“Pre-eminence of Human Nature”
Mirandola writes, “Man is the intermediary between creatures, that he is the familiar of the gods above him as he is lord of the beings beneath him; that, by the acuteness of his senses, the inquiry of his reason and the light of his intelligence, he is the interpreter of nature, set midway between the timeless unchanging and the flux of time.” Humans are superior to other beings due to their intelligence. Their brainpower enables them to run the universe expedite. Man rules the universe for he is the most astute of all beings that are found there.
Seeds
Mirandola expounds, “God bestowed seeds pregnant with all possibilities, the germs of every form of life. Whichever of these a man shall cultivate, the same will mature and bear fruit in him. If vegetative, he will become a plant; if sensual, he will become brutish; if rational.” Seeds are origins of food in the universe. Their propagation results in harvests that are useful in nourishing the universe. Regardless of the size, seeds possess great potential which is seen once they have matured into food. Therefore, seeds should not be underrated due to their miniature sizes.
Chameleon
Mirandola wonders, “Who then will not look with awe upon this our chameleon, or who at least, will look with greater admiration on any other being? This creature, man, whom Asclepius the Athenian, by reason of this very mutability, the nature capable of transforming itself, quite rightly was symbolized in the mysteries by the figure of Proteus.” The chameleon’s capacity to transform its outer color is comparable to the ability of human beings to transform themselves. Chameleon-like tendencies among human beings complicate the process of fully comprehending individuals. Man is an absolutely mysterious being.
