Supinity involves “neglect of enquiry, even of matters
whereof we doubt; rather believing than going to see, or doubting with ease and gratis than believing with difficulty or purchase.
Whereby either from a temperemental inactivity, we are unready to put into execution the suggestions or dictates of reason;
or by a content and acquiescence in every
species of truth, we embrace the shadow thereof, or so much
as may palliate its just and substantial
acquirements.
...But now,
our understandings being eclipsed, as well as our tempers infirmed, we must
betake ourselves to ways of reparation, and depend
upon the illumination of our endeavours. For thus we may, in some measure,
repair our primary ruins, and build ourselves ]men[ again.
.... And this is the reason why some have transcribed
anything; and although they cannot but doubt thereof, yet neither make
experiment by sense, nor enquiry by reason, but live in doubts of things, whose
satisfaction is in their own power; which is, indeed, the inexcusable part of
our ignorance.
... For,
not obeying the dictates of reason, and neglecting the crys of truth, we fail
not only in the trust of our undertakings, but in the intention of man itself. Which,
although more venial in ordinary
constitutions, and such as are not framed beyond the capacity of beaten
notions; yet will it inexcusably condemn some men, who, having received
excellent endowments, have yet sat down by the way, and frustrated the
intention of their abilities. For certainly, as some men have sinned in the
principles of humanity, and must answer for not being men; so others offend if
they be not more. Magis extra vitia, quàm
cum virtutibus, would commend those: these
are not excusable without an excellency. For, great constitutions, and such as
are constellated unto knowledge, do nothing till they out-do all.... God expects no
lustre from the minor stars; but if the sun should not illuminate all, it were a sin in nature....
Thus, while it exceeds not the bounds of reason and modesty, we cannot condemn
singularity. Nos numeros sumus, is the motto of the multitude, and for that
reason they are fools."
Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errors: "Credulity and Supinity"
"All
round me, my fellow men are new grafting their vines and dwelling in
flourishing arbors; while I am forever pruning mine, till it becomes but a
stump. Yet in this pruning I will persist; I will not add, I will diminish; I
will trim myself down to the standard of what is unchangeably true. Day by day I drop off my redundancies; ere long I shall have stripped my ribs..."
Herman Melville, Mardi
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