"The very Greek Heathens by the Light of Reason were taught to say, [GREEK CHARACTERS], and the Latins, A Jove principium, Musae."

— Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for James Brackstone
Date
1741
Metaphor
"The very Greek Heathens by the Light of Reason were taught to say, [GREEK CHARACTERS], and the Latins, A Jove principium, Musae."
Metaphor in Context
Nor let this Sort of Advice fall under the censure of the Godless and Prophane as a mere Piece of Bigotry or Enthusiasm derived from Faith and the Bible: For the Reasons which I have given to support this pious practice of invoking the Blessing of God on our Studies are derived from the Light of Nature as well as Revelation. He that made our Souls and is the Father of Spirits, shall he not be supposed to have a most friendly Influence toward the Instruction and Government of them? The Author of our rational Powers can involve them in Darkness when he pleases by a sudden Distemper, or he can abandon them to wander into dark and foolish opinions when they are filled with a vain Conceit of their own Light. He expects to be acknowledged in the common Affairs of Life, and he does as certainly expect it in the superior Operations of the Mind, and in the Search of Knowledge and Truth. The very Greek Heathens by the Light of Reason were taught to say, [GREEK CHARACTERS], and the Latins, A Jove principium, Musae. In Works of Learning they thought it necessary to begin with God. Even the Poets call upon the Muse as a Goddess to assist them in their Compositions.
(pp. 27-8)
Categories
Provenance
Searching and Reading in Google Books
Citation
32 entries in ESTC (1741, 1743, 1753, 1754, 1761, 1768, 1773, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1798, 1799, 1800).

Most text drawn from Google Books. See The Improvement of the Mind: or, a Supplement to the Art of Logick: Containing a Variety of Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. By I. Watts, D.D. (London: Printed for James Brackstone, at the Globe in Cornhill, 1741). <Link to ESTC><Link to 2nd edition in Google Books>

Date of Entry
02/05/2014

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.