Francis Bacon ...........................................................................................................................................1

CAP. 1. OF THE LIMITS AND END OF KNOWLEDGE. ...................................................................2

PREFACE ONLY OF IT. .......................................................................................................................5

THAT CHAPTER. ..................................................................................................................................6

CHAPTER..............................................................................................................................................6

7TH CHAPTER; A FRAGMENT. .........................................................................................................7

OF THE SAME CHAPTER) IS BEFORE............................................................................................9

SMALL FRAGMENT THEREOF, BEING THE PREFACE TO THE INVENTORY. .....................10

11TH IN ORDER; A PART THEREOF..............................................................................................11

THEREOF, BEING A PREFACE TO THE INWARD ELENCHES OF THE MIND.......................14

INTERPRETATION OF NATURE..................................................................................................................14

CAP. 12. .................................................................................................................................................14

CAP. 13. .................................................................................................................................................15

CAP. 14. .................................................................................................................................................15

CAP. 15. .................................................................................................................................................15

CAP. 16. .................................................................................................................................................16

CAP. 17. .................................................................................................................................................16

CAP. 18. .................................................................................................................................................17

CAP. 19. .................................................................................................................................................18

CAP. 21. .................................................................................................................................................18

CAP. 22. .................................................................................................................................................18

CAP. 25. .................................................................................................................................................19

CAP. 26. .................................................................................................................................................19

In the divine nature both religion and philosophy hath acknowledged goodness in perfection, science or

providence comprehending all things, and absolute sovereignty or kingdom. In aspiring to the throne of

power the angels transgressed and fell, in presuming to come within the oracle of knowledge man

transgressed and fell; but in pursuit towards the similitude of God's goodness or love (which is one thing, for

love is nothing else but goodness put in motion or applied) neither man or spirit ever hath transgressed, or

The angel of light that was, when he presumed before his fall, said within himself, I WILL ASCEND AND

BE LIKE UNTO THE HIGHEST; not God, but the highest. To be like to God in goodness, was no part of his

emulation; knowledge, being in creation an angel of light, was not the want which did most solicit him; only

because he was a minister he aimed at a supremacy; therefore his climbing or ascension was turned into a

Man on the other side, when he was tempted before he fell, had offered unto him this suggestion, THAT HE

SHOULD BE LIKE UNTO GOD. But how? Not simply, but in this part, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.

For being in his creation invested with sovereignty of all inferior creatures, he was not needy of power or

dominion; but again, being a spirit newly inclosed in a body of earth, he was fittest to be allured with appetite

of light and liberty of knowledge; therefore this approaching and intruding into God's secrets and mysteries

was rewarded with a further removing and estranging from God's presence. But as to the goodness of God,

there is no danger in contending or advancing towards a similitude thereof, as that which is open and

propounded to our imitation. For that voice (whereof the heathen and all other errors of religion have ever

confessed that it sounds not like man), LOVE YOUR ENEMIES; BE YOU LIKE UNTO YOUR

UNJUST, doth well declare, that we can in that point commit no excess; so again we find it often repeated in

the old law, BE YOU HOLY AS I AM HOLY; and what is holiness else but goodness, as we consider it

Wherefore seeing that knowledge is of the number of those things which are to be accepted of with caution

and distinction; being now to open a fountain, such as it is not easy to discern where the issues and streams

thereof will take and fall; I thought it good and necessary in the first place to make a strong and sound head

or bank to rule and guide the course of the waters; by setting down this position or firmament, namely, THAT

For if any man shall think by view and inquiry into these sensible and material things, to attain to any light

for the revealing of the nature or will of God, he shall dangerously abuse himself. It is true that the

contemplation of the creatures of God hath for end (as to the natures of the creatures themselves) knowledge,

but as to the nature of God, no knowledge, but wonder; which is nothing else but contemplation broken off;

or losing itself. Nay further, as it was aptly said by one of Plato's school THE SENSE OF MAN

OBSCURETH AND CONCEALETH THE CELESTIAL; so doth the sense discover natural things, but

darken and shut up divine. And this appeareth sufficiently in that there is no proceeding in invention of

knowledge but by similitude; and God is only selflike, having nothing in common with any creature,

otherwise than as in shadow and trope. Therefore attend his will as himself openeth it, and give unto faith that

which unto faith belongeth; for more worthy it is to believe than to think or know, considering that in

knowledge (as we now are capable of it) the mind suffereth from inferior natures; but in all belief it suffereth

To conclude, the prejudice hath been infinite that both divine and human knowledge hath received by the

intermingling and tempering of the one with the other; as that which hath filled the one full of heresies, and

But now there are again which in a contrary extremity to those which give to contemplation an overlarge

scope, do offer too great a restraint to natural and lawful knowledge, being unjustly jealous that every reach

and depth of knowledge wherewith their conceits have not been acquainted, should be too high an elevation

of man's wit, and a searching and ravelling too far into God's secrets; an opinion that ariseth either of envy

(which is proud weakness and to be censured and not confuted), or else of a deceitful simplicity. For if they

mean that the ignorance of a second cause doth make men more devoutly to depend upon the providence of

God, as supposing the effects to come immediately from his hand, I demand of them, as Job demanded of his

friends, WILL YOU LIE FOR GOD AS MAN WILL FOR MAN TO GRATIFY HIM? But if any man

without any sinister humour doth indeed make doubt that this digging further and further into the mine of

natural knowledge is a thing without example and uncommended in the Scriptures, or fruitless; let him

remember and be instructed; for behold it was not that pure light of natural knowledge, whereby man in

paradise was able to give unto every living creature a name according to his propriety, which gave occasion

to the fall; but it was an aspiring desire to attain to that part of moral knowledge which defineth of good and

evil, whereby to dispute God's commandments and not to depend upon the revelation of his will, which was

the original temptation. And the first holy records, which within those brief memorials of things which passed

before the flood entered few things as worthy to be registered but only lineages and propagations, yet

nevertheless honour the remembrance of the inventor both of music and works in metal. Moses again (who

was the reporter) is said to have been seen in all the Egyptian learning, which nation was early and leading in

matter of knowledge. And Salomon the king, as out of a branch of his wisdom extraordinarily petitioned and

granted from God, is said to have written a natural history of all that is green from the cedar to the moss,

(which is but a rudiment between putrefaction and an herb,) and also of all that liveth and moveth. And if the

book of Job be turned over, it will be found to have much aspersion of natural philosophy. Nay, the same

Salomon the king affirmeth directly that the glory of God IS TO CONCEAL A THING, BUT THE GLORY

OF THE KING IS TO FIND IT OUT, as if according to the innocent play of children the divine Majesty took

delight to hide his works, to the end to have them found out; for in naming the king he intendeth man, taking

such a condition of man as hath most excellency and greatest commandment of wits and means, alluding also

to his own person, being truly one of those clearest burning lamps, whereof himself speaketh in another

SEARCHETH ALL INWARDNESS; which nature of the soul the same Salomon holding precious and

inestimable, and therein conspiring with the affection of Socrates who scorned the pretended learned men of

his time for raising great benefit of their learning (whereas Anaxagoras contrariwise and divers others being

born to ample patrimonies decayed them in contemplation), delivereth it in precept yet remaining, BUY THE

And lest any man should retain a scruple as if this thirst of knowledge were rather an humour of the mind

than an emptiness or want in nature and an instinct from God, the same author defineth of it fully, saying,

WORKETH FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END: declaring not obscurely that God hath framed the

mind of man as a glass capable of the image of the universal world, joying to receive the signature thereof as

the eye is of light, yea not only satisfied in beholding the variety of things and vicissitude of times, but raised

also to find out and discern those ordinances and decrees which throughout all these changes are infallibly

observed. And although the highest generality of motion or summary law of nature God should still reserve

within his own curtain, yet many and noble are the inferior and secondary operations which are within man's

sounding. This is a thing which I cannot tell whether I may so plainly speak as truly conceive, that as all

knowledge appeareth to be a plant of God's own planting, so it may seem the spreading and flourishing or at

least the bearing and fructifying of this plant, by a providence of God, nay not only by a general providence

but by a special prophecy, was appointed to this autumn of the world: for to my understanding it is not

violent to the letter, and safe now after the event, so to interpret that place in the prophecy of Daniel where

speaking of the latter times it is said, MANY SHALL PASS TO AND FRO, AND SCIENCE SHALL BE

