"He thought all trial should be made, whether that commerce between the mind of man and the nature of things, which is more precious than anything on earth, or at least than anything that is of the earth, might by any means be restored to its perfect and original conditions, or if that may not be, yet reduced to a better condition than that in which it now is" (Chapter 1, The Great Instauration, pg. 1.)

"There was but one course left, therefore—to try the whole thing anew upon a better plan, and to commence a total reconstruction of sciences, arts, and all human knowledge, raised upon the proper foundation" (Chapter 1, The Great Instauration, pg. 2.)

"That the state of knowledge is not prosperous nor greatly advancing; and that a way must be opened for the human understanding entirely different from any hitherto known, and other helps provided, in...