VIII. I believe, that it fares with the most excellent writings, as it
happens to the greatest men, that they appear much less upon nearer and
more frequent intercourse with them. There is no entity in nature totally
perfect; but at first sight, or at certain distances, and in certain
points of view, the splendor of excellencies conceal some defects, which,
by approaching nearer to the objects, and upon closer examination, are
discovered.
IX. It is also certain, that elevated geniuses are more exposed and
liable to some particular defects than middling ones. The first, carried
away either by the vivacity of their imaginations, or the force and
impetuosity of their spirit, are addicted not to attend to some of
those requisites and regulations which people of inferior capacities
scrupulously observe; and, for that reason, these last are much more
likely to compile a work that is strictly conformable to rule, than the
others; for, as they never attempt to rise to any considerable height,
their fall cannot be great. They always pursue an humble path, never
lose sight of the precepts, and are content to move on, controlled by,
and in subjection to, the rules. The others, suffering themselves to be
transported by a generous flight to a greater degree of altitude, are apt
not to discern things below, they being at a considerable distance from
them. The departing sometimes from rules, in order to pursue a course
superior to ordinary precepts, has this effect, that it makes a work
appear with a better grace.
X. But this is not the predicament in which we at present find ourselves,
either with respect to the defects of Quintus Curtius, or with regard to
the dangers of writing history. I should esteem as a phœnix, not only
him who could steer clear of every kind of fault, for this appears to me
next to impossible, but the person who should avoid falling into one or
other of the most remarkable ones; and he, who adverts with attention to
the multitude of difficulties which present themselves in the course of
writing a history, will not hesitate to be of my opinion.