Section1:OftheDifferentSpeciesofPhilosophySection2:OftheOriginofIdeasSection3:OftheAssociationofIdeasSection4:ScepticalDoubtsconcerningtheOperationsoftheUnderstandingSection5:ScepticalSolutionoftheseDoubtsSection6:OfProbabilitySection7:OftheIdeaofNecessaryConnexionSection8:OfLibertyandNecessitySection9:OftheReasonofAnimalsSection10:OfMiraclesSection11:OfaParticularProvidenceandofaFutureStateSection12:OftheAcademicalorScepticalPhilosophyNotes
　　SECTIONI。
　　OfTheDifferentSpeciesOfPhilosophy。
　　M/ORAL\philosophy，orthescienceofhumannature，maybetreatedaftertwodifferentmanners；eachofwhichhasitspeculiarmerit，andmaycontributetotheentertainment，instruction，andreformationofmankind。Theoneconsidersmanchieflyasbornforaction；andasinfluencedinhismeasuresbytasteandsentiment；pursuingoneobject，andavoidinganother，accordingtothevaluewhichtheseobjectsseemtopossess，andaccordingtothelightinwhichtheypresentthemselves。Asvirtue，ofallobjects，isallowedtobethemostvaluable，thisspeciesofphilosopherspaintherinthemostamiablecolours；borrowingallhelpsfrompoetryandeloquence，andtreatingtheirsubject
　　inaneasyandobviousmanner，andsuchasisbestfittedtopleasetheimagination，andengagetheaffections。Theyselectthemoststrikingobservationsandinstancesfromcommonlife；placeoppositecharactersinapropercontrast；andalluringusintothepathsofvirtuebytheviewsofgloryandhappiness，directourstepsinthesepathsbythesoundestpreceptsandmostillustriousexamples。Theymakeus
　　thedifferencebetweenviceandvirtue；theyexciteandregulateoursentiments；andsotheycanbutbendourheartstotheloveofprobityandtruehonour，theythink，thattheyhavefullyattainedtheendofalltheirlabours。
　　Theotherspeciesofphilosophersconsidermaninthelightofareasonableratherthananactivebeing，andendeavourtoformhisunderstandingmorethancultivatehismanners。Theyregardhumannatureasasubjectofspeculation；andwithanarrowscrutinyexamineit，inordertofindthoseprinciples，whichregulateourunderstanding，exciteoursentiments，andmakeusapproveorblameanyparticularobject，action，orbehaviour。Theythinkitareproachtoallliterature，thatphilosophyshouldnotyethavefixed，beyondcontroversy，thefoundationofmorals，reasoning，andcriticism；andshouldforevertalkoftruthandfalsehood，viceandvirtue，beautyanddeformity，withoutbeingabletodeterminethesource
　　ofthesedistinctions。Whiletheyattemptthisarduoustask，theyaredeterredbynodifficulties；butproceedingfromparticularinstancestogeneralprinciples，theystillpushontheirenquiriestoprinciplesmoregeneral，andrestnotsatisfiedtilltheyarriveatthoseoriginalprinciples，bywhich，ineveryscience，allhumancuriositymustbebounded。Thoughtheirspeculationsseemabstract，andevenunintelligibletocommonreaders，theyaimattheapprobationofthelearnedandthewise；andthinkthemselvessufficientlycompensatedforthelabouroftheirwholelives，iftheycandiscoversomehiddentruths，whichmaycontributetotheinstructionofposterity。
　　Itiscertainthattheeasyandobviousphilosophywillalways，withthegeneralityofmankind，havethepreferenceabovetheaccurateandabstruse；andbymanywillberecommended，notonlyasmoreagreeable，butmoreusefulthantheother。Itentersmoreintocommonlife；mouldstheheartandaffections；and，bytouchingthoseprincipleswhichactuatemen，reformstheirconduct，andbringsthemnearertothatmodelofperfectionwhichitdescribes。Onthecontrary，theabstrusephilosophy，beingfoundedonaturnofmind，whichcannotenterintobusinessandaction，vanisheswhenthephilosopherleavestheshade，andcomesintoopenday；norcanitsprincipleseasilyretainanyinfluenceoverourconductandbehaviour。Thefeelingsofourheart，theagitationofourpassions，thevehemenceofouraffections，dissipateallitsconclusions，andreducetheprofoundphilosophertoamereplebeian。
