Preliminary discourse on the study of natural philosophy / by Sir John F.W. Herschel.

  • Herschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William), 1792-1871.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Preliminary discourse on the study of natural philosophy / by Sir John F.W. Herschel. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in primis, hominis estpropria VERI inquisitio atque investigatio. Itaque cum sumus negotiis necessariis, curisque vacui, turn avemus aliquid videre, audire, ac dicere, cogrutionemque rerum, aut occultarum aut aJ- ' inirabilium, ad benfc beuteque vivendum necessariam ducimus; — ex quo intelligitur, quod VERUM, simplex, sincerumque sit, id esse naturae hominis aptissimum. Huic veri videndi cupiditati adjuncta est appetitio qua?. dam principatfts, ut nemini parere animus benfe a natura informatus velit, nisi precipienti, aut docenti, aut utilitatis causa juste et legitimfe impe- ranti: ex quo animi magnitude existit, et humanarum rerum contemtio. CICERO, DE OFFICHS, Lib. L $ 13. Before all other things, man is distinguished by his pursuit and investiga- tion of TRUTH. And hence, when free from needful business and cares, we delight to see, to hear, and to communicate, and consider a knowledge of many admirable and abstruse things necessary to the good conduct and happiness of our lives: whence it is clear that whatsoever is TRUE, simple, and direct, the same is most congenial to our nature as men. Closely allied with this earnest longing to see and know the truth, is a kind of dignified and princely sentiment which forbids a mind, naturally well constituted, to submit its faculties to any but those who announce it in precept or in doc- trine, or to yield obedience to any orders but such as are at once just, lawful, and founded on utility. From this source spring greatness of mind and contempt of worldly advantages and troubles.