"For it is esteemed a kind of
dishonour unto learning to descend to inquiry or meditation upon matters
mechanical, except they be such as may be thought secrets, rarities, and
special subtilities, which humour of vain supercilious arrogancy is
justly derided in Plato... But the truth is, they be not the highest
instances that give the securest information; as may well be expressed
in the tale... of the philosopher, that while he gazed upwards to the
stars fell into the water; for if he had looked down he might have seen
the stars in the water, but looking aloft he could not see the water in
the stars. So it cometh often to pass, that mean and small things
discover great, better than great can discover the small."
-- Francis Bacon, [1561-1626]