To Ask The Proper Question

There Are Four Great Sciences, Without Which The Other Sciences Cannot Be Known Nor A Knowledge Of Things Secured ... Of These Sciences The Gate And Key Is Mathematics ... He Who Is Ignorant Of This [mathematics] Cannot Know The Other Sciences Nor The Affairs Of This World.

Reasoning Draws A Conclusion, But Does Not Make The Conclusion Certain, Unless The Mind Discovers It By The Path Of Experience.

First, By The Figurations Of Art There Be Made Instruments Of Navigation Without Men To Row Them, As Great Ships To Brooke The Sea, Only With One Man To Steer Them, And They Shall Sail Far More Swiftly Than If They Were Full Of Men; Also Chariots That Shall Move With Unspeakable Force Without Any Living Creature To Stir Them. Likewise An Instrument May Be Made To Fly Withall If One Sits In The Midst Of The Instrument, And Do Turn An Engine, By Which The Wings, Being Artificially Composed, May Beat The Air After The Manner Of A Flying Bird.

Neglect Of Mathematics Work Injury To All Knowledge, Since He Who Is Ignorant Of It Cannot Know The Other Sciences Or Things Of This World. And What Is Worst, Those Who Are Thus Ignorant Are Unable To Perceive Their Own Ignorance, And So Do Not Seek A Remedy.

For The Things Of This World Cannot Be Made Known Without A Knowledge Of Mathematics.