INCREASED; as if the opening of the world by navigation and commerce and the further discovery of

But howsoever that be, there are besides the authorities of Scriptures before recited, two reasons of exceeding

great weight and force why religion should dearly protect all increase of natural knowledge: the one, because

it leadeth to the greater exaltation of the glory of God; for as the Psalms and other Scriptures do often invite

us to consider and to magnify the great and wonderful works of God, so if we should rest only in the

contemplation of those shews which first offer themselves to our senses, we should do a like injury to the

majesty of God, as if we should judge of the store of some excellent jeweler by that only which is set out to

the street in his shop. The other reason is, because it is a singular help and a preservative against unbelief and

error; for, saith our Saviour, YOU ERR, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES NOR THE POWER OF

GOD; laying before us two books or volumes to study if we will be secured from error; first the Scriptures

revealing the will of God, and then the creatures expressing his power; for that latter book will certify us that

nothing which the first teacheth shall be thought impossible. And most sure it is, and a true conclusion of

experience, that a little natural philosophy inclineth the mind to atheism, but a further proceeding bringeth the

To conclude then, let no man presume to check the liberality of God's gifts, who, as was said, HATH SET

THE WORLD IN MAN'S HEART. So as whatsoever is not God but parcel of the world, he hath fitted it to

the comprehension of man's mind, if man will open and dilate the powers of his understanding as he may.

But yet evermore it must be remembered that the least part of knowledge passed to man by this so large a

charter from God must be subject to that use for which God hath granted it; which is the benefit and relief of

the state and society of man; for otherwise all manner of knowledge becometh malign and serpentine, and

therefore as carrying the quality of the serpent's sting and malice it maketh the mind of man to swell; as the

Scripture saith excellently, knowledge bloweth up, but charity buildeth up. And again the same author doth

notably disavow both power and knowledge such as is not dedicated to goodness or love, for saith he, IF I

HAVE ALL FAITH SO AS I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, (there is power active,) IF I RENDER MY

BODY TO THE FIRE, (there is power passive,) IF I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND

ANGELS, (there is knowledge, for language is but the conveyance of knowledge,) ALL WERE NOTHING.

And therefore it is not the pleasure of curiosity, nor the quiet of resolution, nor the raising of the spirit, nor

victory of wit, nor faculty of speech, nor lucre of profession, nor ambition of honour or fame, nor inablement

for business, that are the true ends of knowledge; some of these being more worthy than other, though all

inferior and degenerate: but it is a restitution and reinvesting (in great part) of man to the sovereignty and

power (for whensoever he shall be able to call the creatures by their true names he shall again command

them) which he had in his first state of creation. And to speak plainly and clearly, it is a discovery of all

operations and possibilities of operations from immortality (if it were possible) to the meanest mechanical

practice. And therefore knowledge that tendeth but to satisfaction is but as a courtesan, which is for pleasure

and not for fruit or generation. And knowledge that tendeth to profit or profession or glory is but as the

golden ball thrown before Atalanta, which while she goeth aside and stoopeth to take up she hindereth the

race. And knowledge referred to some particular point of use is but as Harmodius which putteth down one

tyrant, and not like Hercules who did perambulate the world to suppress tyrants and giants and monsters in

every part. It is true, that in two points the curse is peremptory and not to be removed; the one that vanity

must be the end in all human effects, eternity being resumed, though the revolutions and periods may be

delayed. The other that the consent of the creature being now turned into reluctation, this power cannot

otherwise be exercised and administered but with labour, as well in inventing as in executing; yet

nevertheless chiefly that labour and travel which is described by the sweat of the brows more than of the

body; that is such travel as is joined with the working and discursion of the spirits in the brain: for as

CONSIDERETH WHICH WAY, signifying the election of the mean to be more material than the

multiplication of endeavour. It is true also that there is a limitation rather potential than actual, which is when

the effect is possible, but the time or place yieldeth not the matter or basis whereupon man should work. But

notwithstanding these precincts and bounds, let it be believed, and appeal thereof made to Time, (with

renunciation nevertheless to all the vain and abusing promises of Alchemists and Magicians, and such like

light, idle, ignorant, credulous, and fantastical wits and sects,) that the newfound world of land was not

greater addition to the ancient continent than there remaineth at this day a world of inventions and sciences

unknown, having respect to those that are known, with this difference that the ancient regions of knowledge

will seem as barbarous compared with the new, as the new regions of people seem barbarous compared to

The dignity of this end (of endowment of man's life with new commodities) appeareth by the estimation that

antiquity made of such as guided thereunto. For whereas founders of states, lawgivers, extirpers of tyrants,

fathers of the people, were honoured but with the titles of Worthies or Demigods, inventors were ever

consecrated amongst the Gods themselves. And if the ordinary ambitions of men lead them to seek the

amplification of their own power in their countries, and a better ambition than that hath moved men to seek

the amplification of the power of their own countries amongst other nations, better again and more worthy

must that aspiring be which seeketh the amplification of the power and kingdom of mankind over the world;

the rather because the other two prosecutions are ever culpable of much perturbation and injustice; but this is

The access also to this work hath been by that port or passage, which the divine Majesty (who is

unchangeabIe in his ways) doth infallibly continue and observe; that is the felicity wherewith he hath blessed

an humility of mind, such as rather laboureth to spell and so by degrees to read in the volumes of his

creatures, than to solicit and urge and as it were to invocate a man's own spirit to divine and give oracles unto

him. For as in the inquiry of divine truth, the pride of man hath ever inclined to leave the oracles of God's

word and to vanish in the mixture of their own inventions; so in the selfsame manner, in inquisition of

nature they have ever left the oracles of God's works, and adored the deceiving and deformed imagery which

the unequal mirrors of their own minds have represented unto them. Nay it is a point fit and necessary in the

front and beginning of this work without hesitation or reservation to be professed, that it is no less true in this

human kingdom of knowledge than in God's kingdom of heaven, that no man shall enter into it EXCEPT HE

In some things it is more hard to attempt than to achieve, which falleth out when the difficulty is not so much

in the matter or subject, as it is in the crossness and indisposition of the mind of man to think of any such

thing, to will or to resolve it. And therefore Titus Livius in his declamatory digression wherein he doth

depress and extenuate the honour of Alexander's conquests saith, NIHIL ALIUD QUAM BENE AUSUS

VANA CONTEMNERE: in which sort of things it is the manner of men first to wonder that any such thing

should be possible, and after it is found out to wonder again how the world should miss it so long. Of this

CAP. 4. OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE, BEING THE 4TH CHAPTER, THE PREFACE ONLY OF IT. 5

The encounters of the times have been nothing favourable and prosperous for the invention of knowledge; so

as it is not only the daintiness of the seed to take, and the ill mixture and unliking of the ground to nourish or

raise this plant, but the ill season also of the weather by which it hath been checked and blasted. Especially in

that the seasons have been proper to bring up and set forward other more hasty and indifferent plants,

whereby this of knowledge bath been starved and overgrown; for in the descent of times always there hath

been somewhat else in reign and reputation, which hath generally aliened and diverted wits and labours from

For as for the uttermost antiquity which is like fame that muffles her head and tells tales, I cannot presume

much of it; for I would not willingly imitate the manner of those that describe maps, which when they come

to some far countries whereof they have no knowledge, set down how there be great wastes and deserts there:

so I am not apt to affirm that they knew little, because what they knew is little known to us. But if you will

judge of them by the last traces that remain to us, you will conclude, though not so scornfully as Aristotle

doth, that saith our ancestors were extreme gross, as those that came newly from being moulded out of the

clay or some earthly substance; yet reasonably and probably thus, that it was with them in matter of

knowledge but as the dawning or break of day. For at that time the world was altogether homebred, every

nation looked little beyond their own confines or territories, and the world had no through lights then, as it

hath had since by commerce and navigation, whereby there could neither be that contribution of wits one to

help another, nor that variety of particulars for the correcting of customary conceits.

