Aesthetica

Idem generalibus suis assertis:

The same Lucretius, for his general assertions,

non species superstitionum innumeras includit exempli gratia, sed unum aliquod atrox factum:

and "so great evils could religion persuade," does not include innumerable species of superstitions by way of example, but one atrocious deed:

e. c.
Nec Homerus subsistit in enarrandis navium Troiam petentium aliquibus speciebus singularum in enumerationem descendens. Virgilius sibi non satisfacit generali quadam distributione per Italiam bellum Aeneae parantium:

and so on. Nor does Homer stop in narrating some species of ships seeking Troy, descending into enumeration of individual ones. Virgil does not satisfy himself with a certain general distribution through Italy of those preparing war against Aeneas:

VII. 628. Sed progreditur descendendo ad singularia, v. 630–817.

VII.628. But he proceeds by descending to singulars, vv.630–817.

Idem generalibus suis assertis:

The same Lucretius, for his general assertions,

non species superstitionum innumeras includit exempli gratia, sed unum aliquod atrox factum:

and "so great evils could religion persuade," does not include innumerable species of superstitions by way of example, but one atrocious deed:

e. c.
Nec Homerus subsistit in enarrandis navium Troiam petentium aliquibus speciebus singularum in enumerationem descendens.

and so on. Nor does Homer stop in narrating some species of ships seeking Troy, descending into enumeration of individual ones.

Virgilius sibi non satisfacit generali quadam distributione per Italiam bellum Aeneae parantium:

Virgil does not satisfy himself with a certain general distribution through Italy of those preparing war against Aeneas:

VII. 628. Sed progreditur descendendo ad singularia, v. 630–817.

VII.628. But he proceeds by descending to singulars, vv.630–817.

Cuius altius rimati sumus rationem, § 556–565. ex qua deduximus, § 569, 575. quam genus cogitandi tum simpliciter dilucidum in aestheticis, tum splendidum inprimis postulat § 625. regulam illam heic, suo maxime loco, liceat denuo commendare, generatim et terminis in schola receptis expressam: Si genus cogitandi logicum et scientificum obiecta sua primaria, ne exceptis ipsis quidem individuis, ubi caetera paria sint, lubentius in abstracto considerat: pulcre cogitaturus analogo rationis suas materias praecipuas non in concreto solum, sed etiam in determinatissimis, in quibus potest, hinc in singularibus, suppositis, personis, factis, quoties datur, lubentissime contempletur. M. § 149.

We have examined more deeply the reason for this, §§556–565, and from it deduced, §§569, 575, the rule that the kind of thinking both simply clear in aesthetics and especially splendid requires, §625. Let it be permitted here, in its most proper place, to commend that rule again, expressed generally and in terms received in the schools: if the logical and scientific kind of thinking considers its primary objects more willingly in the abstract, not even excepting individuals where other things are equal, one who will think beautifully should contemplate his principal materials for the analogue of reason not only in the concrete, but also in the most determinate things in which he can, and hence in singulars, supposits, persons, and deeds, whenever possible, Metaphysics §149.

Cuius altius rimati sumus rationem, § 556–565. ex qua deduximus, § 569, 575. quam genus cogitandi tum simpliciter dilucidum in aestheticis, tum splendidum inprimis postulat § 625. regulam illam heic, suo maxime loco, liceat denuo commendare, generatim et terminis in schola receptis expressam: Si genus cogitandi logicum et scientificum obiecta sua primaria, ne exceptis ipsis quidem individuis, ubi caetera paria sint, lubentius in abstracto considerat: pulcre cogitaturus analogo rationis suas materias praecipuas non in concreto solum, sed etiam in determinatissimis, in quibus potest, hinc in singularibus, suppositis, personis, factis, quoties datur, lubentissime contempletur. M. § 149.

We have examined more deeply the reason for this, §§556–565, and from it deduced, §§569, 575, the rule that the kind of thinking both simply clear in aesthetics and especially splendid requires, §625. Let it be permitted here, in its most proper place, to commend that rule again, expressed generally and in terms received in the schools: if the logical and scientific kind of thinking considers its primary objects more willingly in the abstract, not even excepting individuals where other things are equal, one who will think beautifully should contemplate his principal materials for the analogue of reason not only in the concrete, but also in the most determinate things in which he can, and hence in singulars, supposits, persons, and deeds, whenever possible, Metaphysics §149.