　　Thisalsomustbeconfessed，thatthemostdurable，aswellasjustestfame，hasbeenacquiredbytheeasyphilosophy，andthatabstractreasonersseemhithertotohaveenjoyedonlyamomentaryreputation，fromthecapriceorignoranceoftheirownage，buthavenotbeenabletosupporttheirrenownwithmoreequitableposterity。Itiseasyforaprofoundphilosophertocommitamistakeinhissubtilereasonings；andonemistakeisthenecessaryparentofanother，whilehepushesonhisconsequences，andisnotdeterredfromembracinganyconclusion，byitsunusualappearance，oritscontradictiontopopularopinion。Butaphilosopher，whopurposesonlytorepresentthecommonsenseofmankindinmorebeautiful
　　andmoreengagingcolours，ifbyaccidenthefallsintoerror，goesnofarther；butrenewinghisappealtocommonsense，andthenaturalsentimentsofthemind，returnsintotherightpath，andsecureshimselffromanydangerousillusions。ThefameofC/ICERO\flourishesatpresent；butthatofA/RISTOTLE\isutterlydecayed。L/A\B/RUYERE\passestheseas，andstillmaintainshisreputation:ButthegloryofM/ALEBRANCHE\isconfinedtohisownnation，andtohisownage。AndA/DDISON\，perhaps，willbereadwithpleasure，whenL/OCKE\
　　shallbeentirelyforgotten。[2]
　　Themerephilosopherisacharacter，whichiscommonlybutlittleacceptableintheworld，asbeingsupposedtocontributenothingeithertotheadvantageorpleasureofsociety；whilehelivesremotefromcommunicationwithmankind，andiswrappedupinprinciplesandnotionsequallyremotefromtheircomprehension。Ontheotherhand，themereignorantisstillmoredespised；norisanythingdeemedasurersignofanilliberalgeniusinanageandnationwherethesciencesflourish，thantobeentirelydestituteofallrelishforthosenobleentertainments。Themostperfectcharacterissupposedtoliebetweenthoseextremes；
　　retaininganequalabilityandtasteforbooks，company，andbusiness；preservinginconversationthatdiscernmentanddelicacywhicharisefrompoliteletters；andinbusiness，thatprobityandaccuracywhicharethenaturalresultofajustphilosophy。Inordertodiffuseandcultivatesoaccomplishedacharacter，nothingcanbemoreusefulthancompositionsoftheeasystyleandmanner，whichnottoomuchfromlife，requirenodeepapplicationorretreattobecomprehended，andsendbackthestudentamongmankindfullofnoblesentimentsandwiseprecepts，applicabletoeveryexigenceofhumanlife。Bymeansofsuchcompositions，virtuebecomesamiable，scienceagreeable，companyinstructive，andretiremententertaining。
　　Manisareasonablebeing；andassuch，receivesfromsciencehisproperfoodandnourishment:
　　Butsonarrowaretheboundsofhumanunderstanding，thatlittlesatisfactioncanbehopedforinthisparticular，eitherfromtheextentofsecurityorhisacquisitions。Manisasociable，nolessthanareasonablebeing:Butneithercanhealwaysenjoycompanyagreeableandamusing，orpreservetheproperrelishforthem。Manisalsoanactivebeing；andfromthatdisposition，aswellasfromthevariousnecessitiesofhumanlife，mustsubmittobusinessandoccupation:Butthemindrequiressomerelaxation，andcannotalwayssupportitsbenttocareandindustry。Itseems，then，thatnaturehaspointedoutamixedkindoflifeasmostsuitabletothehumanrace，andsecretlyadmonishedthemtoallownoneofthesebiasestotoomuch，soastoincapacitatethemforotheroccupationsandentertainments。Indulgeyourpassionforscience，saysshe，butletyoursciencebehuman，andsuchasmayhaveadirectreferencetoactionandsociety。AbstrusethoughtandprofoundresearchesI
　　prohibit，andwillseverelypunish，bythepensivemelancholywhichtheyintroduce，bytheendlessuncertaintyinwhichtheyinvolveyou，andbythecoldreceptionwhichyourpretendeddiscoveriesshallmeetwith，whencommunicated。Beaphilosopher；but，amidstallyourphilosophy，bestillaman。