And as there could be no great collection of wits of several parts or nations, so neither could there be any

succession of wits of several times, whereby one might refine the other, in regard they had not history to any

purpose. And the manner of their traditions was utterly unfit and unproper for amplification of knowledge.

And again the studies of those times, you shall find, besides wars, incursions, and rapines, which were then

almost every where betwixt states adjoining (the use of leagues and confederacies being not then known),

were to populate by multitude of wives and generation, a thing at this day in the waster part of the

WestIndies principally affected; and to build sometimes for habitation towns and cities, sometimes for fame

and memory monuments, pyramids, colosses, and the like. And if there happened to rise up any more civil

wits; then would he found and erect some new laws, customs, and usages, such as now of late years, when the

world was revolute almost to the like rudeness and obscurity, we see both in our own nation and abroad many

examples of, as well in a number of tenures reserved upon men's lands, as in divers customs of towns and

manors, being the devices that such wits wrought upon in such times of deep ignorance, etc.

In arts mechanical the first device comes shortest and time addeth and perfecteth. But in sciences of conceit

the first author goeth furthest and time leeseth and corrupteth. Painting, artillery, sailing, and the like, grossly

managed at first, by time accommodate and refined. The philosophies and sciences of Aristotle, Plato,

Democritus, Hippocrates, of most vigour at first, by time degenerated and imbased. In the former many wits

and industries contributed in one: In the latter many men's wits spent to deprave the wit of one.

THE IMPEDIMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN IN THE TIMES, AND IN DIVERSION OF WITS, BEING THE 5TH CHAPTER, A SMALL FRAGMENT IN THE BEGINNING OF THAT CHAPTER. 6

The error is both in the deliverer and in the receiver. He that delivereth knowledge desireth to deliver it in

such form as may be soonest believed, and not as may be easiliest examined. He that receiveth knowledge

desireth rather present satisfaction than expectant search, and so rather not to doubt than not to err. Glory

maketh the author not to lay open his weakness, and sloth maketh the disciple not to know his strength.

Then begin men to aspire to the second prizes; to be a profound interpreter and commenter, to be a sharp

champion and defender, to be a methodical compounder and abridger. And this is the unfortunate succession

of wits which the world hath yet had, whereby the patrimony of all knowledge goeth not on husbanded or

improved, but wasted and decayed. For knowledge is like a water that will never arise again higher than the

level from which it fell; and therefore to go beyond Aristotle by the light of Aristotle is to think that a

borrowed light can increase the original light from whom it is taken. So then no true succession of wits

having been in the world, either we must conclude that knowledge is but a task for one man's life, and then

vain was the complaint that LIFE IS SHORT, AND ART IS LONG: or else, that the knowledge that now is,

is but a shrub, and not that tree which is never dangerous, but where it is to the purpose of knowing Good and

Evil; which desire ever riseth upon an appetite to elect and not to obey, and so containeth in it a manifest

It is sensible to think that when men enter first into search and inquiry, according to the several frames and

compositions of their understanding they light upon different conceits, and so all opinions and doubts are

beaten over, and then men having made a taste of all wax weary of variety, and so reject the worst and hold

themselves to the best, either some one if it be eminent, or some two or three if they be in some equality,

But truth is contrary, and that time is like a river which carrieth down things which are light and blown up,

and sinketh and drowneth that which is sad and weighty. For howsoever governments have several forms,

sometimes one governing, sometimes few, sometimes the multitude; yet the state of knowledge is ever a

DEMOCRATIE, and that prevaileth which is most agreeable to the senses and conceits of people. As for

example there is no great doubt but he that did put the beginnings of things to be SOLID, VOID, AND

MOTION TO THE CENTRE, was in better earnest than he that put MATTER, FORM, AND SHIFT; or he

that put the MIND, MOTION, AND MATTER. For no man shall enter into inquisition of nature, but shall

pass by that opinion of Democritus, whereas he shall never come near the other two opinions, but leave them

aloof for the schools and tabletalk. Yet those of Aristotle and Plato, because they be both agreeable to

popular sense, and the one was uttered with subtilty and the spirit of contradiction, and the other with a stile

Cicero, the orator, willing to magnify his own profession, and thereupon spending many words to maintain

that eloquence was not a shop of good words and elegancies but a treasury and receipt of all knowledges, so

CAP. 7. THAT THE PRETENDED SUCCESSION OF WITS HATH BEEN EVIL PLACED, FOR ASMUCH AS AFTER VARIETY OF SECTS AND OPINIONS, THE MOST POPULAR AND NOT THE TRUEST PREVAILETH AND WEARETH OUT THE REST; BEING THE 7TH CHAPTER; A FRAGMENT. 7

far forth as may appertain to the handling and moving of the minds and affections of men by speech, maketh

great complaint of the school of Socrates; that whereas before his time the same professors of wisdom in

Greece did pretend to teach an universal SAPIENCE and knowledge both of matter and words, Socrates

divorced them and withdrew philosophy and left rhetoric to itself, which by that destitution became but a

barren and unnoble science. And in particular sciences we see that if men fall to subdivide their labours, as to

be an oculist in physic, or to be perfect in some one title of the law, or the like, they may prove ready and

subtile, but not deep or sufficient, no not in that subject which they do particularly attend, because of that

consent which it hath with the rest. And it is a matter of common discourse of the chain of sciences how they

are linked together, insomuch as the Grecians, who had terms at will, have fitted it of a name of CIRCLE

LEARNING. Nevertheless I that hold it for a great impediment towards the advancement and further

invention of knowledge, that particular arts and sciences have been disincorporated from general knowledge,

do not understand one and the same thing which Cicero's discourse and the note and conceit of the Grecians

in their word CIRCLE LEARNING do intend. For I mean not that use which one science hath of another for

ornament or help in practice, as the orator hath of knowledge of affections for moving, or as military science

may have use of geometry for fortifications; but I mean it directly of that use by way of supply of light and

information which the particulars and instances of one science do yield and present for the framing or

correcting of the axioms of another science in their very truth and notion. And therefore that example of

OCULISTS and TITLE LAWYERS doth come nearer my conceit than the other two; for sciences

distinguished have a dependence upon universal knowledge to be augmented and rectified by the superior

light thereof, as well as the parts and members of a science have upon the MAXIMS of the same science, and

the mutual light and consent which one part receiveth of another. And therefore the opinion of Copernicus in

astronomy, which astronomy itself cannot correct because it is not repugnant to any of the appearances, yet

natural philosophy doth correct. On the other side if some of the ancient philosophers had been perfect in the

observations of astronomy, and had called them to counsel when they made their principles and first axioms,

they would never have divided their philosophy as the Cosmographers do their descriptions by globes,

making one philosophy for heaven and another for under heaven, as in effect they do.

So if the moral philosophers that have spent such an infinite quantity of debate touching Good and the highest

good, had cast their eye abroad upon nature and beheld the appetite that is in all things to receive and to give;

the one motion affecting preservation and the other multiplication; which appetites are most evidently seen in

living creatures in the pleasure of nourishment and generation; and in man do make the aptest and most

natural division of all his desires, being either of sense of pleasure or sense of power; and in the universal

frame of the world are figured, the one in the beams of heaven which issue forth, and the other in the lap of

the earth which takes in: and again if they had observed the motion of congruity or situation of the parts in

respect of the whole, evident in so many particulars; and lastly if they had considered the motion (familiar in

attraction of things) to approach to that which is higher in the same kind; when by these observations so easy

and concurring in natural philosophy, they should have found out this quaternion of good, in enjoying or

fruition, effecting or operation, consenting or proportion, and approach or assumption; they would have saved

and abridged much of their long and wandering discourses of pleasure, virtue, duty, and religion. So likewise

in this same logic and rhetoric, or arts of argument and grace of speech, if the great masters of them would

but have gone a form lower, and looked but into the observations of Grammar concerning the kinds of words,

their derivations, deflexions, and syntax; specially enriching the same with the helps of several languages,

with their differing proprieties of words, phrases, and tropes; they might have found out more and better

footsteps of common reason, help of disputation, and advantages of cavillation, than many of these which

they have propounded. So again a man should be thought to dally, if he did note how the figures of rhetoric

and music are many of them the same. The repetitions and traductions in speech and the reports and

hauntings of sounds in music are the very same things. Plutarch hath almost made a book of the

