Note 168 — San Agustin’s Letter on the Filipinos

76. In all that I have said, to this point, concerning the nature and morals of these poor people, I have done no more than to approximate [to the truth], as the mathematicians have done in the squaring of the circle. For an essential, substantial, and exhaustive definition168 is for some other person, to whom divine Providence chooses to communicate this difficult matter.169 Very praiseworthy is Barclayo, for in his Eupormion and his Argenis,170 he succeeded in discerning the natures of nations; as did Juan Rodemborgio,171 and our Gracian in his Criticon.172 But had they treated of the Filipinos, they would not have been so successful.