The Greater Work (Opus Majus), Vol. 1

[ xx* ]

"...on account of many things and various infirmities, as well as external occupations, I have not had leisure for study." original: "multos et infirmitates varias occupationibus exterioribus studii non vacavi" He had written, he says, much before entering the Franciscan Order, with a view to the instruction of youth ("I had written many things in my other state for the basic instruction of youth" original: "multa in alio statu conscripseram propter juvenum rudimenta"; the "other state" refers to his life as a secular scholar before joining the friars.); and of late years he had sent fragments of his works to friends ("I have occasionally compiled certain chapters, now concerning one science and now another, at the request of friends, in a transitory manner" original: "aliqua capitula nunc de una scientia nunc de alia ad instantiam amicorum aliquando more transitorio compilavi"). No treatise, however, on any department of philosophy had been issued in a complete form.

On the whole I am inclined to think that the short work edited by Dr. Gasquet is a first draft of what was afterwards expanded into the Third Work Latin: "Opus Tertium.". Bacon tells us that he was in the habit of writing his discourses several times over until they were brought into satisfactory shape. "Feeling my own weakness, I write nothing difficult that does not pass through to a fourth or fifth draft before I have what I intend." original: "Sentiens meam imbecillitatem nihil scribo difficile quod non transeat usque ad quartum vel quintum exemplum antequam habeam quod intendo."

July 21, 1897.