|
Latin
text and English translation of the reported quotations
from On the Nature of Things (De Rerum Natura) by Titus Lucretius Caro (~60 b.C.) |
| Latin
text [Denique] si semper motus conectitur omnis
et vetere exoritur novus ordine certo nec declinando faciunt primordia motus principium quoddam quod fati foedera rumpat, ex infinito ne causam causa sequatur, libera per terras unde haec animantibus extat, unde est haec, inquam, fatis avulsa voluntas per quam progredimur quo ducit quemque voluptas, declinamus item motus nec tempore certo nec regione loci certa, sed ubi tulit mens? [II, 251-260]. .... Quare in seminibus quoque idem fateare necessest, esse aliam praeter plagas et pondera causam motibus, unde haec est nobis innata potestas, de nilo quoniam fieri nil posse videmus. Pondus enim prohibet ne plagis omnia fiant externa qua vi. Sed ne mens ipsa necessum intestinum habeat cunctis in rebus agendis et devicta quasi cogatur ferre patique, id facit exiguum clinamen principiorum nec regione loci certa nec tempore certo [II, 284-293]. |
English
translation
[Then,] if all motions are ever co-linked and
the new ever arises from the old in fixed order; if the fundamental entities
are not deviated by some principle of motion which violates the impositions
of destiny - thus disarranging the endless succession of causes;
where is it springing from this animals' power of moving freely over the
lands? Where - I wonder - does it come this free will wrested from the fates,
in virtue of which we step where we like more, without deviating our motion
neither at some fixed instant, nor at some fixed place, but
where our minds bring us?
.... Therefore, we must admit that, on the seeds of matter, besides shocks and gravity, another factor of motion also acts, upon which such of our innate powers depends, since nothing can come from nothing. Gravity, indeed, prohibits that everything occurs by shocks, as by external actions. But, if in every decision the mind itself does not follow an inner necessity, nor, as tamed, it is compelled to bear and suffer, this fact depends upon those small deviations of elementary particles, which occur at uncertain times and places. (Translated by the Author) |