A Sketch of Universal Wisdom

original: PANSOPHIÆ. Comenius uses this term to describe his project of "Universal Wisdom," aiming to harmonize all knowledge—scientific, philosophical, and theological—into a single system.

at last, in the course [of time], be brought to light and then erased?

XXV. If such a thing can be hoped for, why should we not also desire and strive for it? For what would this be other than for us to be the ministers of divine kindness—a kindness that is accustomed to communicate itself to us step by step and to spread itself ever further?

XXVI. Therefore, if we now attempt to collect into one single, universal Light those various sparks of light—and later torches—which the Father of Lights original: "luminum Pater." A scriptural reference to God (James 1:17) as the source of all truth, suggesting that human discovery is a reflection of divine revelation. has ignited and continually increased within the human race through the course of previous centuries; if we try to make this light as pure as possible and bring it forward for the public use of the World original: "Orbis." In this context, it refers to the global community of humanity or the "commonwealth of learning.", let us believe that we are doing nothing but that which divine Providence itself has already led us by the hand to perform.

XXVII. Nevertheless, the Necessities of the human race also compel us to do this same thing: I shall explain these in a few words, first in general; then through specific Ranks of men; and finally by looking at these current times of ours into which we have come.

XXVIII. On human affairs