Tractatus sive Physiologia Nova de Magnete

clear things emerge, and finally in a certain series, the greatest and hidden mysteries of the terrestrial globe are revealed, and their causes recognized, which were left unknown and passed over due to either the ignorance of the ancients or the negligence of recent writers. But why should I add anything further to this so perturbed republic of letters, in such a vast Ocean of Books, by which the minds of students are disturbed and fatigued, and by which the vulgar and most importunate men are intoxicated, rave, are puffed up, and make literary tumults, professing themselves Philosophers, Physicians, Mathematicians, and Astrologers, while neglecting and contemning learned men? Why, I ask, should I expose this renowned philosophy, which is almost new and incredible because of many unheard-of things, to this so perturbed literary republic, or to those who are sworn to the opinions of others, or to the most absurd corrupters of the liberal arts, to learned idiots, grammarians, sophists, brawlers, and the perverse mob, to be condemned and torn apart by curses? But I have entrusted these magnetic foundations, with a new kind of philosophizing, only to you, noble men who philosophize, who seek knowledge not only from books but from the things themselves. But if it does not seem right to agree with some of the opinions and paradoxes themselves, let them at least look at the great frequency of experiments and inventions [in which all philosophy especially flourishes], which have been unearthed and demonstrated by our many cares, vigils, and expenses. Enjoy them, and if you can, use them for better purposes. I know that just as it is difficult to give novelty to ancient things, polish to obsolete things, light to obscure things, grace to things that are loathed, or faith to doubtful things: so it is much more difficult to gain and establish any authority for new and unheard-of things, against all the opinions of all people. Nor do we care about that; for we have judged that one must philosophize for the few. We have placed larger and smaller asterisks on our inventions and experiments, according to the reason of their dignity and subtlety. Whoever wishes to experiment with these things should not handle the bodies in an idle and inept manner, but prudently, artfully, and appropriately; lest he (when the matter does not succeed) ignorantly argue against our inventions: for nothing in these books has been set forth that has not been explored, and most frequently performed and transacted by us. Many things in the reasons and hypotheses will perhaps seem too harsh at first glance, since they are alien to common opinion, yet I do not doubt that later they will finally obtain authority from the demonstrations themselves. Therefore, in magnetic discipline, those who progress more, rely more on hypotheses, and benefit