Hinc comparatio adscendens non temere penetrabit sese in tota maxima, et summa rerum genera, quando subiectum comparationis aeque bene non illustrari solum, sed etiam probari potest comparato toto quodam propiori, specie, vel genere minus remotis, § 575, 752; quoniam haec sine ratione transiliendo produceres argumentum longius petitum, § 741. et primariis tuis spectatoribus forte minus cognitum eligeres terminum comparationis, ac huius subiectum est. § 736, 739. quoniam superiorum generum, totorumque maximorum notitia plerumque scientiis in abstractiores considerantibus solum acquiritur. § 567. Sic in comparatione adscendente, quam § 743. exhibet, Virgilius non provocat ad necessariam rerum omnium diversitatem, M. § 269–272. quae ne tunc quidem erat incognita, sed in tellure subsistit, eiusque diversitate fructuum.

Hence ascending comparison will not rashly press itself into the greatest wholes and highest genera of things when the subject of comparison can equally well not only be illustrated but also proved by some nearer compared whole, species, or less remote genus, §§575, 752. By leaping over these without reason you would produce a far-fetched argument, §741, and choose a term of comparison perhaps less known to your principal spectators than the subject of comparison is, §§736, 739, since knowledge of superior genera and greatest wholes is usually acquired only by sciences considering things more abstractly, §567. Thus, in the ascending comparison which §743 exhibits, Virgil does not appeal to the necessary diversity of all things, Metaphysics §§269–272, which even then was not unknown, but stops in the earth and its diversity of fruits.

Hinc comparatio adscendens non temere penetrabit sese in tota maxima, et summa rerum genera, quando subiectum comparationis aeque bene non illustrari solum, sed etiam probari potest comparato toto quodam propiori, specie, vel genere minus remotis, § 575, 752; quoniam haec sine ratione transiliendo produceres argumentum longius petitum, § 741. et primariis tuis spectatoribus forte minus cognitum eligeres terminum comparationis, ac huius subiectum est. § 736, 739. quoniam superiorum generum, totorumque maximorum notitia plerumque scientiis in abstractiores considerantibus solum acquiritur. § 567. Sic in comparatione adscendente, quam § 743. exhibet, Virgilius non provocat ad necessariam rerum omnium diversitatem, M. § 269–272. quae ne tunc quidem erat incognita, sed in tellure subsistit, eiusque diversitate fructuum.

Hence ascending comparison will not rashly press itself into the greatest wholes and highest genera of things when the subject of comparison can equally well not only be illustrated but also proved by some nearer compared whole, species, or less remote genus, §§575, 752. By leaping over these without reason you would produce a far-fetched argument, §741, and choose a term of comparison perhaps less known to your principal spectators than the subject of comparison is, §§736, 739, since knowledge of superior genera and greatest wholes is usually acquired only by sciences considering things more abstractly, §567. Thus, in the ascending comparison which §743 exhibits, Virgil does not appeal to the necessary diversity of all things, Metaphysics §§269–272, which even then was not unknown, but stops in the earth and its diversity of fruits.

Hinc comparatio adscendens commemorato toto vel superiori lubentissime suam facit occasionem ex hoc toto vel universali descendendi denuo in quasdam compartes subiecti comparationis et alia congenera, vel conspecies, § 745. quoniam sic totum et genus magis in concreto sistitur, § 752. Abstractis suis quantuliscunque l. c. Virgilius statim subnectit determinatiora, quibuscum, ut ita dicam, possint intra mentem in vividius quoddam concrescere:

Hence, when an ascending comparison has mentioned the whole or the superior, it most willingly takes occasion from this whole or universal to descend again into certain co-parts of the subject of comparison and other co-genera or co-species, §745, because in this way the whole and genus are set forth more concretely, §752. To his abstractions, such as they are in the cited place, Virgil immediately subjoins more determinate things, with which they can, so to speak, grow together within the mind into something more vivid:

