For
to all the observations of the ancients we have our own experience, which
if we will use and apply, we have better means to pronounce.
to all the observations of the ancients we have our own experience, which
if we will use and apply, we have better means to pronounce.
Ben Jonson - Discoveries Made Upon Men, and Some Poems
_Modestia_. --_Parrhesia_. --And to the prince, or his superior, to behave
himself modestly and with respect. Yet free from flattery or empire.
Not with insolence or precept; but as the prince were already furnished
with the parts he should have, especially in affairs of state. For in
other things they will more easily suffer themselves to be taught or
reprehended: they will not willingly contend, but hear, with Alexander,
the answer the musician gave him: _Absit_, _o rex_, _ut tu melius haec
scias_, _quam ego_. {17b}
_Perspicuitas_. --_Elegantia_. --A man should so deliver himself to the
nature of the subject whereof he speaks, that his hearer may take
knowledge of his discipline with some delight; and so apparel fair and
good matter, that the studious of elegancy be not defrauded; redeem arts
from their rough and braky seats, where they lay hid and overgrown with
thorns, to a pure, open, and flowery light, where they may take the eye
and be taken by the hand.
_Natura non effaeta_. --I cannot think Nature is so spent and decayed that
she can bring forth nothing worth her former years. She is always the
same, like herself; and when she collects her strength is abler still.
Men are decayed, and studies: she is not.
_Non nimium credendum antiquitati_. --I know nothing can conduce more to
letters than to examine the writings of the ancients, and not to rest in
their sole authority, or take all upon trust from them, provided the
plagues of judging and pronouncing against them be away; such as are
envy, bitterness, precipitation, impudence, and scurrilous scoffing.
For
to all the observations of the ancients we have our own experience, which
if we will use and apply, we have better means to pronounce. It is true
they opened the gates, and made the way that went before us, but as
guides, not commanders: _Non domini nostri_, _sed duces fuere_. {19a}
Truth lies open to all; it is no man's several. _Patet omnibus veritas_;
_nondum est occupata_. _Multum ex illa_, _etiam futuris relicta est_.
{19b}
_Dissentire licet_, _sed cum ratione_. --If in some things I dissent from
others, whose wit, industry, diligence, and judgment, I look up at and
admire, let me not therefore hear presently of ingratitude and rashness.
For I thank those that have taught me, and will ever; but yet dare not
think the scope of their labour and inquiry was to envy their posterity
what they also could add and find out.
_Non mihi credendum sed veritati_. --If I err, pardon me: _Nulla ars simul
et inventa est et absoluta_. {19c} I do not desire to be equal to those
that went before; but to have my reason examined with theirs, and so much
faith to be given them, or me, as those shall evict. I am neither author
nor fautor of any sect. I will have no man addict himself to me; but if
I have anything right, defend it as Truth's, not mine, save as it
conduceth to a common good. It profits not me to have any man fence or
fight for me, to flourish, or take my side. Stand for truth, and 'tis
enough.
_Scientiae liberales_.
