264 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



very considerable; for as the sciences are delivered either 

 by assertions with their proofs, or by questions with their 

 answers, if the latter method be pursued too far, it retards 

 the advancement of the sciences no less than it would the 

 march of an army, to be sitting down against every little 

 fort in the way; whereas, if the better of the battle be 

 gained, and the fortune of the war steadily pursued, such 

 lesser places will surrender of themselves, though it must 

 be allowed unsafe to leave any large and fortified place at 

 the back of the army. In the same manner confutations are 

 to be avoided or sparingly used in delivering the sciences, 

 so as only to conquer the greater prejudices and prepos 

 sessions of the mind, without provoking and engaging the 

 lesser doubts and scruples. 



Another difference of method lies in suiting it to the 

 subject; for mathematics, the most abstract and simple of 

 the sciences, is delivered one way, and politics, the more 

 compound and perplexed, another. For a uniform method 

 cannot be commodiously observed in a variety of matter. 

 And as we approve of particular topics for invention, so 

 we must in some measure allow of particular methods of 

 delivery. 



There is another difference of method to be used with 

 judgment in delivering the sciences, and this is governed 

 by the informations and anticipations of the science to be 

 delivered that are before infused and impressed upon the 

 mind of the learner. For that science which comes as an 

 entire stranger to the mind is to be delivered one way, and 

 that which is familiarized by opinions already imbibed 

 and received another. And therefore, Aristotle, when he 

 thought to chastise, really commended Democritus, in say 

 ing, &quot;If we would dispute in earnest, and not hunt after 

 comparisons, etc. ; as if he would tax Democritus with 

 being too full of comparisons ; whereas they whose instruc 

 tions are already grounded in popular opinion have nothing 

 left them but to dispute and prove, while others have a 

 double task whose doctrines transcend the vulgar opinions; 



