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202 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



before-mentioned of the applying of knowledge to lucre 

 and profession : for I am not ignorant how much that 

 diverteth and interrupteth the prosecution and advance- 

 ment of knowledge ; like unto the golden ball thrown 

 before Atalanta, which while she goeth aside and stoopeth 

 to take up, the race is hindered, 



Declinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit. 



Neither is my meaning, as was spoken of Socrates, to call 

 philosophy down from heaven to converse upon the earth ; 

 that is, to leave natural philosophy aside, and to apply 

 knowledge only to manners and policy. But as both 

 heaven and earth do conspire and contribute to the use 

 and benefit of man, so the end ought to be, from both 

 philosophies to separate and reject vain speculations and 

 whatsoever is empty and void, and to preserve and aug- 

 ment whatsoever is solid and fruitful; that knowledge 

 may not be as curtesan, for pleasure and vanity only, or as 

 a bond-woman, to acquire and gain to her master's use ; 

 but as a spouse, for generation, fruit, and comfort. 



Thus have I described and opened, as by a kind of dis- 

 section, those peccant humours (the principal of them) 

 which have not only given impediment to the proficience 

 of learning, but have given also occasion to the traduce- 

 ment thereof: wherein if I have been too plain, it must be 

 remembered Fidelia vulnera amantis, sed dolosa oscula malig- 

 nantis. This I think I have gained, that I ought to be 

 the better believed in that which I shall say pertaining to 

 commendation, because I have proceeded so freely in that 

 which concerneth censure. And yet I have no purpose to 

 enter into a laudative of learning, or to make a hymn to 

 the Muses, (though I am of opinion that it is long since i* tli 

 their rites were duly celebrated :) but jny intent is, withouF\ifcej 

 varnish or amplification, justly to weigh the dignity of ^ 

 knowledge in the balance with other things, and to take ^ 

 the true value thereof by testimonies and arguments divine 

 and human. 



First therefore, let us seek the dignity of knowledge in 

 the arch-type or first platform, which is in the attributes 



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