A Dissertation on the Philosophy of Aristotle

the translation and elucidation of Proclus, a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher On the Timæus and Parmenides of Plato; of his six books On the Theology of Plato; and of the Works of Plotinus². The observation is this: that the translation and elucidation of the whole of Aristotle’s writings is a work of NO COMMON MAGNITUDE; that the author of it is SINGLE³ IN HIS PURSUITS; that the only view with which it was undertaken was THE GREATEST GOOD OF OTHERS; the period in which it was begun and finished, BARREN; the country in which it was published, COMMERCIAL; and that the enemies of it are THE WORST OF MEN, but its friend is DIVINITY.

² If I live to finish the translation of these invaluable works, but should not be furnished with the means of printing them, I shall deposit them in some public library for the benefit of posterity.

³ Solus; sed sic sol. original: "Alone; but such a sun." The author says this not from any arrogant opinion of himself, but with a view to those who are so silly as to think that every kind of singularity is blameworthy.