 in their improvement. My attention, however, is alone 

 confined to the discovery, not to the correction of errors. 

 For it is one thing to point out what land lies unculti 

 vated, and another thing to improve imperfect husbandry. 

 In completing this design, I am ignorant neither of the 

 greatness of the work nor my own incapacity. My hope, 

 however, is, that, if the extreme love of my subject carry 

 me too far, I may at least obtain the excuse of affection. 

 It is not granted to man to love and be wise: &quot;amare et 

 sapere. &quot; On such topics opinion is free, and that liberty 

 of judgment which I exercise myself lies equally at the 

 disposition of all. And I for my part shall be as glad to 

 receive correction from others as I am ready to point out 

 defects myself. It is the common duty of humanity: &quot;nana 

 qui erranti comiter monstrat viam. &quot; 10 I, indeed, foresee 

 that many of the defects and omissions I shall point out 



5 Exod. vii. 10. 10 Cic. de Off. i. 16. 



