CHAP. I.
Of PHITOSOPHY, and how a Philosopher must be qualified.
Such a Summary as this may be given of the Doctrine of Plato. Philosophy is the desire of Wisdom, or solution of the soul from the body, and a conversion to those things, which are true and perceptible by Intellect. Wisdom, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is the Science of things Divine and Humane. A Philosopher is he who takes denomination from Philosophy, as a Musician from Musick. He who is to be a Philosopher, must be thus qualified; First, he must have a natu∣rall capacity of all such Learning as is able to fit and bring him to the knowledge of that essence which is perceptible by Intel∣lect, not of that which is in continual fluxion or mutation. Then he must have a naturall affection to Truth, and an aversion from receiving falshood, and besides this, temperate in a manner by Nature; for those parts which use to be transported with passi∣ons, he must have reduced to obedience by Nature. For whoso∣ever hath once embraced those disciplines which are conversant in consideration of such things as truly exist, and hath addicted all his study thereunto, little valueth corporeall pleasure. More∣over a Philosopher must have a liberall mind, for the estimation of mean things is contrary to a man who intended to contem∣plate the truth of things. Likewise he must naturally love Justice, for he must be studious of Truth, Temperance and Liberality. He must also have an acute apprehension, and a good memory, for these inform a Philosopher, those gifts of Nature, if improved by Discipline and Education, make a man perfect in Vertue, but neglected are the cause of the worst ills. These Plato useth to call by the same names with the Vertues, Temperance, Fortitude and Iustice.