Il natural desiderio di sapere - Pontifical Academy of Sciences

ON THE NATURAL DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE 153These are certainly parts 124 of much utility, and of very much somewhich, in proposal 125 not believed, in fact turn out to be totally stupendous;it is enough to name the telescope alone, that adds so much to ourvision and brings us so much closer to the stars and the remotest thingsin an instant, which, not only discovered in Padua by the most learnedGalilei, but also elevated and perfected even to celestial use, as soon as heheard talk of it from Holland, made it be known and at the same timeremembered that Porta, not without some basis, had already speculatedabout it and predicted marvelous effects for it, and that that which thenappeared to be fabulous, later actually happened to be much moreadmirable, appreciated by all and most useful in application in observations,government, and war.Also to be had from these, 126 in addition to inventions, are the fruits ofheroic and virtuous actions, in the service and profit of their superiorsand elders, I say, in peace, in war, and in every condition. These alwayscome from virtue and from the perfection of souls well supplied with science,both spontaneously and upon the command of those who can, 127 inevery sort of honored business. Nor should anyone object, and for thisquit studying, that letters are an impediment to the military profession,since it will always be shown to him that not only are they of the greatesthelp, but also totally necessary to those in command, and in our particularwork fully; in the meantime he should keep well fixed in his memoryEpaminondas, Alexander, Caesar, Scipio and recall how long Archimedesalone, although so very abstract in his contemplation that, in order to notbe diverted from pulling his lines he lost his life, 128 kept at bay, defendinghis country, Marcellus and the Roman army.By these fruits of inventions and actions may be left confused thosewho judge the speculative sciences to be useless and reproach philosophyfor this as indolent and fruitless, so that, this concept once foolishly had,it remains abandoned; and from them 129 may the world take this furthergood, to become enamored of these sciences so as to embrace it 130 all the124 Fruits.125 On paper.126 Probably a reference to subjects, masters, and disciples.127 Virtuous actions are spontaneous or consequent to the commands of those whohold power, but they always come from the virtue of the soul that possesses science.128 The famous episode recounted, among others, by Plutarch, Life of Marcellus, 19, § 8ff.129 These fruits.130 Philosophy.