The Hieroglyphic Monad

human life, and its course into different paths (of which almost everyone enters one or the other), must be considered in this way. As soon as the race of infancy and childhood is finished, and they are now young men, the choice of what kind of life they will hereafter enter begins to twist their minds. Then, hesitating for a little while in doubtful judgment at the Crossroadsoriginal: "Biuio" (Bivio). This refers to the "Pythagorean Y," a traditional symbol where the path of life splits into the narrow way of virtue and the broad way of vice.; they finally decide: either (these being captured by the love of Truth and virtue) to exert all their strength in Philosophizing for the whole remainder of their life; or (those surely ensnared by worldly allurements or burning with the desire for riches) to lead a luxurious or profitable life, laboring anxiously in every way.

1. And of the latter, you might indeed very easily find a thousand; WHEREAS of the former (those, clearly, who more sincerely devote their work to PhilosophyIn the 16th century, "Philosophy" encompassed all academic study, including the sciences.), you can scarcely point out one who has tasted even the first and true foundations of Physicsoriginal: "Physicæ". Here, it refers to "Natural Philosophy," the study of the physical world and its laws..

2. But, as for one who has more deeply and fully scrutinized the causes of celestial forces and actions, and the birth, state, and death of other things: the Republic of LettersA phrase referring to the international community of scholars and intellectuals. cannot bring forward even one in a thousand of those who have turned themselves entirely to the studies of wisdom.

3. What then of the man who, having overcome all these difficulties, has aspired to the contemplation and comprehension of super-celestial virtues and metaphysical influences? WHERE shall we hope that there is even ONE such magnanimous HERO in the whole world (in these most deplorable times of ours)? Since, according to the progress of our former (hardly rashly accepted) THOUSAND-FOLD proportion: OUT OF A HUNDRED SINCERE