Non nimium credendum antiquitati.—­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.

Non mihi credendum sed veritati.—­If I err, pardon me:  Nulla ars simul et inventa est et absoluta. {19c} I do not desire to be equal to those that went before; but to have my reason examined with theirs, and so much faith to be given them, or me, as those shall evict.  I am neither author nor fautor of any sect.  I will have no man addict himself to me; but if I have anything right, defend it as Truth’s, not mine, save as it conduceth to a common good.  It profits not me to have any man fence or fight for me, to flourish, or take my side.  Stand for truth, and ’tis enough.

Scientiae liberales.—­Arts that respect the mind were ever reputed nobler than those that serve the body, though we less can be without them, as tillage, spinning, weaving, building, &c., without which we could scarce sustain life a day.  But these were the works of every hand; the other of the brain only, and those the most generous and exalted wits and spirits, that cannot rest or acquiesce.  The mind of man is still fed with labour:  Opere pascitur.

Non vulgi sunt.—­There is a more secret cause, and the power of liberal studies lies more hid than that it can be wrought out by profane wits.  It is not every man’s way to hit.  There are men, I confess, that set the carat and value upon things as they love them; but science is not every man’s mistress.  It is as great a spite to be praised in the wrong place, and by a wrong person, as can be done to a noble nature.

Honesta ambitio.—­If divers men seek fame or honour by divers ways, so both be honest, neither is to be blamed; but they that seek immortality are not only worthy of love, but of praise.

Maritus improbus.—­He hath a delicate wife, a fair fortune, a family to go to and be welcome; yet he had rather be drunk with mine host and the fiddlers of such a town, than go home.