CHAP. XXII.
Of contrary Axioms.
COntrary Axioms are those which are repugnant to one ano∣ther,* 1.1 according to truth and falsehood, whereof one affirm∣eth, the other denyeth, as, it is day, it is not day. Only Negatives are contrary, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and opposite, and repugnant, for onely in contraries one proposition is true, the other false. The other three kinds of contraries alledged by Arist••tle, are pronounced without a conjunction. Whatsoever is pronounced without a conjunction, is neither true nor false, for true and false belongeth to axiom. Axiom is a speech which consisteth in the conjunction of some thing, wheras of Aristotle's other three kinds of contraries, none are conjunct but simple, as black and white, double and sin∣gle, sight and blindness.
Adverse are (as likewise defined by Aristotle) those which in the same kind are most distant. Nothing that is pronounced by negation is adverse, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) to another, for then the adverse to Vertue will be not Vertue, and to Vice not Vice, and under not Vertue will be included many other things beside vice, even, a stone, a horse, and whatsover is beside Vertue; under not vice, will be found Vertue and all other things. Thus all things would be adverse to one, and the same the adverse to Vertue and Vice. Moreover if Vertue were not adverse to Vice, but to not-vice, the intermediate will be adverse both to good and bad, which is absurd.
The rules of contraries are these. 1.* 1.2 Contrariety is princi∣pally in acts, habits, and the like. 2. Categorems and qualitatives are called as it were contrary. Prudently and imprudently in some manner lead to things contrary, but contraries absolutely are in things: and prudence is so immediately contrary to impru∣dence, not this to that:
Contraries are either distunctive or sul disjunctive, disjunctive as when wee say, it is either day or night. Sul disjunctive are of two kinds, either in whole, betwixt universalls, as every living creature either doth or suffereth, no living Creature either doth or suffereth; or in part, betwixt particulars; as he either sitteth or walketh; he nei∣ther sitteth nor walketh.