Note 13 — BOOK III. (continued 2)

Mr. Simson in his note to this proposition observes, that he thought proper to change its enunciation, so as to preserve the same meaning; “because (says he) the literal translation from the Greek, is extremely harsh, and difficult to be understood by beginners.” Whatever difficulty learners may find in conceiving this proposition abstractedly, is easily removed by its exposition in the figure; and therefore, I conceive, that Mr. Simson acted very injudiciously in altering its enunciation. Besides, the following comment of Proclus shews, that there is great beauty in Euclid’s statement of this proposition; the greatest part of which is lost in Mr. Simson’s indiscreet alteration. It would appear strange that such liberties should be taken by one, who professes in his preface, to remove blemishes, and restore the principal books of the Elements to their original accuracy, if Mr. Simson had not informed us in his note, that the present Commentary of Proclus unfolding the beauty and accuracy of this proposition, is too trifling to merit a relation! See more concerning this proposition in the note to Prop. 5.