768. As for Mechanics, when people gives themselves up too much to the practice of mechanical science, then they develop the mental attitude that nothing exists but what is mechanical, not only the whole of nature, but spiritual and heavenly things as well. Then if they cannot trace these to mechanical principles and their powers, they believe nothing, and so become bodily and earthly people.
768. As regards mechanics, when anyone indulges too much in mechanical matters, he then so forms his mind that he believes there is nothing but what is mechanical, not only the whole of nature, but also spiritual and celestial things. Unless he can reduce these things to mechanical principles and their powers, he believes them to be nothing. Thus he becomes corporeal and earthly.
768. Quod Mechanicam attinet, quando indulget quis nimium mechanicae praxi 1
, tunc mentem format, ut nihil nisi mechanicum esse 2
, non solum totam naturam, sed etiam spiritualia et coelestia, quae nisi poterit redigere ad mechanica principia, et eorum potentias, nihil credit, ita fit corporeus et tetrestris.
Footnotes:
1. = exercitio, practico (vox postclassica)
2. sic manuscript; vide praefationem hujus editionis sub capite "Idiosyncrasies"