The original printed text has a large blank space here, intended for a decorative initial "V" to be added by a rubricator or illuminator. The Will, the governor of all substance, is joined to the highest principle. From this follows the perfection and nobility of the whole, just as when the body of a city concurs with the will of its prince according to the specific nature of its parts; even if it aims at nothing higher or external, it is understood to be in the favor of that prince, in whose love and favor the prince himself rejoices.

¶ 98 Regarding a specific kind of happiness, we ought not to be more wise than is fitting; but regarding happiness in itself (since knowing belongs to the category of "the good"), no more a limit should be prescribed for the act of knowing than has been prescribed by Nature and God for its power—for God willed that no power should exist in vain.

¶ 122 He who desires to philosophize must begin by doubting all things. He should not define one side of a contradiction before he has heard those who argue the point. Having thoroughly examined and compared their reasons, he should judge and define not based on hearsay, reputation, the number of supporters, the age of the idea, or titles and ornaments; rather, he must judge by the strength of a doctrine that is consistent with itself and with reality, and by the light of reason and plain truth.

¶ 128 Voices and words do not serve wisdom and goodness any more than they serve ignorance and iniquity. Truth and teaching rejoice in the simplicity of these words; whereas laziness, cunning, and vanity—with a kind of mercenary anxiety—grow insolent through the ornamentation and variety of language.

¶ 152 Let the Rhetorician be hissed out of the forum if he lacks eloquence and persuasion. Likewise, let anyone who, having abandoned the proper use of words, makes a display of "emasculated" Bruno uses "emasculated" (original: emasculata) to describe speech that is weak, overly flowery, or lacking the "manly" vigor of direct truth. speech in the halls of our divine lady Philosophy, be exiled. Let him be cast out not merely as an ignorant man, but as one utterly unfit for understanding. And if anyone attempts to exclude simplicity and the proper use of words from this non-popular Bruno distinguishes his deep philosophy from "popular" or common philosophy which relies on easy rhetoric. genre of philosophy, let him be held more guilty of parricide and sacrilege than if he had profaned the sacred images of the gods. For Saturn, Mars, Neptune, Ocean, and Hercules, for the sake of their true majesty, wished to be depicted naked—with only the simplest weapon (to distinguish their deity)—rather than being dishonored by fine linen, purple cloth, rings, earrings, and the fringes of curled hair.

CHAPTER II

That the Minimum is the substance of numbers, of

magnitudes, and of all elements

whatsoever.

But let it suffice for me to seek the light in proportion to the weight of things,
and to approach the temple built of solid adamant...