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open the matter； and spill it in pouring out： of one subject we make a
thousand； and in multiplying and subdividing them； fall again into the
infinity of atoms of Epicurus。 Never did two men make the same judgment
of the same thing； and 'tis impossible to find two opinions exactly
alike； not only in several men； but in the same man； at diverse hours。
I often find matter of doubt in things of which the commentary has
disdained to take notice； I am most apt to stumble in an even country；
like some horses that I have known； that make most trips in the smoothest
way。
Who will not say that glosses augment doubts and ignorance； since there's
no book to be found； either human or divine； which the world busies
itself about； whereof the difficulties are cleared by interpretation。
The hundredth commentator passes it on to the next； still more knotty and
perplexed than he found it。 When were we ever agreed amongst ourselves：
〃This book has enough； there is now no more to be said about it〃？ This
is most apparent in the law； we give the authority of law to infinite
doctors； infinite decrees； and as many interpretations； yet do we find
any end of the need of interpretating？ is there； for all that； any
progress or advancement towards peace； or do we stand in need of any
fewer advocates and judges than when this great mass of law was yet in
its first infancy？ On the contrary； we darken and bury intelligence； we
can no longer discover it； but at the mercy of so many fences and
barriers。 Men do not know the natural disease of the mind； it does
nothing but ferret and inquire； and is eternally wheeling； juggling； and
perplexing itself like silkworms； and then suffocates itself in its work；
〃Mus in pice。〃 ＇〃 A mouse in a pitch barrel。〃＇ It thinks it discovers
at a great distance； I know not what glimpses of light and imaginary
truth： but whilst running to it； so many difficulties； hindrances； and
new inquisitions cross it； that it loses its way； and is made drunk with
the motion： not much unlike AEsop's dogs； that seeing something like a
dead body floating in the sea； and not being able to approach it； set to
work to drink the water and lay the passage dry； and so choked
themselves。 To which what one Crates' said of the writings of Heraclitus
falls pat enough； 〃that they required a reader who could swim well；〃 so
that the depth and weight of his learning might not overwhelm and stifle
him。 'Tis nothing but particular weakness that makes us content with
what others or ourselves have found out in this chase after knowledge：
one of better understanding will not rest so content； there is always
room for one to follow； nay； even for ourselves； and another road； there
is no end of our inquisitions； our end is in the other world。 'Tis a
sign either that the mind has grown shortsighted when it is satisfied； or
that it has got weary。 No generous mind can stop in itself； it will
still tend further and beyond its power； it has sallies beyond its
effects； if it do not advance and press forward； and retire； and rush and
wheel about； 'tis but half alive； its pursuits are without bound or
method； its aliment is admiration； the chase； ambiguity； which Apollo
sufficiently declared in always speaking to us in a double； obscure； and
oblique sense： not feeding； but amusing and puzzling us。 'Tis an
irregular and perpetual motion； without model and without aim； its
inventions heat； pursue； and interproduce one another：
Estienne de la Boetie； thus translated by Cotton：
〃So in a running stream one wave we see
After another roll incessantly；
And as they glide； each does successively
Pursue the other； each the other fly
By this that's evermore pushed on； and this
By that continually preceded is：
The water still does into water swill；
Still the same brook； but different water still。〃
There is more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things；
and more books upon books than upon any other subject； we do nothing but
comment upon one another。 Every place swarms with commentaries； of
authors there is great scarcity。 Is it not the principal and most
reputed knowledge of our later ages to understand the learned？ Is it not
the common and final end of all studies？ Our opinions are grafted upon
one another； the first serves as a stock to the second； the second to the
third； and so forth； thus step by step we climb the ladder； whence it
comes to pass that he who is mounted highest has often more honour than
merit； for he is got up but an inch upon the shoulders of the last； but
one。
How often； and； peradventure； how foolishly； have I extended my book to
make it speak of itself； foolishly； if for no other reason but this； that
it should remind me of what I say of others who do the same： that the
frequent amorous glances they cast upon their work witness that their
hearts pant with self…love； and that even the disdainful severity
wherewith they scourge them are but the dandlings and caressings of
maternal love； as Aristotle； whose valuing and undervaluing himself often
spring from the same air of arrogance。 My own excuse is； that I ought in
this to have more liberty than others； forasmuch as I write specifically
of myself and of my writings； as I do of my other actions； that my theme
turns upon itself； but I know not whether others will accept this excuse。
I observed in Germany that Luther has left as many divisions and disputes
about the doubt of his opinions； and more； than he himself raised upon
the Holy Scriptures。 Our contest is verbal： I ask what nature is； what
pleasure； circle； and substitution are？ the question is about words； and
is answered accordingly。 A stone is a body； but if a man should further
urge： 〃And what is a body？〃〃Substance〃； 〃And what is substance？〃 and
so on； he would drive the respondent to the end of his Calepin。
＇Calepin （Ambrogio da Calepio）； a famous lexicographer of the
fifteenth century。 His Polyglot Dictionary became so famous； that
Calepin became a common appellation for a lexicon＇
We exchange one word for another； and often for one less understood。
I better know what man is than I know what Animal is； or Mortal； or
Rational。 To satisfy one doubt； they give me three； 'tis the Hydra's
head。 Socrates asked Menon； 〃What virtue was。〃 〃There is；〃 says Menon；
〃the virtue of a man and of a woman； of a magistrate and of a private
person； of an old man and of a child。〃 Very fine；〃 cried Socrates；
〃we were in quest of one virtue； and thou hast brought us a whole
swarm。〃 We put one question； and they return us a whole hive。 As no
event； no face； entirely resembles another； so do they not entirely
differ： an ingenious mixture of nature。 If our faces were not alike； we
could not distinguish man from beast； if they were not unlike； we could
not distinguish one man from another； all things hold by some similitude；
every example halts； and the relation which is drawn from experience is
always faulty and imperfect。 Comparisons are ever…coupled at one end or
other： so do the laws serve； and are fitted to every one of ou