Hinc comparatio adscendens commemorato toto vel superiori lubentissime suam facit occasionem ex hoc toto vel universali descendendi denuo in quasdam compartes subiecti comparationis et alia congenera, vel conspecies, § 745. quoniam sic totum et genus magis in concreto sistitur, § 752. Abstractis suis quantuliscunque l. c. Virgilius statim subnectit determinatiora, quibuscum, ut ita dicam, possint intra mentem in vividius quoddam concrescere:

Hence, when an ascending comparison has mentioned the whole or the superior, it most willingly takes occasion from this whole or universal to descend again into certain co-parts of the subject of comparison and other co-genera or co-species, §745, because in this way the whole and genus are set forth more concretely, §752. To his abstractions, such as they are in the cited place, Virgil immediately subjoins more determinate things, with which they can, so to speak, grow together within the mind into something more vivid:

Hinc § 752. comparatio descendens partibus in abstracto tantum distinguendis, e. g. per limites mensoria ratione constitutos, notis et characteribus mente sola per intellectum concipiendis, differentiis genericis, vel etiam specificis, quae semper aliquid relinquunt indeterminati, caetera si fuerint paria, praeferet partes in concreto sensibus ipsis observabiles, quales in agris arcifiniis, notas et characteres sentiendo imaginandoque simul probe assequendos, differentias generis inferioris, prae differentiis superioris, speciei s. specificas prae differentiis genericis, et his omnibus numericas praeferet, si pulcre cogitari volet, ut barbare loquar, haecceitatis apprime studiosa. M. § 517.

Hence, §752, descending comparison, if it wishes to be beautifully thought, will prefer to parts distinguished only in the abstract, for example by boundaries established by measurement, parts observable in concrete by the senses themselves, such as in unfenced fields; to marks and characters conceived by the mind alone through intellect, it will prefer marks and characters to be well attained by sensing and imagining together; to generic differences, or even specific differences, which always leave something indeterminate, it will prefer differences of the lower genus before those of the superior, species or specific differences before generic differences, and before all these numerical differences, as I may speak barbarously, especially zealous for haecceities, Metaphysics §517.

Hinc § 752. comparatio descendens partibus in abstracto tantum distinguendis, e. g. per limites mensoria ratione constitutos, notis et characteribus mente sola per intellectum concipiendis, differentiis genericis, vel etiam specificis, quae semper aliquid relinquunt indeterminati, caetera si fuerint paria, praeferet partes in concreto sensibus ipsis observabiles, quales in agris arcifiniis, notas et characteres sentiendo imaginandoque simul probe assequendos, differentias generis inferioris, prae differentiis superioris, speciei s. specificas prae differentiis genericis, et his omnibus numericas praeferet, si pulcre cogitari volet, ut barbare loquar, haecceitatis apprime studiosa. M. § 517.

Hence, §752, descending comparison, if it wishes to be beautifully thought, will prefer to parts distinguished only in the abstract, for example by boundaries established by measurement, parts observable in concrete by the senses themselves, such as in unfenced fields; to marks and characters conceived by the mind alone through intellect, it will prefer marks and characters to be well attained by sensing and imagining together; to generic differences, or even specific differences, which always leave something indeterminate, it will prefer differences of the lower genus before those of the superior, species or specific differences before generic differences, and before all these numerical differences, as I may speak barbarously, especially zealous for haecceities, Metaphysics §517.

Exempla, inductiones, divisiones et distributiones, § 749. genus superius illustrantes per inferius, sunt bonae; per species, sunt meliores; per individua, sunt optimae, § 755. Apud Ovidium habes Metam. III. 206:

Examples, inductions, divisions, and distributions, §749, illustrating a superior genus through an inferior, are good; through species, better; through individuals, best, §755. In Ovid, Metamorphoses III.206, you have:

Horum sunt genera, sunt species, sed genera negliguntur, species determinatissimae, neque tamen nisi propriis innexae nominibus recensentur:

Of these there are genera and species, but the genera are neglected; the most determinate species are counted, and yet only joined with their proper names:

Ad hos postquam 35 nominaverat, non sine differentiis quibusdam numericis, tamen addit:

After he had named thirty-five, not without certain numerical differences, he nevertheless adds:

225. § 747.

v.225, §747.

