the felicity and virtue of their private life； he leaves him to guess at
the conclusion he makes of the inutilities of his pedantic arts。
Examples have demonstrated to us that in military affairs； and all others
of the like active nature； the study of sciences more softens and
untempers the courages of men than it in any way fortifies and excites
them。 The most potent empire that at this day appears to be in the whole
world is that of the Turks； a people equally inured to the estimation of
arms and the contempt of letters。 I find Rome was more valiant before
she grew so learned。 The most warlike nations at this time in being are
the most rude and ignorant： the Scythians； the Parthians； Tamerlane；
serve for sufficient proof of this。 When the Goths overran Greece； the
only thing that preserved all the libraries from the fire was； that some
one possessed them with an opinion that they were to leave this kind of
furniture entire to the enemy； as being most proper to divert them from
the exercise of arms； and to fix them to a lazy and sedentary life。
When our King Charles VIII。； almost without striking a blow； saw himself
possessed of the kingdom of Naples and a considerable part of Tuscany；
the nobles about him attributed this unexpected facility of conquest to
this； that the princes and nobles of Italy； more studied to render
themselves ingenious and learned； than vigorous and warlike。
End