alm
after Ernesti for _sit_ of the MSS. I think it very likely that the MSS.
reading is right, and that the whole expression is an imitation of the
Greek [Greek: hikanos eioestho] and the like. The subj. is supported by
_D.F._ III. 20, _De Off._ I. 8, _Ad Att._ XIII. 14, 3, where _ut opinor_ is
thrown in as here, and by _Ac._ II. 17, _D.F._ III. 21, 24, _N.D._ I. 109,
where _si placet_ is appended in a similar way.

Sec.Sec.30--36. Summary. With respect to physical science, we might urge that
nature has constructed man with great art. His mind is naturally formed
for the attainment of knowledge (30). For this purpose the mind uses
the senses, and so gradually arrives at virtue, which is the perfection
of the reason. Those then who deny that any certainty can be attained
through the senses, throw the whole of life into confusion (31). Some
sceptics say "we cannot help it." Others distinguish between the
absolute absence of certainty, and the denial of its absolute presence.
Let us deal with these rather than with the former (32). Now they on
the one hand profess to distinguish between true and false, and on the
other hold that no absolutely certain method for distinguishing between
true and false is possible (33). This is absurd, a thing cannot be
known at all unless by such marks as can appertain to no other thing.
How can a thing be said to be "evidently white," if the possibility
remains that it may be really black? Again, how can a thing be
"evident" at all if it may be after all a mere phantom (34)? There is
no definite mark, say the sceptics, by which a thing may be known.
Their "probability" then is mere random guess work (35). Even if they
only profess to decide after careful pondering of the circumstances, we
reply that a decision which is still possibly false is useless (36).

Sec.30. _Physicis_: neuter not masc.; cf. I. 6. _Libertatem et licentiam_:
_et_ = "and even." _Libertas_ = [Greek: parresia] as often in Tacitus.
_Abditis rebus et obscuris_: cf. n. on I. 15, and the word [Greek:
syneskiasmenos] Sext. _Adv. Math._ VII. 26. _Lucem eripere_: like _tollere_
(n. on 26), cf. 38, 103 and _N.D._ I. 6. For the sense see n. on 16, also
61. _Artificio_: this word is used in Cic. as equivalent to _ars_ in all
its senses, cf. 114 and _De Or._ II. 83. _Fabricata esset_: the expression
is sneered at in 87. _Quem ad modum primum_: so Halm rig