　　Werethegeneralityofmankindcontentedtoprefertheeasyphilosophytotheabstractandprofound，withoutthrowinganyblameorcontemptonthelatter，itmightnotbeimproper，perhaps，tocomplywiththisgeneralopinion，andalloweverymantoenjoy，withoutopposition，hisowntasteandsentiment。Butasthematterisoftencarriedfarther，eventotheabsoluterejectingofallprofoundreasonings，orwhatiscommonlycalled，weshallnowproceedtoconsiderwhatcanreasonablybepleadedintheirbehalf。
　　Wemaybeginwithobserving，thatoneconsiderableadvantage，whichresultsfromtheaccurateandabstractphilosophy，is，itssubserviencytotheeasyandhumane；
　　which，withouttheformer，canneverattainasufficientdegreeofexactnessinitssentiments，precepts，orreasonings。Allpolitelettersarenothingbutpicturesofhumanlifeinvariousattitudesandsituations；andinspireuswithdifferentsentiments，ofpraiseorblame，admirationorridicule，accordingtothequalitiesoftheobject，whichtheysetbeforeus。Anartistmustbebetterqualifiedtosucceedinthisundertaking，who，besidesadelicatetasteandaquickapprehension，possessesanaccurateknowledgeoftheinternalfabric，theoperationsoftheunderstanding，theworkingsofthepassions，andthevariousspeciesofsentimentwhichdiscriminateviceandvirtue。Howpainfulsoeverthisinward
　　searchorenquirymayappear，itbecomes，insomemeasure，requisitetothose，whowoulddescribewithsuccesstheobviousandoutwardappearancesoflifeandmanners。Theanatomistpresentstotheeyethemosthideousanddisagreeableobjects；buthisscienceisusefultothepainterindelineatingevenaV/ENUS\oranH/ELEN\。Whilethelatteremploysalltherichestcoloursofhisart，andgiveshisfiguresthemostgracefulandengagingairs；hemuststillcarryhisattentiontotheinwardstructureofthehumanbody，thepositionofthemuscles，thefabricofthebones，andtheuseandfigureofeverypartororgan。
　　Accuracyis，ineverycase，advantageoustobeauty，andjustreasoningtodelicatesentiment。Invainwouldweexalttheonebydepreciatingtheother。
　　Besides，wemayobserve，ineveryartorprofession，eventhosewhichmostconcernlifeoraction，thataspiritofaccuracy，howeveracquired，carriesallofthemnearertheirperfection，andrendersthemmoresubservienttotheinterestsofsociety。Andthoughaphilosophermayliveremotefrombusiness，thegeniusofphilosophy，ifcarefullycultivatedbyseveral，mustgraduallydiffuseitselfthroughoutthewholesociety，andbestowasimilarcorrectnessoneveryartandcalling。Thepoliticianwillacquiregreaterforesightandsubtility，inthesubdividingandbalancingofpower；thelawyermoremethodandfinerprinciplesinhisreasonings；andthegeneralmoreregularityinhisdiscipline，andmorecautioninhisplansandoperations。Thestabilityofmoderngovernmentsabovetheancient，andtheaccuracyofmodernphilosophy，haveimproved，andprobablywillstillimprove，bysimilargradations。
　　Weretherenoadvantagetobereapedfromthesestudies，beyondthegratificationofaninnocentcuriosity，yetoughtnoteventhistobedespised；asbeingoneaccessiontothosefewsafeandharmlesspleasures，whicharebestowedonthehumanrace。Thesweetestandmostinoffensivepathoflifeleadsthroughtheavenuesofscienceandlearning；andwhoevercaneitherremoveanyobstructionsinthisway，oropenupanynewprospect，oughtsofartobeesteemedabenefactortomankind。Andthoughtheseresearchesmayappearpainfulandfatiguing，itiswithsomemindsaswithsomebodies，whichbeingendowedwithvigorousandfloridhealth，requiresevereexercise，andreapapleasurefromwhat，tothegeneralityofmankind，mayseemburdensomeandlaborious。Obscurity，indeed，ispainfultothemindaswellastotheeye；buttobringlightfromobscurity，bywhateverlabour，mustneedsbedelightfulandrejoicing。
