Page:Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury (1661).djvu/17

To the most Serene Grand Duke

OF

TUSCANY.

Though the difference between Men and other living Creatures be very great, yet happly he that should say that he could shew little less between Man and Man would not speak more than he might prove. What proportion doth one bear to a thousand? and yet it is a common Proverb, One Man is worth a thousand, when as a thousand are not worth one. This difference hath dependence upon the different abilities of their Intellectuals; which I reduce to the being, or not being a Philosopher; in regard that Philosophy as being the proper food of such as live by it, distinguisheth a Man from the common Essence of the Vulgar in a more or less honourable degree according to the variety of that diet. In this sence he that hath the highest looks, is of highest quality; and the turning over of the great Volume of Nature, which is the proper Object of Philosophy is the way to make one look high: in which Book, although whatsoever we read, as being the Work of Almighty God, is therefore most proportionate; yet notwithstanding that is more absolute and noble wherein we more plainly deserne his art and skill. The Constitution of the Vnivers, among all Physical points that fall within Humane Comprehension, may, in my opinion, be preferred to the Precedency: for if that in regard of universal extent it excell all others, it ought as the Rule and Standard of the rest to goe before them in Nobility. Now if ever any persons might challenge to be signally distinguished for Intellectuals from other men,Ptolo-