Exempla, inductiones, divisiones et distributiones, § 749. genus superius illustrantes per inferius, sunt bonae; per species, sunt meliores; per individua, sunt optimae, § 755. Apud Ovidium habes Metam. III. 206:

Examples, inductions, divisions, and distributions, §749, illustrating a superior genus through an inferior, are good; through species, better; through individuals, best, §755. In Ovid, Metamorphoses III.206, you have:

Horum sunt genera, sunt species, sed genera negliguntur, species determinatissimae, neque tamen nisi propriis innexae nominibus recensentur:

Of these there are genera and species, but the genera are neglected; the most determinate species are counted, and yet only joined with their proper names:

Ad hos postquam 35 nominaverat, non sine differentiis quibusdam numericis, tamen addit:

After he had named thirty-five, not without certain numerical differences, he nevertheless adds:

225. § 747.

v.225, §747.

Utinam tot antiquorum exemplis, quae sane non inadvertentibus excidisse difficultas idem ausum satis docebit, excitari possint pulcra ingenia, ut in hac potissimum arte quaerant excellere, si rationibus minus moveantur § 752. Nobis ad alias exemplorum distributionumque regulas festinandum est. Exempla, divisiones, inductiones et distributiones si recte notiora postulantur, ac illustrandum per easdem superius, § 739. relative ad obiectum pulcre cogitaturo personalium primarium legem intellectam tantum admittimus, § 740. Ovidius bene suo voto, Trist. I. 1. 2, 3:

Would that beautiful talents could be aroused by so many examples of the ancients, which the difficulty of the same attempt proves certainly did not slip out inadvertently, so that they might seek to excel especially in this art, if they are less moved by reasons, §752. We must hasten to other rules of examples and distributions. If examples, divisions, inductions, and distributions are rightly required to be better known than the superior to be illustrated by them, §739, we admit this rule understood only relatively to the primary personal object of the beautiful thinker, §740. Ovid well, in his wish, Tristia I.1.2–3,

primo comparationem adscendentem, quae simul color sit, § 745, 545. adiungit:

first adds an ascending comparison which is also color, §§745, 545:

Nunc dictum suum illustrat exemplorum inductione, quae voti fiunt similia:

Now he illustrates his saying by an induction of examples which become similar to the wish:

Suis enim primariis spectatoribus quid rebus Troianis notius erat, et deorum per easdem ministeriis? § 740.

For what was better known to his primary spectators than Trojan affairs and the offices of the gods through them? §740.

Utinam tot antiquorum exemplis, quae sane non inadvertentibus excidisse difficultas idem ausum satis docebit, excitari possint pulcra ingenia, ut in hac potissimum arte quaerant excellere, si rationibus minus moveantur § 752. Nobis ad alias exemplorum distributionumque regulas festinandum est.

Would that beautiful talents could be aroused by so many examples of the ancients, which the difficulty of the same attempt proves certainly did not slip out inadvertently, so that they might seek to excel especially in this art, if they are less moved by reasons, §752. We must hasten to other rules of examples and distributions.

Exempla, divisiones, inductiones et distributiones si recte notiora postulantur, ac illustrandum per easdem superius, § 739. relative ad obiectum pulcre cogitaturo personalium primarium legem intellectam tantum admittimus, § 740. Ovidius bene suo voto, Trist. I. 1. 2, 3:

If examples, divisions, inductions, and distributions are rightly required to be better known than the superior to be illustrated by them, §739, we admit this rule understood only relatively to the primary personal object of the beautiful thinker, §740. Ovid well, in his wish, Tristia I.1.2–3,

primo comparationem adscendentem, quae simul color sit, § 745, 545. adiungit:

first adds an ascending comparison which is also color, §§745, 545:

Nunc dictum suum illustrat exemplorum inductione, quae voti fiunt similia:

Now he illustrates his saying by an induction of examples which become similar to the wish:

Suis enim primariis spectatoribus quid rebus Troianis notius erat, et deorum per easdem ministeriis? § 740.

For what was better known to his primary spectators than Trojan affairs and the offices of the gods through them? §740.

Quoniam nova antiquis, loco propiora remotioribus notiora exemplis supponi generatim possunt, M. § 512. caetera si sint paria, praeferantur antiquis recentia, peregrinis patria, et spectatori, quem inprimis optas, domestica. § 757. Dialogus de oratoribus, quem alii Tacito, Quintiliano quidam tribuunt, 8.