Lacedaemonian kind of jesting, which joined ever pleasure with distaste. SIR, (saith a man of art to Philip

king of Macedon when he controlled him in his faculty,) GOD FORBID YOUR FORTUNE SHOULD BE

SUCH AS TO KNOW THESE THINGS BETTER THAN I. In taxing his ignorance in his art he represented

to him the perpetual greatness of his fortune, leaving him no vacant time for so mean a skill. Now in music it

is one of the ordinariest flowers to fall from a discord or hard tune upon a sweet accord. The figure that

Cicero and the rest commend as one of the best points of elegancy, which is the fine checking of expectation,

is no less well known to the musicians when they have a special grace in flying the close or cadence. And

these are no allusions but direct communities, the same delights of the mind being to be found not only in

music, rhetoric, but in moral philosophy, policy, and other knowledges, and that obscure in the one, which is

more apparent in the other, yea and that discovered in the one which is not found at all in the other, and so

one science greatly aiding to the invention and augmentation of another. And therefore without this

intercourse the axioms of sciences will fall out to be neither full nor true; but will be such opinions as

Aristotle in some places doth wisely censure, when he saith THESE ARE THE OPINIONS OF PERSONS

THAT HAVE RESPECT BUT TO A FEW THINGS. So then we see that this note leadeth us to an

administration of knowledge in some such order and policy as the king of Spain in regard of his great

dominions useth in state; who though he hath particular councils for several countries and affairs, yet hath

one council of State or last resort, that receiveth the advertisements and certificates from all the rest. Hitherto

It appeareth then how rarely the wits and labours of men have been converted to the severe and original

inquisition of knowledge; and in those who have pretended, what hurt hath been done by the affectation of

professors and the distraction of such as were no professors; and how there was never in effect any

conjunction or combination of wits in the first and inducing search, but that every man wrought apart, and

would either have his own way or else would go no further than his guide, having in the one case the honour

of a first, and in the other the ease of a second; and lastly how in the descent and continuance of wits and

labours the succession hath been in the most popular and weak opinions, like unto the weakest natures which

many times have most children, and in them also the condition of succession hath been rather to defend and

to adorn than to add; and if to add, yet that addition to be rather a refining of a part than an increase of the

whole. But the impediments of time and accidents, though they have wrought a general indisposition, yet are

they not so peremptory and binding as the internal impediments and clouds in the mind and spirit of man,

The Scripture speaking of the worst sort of error saith, ERRARE FECIT COS IN INVIO ET NON IN VIA.

For a man may wander in the way, by rounding up and down. But if men have failed in their very direction

and address that error will never by good fortune correct itself. Now it hath fared with men in their

contemplations as Seneca saith it fareth with them in their actions, DE PARTIBUS VITAE QUISQUE

DELIBERAT, DE SUMMA NEMO. A course very ordinary with men who receive for the most part their

final ends from the inclination of their nature, or from common example and opinion, never questioning or

examining them, nor reducing them to any clear certainty; and use only to call themselves to account and

deliberation touching the means and second ends, and thereby set themselves in the right way to the wrong

place. So likewise upon the natural curiosity and desire to know, they have put themselves in way without

For I find that even those that have sought knowledge for itself, and not for benefit or ostentation or any

practical enablement in the course of their life, have nevertheless propounded to themselves a wrong mark,

namely satisfaction (which men call truth) and not operation. For as in the courts and services of princes and

states it is a much easier matter to give satisfaction than to do the business; so in the inquiring of causes and

CAP. 9. THAT THE END AND SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE HATH BEEN GENERALLY MISTAKEN, AND THAT MEN WERE NEVER WELL ADVISED WHAT IT WAS THEY SOUGHT; BEING THE 9TH CHAPTER, WHEREOF A FRAGMENT (WHICH IS THE END OF THE SAME CHAPTER) IS BEFORE. 9

reasons it is much easier to find out such causes as will satisfy the mind of man and quiet objections, than

such causes as will direct him and give him light to new experiences and inventions. And this did Celsus note

wisely and truly, how that the causes which are in use and whereof the knowledges now received do consist,

were in time minors and subsequents to the knowledge of the particulars out of which they were induced and

collected; and that it was not the light of those causes which discovered particulars, but only the particulars

being first found, men did fall on glossing and discoursing of the causes; which is the reason why the learning

that now is hath the curse of barrenness, and is courtesanlike, for pleasure, and not for fruit. Nay to compare

it rightly, the strange fiction of the poets of the transformation of Scylla seemeth to be a lively emblem of this

philosophy and knowledge; a fair woman upwards in the parts of show, but when you come to the parts of

use and generation, Barking Monsters; for no better are the endless distorted questions, which ever have been,

But yet nevertheless here I may be mistaken, by reason of some which have much in their pen the referring

sciences to action and the use of man, which mean quite another matter than I do. For they mean a contriving

of directions and precepts for readiness of practice, which I discommend not, so it be not occasion that some

quantity of the science be lost; for else it will be such a piece of husbandry as to put away a manor lying

somewhat scattered, to buy in a close that lieth handsomely about a dwelling. But my intention contrariwise

is to increase and multiply the revenues and possessions of man, and not to trim up only or order with

conveniency the grounds whereof he is already stated. Wherefore the better to make myself understood that I

mean nothing less than words, and directly to demonstrate the point which we are now upon, that is, what is

the true end, scope, or office of knowledge, which I have set down to consist not in any plausible, delectable,

reverend, or admired discourse, or any satisfactory arguments, but in effecting and working, and in discovery

of particulars not revealed before for the better endowment and help of man's life; I have thought good to

make as it were a Kalendar or Inventory of the wealth, furniture, or means of man according to his present

estate, as far as it is known; which I do not to shew any universality of sense or knowledge, and much less to

make a satire of reprehension in respect of wants and errors, but partly because cogitations new had need of

some grossness and inculcation to make them perceived; and chiefly to the end that for the time to come

(upon the account and state now made and cast up) it may appear what increase this new manner of use and

administration of the stock (if it be once planted) shall bring with it hereafter; and for the time present (in

case I should be prevented by death to propound and reveal this new light as I purpose) yet I may at the least

give some awaking note both of the wants in man's present condition and the nature of the supplies to be

wished; though for mine own part neither do I much build upon my present anticipations, neither do I think

ourselves yet learned or wise enough to wish reasonably: for as it asks some knowledge to demand a question

The plainest method and most directly pertinent to this intention, will be to make distribution of sciences,

arts, inventions, works, and their portions, according to the use and tribute which they yield and render to the

conditions of man's life, and under those several uses, being as several offices of provisions, to charge and tax

what may be reasonably exacted or demanded; not guiding ourselves neither by the poverty of experiences

and probations, nor according to the vanity of credulous imaginations; and then upon those charges and

taxations to distinguish and present, as it were in several columns, what is extant and already found, and what

is defective and further to be provided. Of which provisions, because in many of them after the manner of

slothful and faulty officers and accomptants it will be returned (by way of excuse) that no such are to be had,

CAP. 10. THE INVENTORY, OR AN ENUMERATION AND VIEW OF INVENTIONS ALREADY DISCOVERED AND IN USE, TOGETHER WITH A NOTE OF THE WANTS AND THE NATURE OF THE SUPPLIES, BEING THE 10TH CHAPTER; AND THIS A SMALL FRAGMENT THEREOF, BEING THE PREFACE TO THE INVENTORY. 10

it will be fit to give some light of the nature of the supplies, whereby it will evidently appear that they are to

be compassed and procured. And yet nevertheless on the other side again it will be as fit to check and control

the vain and void assignations and gifts whereby certain ignorant, extravagant, and abusing wits have

pretended to indue the state of man with wonders, differing as much from truth in nature as Caesar's

Commentaries differeth from the acts of King Arthur or Huon of Bourdeaux in story. For it is true that Caesar

did greater things than those idle wits had the audacity to feign their supposed worthies to have done; but he

