But the philosophy-schools, through all the universities of Christendom, grounded upon certain texts of Aristotle, teach another doctrine, and say, for the cause of _vision_, that the thing seen, sendeth forth on every side a _visible species_, in English, a _visible show_, _apparition_, or _aspect_, or _a being seen_; the receiving whereof into the eye, is _seeing_. And for the cause of _hearing_, that the thing heard, sendeth forth an _audible species_, that is an _audible aspect_, or _audible being seen_; which entering at the ear, maketh _hearing_. Nay, for the cause of _understanding_ also, they say the thing understood, sendeth forth an _intelligible species_, that is, an _intelligible being seen_; which, coming into the understanding, makes us understand. I say not this, as disproving the use of universities; but because I am to speak hereafter of their office in a commonwealth, I must let you see on all occasions by the way, what things would be amended in them; amongst which the frequency of insignificant speech is one. ------- CHAPTER II. OF IMAGINATION. [Sidenote: Imagination.] That when a thing lies still, unless somewhat else stir it, it will lie still for ever, is a truth that no man doubts of. But that when a thing is in motion, it will eternally be in motion, unless somewhat else stay it, though the reason be the same, namely, that nothing can change itself, is not so easily assented to. For men measure, not only other men, but all other things, by themselves; and because they find themselves subject after motion to pain, and lassitude, think every thing else grows weary of motion, and seeks repose of its own accord; little considering, whether it be not some other motion, wherein that desire of rest they find in themselves, consisteth. From hence it is, that the schools say, heavy bodies fall downwards, out of an appetite to rest, and to conserve their nature in that place which is most proper for them; ascribing appetite, and knowledge of what is good for their conservation, which is more than man has, to things inanimate, absurdly.