“Why but Learning would not be made common. Yea but Learning cannot be too common, and the commoner the better. Why but who is not jealous, his Mistresse should be so prostitute? Yea but this Mistress is like ayre, fire, water, the more breathed the clearer; the more extended the warmer; the more drawne the sweeter. It were inhumanitie to coop her up, and worthy forfeiture to conceal her. Why but Schollers should have some privilege of preheminence. So have they: they onely are worthy Translators. Why but the vulgar should not knowe all. No, they can not for all this; nor even Schollers for much more: I would, both could and knew much more than either doth or can. Why but all would not be knowne of all. No nor can: much more we know not than we know: all know something, none know all: would all know all? they must breake ere they be so bigge.”
Quote by John Florio
Work
The Essayes of Michael, Lord of Montaigne
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Author
John Florio
John Florio (1553-1625) was an Italian-born English poet, translator, and lexicographer. He arrived in England in the late 16th century and quickly became an active figure in the literary scene. Florio is known for his translations and contributions to the English language, particularly his translations of 'Ovid's Metamorphoses' and 'Virgil's Aeneid'. His dictionary, 'English and Italian Dictionary', was the first widely used bilingual English-Italian dictionary. more
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