Since new examples can generally be supposed better known than ancient ones, nearer places than remote ones, Metaphysics §512, other things being equal, recent examples should be preferred to ancient, native to foreign, and domestic to the spectator whom you especially desire, §757. The Dialogue on Orators, which some attribute to Tacitus, some to Quintilian, says in chapter 8:

Quae ita sunt antiqua, simul ut obsoleta, oblitterata, vel usu longo trita et antiquata videri possint, pulcre postponuntur ita novis, ut simul habeant, quo iustum novitatis studium excitare queant, ac alere. § 741. Virgilius laudes vitae rusticae illustraturus exemplis non graeca petit, nec Asiam, nec Aegyptum, sed romanis potissimum scribens patrias antiquitates consulit, Georg. II. 532:

Things that are so ancient that at the same time they can seem obsolete, forgotten, or worn and antiquated by long use are beautifully postponed to new ones, provided the new examples also have what can excite and nourish a just zeal for novelty, §741. Virgil, about to illustrate the praises of rural life by examples, does not seek Greek examples, nor Asia, nor Egypt, but, writing chiefly for Romans, consults native antiquities, Georgics II.532:

Quoniam nova antiquis, loco propiora remotioribus notiora exemplis supponi generatim possunt, M. § 512. caetera si sint paria, praeferantur antiquis recentia, peregrinis patria, et spectatori, quem inprimis optas, domestica. § 757. Dialogus de oratoribus, quem alii Tacito, Quintiliano quidam tribuunt, 8.

Since new examples can generally be supposed better known than ancient ones, nearer places than remote ones, Metaphysics §512, other things being equal, recent examples should be preferred to ancient, native to foreign, and domestic to the spectator whom you especially desire, §757. The Dialogue on Orators, which some attribute to Tacitus, some to Quintilian, says in chapter 8:

Quae ita sunt antiqua, simul ut obsoleta, oblitterata, vel usu longo trita et antiquata videri possint, pulcre postponuntur ita novis, ut simul habeant, quo iustum novitatis studium excitare queant, ac alere. § 741. Virgilius laudes vitae rusticae illustraturus exemplis non graeca petit, nec Asiam, nec Aegyptum, sed romanis potissimum scribens patrias antiquitates consulit, Georg. II. 532:

Things that are so ancient that at the same time they can seem obsolete, forgotten, or worn and antiquated by long use are beautifully postponed to new ones, provided the new examples also have what can excite and nourish a just zeal for novelty, §741. Virgil, about to illustrate the praises of rural life by examples, does not seek Greek examples, nor Asia, nor Egypt, but, writing chiefly for Romans, consults native antiquities, Georgics II.532:

In hac lege probe notandum est, adiectum illi: caetera si sint paria. § 758. In recentibus enim exemplis multae possunt esse rationes non raro, cur postponenda sint auctori prudenti vetustioribus. e. g. 1) si recentia vel vere non habeant eximium illud, quod per eadem illustrandum est, in tanta luce, in quanta vetustas habuerat, vel saltim ob invidiam nondum intermortuam et solitas acti temporis laudationes aequare prisca statueretur contra verisimilitudinem, saltim eam, de qua § 486. Hinc est apud Virgilium loco citato satis altum silentium de agricultura italica sui temporis, simul autem consilium, ut in tali casu domestica tamen, licet olim facta, praeferantur, si potest fieri, vetustis et peregrinis simul. Tempore praesentia beatae vitae rusticae exempla prolaturus, in ecstasi philosophicopoetica, v. 475–485. quoniam aulae proxima non potest optare, tamen optat minus remota:

In this law one must carefully note the added condition: other things being equal, §758. For in recent examples there can often be many reasons why a prudent author should postpone them to older ones: for example, 1) if recent examples either truly do not have that excellence which is to be illustrated through them in so great a light as antiquity had, or if, because envy has not yet died away and because of the usual praises of time past, to set them equal to ancient examples would be contrary to verisimilitude, at least that mentioned in §486. Hence in Virgil's cited place there is a sufficiently deep silence about the Italian agriculture of his own time, and at the same time the counsel that in such a case domestic examples, even if done long ago, be preferred, if possible, to examples both ancient and foreign. When he would bring forward present-time examples of blessed rural life, in a philosophical-poetic ecstasy, vv.475–485, since he cannot wish for those closest to court, he nevertheless wishes for less remote ones:

