The Book of Mechanics

since he treats two things which are as it were the elements of this science. Namely, that most excellent foundation already so often aforementioned; then he shows the centers of gravity of planes. And although these two little books of Archimedes may seem to contain little, it is not to be thought that Archimedes has taught little. For many things are small in bulk, which are nevertheless held to be of greatest virtue, which clearly happens to the writings of Archimedes; and especially to these, from which a path lies open to many, and almost infinite, mechanical theorems and problems. For nothing can be demonstrated in this field that does not stand in need of these writings. And what is more admirable, we are able not only to take the theorems demonstrated in these books as a foundation for demonstrating something, but also to learn from these demonstrations the very manner of arguing and demonstrating, as we shall show in their own places. So that it must truly be concluded that no one at all is to be counted among the mechanicians who is ignorant of these writings of Archimedes. For the principles being unknown, there is no science, as is clear among all wise men. Let us therefore listen to Archimedes himself, and let us weigh his writings most diligently.