36 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



they aeem strange to our assent ; but being demonstrate, our 

 mind accepteth of them by a kind of relation (as the lawyers 

 speak) as if we had known them before. 



Another error, that hath also some affinity with the 

 former, is a conceit that of former opinions or sects, after 

 variety and examination, the best hath still prevailed, and 

 suppressed the rest ; so as, if a man should begin the 

 labour of a new search, he were but like to light upon 

 somewhat formerly rejected, and by rejection brought 



10 into oblivion : as if the multitude, or the wisest for the 

 multitude's sake, were not ready to give passage rather to 

 that which is popular and superficial, than to that which is 

 substantial and profound ; for the truth is, that time 

 seemeth to be of the nature of a river or stream, which 

 carrieth down to us that which is light and blown up, and 

 sinketh and drowneth that which is weighty and solid. 



Another error, of a diverse nature from all the former, 

 is the over early and peremptory reduction of know 

 ledge into arts and methods ; from which time com- 



20 monly sciences receive small or no augmentation. But as 

 young men, when they knit and shape perfectly, do seldom 

 grow to a further stature ; so knowledge, while it is in 

 aphorisms and observations, it is in growth : but when it 

 once is comprehended in exact methods, it may perchance 

 be further polished and illustrated, and accommodated for 

 use and practice; but it increaseth no more in bulk and 

 substance. 



Another error which doth succeed that which we last 

 mentioned, is, that after the distribution of particular arts 



30 and sciences, men have abandoned universality, or ph ilo- 

 sophia prima T\fir&t philosophy :] which cannot but cease and 

 stop all progression. For no perfect discovery can be made 

 upon a flat or a level : neither is it possible to discover the 

 more remote and deeper parts of any science, if you stand but 

 upon the level of the same science, and ascend not to a 

 higher science. 