In hac lege probe notandum est, adiectum illi: caetera si sint paria. § 758. In recentibus enim exemplis multae possunt esse rationes non raro, cur postponenda sint auctori prudenti vetustioribus. e. g. 1) si recentia vel vere non habeant eximium illud, quod per eadem illustrandum est, in tanta luce, in quanta vetustas habuerat, vel saltim ob invidiam nondum intermortuam et solitas acti temporis laudationes aequare prisca statueretur contra verisimilitudinem, saltim eam, de qua § 486. Hinc est apud Virgilium loco citato satis altum silentium de agricultura italica sui temporis, simul autem consilium, ut in tali casu domestica tamen, licet olim facta, praeferantur, si potest fieri, vetustis et peregrinis simul.

In this law one must carefully note the added condition: other things being equal, §758. For in recent examples there can often be many reasons why a prudent author should postpone them to older ones: for example, 1) if recent examples either truly do not have that excellence which is to be illustrated through them in so great a light as antiquity had, or if, because envy has not yet died away and because of the usual praises of time past, to set them equal to ancient examples would be contrary to verisimilitude, at least that mentioned in §486. Hence in Virgil's cited place there is a sufficiently deep silence about the Italian agriculture of his own time, and at the same time the counsel that in such a case domestic examples, even if done long ago, be preferred, if possible, to examples both ancient and foreign.

Tempore praesentia beatae vitae rusticae exempla prolaturus, in ecstasi philosophicopoetica, v. 475–485. quoniam aulae proxima non potest optare, tamen optat minus remota:

When he would bring forward present-time examples of blessed rural life, in a philosophical-poetic ecstasy, vv.475–485, since he cannot wish for those closest to court, he nevertheless wishes for less remote ones:

Exempla recentia sunt aliquando 2) periculosa, quorum veritas odium parit, et calumnia potius et conspurcatio nominum illustrissimorum falsissima diceretur, quam illustratio.

Recent examples are sometimes 2) dangerous, because their truth produces hatred, and they would be called calumny and a most false smearing of most illustrious names rather than illustration:

Hor. Sat. I. 1. 49. Nec hic semper licet ad artificium Virgilii recurrere, § 759. et in mortuos quidem, sed cives tamen et loco propiores scribere vel acriter, at venustius, irasci:

Horace, Satires I.1.49. Nor is it always permissible here to return to Virgil's artifice, §759, and to write, indeed against the dead, yet still citizens and nearer in place, sharply but more gracefully, in anger:

Hanc ob caussam in legendis exemplis suis aliquando satyricos ultra Sauromatas fugere libet, in mundum poeticum, § 513. in quo tamen fictiones prorsus ignotas denuo, § 518. analogicis postponunt. § 516.

For this reason, in choosing their examples, satirists sometimes wish to flee beyond the Sauromatae into the poetic world, §513, in which nevertheless they again postpone wholly unknown fictions, §518, to analogical ones, §516.

Exempla recentia sunt aliquando 2) periculosa, quorum veritas odium parit, et calumnia potius et conspurcatio nominum illustrissimorum falsissima diceretur, quam illustratio.

Recent examples are sometimes 2) dangerous, because their truth produces hatred, and they would be called calumny and a most false smearing of most illustrious names rather than illustration:

Hor. Sat.

Horace, Satires I.1.49.

I. 1. 49. Nec hic semper licet ad artificium Virgilii recurrere, § 759. et in mortuos quidem, sed cives tamen et loco propiores scribere vel acriter, at venustius, irasci:

Nor is it always permissible here to return to Virgil's artifice, §759, and to write, indeed against the dead, yet still citizens and nearer in place, sharply but more gracefully, in anger:

Hanc ob caussam in legendis exemplis suis aliquando satyricos ultra Sauromatas fugere libet, in mundum poeticum, § 513. in quo tamen fictiones prorsus ignotas denuo, § 518. analogicis postponunt. § 516.

For this reason, in choosing their examples, satirists sometimes wish to flee beyond the Sauromatae into the poetic world, §513, in which nevertheless they again postpone wholly unknown fictions, §518, to analogical ones, §516.