PREFACE.

...words under the veil of allegory or fable) I have explained fully in the Dissertation itself. In fact, the poets were not exempt from the same danger that commonly attended the philosophers; for it is a major mistake to suppose that the former always wrote in a figurative style out of pure choice, or simply because it was as amusing or alluring as their poetic meter. No, no: those poets and philosophers who would rather gain the people's favor than run any risk in correcting or instructing them (for I exclude the most generous-spirited) must, no less than those corrupt orators and historians who seek the applause of the masses, approve of the public's favorite opinions, as well as tickle their ears and fancies.

Listen to a man perfectly acquainted with this matter. "Whoever writes anything for the public," (says 11 SYNESIUS, who was both a poet and philosopher) "or addresses his speech to them, must necessarily appear 'popular' in his doctrine, and invent or discuss what gratifies them. For they, being uneducated, are therefore stubborn and intractable defenders of their senseless prejudices; so that if anyone deviates from his country's traditional rites, he must immediately drink the juice of hemlock The juice of the hemlock plant was used in ancient Athens as a method of execution, most famously for the philosopher Socrates.. What do you think HOMER would have suffered from the Greeks if he had told the naked truth concerning JUPITER original: Jupiter (Zeus)? And what if he had not sold those monstrous fictions which terrify children?"

All foolish people are children, no less in other times than in that of HOMER; a secret well known to EMPEDOCLES, along with some other poetical philosophers. And I must admit that when I observe learned men—or those who are presumed to be so by their professions—laboring through indirect means to make others who are equally learned (and perhaps much more deserving on all accounts) vulnerable to the folly or madness of the common crowd, I cannot help but be filled with equal parts contempt and abhorrence. But I feel this above all when they are Clergymen (the professed preachers of charity, fair dealing, and moderation) who are guilty of such [unmanly]...

11 "Whoever writes for the people and speaks to the people must necessarily be popular in his opinions, so that he may shape his words and discourse from what pleases them. For being ignorant, they are strong-minded and difficult to turn from their absurd prejudices; so that if anyone disturbs the traditions of the fathers, he will quickly drink the hemlock. What then do you think HOMER would have suffered from the Greeks if he had told the truth about JUPITER, and had not made up such monstrous tales to frighten little children?" original Greek: Ὅστις δ᾽ οὖν δήμῳ γράφει καὶ δήμῳ λέγει... In Encom. Calvit. Edit. Par. pag. 72.