T H E P R I N T E R

To the candid and learned reader.

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There has come into our hands, candid reader, the Metaphysical Disquisition of the most eminent Pierre Gassendi, whose publication I know to have been most highly desired, both on account of the subject matter and on account of the fame of the Author as well as of Descartes, against whom it was written. Nevertheless, the modesty of that excellent man stood in the way for nearly two whole years; for, being destined to be famous to posterity for other reasons, he considered it of little importance to pull the rope of contention. He showed only to friends of a more intimate sort, with whom alone he had shared his manuscript, how easily he could dissolve the arguments of his adversary and laugh at his more bitter remarks. But at last, overcome by the importunate entreaty of the friend to whom he sent his manuscript—for he indeed placed no end to his prayers—he himself granted the freedom to publish it. I hope, and it is no vain belief, that this work will be received with great applause by all the learned, inasmuch as nothing in this genre of writing could have been written more accurately. For how diligently does that most learned man examine all the sayings of his adversary? With what skill does he uncover the mines? With what sharpness does he untie the intricacies? How forcefully does he hurl the darts back at his adversary? How firm a footing does he place in slippery and steep terrain? With what judgment does he treat this difficult matter? How learnedly does he discourse? How modestly does he speak of himself? How gentle he is toward his adversary—a man who, more than others, treated him ill, and whom he was bound to respect and revere above others? What brilliance,