7
EMPEDOCLES OF ACRAGAS
ON NATURE
B1 Pausanias, son of wise Anchitus, you must listen…
B2 The means of grasping, spread over the body are limitedAnd many unfortunate impressions dull our thoughtsHaving observed only a small part of existence livingDestined to perish men rise and fly away like smoke,Persuaded of what each alone has encounteredThey are driven in all directions, the whole they long to discoverThese things are not to be seen thus by men nor heardNor by mind grasped, but since you have here comeYou will learn within the limit of human understanding(Sextus, Adv. Math. 7.122)
B3 …But come, observe with every means in which way each thing is clearWithout holdintig any seeing more reliable than hearingNor echoing ear above the evidence ...
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