It appeareth then what is now in proposition not by general circumlocution but by particular note. No former

philosophy varied in terms or method; no new PLACET or speculation upon particulars already known; no

referring to action by any manual of practice; but the revealing and discovering of new inventions and

operations. This to be done without the errors and conjectures of art, or the length or difficulties of

experience; the nature and kinds of which inventions have been described as they could be discovered; for

your eye cannot pass one kenning without further sailing; only we have stood upon the best advantages of the

notions received, as upon a mount, to shew the knowledges adjacent and confining. If therefore the true end

of knowledge not propounded hath bred large error, the best and perfectest condition of the same end not

perceived will cause some declination. For when the butt is set up men need not rove, but except the white be

placed men cannot level. This perfection we mean not in the worth of the effect, but in the nature of the

direction; for our purpose is not to stir up men's hopes, but to guide their travels. The fullness of direction to

work and produce any effect consisteth in two conditions, certainty and liberty. Certainty is when the

direction is not only true for the most part, but infallible. Liberty is when the direction is not restrained to

some definite means, but comprehendeth all the means and ways possible; for the poet saith well

SAPIENTIBUS UNDIQUE LATAE SUNT VIAE, and where there is the greatest plurality of change, there

is the greatest singularity of choice. Besides as a conjectural direction maketh a casual effect, so a particular

and restrained direction is no less casual than an uncertain. For those particular means whereunto it is tied

may be out of your power or may be accompanied with an overvalue of prejudice; and so if for want of

certainty in direction you are frustrated in success, for want of variety in direction you are stopped in attempt.

If therefore your direction be certain, it must refer you and point you to somewhat which, if it be present, the

effect you seek will of necessity follow, else may you perform and not obtain. If it be free, then must it refer

you to somewhat which if it be absent the effect you seek will of necessity withdraw, else may you have

power and not attempt. This notion Aristotle had in light, though not in use. For the two commended rules by

him set down, whereby the axioms of sciences are precepted to be made convertible, and which the latter men

have not without elegancy surnamed the one the rule of truth because it preventeth deceit, the other the rule

of prudence because it freeth election, are the same thing in speculation and affirmation which we now

observe. An example will make my meaning attained, and yet percase make it thought that they attained it

not. Let the effect to be produced be Whiteness; let the first direction be that if air and water be intermingled

or broken in small portions together, whiteness will ensue, as in snow, in the breaking of the waves of the sea

and rivers, and the like. This direction is certain, but very particular and restrained, being tied but to air and

water. Let the second direction be, that if air be mingled as before with any transparent body, such

nevertheless as is uncoloured and more grossly transparent than air itself, that then etc. as glass or crystal,

being beaten to fine powder, by the interposition of the air becometh white; the white of an egg being clear of

itself, receiving air by agitation becometh white, receiving air by concoction becometh white; here you are

freed from water, and advanced to a clear body, and still tied to air. Let the third direction exclude or remove

the restraint of an uncoloured body, as in amber, sapphires, etc. which beaten to fine powder become white;

in wine and beer, which brought to froth become white. Let the fourth direction exclude the restraint of a

body more grossly transparent than air, as in flame, being a body compounded between air and a finer

substance than air; which flame if it were not for the smoke, which is the third substance that incorporateth

CAP. 11. THE CHAPTER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INVENTORY; BEING THE 11TH IN ORDER; A PART THEREOF. 11

itself and dyeth the flame, would be more perfect white. In all these four directions air still beareth a part. Let

the fifth direction then be, that if any bodies, both transparent but in an unequal degree, be mingled as before,

whiteness will follow; as oil and water beaten to an ointment, though by settling the air which gathereth in the

agitation be evaporate, yet remaineth white; and the powder of glass or crystal put into water, whereby the air

giveth place, yet remaineth white, though not so perfect. Now are you freed from air, but still you are tied to

transparent bodies. To ascend further by scale I do forbear, partly because it would draw on the example to an

overgreat length, but chiefly because it would open that which in this work I determine to reserve; for to

pass through the whole history and observation of colours and objects visible were too long a digression; and

our purpose is now to give an example of a free direction, thereby to distinguish and describe it; and not to set

down a form of interpretation how to recover and attain it. But as we intend not now to reveal, so we are

circumspect not to mislead; and therefore (this warning being given) returning to our purpose in hand, we

admit the sixth direction to be, that all bodies or parts of bodies which are unequal equally, that is in a simple

proportion, do represent whiteness; we will explain this, though we induce it not. It is then to be understood,

that absolute equality produceth transparence, inequality in simple order or proportion produceth whiteness,

inequality in compound or respective order or proportion produceth all other colours, and absolute or

orderless inequality produceth blackness; which diversity, if so gross a demonstration be needful, may be

signified by four tables; a blank, a chequer, a fret, and a medley; whereof the fret is evident to admit great

variety. Out of this assertion are satisfied a multitude of effects and observations, as that whiteness and

blackness are most incompatible with transparence; that whiteness keepeth light, and blackness stoppeth

light, but neither passeth it; that whiteness or blackness are never produced in rainbows, diamonds, crystals,

and the like; that white giveth no dye, and black hardly taketh dye; that whiteness seemeth to have an affinity

with dryness, and blackness with moisture; that adustion causeth blackness, and calcination whiteness; that

flowers are generally of fresh colours, and rarely black, etc. All which I do now mention confusedly by way

of derivation and not by way of induction. This sixth direction, which I have thus explained, is of good and

competent liberty for whiteness fixed and inherent, but not for whiteness fantastical or appearing, as shall be

afterwards touched. But first do you need a reduction back to certainty or verity; for it is not all position or

contexture of unequal bodies that will produce colour; for AQUA FORTIS, oil of VITRIOL, etc. more

manifestly, and many other substances more obscurely, do consist of very unequal parts, which yet are

transparent and clear. Therefore the reduction must be, that the bodies or parts of bodies so intermingled as

before be of a certain grossness or magnitude; for the unequalities which move the sight must have a further

dimension and quantity than those which operate many other effects. Some few grains of saffron will give a

tincture to a tun of water; but so many grains of civet will give a perfume to a whole chamber of air. And

therefore when Democritus (from whom Epicurus did borrow it) held that the position of the solid portions

was the cause of colours, yet in the very truth of his assertion he should have added, that the portions are

required to be of some magnitude. And this is one cause why colours have little inwardness and necessitude

with the nature and proprieties of things, those things resembling in colour which otherwise differ most, as

salt and sugar, and contrariwise differing in colour which otherwise resemble most, as the white and blue

violets, and the several veins of one agate or marble, by reason that other virtues consist in more subtile

proportions than colours do; and yet are there virtues and natures which require a grosser magnitude than

colours, as well as scents and divers other require a more subtile; for as the portion of a body will give forth

scent which is too small to be seen, so the portion of a body will shew colours which is too small to be

endued with weight; and therefore one of the prophets with great elegancy describing how all creatures carry

no proportion towards God the creator, saith, THAT ALL THE NATIONS IN RESPECT OF HIM ARE

LIKE THE DUST UPON THE BALANCE, which is a thing appeareth but weigheth not. But to return, there

resteth a further freeing of this sixth direction; for the clearness of a river or stream sheweth white at a

distance, and crystalline glasses deliver the face or any other object falsified in whiteness, and long beholding

the snow to a weak eye giveth an impression of azure rather than of whiteness. So as for whiteness in

apparition only and representation by the qualifying of the light, altering the INTERMEDIUM, or affecting

the eye itself, it reacheth not. But you must free your direction to the producing of such an incidence,

impression, or operation, as may cause a precise and determinate passion of the eye; a matter which is much

more easy to induce than that which we have passed through; but yet because it hath a full coherence both

CAP. 11. THE CHAPTER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INVENTORY; BEING THE 11TH IN ORDER; A PART THEREOF. 12

with that act of radiation (which hath hitherto been conceived and termed so unproperly and untruly by some

an effluxion of spiritual species and by others an investing of the INTERMEDIUM with a motion which

successively is conveyed to the eye) and with the act of sense, wherein I should likewise open that which I

think good to withdraw, I will omit. Neither do I contend but that this motion which I call the freeing of a

direction, in the received philosophies (as far as a swimming anticipation could take hold) might be perceived

and discerned; being not much other matter than that which they did not only aim at in the two rules of

