Pagina 242 di 1391

Whether in the infinity of past time there has been, or is in

some distant land, or ever will be hereafter, an ideal such as we

have described, we stoutly maintain that there has been, is, and

will be such a state whenever the Muse of philosophy rules. Will

you say that the world is of another mind? O, my friend, do not

revile the world! They will soon change their opinion if they are

gently entreated, and are taught the true nature of the

philosopher. Who can hate a man who loves him? Or be jealous of

one who has no jealousy? Consider, again, that the many hate not

the true but the false philosophers-the pretenders who force

their way in without invitation, and are always speaking of

persons and not of principles, which is unlike the spirit of

philosophy.