ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 23 



in compendious treatises for practice, this form should not be 

 disallowed ; but in the true delivering of knowledge, both ex- 

 tremes are to be avoided ; viz., that of Velleius the Epicurean, 

 who feared nothing so much as the non-appearance of doubt- 

 ing ;" and that of Socrates and the Academics, who ironically 

 doubted of all things : but the true way is to propose things 

 candidly, with more or less asseveration, as they stand in a 

 man's own judgment. 



There are other errors in the scope that men propose to 

 themselves: for whereas the more diligent professors of any 

 science ought chiefly to endeavor the making some additions 

 or improvements therein, they aspire only to certain second 

 prizes ; as to be a profound commentator, a sharp disputant, a 

 methodical compiler, or abridger, whence the returns or rev- 

 enues of knowledge are sometimes increased, but not the in- 

 heritance and stock. 



But the greatest error of all is, mistaking the ultimate end of 

 knowledge; for some men covet knowledge out of a natural 

 curiosity and inquisitive temper; some to entertain the mind 

 with variety and delight; some for ornament and reputation; 

 some for victory and contention ; many for lucre and a liveli- 

 'hood ; and but few for employing the Divine gift of reason to 

 the use and benefit of mankind. Thus some appear to seek in 

 knowledge a couch for a searching spirit ; others, a walk for a 

 wandering mind ; others, a tower of state ; others, a fort, or com- 

 manding ground ; and others, a shop for profit or sale, instead of 

 a storehouse for the glory of the Creator and the endowment of 

 human life. But that which must dignify and exalt knowledge 

 is the more intimate and strict conjunction of contemplation 

 and action ; a conjunction like that of Saturn, the planet of rest 

 and contemplation ; and Jupiter, the planet of civil society and 

 action. But here, by use and action, we do not mean the apply- 

 ing of knowledge to lucre, for that diverts the advancement of 

 knowledge, as the golden ball thrown before Atalanta, which, 

 while she stoops to take up, the race is hindered. 



" Dcclinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit." Ovid.* 



Nor do we mean, as was said of Socrates, to call philosophy 

 down from heaven to converse upon earth:* that is, to leave 

 natural philosophy behind, and apply knowledge only to 

 morality and policy : but as both heaven and earth contribute 



