Il natural desiderio di sapere - Pontifical Academy of Sciences

ON THE NATURAL DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE 107There are many who, by native temperament of complexion 19 or by adifferent disposition of bodily instruments, 20 are born less apt to secondthis affection, or who are in any event lukewarm in it. This is a naturaldefect, but it is also sometimes a defect of will in which they could helpthemselves. For the lack of health, genius, or memory there is no lack ofremedies; it is, however, much easier and more usual to neglect them, andit is equally difficult, on the other hand, for them to rebel against theirnatural complexion. It is, therefore, a lesser wonder that these such like,who are not few, do not climb up to the ranks of knowledge, and they areless to blame as they need greater help, time and work than the others,and in themselves have much weaker appetite for it.To the aforesaid reasons, which are all for our part 21 and fault, let usnow add those that come from the very conditions and ways of the doctrineitself, and it appears they amply excuse the small number of thelearned. 22 That the acquisition of the sciences has in itself, the same as allother great and laudable enterprises, enormous difficulties, is unfortunatelyevident and only too well known. Difficulty for the hard work, forthe time and for the assiduity, that are so especially required there andwant the whole man; all the more for the attributes and needs of our ownlives, which are so often counterpoised. 23 It is certain, as Ficino 24 says,that scholars need nine guides: three heavenly, Mercury, Phoebus, andVenus; three from our own spirit, constant and ardent will, acute intelligence,tenacious memory; three earthly, prudent father, good maestro,good doctor; to many all, to many most of them are lacking; nor can weof our own accord, come to be provided with another except will itself,from which for our own defect, as above, 25 we are want to wander.Study for its part requires maestros that teach us with their live voices,requires books where all subjects are more fully discovered and which communicateto us the contemplation and labor of others; the former with var-19 Complexion or combination of humors, according to the classical doctrine invogue during the Renaissance.20 Organs.21 Our part of responsibility. Recall what Cesi asked himself above: if the scarce commitmentto the search for knowledge was to be charged to the field itself, too arduous,of knowledge, or to us, who should investigate.22 They represent an extenuating circumstance for the small number of the learned.23 To the demands of research.24 De Vita, I, I.25 As explained above.