NOVUM ORGANUM. 295 



to man s pride, but are laying the foundation in the human intellect of 

 a holy temple, after the model of the universe. And so we follow our 

 model. For whatever is worthy of existence is worthy of knowledge, 

 which is the image of existence. Now, the mean has existence equally 

 with the beautiful. Nay, as out of some pulrid substances, such as 

 musk or civet, excellent odours are sometimes generated, so also does 

 valuable light and information sometimes emanate from mean and 

 sordid instances. But too much of this; since such fastidiousness is 

 clearly childish and effeminate. 



cxxi. But the next objection must be looked into more carefully : 

 we mean, that there are very many things in our History which will 

 appear to the common apprehension, and indeed to any apprehension 

 accustomed to the present state of things, curiously and needlessly 

 refined. Therefore it is that we have already especially spoken of 

 this objection, and must do so again. And this is our reply : that 

 now at first, and for a certain time, we are seeking for light-bearing, 

 and not fruit-bearing Experiments ; following (as we have often said) 

 the example of the Divine creation, which on the first day produced 

 light only, and allotted one entire day to it alone, and did not mix up 

 with it any material work on that day. 



And so, to suppose that things of this kind are of no use is the same 

 as to think Light of no use, because it is neither solid nor material. 

 And in truth it must be owned that the knowledge of simple natures, 

 when well examined and defined, is like Light, in that it affords an 

 approach to all the mysteries of effects, and by a kind of influence 

 includes and draws after it whole bands and troops of results, and 

 opens out the sources of most noble Axioms, though in itself it be of 

 no great use. So also the elementary letters have no significance 

 when taken separately and by themselves. Nevertheless, they serve 

 as the first material for the composition and preparation of all dis 

 course. Even the seeds of thing, strong in their possible effect, are 

 of no use except in their growth. And the scattered rays of light 

 itself, unless they converge, impart none of their benefit. 



But if these speculative subtleties give offence, what will be said of 

 the Schoolmen, who indulged in subtleties to such excess ? And in 

 subtleties, too, which were expended on words, or at least (which 

 comes to the same tiling) on vulgar notions, and not on things or on 

 Nature : which were useless not only in their origin, but also in their 

 consequences; and not like those spoken of by us, which promise 

 infinite advantages in their consequences, though they possess none 

 at present. But let men know this for certain, that all subtlety of dis 

 putation and mental discussion is too late and preposterous if not 

 applied till after the discovery of Axioms, and that the true and proper, 

 or, at any rate, the principal opportunity for subtlety is during the 

 weighing of Experience, and the subsequent construction of Axioms ; 

 for that other subtlety only catches and grasps at Nature without ever 

 seizing or holding her. And certainly what is usually said of Oppor 

 tunity or Fortune is most true of Nature, viz., * That she has a lock of 

 hair in front, but is bald behind.&quot; 



