Of wisdom three books / written originally in French by the Sieur de Charron ; with an account of the author, made English by George Stanhope ...

An Explanation of the Figure in the Fron∣tispiece of this Book.

AT the upper end of the Page, and o∣ver the Title of the Book, you have Wisdom represented by a beautiful Woman; She is naked; yet so that there is no offence given to the Chastest Eyes, (intimating, that she needs not any Additional Beauties, or the Assistance of Art to recommend her, but is natural, plain, and simple; yet so as in the midst of Nature and Simplicity to have always a strict regard to Modesty.) Her Coun∣tenance is Healthful and Masculine, Smiling and Cheerful, Strong and Authoritative. Her Body Streight, with her Feet fixed close to∣gether, upon a Cube, that denotes Justice, and Firmness. Her Arms a-cross, as if she were embracing her self; intimating, that she is happy in, and satisfy'd with her self. Upon her Head she wears a Crown of Lau∣rel and Olive, which imports Victory and Peace. The void Space round about her, signifies Liberty: She looks in a Glass, held by a Hand coming out of a Cloud, at some distance from her, which presents her with the Reflection of her own Face; for Wisdom is employ'd in the Knowledge and Contem∣plation of her self. Upon her Right side are

these Words, I know not; not thereby to give Countenance to perpetual Doubt and Scepticism; but arguing, that she is mature and cautious in Deliberating, slow in Deter∣mining; not positive or peremptory, but re∣serving an Ear open for fresh Reasons, and not ashamed to confess, that the best Human Knowledge is still dark and imperfect. On the Left side are those other Words, Peace, and a little;* 1.1 which are the Author's own De∣vice, represented by a Root impaled, wound about with an Olive-Branch, and incircled with two Branches of Laurel in an Oval Form; implying, that a Competency is suf∣ficient; and that Men have it in their own Power to be easie and contented.

Below, on each side the Title, are Four little, deformed, wretched, wrinkled Old Women, bound in Chains; the End of which is fasten'd to the Pedestal of Wisdom; who despises, condemns, and tramples them under her Feet. The Two on the Right side of the Title are Passion and Opinion; Passion hath a meagre and discomposed Coun∣tenance, intimating Disorder and Fury. O∣pinion hath wild staring Eyes, an unsettled and sturdy Face: She is supported by several Persons, denoting the Extravagance and general Infection of vulgar Errors, and how fond of, and how stiff the common People are in them. The other Two on the Left side of the Inscri∣ption are Superstition, with an amazed Look, her Hands clasped together like a Slave trembling for Fear; shewing the Terrors

and Astonishments of People possess'd with this Phrensie of the Mind: And Lastly, there is Learning, which is a counterfeit, artificial, acquir'd, and Pedantic Virtue; a Slave to Laws, and Customs, and Forms; with a swell'd Face, a haughty arrogant Look, bold staring Eyes; and she reads in a Book, wherein is written, Yea, Nay; importing the Vanity and Confidence of Learned Men, their Eternal Disputes, and the wide Disa∣greement of their Notions; and yet the Pre∣sumption and Positiveness they betray in the midst of all this Difference and Uncertainty. And Lastly, The Chains which terminate in the Footstool of Wisdom, shew that Captivi∣ty of the Mind, which all these Qualities bring Men under, which they who study Wisdom labour to get above; and they who attain to it, break those Fetters, and are wholly free from that miserable Bondage.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See Book II. Chap. vi. Fig. 6.