Pliny: Natural History, Vol. I (Loeb)

PLINY: NATURAL HISTORY

PREFACE, 14-16

Among the Greeks, there is no one who has tackled all these subjects single-handedly. Most of us seek out fields of study that are agreeable, while topics of immense depth that have been treated by others are left to languish in the shadowy darkness of obscurity. Before all else, we must address the subjects the Greeks call "Encyclic Culture" original: τῆς ἐγκυκλίου παιδείας; meaning a liberal or well-rounded education.. Yet, these subjects are either unknown, obscured by over-subtlety, or have been published so widely that they have become stale. It is a difficult task to give novelty to what is old, authority to what is new, brilliance to the common-place, light to the obscure, attraction to the stale, and credibility to the doubtful—but above all, to provide the natural character of all things and to assign to nature all that belongs to her. Accordingly, even if we have not fully succeeded, it is honorable and glorious to have at least resolved on the attempt.

16 For my own part, I believe that a special place in learning belongs to those who have preferred the useful service of overcoming difficulties to the mere popularity of providing entertainment. I have already done this in other works, and I admit I admire the famous writer Livy, who began one of his volumes of the History of Rome from the Foundation of the City with the words: "I have already achieved enough fame, and I might have retired to leisure, did not my restless mind find its sustenance in work." Assuredly, he ought to have composed his history for the glory of the world-conquering nation and the Roman name, not for his own; it would have been a greater merit to have persevered out of love for the work, not for his own peace of mind, and to have rendered this service to the Roman people rather than to himself.