Works, Volume 8Taggard & Thompson, 1864 - Philosophy, English |
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Page v
... further : upon which he left his manuscript with me , to be dealt with as I thought fit . The consequence is that for the ultimate state of the whole of this volume , * [ The references in this preface apply to the English edition . To ...
... further : upon which he left his manuscript with me , to be dealt with as I thought fit . The consequence is that for the ultimate state of the whole of this volume , * [ The references in this preface apply to the English edition . To ...
Page 25
... further ; or else from too mean an estimate of their own powers , they spend their strength in small matters and never put it fairly to the trial in those which go to the main . These are as the pillars of fate set in the path of knowl ...
... further ; or else from too mean an estimate of their own powers , they spend their strength in small matters and never put it fairly to the trial in those which go to the main . These are as the pillars of fate set in the path of knowl ...
Page 27
... further perfection the things invented . In the mechanical arts we do not find it so ; they , on the contrary , as having in thein some breath of life , are continually growing and becoming more perfect . As originally invented they are ...
... further perfection the things invented . In the mechanical arts we do not find it so ; they , on the contrary , as having in thein some breath of life , are continually growing and becoming more perfect . As originally invented they are ...
Page 28
... further inquiry , of which they are weary and impatient . And if any one take this gen- eral acquiescence and consent for an argument of weight , as being the judgment of Time , let me tell him that the reasoning on which he relies is ...
... further inquiry , of which they are weary and impatient . And if any one take this gen- eral acquiescence and consent for an argument of weight , as being the judgment of Time , let me tell him that the reasoning on which he relies is ...
Page 34
... further than may suffice to let the images and rays of natural objects meet in a point , as they do in the sense of vision ; whence it follows that the strength and excellency of the wit has but little to do in the matter . And the same ...
... further than may suffice to let the images and rays of natural objects meet in a point , as they do in the sense of vision ; whence it follows that the strength and excellency of the wit has but little to do in the matter . And the same ...
Common terms and phrases
action ages ancient animals Aristotle arts astrology axioms burning-glass causes cerning CHAP cold common configurations consent Democritus diligently discovered discovery distance diurnal motion divine Division doctrine concerning doubt earth effect errors especially example experiments fables Fingerpost fire flame Form glass greater hand heat heavenly bodies heavens History of Earth human Idols ignited induction inquiry invention investigation iron judgment kind knowledge labour Lastly learning less let the nature Leucippus light likewise magnet manifest manner matter means men's ments metals Metaphysic mind motion namely natural history natural philosophy Natural Theology nature in question observed operation opinion particular perfect perfect circle perigee Physic planets Plato Poesy Prerogative Instances quicksilver rays reason regard reject rest sciences sense solid spirit of wine stances stars subjoin substances subtlety syllogism tangible tion touch true truth ture understanding virtue whereas words
Popular passages
Page 67 - Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand.
Page 79 - The human understanding is of its own nature prone to suppose the existence of more order and regularity in the world than it finds. And though there be many things in nature which are singular and unmatched, yet it devises for them parallels and conjugates and relatives which do not exist.
Page 36 - Of myself I say nothing ; but in behalf of the business which is «/ O * in hand I entreat men to believe that it is not an opinion to be held, but a work to be done ; and to be well assured that I am labouring to lay the foundation, not of any sect or doctrine, but of human utility and power.
Page 68 - It would be an unsound fancy and self-contradictory to expect that things which have never yet been done can be done except by means which have never yet been tried.
Page 156 - There is a great difference between the Idols of the human mind and the Ideas of the divine. That is to say, between certain empty dogmas, and the true signatures and marks set upon the works of creation as they are found in nature.
Page 80 - Besides, independently of that delight and vanity which I have described, it is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human intellect to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives; whereas it ought properly to hold itself indifferently disposed towards both alike. Indeed in the establishment of any true axiom, the negative instance is the more forcible of the two.
Page 440 - The use of this feigned history hath been to give some shadow of satisfaction to the mind of man in those points wherein the nature of things doth deny it, the world being in proportion inferior to the soul ; by reason whereof there is, agreeable to the spirit of man, a more ample greatness, a more exact goodness, and a more absolute variety, than can be found in the nature of things.
Page 86 - But the Idols of the Market-place are the most troublesome of all: idols which have crept into the understanding through the alliances of words and names. For men believe that their reason governs words; but it is also true that words react on the understanding; and this it is that has rendered philosophy and the sciences sophistical and inactive.
Page 155 - For my way of discovering sciences goes far to level men's wits, and leave but little to individual excellence ; because it performs everything by the surest rules and demonstrations. And therefore I attribute my part in all this, as I have often said, rather to good luck than to ability, and account it a birth of time rather than of wit. For certainly chance has something to do with men's thoughts, as well as with their works and deeds.
Page 48 - Nay (to say the plain truth) I do in fact (low and vulgar as men may think it) count more upon this part both for helps and safeguards than upon the other; seeing that the nature of things betrays itself more readily under the vexations of art than in its natural freedom.