AXIOMS before remembered, but more nearly also in that which they term the form or formal cause, or that

which they call the true difference; both which nevertheless it seemeth they propound rather as impossibilities

and wishes than as things within the compass of human comprehension. For Plato casteth his burden and

cannot be but by true forms and differences. Wherein I join hands with him, confessing as much as yet

assuming to myself little; for if any man call by the strength of his ANTICIPATIONS find out forms, I will

magnify him with the foremost. But as any of them would say that if divers things which many men know by

instruction and observation another knew by revelation and without those means, they would take him for

somewhat supernatural and divine; so I do acknowledge that if any man can by anticipations reach to that

which a weak and inferior wit may attain to by interpretation, he cannot receive too high a title. Nay I for my

part do indeed admire to see how far some of them have proceeded by their ANTICIPATIONS; but how? It is

as I wonder at some blind men, to see what shift they make without their eyesight; thinking with myself that

if I were blind I could hardly do it. Again Aristotle's school confesseth that there is no true knowledge but by

causes, no true cause but the form, no true form known except one, which they are pleased to allow; and

therefore thus far their evidence standeth with us, that both hitherto there hath been nothing but a shadow of

knowledge, and that we propound now that which is agreed to be worthiest to be sought, and hardest to be

found. There wanteth now a part very necessary, not by way of supply but by way of caution; for as it is seen

for the most part that the outward tokens and badges of excellency and perfection are more incident to things

merely counterfeit than to that which is true, but for a meaner and baser sort; as a dubline is more like a

perfect ruby than a spinel, and a counterfeit angel is made more like a true angel than if it were an angel

coined of China gold; in like manner the direction carrieth a resemblance of a true direction in verity and

liberty which indeed is no direction at all. For though your direction seem to be certain and free by pointing

you to a nature that is unseparable from the nature you inquire upon, yet if it do not carry you on a degree or

remove nearer to action, operation, or light to make or produce, it is but superficial and counterfeit.

Wherefore to secure and warrant what is a true direction, though that general note I have given be

perspicuous in itself (for a man shall soon cast with himself whether he be ever the nearer to effect and

operate or no, or whether he have won but an abstract or varied notion) yet for better instruction I will deliver

three particular notes of caution. The first is that the nature discovered be more original than the nature

supposed, and not more secondary or of the like degree; as to make a stone bright or to make it smooth it is a

good direction to say, make it even; but to make a stone even it is no good direction to say, make it bright or

make it smooth; for the rule is that the disposition of any thing referring to the state of it in itself or the parts,

is more original than that which is relative or transitive towards another thing. So evenness is the disposition

of the stone in itself, but smooth is to the hand and bright to the eye, and yet nevertheless they all cluster and

concur; and yet the direction is more unperfect, if it do appoint you to such a relative as is in the same kind

and not in a diverse. For in the direction to produce brightness by smoothness, although properly it win no

degree, and will never teach you any new particulars before unknown; yet by way of suggestion or bringing

to mind it may draw your consideration to some particulars known but not remembered; as you shall sooner

remember some practical means of making smoothness, than if you had fixed your consideration only upon

brightness by making reflexion, as thus, make it such as you may see your face in it, this is merely secondary,

and helpeth neither by way of informing nor by way of suggestion. So if in the inquiry of whiteness you were

directed to make such a colour as should be seen furthest in a dark light; here you are advanced nothing at all.

For these kinds of natures are but proprieties, effects, circumstances, concurrences, or what else you shall like

to call them, and not radical and formative natures towards the nature supposed. The second caution is that

the nature inquired be collected by division before composition, or to speak more properly, by composition

CAP. 11. THE CHAPTER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INVENTORY; BEING THE 11TH IN ORDER; A PART THEREOF. 13

The opinion of Epicurus that the gods were of human shape, was rather justly derided than seriously confuted

by the other sects, demanding whether every kind of sensible creatures did not think their own figure fairest,

as the horse, the bull, and the like, which found no beauty but in their own forms, as in appetite of lust

appeared. And the heresy of the Anthropomorphites was ever censured for a gross conceit bred in the obscure

cells of solitary monks that never looked abroad. Again the fable so well known of QUIS PINXIT LEONEM,

doth set forth well that there is an error of pride and partiality, as well as of custom and familiarity. The

reflexion also from glasses so usually resembled to the imagery of the mind, every man knoweth to receive

error and variety both in colour, magnitude, and shape, according to the quality of the glass. But yet no use

hath been made of these and many the like observations, to move men to search out and upon search to give

true cautions of the native and inherent errors in the mind of man which have coloured and corrupted all his

I do find therefore in this enchanted glass four Idols or false appearances of several and distinct sorts, every

sort comprehending many subdivisions: the first sort, I call idols of the NATION or TRIBE; the second, idols

of the PALACE; the third, idols of the CAVE; and the fourth, idols of the THEATRE, etc.

That in deciding and determining of the truth of knowledge, men have put themselves upon trials not

competent. That antiquity and authority; common and confessed notions; the natural and yielding consent of

the mind; the harmony and coherence of a knowledge in itself; the establishing of principles with the touch

and reduction of other propositions unto them; inductions without instances contradictory; and the report of

the senses; are none of them absolute and infallible evidence of truth, and bring no security sufficient for

effects and operations. That the discovery of new works and active directions not known before, is the only

trial to be accepted of; and yet not that neither, in ease where one particular giveth light to another; but where

particulars induce an axiom or observation, which axiom found out discovereth and designeth new

particulars. That the nature of this trial is not only upon the point, whether the knowledge be profitable or no,

but even upon the point whether the knowledge be true or no; not because you may always conclude that the

Axiom which discovereth new instances is true, but contrariwise you may safely conclude that if it discover

not any new instance it is in vain and untrue. That by new instances are not always to be understood new

recipes but new assignations, and of the diversity between these two. That the subtilty of words, arguments,

notions, yea of the senses themselves, is but rude and gross in comparison of the subtilty of things; and of the

slothful and flattering opinions of those which pretend to honour the mind of man in withdrawing and

abstracting it from particulars, and of the inducements and motives whereupon such opinions have been

OF THE INTERNAL AND PROFOUND ERRORS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN THE NATURE OF THE MIND, AND OF THE FOUR SORTS OF IDOLS OR FICTIONS WHICH OFFER THEMSELVES TO THE UNDERSTANDING IN THE INQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE; BEING THE 16TH CHAPTER, AND THIS A SMALL FRAGMENT THEREOF, BEING A PREFACE TO THE INWARD ELENCHES OF THE MIND. 14

Of the error in propounding chiefly the search of causes and productions of things concrete, which are infinite

and transitory, and not of abstract natures, which are few and permanent. That these natures are as the

alphabet or simple letters, whereof the variety of things consisteth; or as the colours mingled in the painter's

shell, wherewith he is able to make infinite variety of faces or shapes. An enumeration of them according to

popular note. That at the first one would conceive that in the schools by natural philosophy were meant the

knowledge of the efficients of things concrete; and by metaphysic the knowledge of the forms of natures

simple; which is a good and fit division of knowledge: but upon examination there is no such matter by them

intended. That the little inquiry into the production of simple natures sheweth well that works were not

sought; because by the former knowledge some small and superficial deflexions from the ordinary

generations and productions may be found out, but the discovery of all profound and radical alteration must

Of the error in propounding the search of the materials or dead beginnings or principles of things, and not the

nature of motions, inclinations, and applications. That the whole scope of the former search is impertinent

and vain; both because there are no such beginnings, and if there were they could not be known. That the

latter manner of search (which is all) they pass over compendiously and slightly as a bymatter. That the

several conceits in that kind, as that the lively and moving beginnings of things should be shift or appetite of

matter to privation; the spirit of the world working in matter according to platform; the proceeding or

fructifying of distinct kinds according to their proprieties; the intercourse of the elements by mediation of

their common qualities; the appetite of like portions to unite themselves; amity and discord, or sympathy and

antipathy; motion to the centre, with motion of stripe or press; the casual agitation, aggregation, and essays of

the solid portions in the void space; motion of shuttings and openings; are all mere nugations; and that the

calculating and ordination of the true degrees, moments, limits, and laws of motions and alterations (by

means whereof all works and effects are produced), is a matter of a far other nature than to consist in such

Of the great error of inquiring knowledge in Anticipations. That I call Anticipations the voluntary collections

that the mind maketh of knowledge; which is every man's reason. That though this be a solemn thing, and

serves the turn to negotiate between man and man (because of the conformity and participation of men's

minds in the like errors), yet towards inquiry of the truth of things and works it is of no value. That civil

respects are a lett that this pretended reason should not be so contemptibly spoken of as were fit and

medicinable, in regard that hath been too much exalted and glorified, to the infinite detriment of man's estate.

