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378 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
and the centre as great as his circumference; and that
finde two lines uncessantly approaching one unto
another, which yet can never meete and joyne together;
and the Philosophers stone, and quadrature of the
circle, where the reason and the effects are so opposite:
might peradventure draw thence some argument to
salve and helpe this hold speech of Pliny: Solum
certum, nihil esse certi, et homine nihil miserius aut
superbius: 1 'This only is sure, that there is nothing
sure; and nothing more miserable, and yet more arrogant
then man.'
¹ PLIN. Nat. Hist. 1. ii. 7.