It is a discovery which changes a caprice into a science.
The general propositions of Aristotle are valuable.

But the merit of the superstructure bears no proportion to that of the foundation.

This is partly to be ascribed to the character of the philosopher, who, though qualified to do all that could be done by the resolving and combining powers of the understanding, seems not to have possessed much of sensibility or imagination.

Partly, also, it may be attributed to the deficiency of materials.

The great works of genius which then existed were not either sufficiently numerous or sufficiently varied to enable any man to form a perfect code of literature.