Of the nature of words and their facility and aptness to cover and grace the defects of Anticipations. That it is

no marvel if these Anticipations have brought forth such diversity and repugnance in opinions, theories, or

philosophies, as so many fables of several arguments. That had not the nature of civil customs and

government been in most times somewhat adverse to such innovations, though contemplative, there might

have been and would have been many more. That the second school of the Academics and the sect of Pyrrho,

or the considerers that denied comprehension, as to the disabling of man's knowledge (entertained in

Anticipations) is well to be allowed, but that they ought when they had overthrown and purged the floor of

the ruins to have sought to build better in place. And more especially that they did unjustly and prejudicially

to charge the deceit upon the report of the senses, which admitteth very sparing remedy; being indeed to have

been charged upon the Anticipations of the mind, which admitteth a perfect remedy. That the information of

the senses is sufficient, not because they err not, but because the use of the sense in discovering of knowledge

is for the most part not immediate. So that it is the work, effect, or instance, that trieth the Axiom, and the

sense doth but try the work done or not done, being or not being. That the mind of man in collecting

knowledge needeth great variety of helps, as well as the hand of man in manual and mechanical practices

needeth great variety of instruments. And that it were a poor work that if instruments were removed men

would overcome with their naked hands. And of the distinct points of want and insufficiency in the mind of

That the mind of a man, as it is not a vessel of that content or receipt to comprehend knowledge without helps

and supplies, so again it is not sincere, but of an ill and corrupt tincture. Of the inherent and profound errors

and superstitions in the nature of the mind, and of the four sorts of Idols or false appearances that offer

themselves to the understanding in the inquisition of knowledge; that is to say, the Idols of the Tribe, the

Idols of the Palace, the Idols of the Cave, and the Idols of the Theatre. That these four, added to the

incapacity of the mind and the vanity and malignity of the affections, leave nothing but impotency and

confusion. A recital of the particular kinds of these four Idols, with some chosen examples of the opinions

Of the errors of such as have descended and applied themselves to experience, and attempted to induce

knowledge upon particulars. That they have not had the resolution and strength of mind to free themselves

wholly from Anticipations, but have made a confusion and intermixture of Anticipations and observations,

and so vanished. That if any have had the strength of mind generally to purge away and discharge all

Anticipations, they have not had that greater and double strength and patience of mind, as well to repel new

Anticipations after the view and search of particulars, as to reject old which were in their mind before; but

have from particulars and history flown up to principles without the mean degrees, and so framed all the

middle generalities or axioms, not by way of scale or ascension from particulars, but by way of derivation

from principles; whence hath issued the infinite chaos of shadows and notions, wherewith both books and

minds have been hitherto, and may be yet hereafter much more pestered. That in the course of those

derivations, to make them yet the more unprofitable, they have used when any light of new instance opposite

to any assertion appeared, rather to reconcile the instance than to amend the rule. That if any have had or

shall have the power and resolution to fortify and inclose his mind against all Anticipations, yet if he have not

been or shall not be cautioned by the full understanding of the nature of the mind and spirit of man, and

therein of the seats, pores and passages both of knowledge and error, he hath not been nor shall not be

possibly able to guide or keep on his course aright. That those that have been conversant in experience and

observation have used, when they have intended to discover the cause of any effect, to fix their consideration

narrowly and exactly upon that effect itself with all the circumstances thereof, and to vary the trial thereof as

many ways as can be devised; which course amounteth but to a tedious curiosity, and ever breaketh off in

wondering and not in knowing; and that they have not used to enlarge their observation to match and sort that

effect with instances of a diverse subject, which must of necessity be before any cause be found out. That

they have passed over the observation of instances vulgar and ignoble, and stayed their attention chiefly upon

instances of mark; whereas the other sort are for the most part more significant and of better height and

information. That every particular that worketh any effect is a thing compounded (more or less) of diverse

single natures, (more manifest and more obscure,) and that it appeareth not to whether of the natures the

effect is to be ascribed, and yet notwithstanding they have taken a course without breaking particulars and

reducing them by exclusions and inclusions to a definite point, to conclude upon inductions in gross, which

empirical course is no less vain than the scholastical. That all such as have sought action and work out of

their inquiry have been hasty and pressing to discover some practices for present use, and not to discover

Axioms, joining with them the new assignations as their sureties. That the forerunning of the mind to frame

recipes upon Axioms at the entrance, is like Atalanta's golden ball that hindereth and interrupteth the course,

and is to be inhibited till you have ascended to a certain stage and degree of generalities; which forbearance

will be liberally recompensed in the end; and that chance discovereth new inventions by one and one, but

science by knots and clusters. That they have not collected sufficient quantity of particulars, nor them in

sufficient certainty and subtilty, nor of all several kinds, nor with those advantages and discretions in the

entry and sorting which are requisite; and of the weak manner of collecting natural history which hath been

used. Lastly that they had no knowledge of the formulary of interpretation, the work whereof is to abridge

experience and to make things as certainly found out by Axiom in short time, as by infinite experiences in

That the cautels and devices put in practice in the delivery of knowledge for the covering and palliating of

ignorance, and the gracing and overvaluing of that they utter, are without number; but none more bold and

more hurtful than two; the one that men have used of a few observations upon any subject to make a solemn

and formal art, by filling it up with discourse, accommodating it with some circumstances and directions to

practice, and digesting it into method, whereby men grow satisfied and secure, as if no more inquiry were to

be made of that matter; the other, that men have used to discharge ignorance with credit, in defining all those

effects which they cannot attain unto to be out of the compass of art and human endeavour. That the very

styles and forms of utterance are so many characters of imposture, some choosing a style of pugnacity and

contention, some of satire and reprehension, some of plausible and tempting similitudes and examples, some

of great words and high discourse, some of short and dark sentences, some of exactness of method, all of

positive affirmation, without disclosing the true motives and proofs of their opinions, or free confessing their

ignorance or doubts, except it be now and then for a grace, and in cunning to win the more credit in the rest,

and not in good faith. That although men be free from these errors and incumbrances in the will and affection,

yet it is not a thing so easy as is conceived to convey the conceit of one man's mind into the mind of another

without loss or mistaking, specially in notions new and differing from those that are received. That never any

knowledge was delivered in the same order it was invented, no not in the mathematic, though it should seem

otherwise in regard that the propositions placed last do use the propositions or grants placed first for their

proof and demonstration. That there are forms and methods of tradition wholly distinct and differing,

according to their ends whereto they are directed. That there are two ends of tradition of knowledge, the one

to teach and instruct for use and practice, the other to impart or intimate for reexamination and progression.

