Archimedes Texts

95
works contain all things knowable, it must follow also that they
may be therein discovered.

SALV. Good Sagredus, make no jest of this advice, which me
thinks you rehearse in too Ironical a way; for it is not long since
that a very eminent Philosopher having composed a Book de animà,
wherein, citing the opinion of Aristotle, about its being or not be
ing immortal, he alledged many Texts, (not any of those hereto
fore quoted by Alexander ab Alexandro: for in those he said, that
Aristotle had not so much as treated of that matter, much less de
termined any thing pertaining to the same, but others) by himself
found out in other more abstruse places, which tended to an er
roneous sense: and being advised, that he would find it an hard
matter to get a Licence from the Inquisitors, he writ back unto

his friend, that he would notwithstanding, with all expedition
procure the same, for that if no other obstacle should interpose,
he would not much scruple to change the Doctrine of Aristotle,
and with other expositions, and other Texts to maintain the con
trary opinion, which yet should be also agreeable to the sense of
Aristotle.

SAGR. Oh most profound Doctor, this! that can command
me that I stir not a step from Aristotle, but will himself lead
him by the nose, and make him speak as he pleaseth. See how
much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-top. Nor
is it seasonable to have to do with Hercules, whil'st he is en
raged, and amongst the Furies, but when he is telling merry tales
amongst the Meonion Damosels. Ah, unheard of sordidnesse of

servile souls! to make themselves willing slaves to other mens opi
nions; to receive them for inviolable Decrees, to engage them
selves to seem satisfied and convinced by arguments, of such effi
cacy, and so manifestly concludent, that they themselves can
not certainly resolve whether they were really writ to that pur
pose, or serve to prove that assumption in hand, or the contrary.
But, which is a greater madnesse, they are at variance amongst
themselves, whether the Author himself hath held the affirmative
part, or the negative. What is this, but to make an Oracle of a
Log, and to run to that for answers, to fear that, to reverence
and adore that?

SIMPL. But in case we should recede from Aristotle, who have
we to be our Guid in Philosophy? Name you some Author.

SALV. We need a Guid in unknown and uncouth wayes, but
in champion places, and open plains, the blind only stand in need
of a Leader; and for such, it is better that they stay at home.
But he that hath eyes in his head, and in his mind, him should
a man choose for his Guid. Yet mistake me not, thinking that I

speak this, for that I am against hearing of Aristotle; for on the