--I know nothing can conduce more
to letters than to examine the writings of the ancients, and not to
rest in their sole authority, or take all upon trust from them,
provided the plagues of judging and pronouncing against them be
away; such as are envy, bitterness, precipitation, impudence, and
scurrilous scoffing. For to all the observations of the ancients we
have our own experience, which if we will use and apply, we have
better means to pronounce. It is true they opened the gates, and
made the way that went before us, but as guides, not commanders:
Non domini nostri, sed duces fuere. {19a} Truth lies open to all;
it is no man's several. Patet omnibus veritas; nondum est occupata.
Multum ex illa, etiam futuris relicta est. {19b}
Dissentire licet, sed cum ratione.--If in some things I dissent from
others, whose wit, industry, diligence, and judgment, I look up at
and admire, let me not therefore hear presently of ingratitude and
rashness. For I thank those that have taught me, and will ever; but
yet dare not think the scope of their labour and inquiry was to envy
their posterity what they also could add and find out.
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