New Conversations

Aristotle, I do not find that anyone has risen in our day who clarifies Nature better than he clarified it; now, obscurity for obscurity, I will never praise the new at the expense of the old. "What, Sir," he said to me, showing me the title of the Book, "you did not write that Book?" "Certainly not," I replied to him, "it is not for me to write such essays." "And furthermore," he continued, "you are not infatuated with Aristotle? And you do not believe that the Breton Likely a reference to René Descartes; though born in Touraine, his family was of the Breton "nobility of the robe" and he was often associated with Brittany., of whom this book speaks, is the greatest Philosopher who ever lived?" "As for Aristotle," I replied, "I have major grievances against him; and as for Descartes, I have no reason to esteem him highly, for I do not understand him." "Ah! Sir," he cried out humbly, "I ask a thousand pardons, then, for my mistake. A monk original: "Religieux," a member of a religious order. had nonetheless assured me that you had composed this book, and had given me your name and address; I am quite ready to offer you all the satisfaction you could desire." "I want none of it, Mr. Jean le Brun," I said to him; "simply repair a small wrong with a very great good: share your knowledge with me."