　　Butthisobscurityintheprofoundandabstractphilosophy，isobjectedto，notonlyaspainfulandfatiguing，butastheinevitablesourceofuncertaintyanderror。Hereindeedliesthejustestandmostplausibleobjectionagainstaconsiderablepartofmetaphysics，thattheyarenotproperlyascience；butariseeitherfromthefruitlesseffortsofhumanvanity，whichwouldpenetrateintosubjectsutterlyinaccessibletotheunderstanding，orfromthecraftofpopularsuperstitions，which，beingunabletodefendthemselvesonfairground，raisetheseintanglingbramblestocoverandprotecttheirweakness。Chasedfromtheopencountry，theserobbersflyintotheforest，andlieinwaittobreakinuponeveryunguardedavenueofthemind，andoverwhelmitwithreligiousfearsandprejudices。Thestoutestantagonist，ifheremithiswatchamoment，isoppressed。Andmany，throughcowardiceandfolly，openthegatestotheenemies，andwillinglyreceivethemwithreverenceandsubmission，astheirlegalsovereigns。
　　Butisthisasufficientreason，whyphilosophersshoulddesistfromsuchresearches，andleavesuperstitionstillinpossessionofherretreat？Isitnotpropertodrawanoppositeconclusion，andperceivethenecessityofcarryingthewarintothemostsecretrecessesoftheenemy？
　　Invaindowehope，thatmen，fromfrequentdisappointment，willatlastabandonsuchairysciences，anddiscovertheproperprovinceofhumanreason。For，besides，thatmanypersonsfindtoosensibleaninterestinperpetuallyrecallingsuchtopics；besidesthis，Isay，themotiveofblinddespaircanneverreasonablyhaveplaceinthesciences；since，howeverunsuccessfulformerattemptsmayhaveproved，thereisstillroomtohope，thattheindustry，goodfortune，orimprovedsagacityofsucceedinggenerationsmayreachdiscoveriesunknowntoformerages。Eachadventurousgeniuswillstillleapatthearduousprize，andfindhimselfstimulated，ratherthandiscouraged，bythefailuresofhispredecessors；whilehehopesthatthegloryofachievingsohardanadventureisreservedforhimalone。
　　Theonlymethodoffreeinglearning，atonce，fromtheseabstrusequestions，istoenquireseriouslyintothenatureofhumanunderstanding，andshow，fromanexactanalysisofitspowersandcapacity，thatitisbynomeansfittedforsuchremoteandabstrusesubjects。Wemustsubmittothisfatigueinordertoliveateaseeverafter:Andmustcultivatetruemetaphysicswithsomecare，inordertodestroythefalseandadulterate。Indolence，which，tosomepersons，affordsasafeguardagainstthisdeceitfulphilosophy，is，withothers，overbalancedbycuriosity；anddespair，which，atsomemoments，prevails，maygiveplaceafterwardstosanguinehopesandexpectations。Accurateandjustreasoningistheonlycatholicremedy，fittedforallpersonsandalldispositions；andisaloneabletosubvertthatabstrusephilosophyandmetaphysicaljargon，whichbeingmixedupwithpopularsuperstition，rendersitinamannerimpenetrabletocarelessreasoners，andgivesittheairofscienceandwisdom。
　　Besidesthisadvantageofrejecting，afterdeliberateenquiry，themostuncertainanddisagreeablepartoflearning，therearemanypositiveadvantages，whichresultfromanaccuratescrutinyintothepowersandfacultiesofhumannature。Itisremarkableconcerningtheoperationsofthemind，that，thoughmostintimatelypresenttous，yet，whenevertheybecometheobjectofreflexion，theyseeminvolvedinobscurity；norcantheeyereadilyfindthoselinesandboundaries，whichdiscriminateanddistinguishthem。Theobjectsaretoofinetoremainlonginthesameaspectorsituation；andmustbeapprehendedinaninstant，byasuperiorpenetration，derivedfromnature，andimprovedbyhabitandreflexion。Itbecomes，therefore，noinconsiderablepartofsciencebarelytoknowthedifferentoperationsofthemind，
　　toseparatethemfromeachother，toclassthemundertheirproperheads，andtocorrectallthatseemingdisorder，inwhichtheylieinvolved，whenmadetheobjectofreflexionandenquiry。Thistalkoforderinganddistinguishing，whichhasnomerit，whenperformedwithregardtoexternalbodies，theobjectsofoursenses，risesinitsvalue，whendirectedtowardstheoperationsofthemind，inproportiontothedifficultyandlabour，whichwemeetwithinperformingit。Andifwecangonofartherthanthismentalgeography，ordelineationofthedistinctpartsandpowersofthemind，itisatleastasatisfactiontogosofar；andthemoreobviousthissciencemayappearanditisbynomeansobviousthemorecontemptiblestillmusttheignoranceofitbeesteemed，inallpretenderstolearningandphilosophy。
