I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another.

For if I should not believe all that is written by Historians, of the glorious acts of Alexander, or Caesar; I do not think the Ghost of Alexander, or Caesar, had any just cause to be offended; or any body else, but the Historian. If Livy say the Gods made once a Cow speak, and we believe it not; we distrust not God therein, but Livy. So that it is evident, that whatsoever we believe, upon no other reason, then what is drawn from authority of men only, and their writings; whether they be sent from God or not, is Faith in men only.

That wee have of Geometry, which is the mother of all Naturall Science, wee are not indebted for it to the Schools.

It is many times with a fraudulent Design that men stick their corrupt Doctrine with the Cloves of other mens Wit.

And therefore in geometry (which is the only science that it hath pleased God hitherto to bestow on mankind), men begin at settling the significations of their words; which settling of significations, they call definitions, and place them in the beginning of their reckoning.

For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.