Page:Hunterian oration, delivered in the theatre of the Royal College of Surgeons in London on February 14th 1829 (electronic resource) (IA b2148305x).pdf/20

16 If the advancement of science depend upon the intellectual powers, and mind be the possession of man, how is it that such tardy advances have been made to improve the scientific character of the knowledge of nature? Why have we not oftener Hunters? What obstacles seclude the light of truth, and keep man lingering in his puny exertions? It is owing to the narrow scope he gives to the influence of the powers of the mind. He turns from the brilliant prospect that would open to his view, and only occupies himself with impressions that are derived from that which surrounds him. He fails to discriminate sophistry from wisdom, as he does the visionary phantom of popular opinion, from the less imposing quality of sound judgment.

Bacon saw, that simplicity and singleness were necessary to render minds sufficiently unsophisticated, to receive the luminous