Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences

in a condition which compelled me to make

we become strangers to our native country; and the over curious in the customs of the past are generally ignorant of those of the present

be prevented from thinking that everything contrary to our customs is ridiculous and irrational, a conclusion usually come to by those whose experience has been limited to their own country.

. It is useful to know something of the manners of different nations, that we may be enabled to form a more correct judgment regarding our own,

hope it will prove useful to some without being hurtful to any, and that my openness will find some favor with all.

it is but a little copper and glass, perhaps, that I take for gold and diamonds