But these were the works of every hand; the other of
the brain only, and those the most generous and exalted wits and spirits,
that cannot rest or acquiesce.
the brain only, and those the most generous and exalted wits and spirits,
that cannot rest or acquiesce.
Ben Jonson - Discoveries Made Upon Men, and Some Poems
_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_. --Arts that respect the mind were ever reputed nobler
than those that serve the body, though we less can be without them, as
tillage, spinning, weaving, building, &c. , without which we could scarce
sustain life a day.
But these were the works of every hand; the other of
the brain only, and those the most generous and exalted wits and spirits,
that cannot rest or acquiesce. The mind of man is still fed with labour:
_Opere pascitur_.
_Non vulgi sunt_. --There is a more secret cause, and the power of liberal
studies lies more hid than that it can be wrought out by profane wits.
It is not every man's way to hit. There are men, I confess, that set the
carat and value upon things as they love them; but science is not every
man's mistress. It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place,
and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
_Honesta ambitio_. --If divers men seek fame or honour by divers ways, so
both be honest, neither is to be blamed; but they that seek immortality
are not only worthy of love, but of praise.
_Maritus improbus_. --He hath a delicate wife, a fair fortune, a family to
go to and be welcome; yet he had rather be drunk with mine host and the
fiddlers of such a town, than go home.
_Afflictio pia magistra_. --Affliction teacheth a wicked person some time
to pray: prosperity never.
_Deploratis facilis descensus Averni_. --_The devil take all_. --Many might
go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture
their industry the right way; but "The devil take all!
_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_. --Arts that respect the mind were ever reputed nobler
than those that serve the body, though we less can be without them, as
tillage, spinning, weaving, building, &c. , without which we could scarce
sustain life a day.
But these were the works of every hand; the other of
the brain only, and those the most generous and exalted wits and spirits,
that cannot rest or acquiesce. The mind of man is still fed with labour:
_Opere pascitur_.
_Non vulgi sunt_. --There is a more secret cause, and the power of liberal
studies lies more hid than that it can be wrought out by profane wits.
It is not every man's way to hit. There are men, I confess, that set the
carat and value upon things as they love them; but science is not every
man's mistress. It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place,
and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.
_Honesta ambitio_. --If divers men seek fame or honour by divers ways, so
both be honest, neither is to be blamed; but they that seek immortality
are not only worthy of love, but of praise.
_Maritus improbus_. --He hath a delicate wife, a fair fortune, a family to
go to and be welcome; yet he had rather be drunk with mine host and the
fiddlers of such a town, than go home.
_Afflictio pia magistra_. --Affliction teacheth a wicked person some time
to pray: prosperity never.
_Deploratis facilis descensus Averni_. --_The devil take all_. --Many might
go to heaven with half the labour they go to hell, if they would venture
their industry the right way; but "The devil take all!