　　Norcanthereremainanysuspicion，thatthisscienceisuncertainandchimerical；unlessweshouldentertainsuchascepticismasisentirelysubversiveofallspeculation，andevenaction。Itcannotbedoubted，thatthemindisendowedwithseveralpowersandfaculties，thatthesepowersaredistinctfromeachother，thatwhatisreallydistincttotheimmediateperceptionmaybedistinguishedbyreflexion；andconsequently，thatthereisatruthandfalsehoodinallpropositionsonthissubject，andatruthandfalsehood，whichlienotbeyondthecompassofhumanunderstanding。Therearemanyobviousdistinctionsofthiskind，suchasthosebetweenthewillandunderstanding，theimaginationandpassions，whichfallwithinthecomprehensionofeveryhumancreature；andthefinerandmorephilosophicaldistinctionsarenolessrealandcertain，thoughmoredifficulttobecomprehended。Someinstances，especiallylateones，ofsuccessintheseenquiries，maygiveusajusternotionofthecertaintyandsolidityofthisbranchoflearning。Andshallweesteemitworthythelabourofaphilosophertogiveusatruesystemoftheplanets，andadjustthepositionandorderofthoseremotebodies；whileweaffecttooverlookthose，who，withsomuchsuccess，delineatethepartsofthemind，inwhichwearesointimatelyconcerned？[3]
　　Butmaywenothope，thatphilosophy，cultivatedwithcare，andencouragedbytheattentionofthepublic，
　　maycarryitsresearchesstillfarther，anddiscover，atleastinsomedegree，thesecretspringsandprinciples，bywhichthehumanmindisactuatedinitsoperations？Astronomershadlongcontentedthemselveswithproving，fromthephaenomena，thetruemotions，order，andmagnitudeoftheheavenlybodies:Tillaphilosopher，atlast，arose，whoseems，fromthehappiestreasoning，tohavealsodeterminedthelawsandforces，bywhichtherevolutionsoftheplanetsaregovernedanddirected。Thelikehasbeenperformedwithregardtootherpartsofnature。Andthereisnoreasontodespairofequalsuccessinourenquiriesconcerningthementalpowersandeconomy，ifprosecutedwithequalcapacityandcaution。Itisprobable，thatoneoperationandprincipleoftheminddependsonanother；which，again，mayberesolvedintoonemoregeneralanduniversal:Andhowfartheseresearchesmaypossiblybecarried，itwillbedifficultforus，before，orevenafter，acarefultrial，exactlytodetermine。Thisiscertain，thatattemptsofthiskindareeverydaymadeevenbythosewhophilosophizethemostnegligently:Andnothingcanbemorerequisitethantoenterupontheenterprizewiththoroughcareandattention；
　　that，ifitliewithinthecompassofhumanunderstanding，itmayatlastbehappilyachieved；
　　ifnot，itmay，however，berejectedwithsomeconfidenceandsecurity。Thislastconclusion，surely，isnotdesirable；noroughtittobeembracedtoorashly。Forhowmuchmustwediminishfromthebeautyandvalueofthisspeciesofphilosophy，uponsuchasupposition？Moralistshavehithertobeenaccustomed，whentheyconsideredthevastmultitudeanddiversityofthoseactionsthatexciteourapprobationordislike，tosearchforsomecommonprinciple，onwhichthisvarietyofsentimentsmightdepend。Andthoughtheyhavesometimescarriedthemattertoofar，bytheirpassionforsomeonegeneralprinciple；itmust，however，beconfessed，thattheyareexcusableinexpectingtofindsomegeneralprinciples，intowhichallthevicesandvirtueswerejustlytoberesolved。Thelikehasbeentheendeavourofcritics，logicians，andevenpoliticians:Norhavetheirattemptsbeenwhollyunsuccessful；thoughperhapslongertime，greateraccuracy，andmoreardentapplicationmaybringthesesciencesstillnearertheirperfection。Tothrowupatonceallpretensionsofthiskindmayjustlybedeemedmorerash，precipitate，anddogmatical，thaneventheboldestandmostaffirmativephilosophy，thathaseverattemptedtoimposeitscrudedictatesandprinciplesonmankind。
