Archimedes Texts

Though the difference between Men and other
living Creatures be very great, yet happly he that
should say that he could shew little less between
Man and Man would not speak more than he
might prove. What proportion doth one bear to
athousand? and yet it is a common Proverb, One Man is
worth athousand, when as a thousand are not worth one. This difference
hath dependence upon the different abilities of their Intelle
ctuals; which I reduce to the being, or not being a Philoso
pher; in regard that Philosophy as being the proper food of
such as live by it, distinguisheth a Man from the common Es
sence of the Vulgar in a more or less honourable degree accord
ing to the variety of that diet. In this sence he that hath the
highest looks, is of highest quality; and the turning over of
the great Volume of Nature, which is the proper Object of
Philosophy is the way to make one look high: in which Book,
although whatsoever we read, as being the Work of Al
mighty God, is therefore most proportionate; yet notwith
standing that is more absolute and noble wherein we more
plainly deserne his art and skill. The Constitution of the Vnivers,
among all Physical points that fall within Humane Compre
hension, may, in my opinion, be preferred to the Precedency:
for if that in regard of universal extent it excell all others, it
ought as the Rule and Standard of the rest to goe before
them in Nobility. Now if ever any persons might challenge
to be signally distinguished for Intellectuals from other men;