NOVUM ORGANUM. 299 



and the like ; and also for examples of civil affairs and for the mental 

 operations of memory, composition, division, judgment, and the rest, 

 no less than for heat and cold, light, vegetation, or the like. But 

 since our method of interpreting, when once the History is prepared 

 and arranged, employs itself not only with the emotions ;md disquisi 

 tions of the Mind (as does the popular Logic), but also looks into the 

 nature of things, we so regulate the Mind that it may be able to apply 

 itself to the nature of things by methods fitted for all cases. And 

 therefore we give many diverse directions in the doctrine of Inter 

 pretation, that they may supply in some degree a method of discovery 

 proportioned to the quality and condition of the subject under inquiry. 



cxxviii. But on this one point there must be not even a doubt ; viz. 

 whether we desire to overthrow and destroy the Philosophy, the Arts, 

 and Sciences now in use ; for, on the contrary, we gladly see them 

 used, cultivated, and honoured. Nor do we by any means wish to 

 hinder those which are in vogue from supplying food for disputations, 

 adorning discourses, and being applied with success to professional 

 practice and the duties of common life ; from being in short, like 

 coin, received among men by mutual consent. Nay, we plainly declare 

 that what we introduce will not be well adapted to these purposes, 

 inasmuch as it cannot in any way be brought down to the common 

 grasp, except by means of effects and results. But the writings 

 already published by us, especially our work on the Advancement of 

 Learning, prove how sincere we are in our profession of affection and 

 good-will towards the received Sciences. And so we shall not attempt 

 to prove it any more by words. In the meantime we give constant 

 and distinct warning that, by the methods now in use, no great pro 

 gress can be made in the doctrines and contemplation of the Sciences, 

 nor can they be brought to yield any extended results. 



cxxix. It remains for us to say a few words as to the excellence of 

 our end. If they had been spoken earlier, they might have seemed 

 the reflection of our wishes ; but now that hopes have been raised 

 and unfair prejudices removed, they will perhaps have more weight. 

 And if we had accomplished and discharged the whole ourselves, 

 without calling others to part and share in our labours, we should 

 also have abstained from language of this kind, lest it should be taken 

 as a declaration of our own merits. But as the industry of others has 

 to be sharpened, and their minds roused and kindled, it is fitting that 

 we should recall certain facts to men s minds. 



And so, first, the introduction of noble discoveries seems to hold 

 by far the highest place among human actions; and such was the 

 judgment of ancient times. For to inventors they paid divine 

 honours, while to those who did good service in civil affairs (such as 

 founders of cities and empires, law-givers, men who freed their 

 country from lasting evils, overthrowers of tyrannies, and the like) 

 they only decreed the rank of heroes. And certainly, if we rightly 

 compare these things, we shall find that this judgment of antiquity is 

 just. For whereas the benefits arising from discoveries may extend 

 to the whole human race, those of a civil nature affect only certain 