　　Whatthoughthesereasoningsconcerninghumannatureseemabstract，andofdifficultcomprehension？Thisaffordsnopresumptionoftheirfalsehood。Onthecontrary，itseemsimpossible，thatwhathashithertoescapedsomanywiseandprofoundphilosopherscanbeveryobviousandeasy。Andwhateverpainstheseresearchesmaycostus，wemaythinkourselvessufficientlyrewarded，notonlyinpointofprofitbutofpleasure，if，bythatmeans，wecanmakeanyadditiontoourstockofknowledge，insubjectsofsuchunspeakableimportance。
　　Butas，afterall，theabstractednessofthesespeculationsisnorecommendation，butratheradisadvantagetothem，andasthisdifficultymayperhapsbesurmountedbycareandart，andtheavoidingofallunnecessarydetail，wehave，inthefollowingenquiry，attemptedtothrowsomelightuponsubjects，fromwhichuncertaintyhashithertodeterredthewise，andobscuritytheignorant。Happy，ifwecanunitetheboundariesofthedifferentspeciesofphilosophy，byreconcilingprofoundenquirywithclearness，andtruthwithnovelty!Andstillmorehappy，if，reasoninginthiseasymanner，wecanunderminethefoundationsofanabstrusephilosophy，whichseemstohavehithertoservedonlyasasheltertosuperstition，andacovertoabsurdityanderror!
　　SECTIONII。
　　OftheOriginofIdeas。
　　E/VERY\onewillreadilyallow，thatthereisaconsiderabledifferencebetweentheperceptionsofthemind，whenamanfeelsthepainofexcessiveheat，orthepleasureofmoderatewarmth，andwhenheafterwardsrecallstohismemorythissensation，oranticipatesitbyhisimagination。
　　Thesefacultiesmaymimicorcopytheperceptionsofthesenses；buttheynevercanentirelyreachtheforceandvivacityoftheoriginalsentiment。Theutmostwesayofthem，evenwhentheyoperatewithgreatestvigour，is，thattheyrepresenttheirobjectinsolivelyamanner，thatwecouldsaywefeelorseeit:But，exceptthemindbedisorderedbydiseaseormadness，theynevercanarriveatsuchapitchofvivacity，astorendertheseperceptionsaltogetherundistinguishable。Allthecoloursofpoetry，howeversplendid，canneverpaintnaturalobjectsinsuchamannerastomakethedescriptionbetakenforareallandskip。Themostlivelythoughtisstillinferiortothedullestsensation。
　　Wemayobservealikedistinctiontorunthroughalltheotherperceptionsofthemind。Amaninafitofanger，isactuatedinaverydifferentmannerfromonewhoonlythinksofthatemotion。Ifyoutellme，thatanypersonisinlove，Ieasilyunderstandyourmeaning，andfromajustconceptionofhissituation；butnevercanmistakethatconceptionfortherealdisordersandagitationsofthepassion。Whenwereflectonourpastsentimentsandaffections，ourthoughtisafaithfulmirror，andcopiesitsobjectstruly；butthecolourswhichitemploysarefaintanddull，incomparisonofthoseinwhichouroriginalperceptionswereclothed。Itrequiresnonicediscernmentormetaphysicalheadtomarkthedistinctionbetweenthem。
　　Herethereforewemaydividealltheperceptionsofthemindintotwoclassesorspecies，
　　whicharedistinguishedbytheirdifferentdegreesofforceandvivacity。ThelessforcibleandlivelyarecommonlydenominatedT/HOUGHTS\orI/DEAS\。Theotherspecieswantanameinourlanguage，andinmostothers；Isuppose，becauseitwasnotrequisiteforany，butphilosophicalpurposes，torankthemunderageneraltermorappellation。Letus，therefore，usealittlefreedom，andcallthemI/MPRESSIONS\；employingthatwordinasensesomewhatdifferentfromtheusual。Bytheterm，then，Imeanallourmorelivelyperceptions，whenwehear，orsee，orfeel，orlove，orhate，ordesire，orwill。Andimpressionsaredistinguishedfromideas，whicharethelesslivelyperceptions，ofwhichweareconscious，whenwereflectonanyofthosesensationsormovementsabovementioned。
