The Summary of Physics Restored

5The fertile minds of their successors advanced discoveries, brought hidden things to light, cultivated rough ground, and gave support to what was entangled. In this way the sciences were brought through the centuries to a mature age. In this way a long succession of years gave them their height, so far as the powers of human intelligence have yet allowed. Perhaps more still remains to be sought than has been possessed. Philosophy does not become worn out with age like a garment, but stronger. The same years that win credit for errors also take it away. Do not condemn an innocent person by a hasty judgment before the case has been adequately examined. If moving the sacred boundary stones of Philosophy seems a crime, do not grow angry and immediately pronounce me sacrilegious. Consider instead whether those boundaries are presented to you as advanced rather than removed; whether her rights have been restored rather than corrupted; whether her majesty has been increased rather than diminished. Perhaps she herself, in return for the benefit, will then refuse neither her advocacy against the tricks of the Sophists nor her protection against the savagery of envy and ignorance.