De Rervm Natvra Constantivm Scientia, Principiis Et Affectionibvs Commvnibvs, Dispvtatio

...the same contention. For, as with Philosophy, the knowledge of forensic matters includes many things weighed down by obscurity, to the knowledge of which it proceeds along the same path, namely from things anticipated; it uses reasoning and comparisons, and in comparing and reasoning, it uses the subtlety and skill of the mind in the same way as Philosophy. And although the excellent instruction of my Teachers, most distinguished men, was forming me for these tasks, I still felt that I owed no small part of it to Philosophy; when I compared the strength of my mind with the industry of others who were my equals in the same discipline, and remembered what I had been taught in Philosophy: that the same thing happens by comparison to our intelligence for investigating the knowledge of the sciences, as does light to the eyes for seeing; just as a torch joined to sight perfects the keenness of the eyes for viewing things, so the acuteness of our mind is sharpened and increased by the addition of each science for contemplating whatever things there may be. And by this reasoning, I understood that Bartolus, a most excellent jurisconsult, was surpassed in subtlety by his student Baldus, who was most skilled in the same science; because, as Jovius (an excellent writer of history) left in writing, he had joined Philosophy with the science of Law. By his example, since the reason of prudent men had already long ago impelled me toward this opinion, I was so confirmed in my mind that, although I saw Philosophy deserted by many, I could not be moved from the plan I had undertaken, of learning Philosophy before the science of Law. For I thought to myself how others, perhaps relying on the great strength of their mind, or because of their more mature age, might neglect the study of Law, just as Themistocles once neglected the art by which he might have remembered all things, I decided that I, who possessed neither the same mind nor the same age, should by no means use their example; rather, I judged that the strength of my mind should be amplified by such an excellent science, and that the years of my youthful age should be adorned by it.

* This was the same reason that I undertook to defend theses on Philosophy. Since I was anxious to find a worthy patron for these, among other men of the highest authority, M. T. Likely a reference to Marcus Tullius (a classical name often used for a patron, or a specific family member referred to by initials). seemed most suitable for sustaining this office. I did this so that, by this kind of duty, I might leave behind a testimony of the merits which M. T. had earned toward my parent and uncle, with whom you were once on familiar terms, and also so that, by the same testimony, I might bind M. T. to think well of me. I pray to GOD, the Best and Greatest, that I may have achieved this, and that this small gift may be an honor to M. T.

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