That the former of these ends requireth a method not the same whereby it was invented and induced, but such

as is most compendious and ready whereby it may be used and applied. That the latter of the ends, which is

where a knowledge is delivered to be continued and spun on by a succession of labours, requireth a method

whereby it may be transposed to another in the same manner as it was collected, to the end it may be

discerned both where the work is weak, and where it breaketh off. That this latter method is not only unfit for

the former end, but also impossible for all knowledge gathered and insinuated by Anticipations, because the

mind working inwardly of itself, no man can give a just account how he came to that knowledge which he

hath received, and that therefore this method is peculiar for knowledge gathered by interpretation. That the

discretion anciently observed, though by the precedent of many vain persons and deceivers disgraced, of

publishing part, and reserving part to a private succession, and of publishing in a manner whereby it shall not

be to the capacity nor taste of all, but shall as it were single and adopt his reader, is not to be laid aside, both

for the avoiding of abuse in the excluded, and the stregthening of affection in the admitted. That there are

other virtues of tradition, as that there be no occasion given to error, and that it carry a vigour to root and

spread against the vanity of wits and injuries of time; all which if they were ever due to any knowledge

delivered, or if they were never due to any human knowledge heretofore delivered, yet are now due to the

Of the impediments which have been in the affections, the principle whereof hath been despair or diffidence,

and the strong apprehension of the difficulty, obscurity, and infiniteness which belongeth to the invention of

knowledge, and that men have not known their own strength, and that the supposed difficulties and vastness

of the work is rather in shew and muster than in state or substance where the true way is taken. That this

diffidence hath moved and caused some never to enter into search, and others when they have been entered

either to give over or to seek a more compendious course than can stand with the nature of true search. That

of those that have refused and prejudged inquiry, the more sober and grave sort of wits have depended upon

authors and traditions, and the more vain and credulous resorted to revelation and intelligence with spirits and

higher natures. That of those that have entered into search, some having fallen upon some conceits which

they after consider to be the same which they have found in former authors, have suddenly taken a persuasion

that a man shall but with much labour incur and light upon the same inventions which he might with ease

receive from others; and that it is but a vanity and selfpleasing of the wit to go about again, as one that

would rather have a flower of his own gathering, than much better gathered to his hand. That the same

humour of sloth and diffidence suggesteth that a man shall but revive some ancient opinion, which was long

ago propounded, examined, and rejected. And that it is easy to err in conceit that a man's observation or

notion is the same with a former opinion, both because new conceits must of necessity be uttered in old

words, and because upon true and erroneous grounds men may meet in consequence or conclusion, as several

lines or circles that cut in some one point. That the greatest part of those that have descended into search have

chosen for the most artificial and compendious course to induce principles out of particulars, and to reduce all

other propositions unto principles; and so instead of the nearest way, have been led to no way or a mere

labyrinth. That the two contemplative ways have some resemblance with the old parable of the two moral

ways, the one beginning with incertainty and difficulty, and ending in plainness and certainty, and the other

beginning with shew of plainness and certainty, and ending in difficulty and incertainty. Of the great and

manifest error and untrue conceit or estimation of the infiniteness of particulars, whereas indeed all prolixity

is in discourse and derivations; and of the infinite and most laborious expense of wit that hath been employed

upon toys and matters of no fruit or value. That although the period of one age cannot advance men to the

furthest point of interpretation of nature, (except the work should be undertaken with greater helps than can

be expected), yet it cannot fail in much less space of time to make return of many singular commodities

towards the state and occasions of man's life. That there is less reason of distrust in the course of

interpretation now propounded than in any knowledge formerly delivered, because this course doth in sort

equal men's wits, and leaveth no great advantage or preeminence to the perfect and excellent motions of the

spirit. That to draw a straight line or to make a circle perfect round by aim of hand only, there must be a great

difference between an unsteady and unpractised hand and a steady and practised, but to do it by rule or

Of the impediments which have been in the two extreme humours of admiration of antiquity and love of

novelty, and again of overservile reverence or overlight scorn of the opinions of others.

Of the impediments which have been in the affection of pride, specially of one kind, which is the disdain of

dwelling and being conversant much in experiences and particulars, specially such as are vulgar in

occurrency, and base and ignoble in use. That besides certain higher mysteries of pride, generalities seem to

have a dignity and solemnity, in that they do not put men in mind of their familiar actions, in that they have

less affinity with arts mechanical and illiberal, in that they are not so subject to be controlled by persons of

mean observation, in that they seem to teach men that they know not, and not to refer them to that they know.

All which conditions directly feeding the humour of pride, particulars do want. That the majesty of

generalities, and the divine nature of the mind in taking them (if they be truly collected, and be indeed the

direct reflexions of things,) cannot be too much magnified. And that it is true that interpretation is the very

natural and direct intention, action, and progression of the understanding delivered from impediments. And

Of the impediments which have been in the state of heathen religion and other superstitions and errors of

religion. And that in the true religion there hath not nor is any impediment, except it be by accident or

intermixture of humour. That a religion which consisteth in rites and forms of adoration, and not in

confessions and beliefs, is adverse to knowledge; because men having liberty to inquire and discourse of

Theology at pleasure, it cometh to pass that all inquisition of nature endeth and limiteth itself in such

metaphysical or theological discourse; whereas if men's wits be shut out of that port, it turneth them again to

discover, and so to seek reason of reason more deeply. And that such was the religion of the Heathen. That a

religion that is jealous of the variety of learning, discourse, opinions, and sects, (as misdoubting it may shake

the foundations,) or that cherisheth devotion upon simplicity and ignorance, as ascribing ordinary effects to

the immediate working of God, is adverse to knowledge. That such is the religion of the Turk, and such hath

been the abuse of Christian religion at some several times, and in some several factions. And of the singular

advantage which the Christian religion hath towards the furtherance of true knowledge, in that it excludeth

and interdicteth human reason, whether by interpretation or anticipation, from examining or discussing of the

Of the impediments which have been in the nature of society and the policies of state. That there is no

composition of estate or society, nor order or quality of persons, which have not some point of contrariety

towards true knowledge. That monarchies incline wits to profit and pleasure, and commonwealths to glory

and vanity. That universities incline wits to sophistry and affectation, cloisters to fables and unprofitable

subtilty, study at large to variety; and that it is hard to say, whether mixture of contemplations with an active

life, or retiring wholly to contemplations, do disable and hinder the mind more.

5. CAP. 4. OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE, BEING THE 4TH CHAPTER, THE PREFACE ONLY OF IT., page = 8

6. THE IMPEDIMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN IN THE TIMES, AND IN DIVERSION OF WITS, BEING THE 5TH CHAPTER, A SMALL FRAGMENT IN THE BEGINNING OF THAT CHAPTER., page = 9

7. THE IMPEDIMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE FOR WANT OF A TRUE SUCCESSION OF WITS, AND THAT HITHERTO THE LENGTH OF ONE MAN'S LIFE HATH BEEN THE GREATEST MEASURE OF KNOWLEDGE, BEING THE 6TH CHAPTER, THE WHOLE CHAPTER., page = 9

8. CAP. 7. THAT THE PRETENDED SUCCESSION OF WITS HATH BEEN EVIL PLACED, FOR ASMUCH AS AFTER VARIETY OF SECTS AND OPINIONS, THE MOST POPULAR AND NOT THE TRUEST PREVAILETH AND WEARETH OUT THE REST; BEING THE 7TH CHAPTER; A FRAGMENT., page = 10

9. CAP. 8. OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE IN HANDLING IT BY PARTS, AND IN SLIPPING OFF PARTICULAR SCIENCES FROM THE ROOT AND STOCK OF UNIVERSAL KNOWLEDGE, BEING THE 8TH CHAPTER, THE WHOLE CHAPTER., page = 10

10. CAP. 9. THAT THE END AND SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE HATH BEEN GENERALLY MISTAKEN, AND THAT MEN WERE NEVER WELL ADVISED WHAT IT WAS THEY SOUGHT; BEING THE 9TH CHAPTER, WHEREOF A FRAGMENT (WHICH IS THE END OF THE SAME CHAPTER) IS BEFORE., page = 12

11. CAP. 10. THE INVENTORY, OR AN ENUMERATION AND VIEW OF INVENTIONS ALREADY DISCOVERED AND IN USE, TOGETHER WITH A NOTE OF THE WANTS AND THE NATURE OF THE SUPPLIES, BEING THE 10TH CHAPTER; AND THIS A SMALL FRAGMENT THEREOF, BEING THE PREFACE TO THE INVENTORY., page = 13

12. CAP. 11. THE CHAPTER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INVENTORY; BEING THE 11TH IN ORDER; A PART THEREOF., page = 14

13. OF THE INTERNAL AND PROFOUND ERRORS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN THE NATURE OF THE MIND, AND OF THE FOUR SORTS OF IDOLS OR FICTIONS WHICH OFFER THEMSELVES TO THE UNDERSTANDING IN THE INQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE; BEING THE 16TH CHAPTER, AND THIS A SMALL FRAGMENT THEREOF, BEING A PREFACE TO THE INWARD ELENCHES OF THE MIND., page = 17

14. HERE FOLLOWETH AN ABRIDGMENT OF DIVERS CHAPTERS OF THE FIRST BOOK OF INTERPRETATION OF NATURE., page = 17