　　Nothing，atfirstview，mayseemmoreunboundedthanthethoughtofman，whichnotonlyescapesallhumanpowerandauthority，butisnotevenrestrainedwithinthelimitsofnatureandreality。Toformmonsters，andjoinincongruousshapesandappearances，coststheimaginationnomoretroublethantoconceivethemostnaturalandfamiliarobjects。Andwhilethebodyisconfinedtooneplanet，alongwhichitcreepswithpainanddifficulty；thethoughtcaninaninstanttransportusintothemostdistantregionsoftheuniverse；orevenbeyondtheuniverse，intotheunboundedchaos，wherenatureissupposedtolieintotalconfusion。
　　Whatneverwasseen，orheardof，mayyetbeconceived；norisanythingbeyondthepowerofthought，exceptwhatimpliesanabsolutecontradiction。
　　Butthoughourthoughtseemstopossessthisunboundedliberty，weshallfind，uponanearerexamination，thatitisreallyconfinedwithinverynarrowlimits，andthatallthiscreativepowerofthemindamountstonomorethanthefacultyofcompounding，transposing，augmenting，ordiminishingthematerialsaffordedusbythesensesandexperience。Whenwethinkofagoldenmountain，weonlyjointwoconsistentideas，，and，withwhichwewereformerlyacquainted。Avirtuoushorsewecanconceive；
　　because，fromourownfeeling，wecanconceivevirtue；andthiswemayunitetothefigureandshapeofahorse，whichisananimalfamiliartous。Inshort，allthematerialsofthinkingarederivedeitherfromouroutwardorinwardsentiment:Themixtureandcompositionofthesebelongsalonetothemindandwill。Or，toexpressmyselfinphilosophicallanguage，allourideasormorefeebleperceptionsarecopiesofourimpressionsormorelivelyones。
　　Toprovethis，thetwofollowingargumentswill，I
　　hope，besufficient。First，whenweanalyzeourthoughtsorideas，howevercompoundedorsublime，wealwaysfindthattheyresolvethemselvesintosuchsimpleideasaswerecopiedfromaprecedentfeelingorsentiment。Eventhoseideas，which，atfirstview，seemthemostwideofthisorigin，arefound，uponanearerscrutiny，tobederivedfromit。TheideaofGod，asmeaninganinfinitelyintelligent，wise，andgoodBeing，arisesfromreflectingontheoperationsofourownmind，andaugmenting，withoutlimit，thosequalitiesofgoodnessandwisdom。Wemayprosecutethisenquirytowhatlengthweplease；whereweshallalwaysfind，thateveryideawhichweexamineiscopiedfromasimilar
　　impression。Thosewhowouldassertthatthispositionisnotuniversallytruenorwithoutexception，haveonlyone，andthataneasymethodofrefutingit；byproducingthatidea，which，intheiropinion，isnotderivedfromthissource。Itwillthenbeincumbentonus，ifwewouldmaintainourdoctrine，toproducetheimpression，orlivelyperception，whichcorrespondstoit。
　　Secondly。Ifithappen，fromadefectoftheorgan，thatamanisnotsusceptibleofanyspeciesofsensation，wealwaysfindthatheisaslittlesusceptibleofthecorrespondentideas。Ablindmancanformnonotionofcolours；adeafmanofsounds。Restoreeitherofthemthatsenseinwhichheisdeficient；byopeningthisnewinletforhissensations，youalsoopenaninletfortheideas；
　　andhefindsnodifficultyinconceivingtheseobjects。Thecaseisthesame，iftheobject，properforexcitinganysensation，hasneverbeenappliedtotheorgan。A
　　L/APLANDER\orN/EGROE\hasnonotionoftherelishofwine。
　　Andthoughtherearefewornoinstancesofalikedeficiencyinthemind，whereapersonhasneverfeltoriswhollyincapableofasentimentorpassionthatbelongstohisspecies；yetwefindthesameobservationtotakeplaceinalessdegree。Amanofmildmannerscanformnoideaofinveteraterevengeorcruelty；norcanaselfishhearteasilyconceivetheheightsoffriendshipandgenerosity。Itisreadilyallowed，thatotherbeingsmaypossessmanysensesofwhichwecanhavenoconception；becausetheideasofthemhaveneverbeenintroducedtousintheonlymannerbywhichanideacanhaveaccesstothemind，towit，bytheactualfeelingandsensation。
　　Thereis，however，onecontradictoryphenomenon，whichmayprovethatitisnotabsolutelyimpossibleforideastoarise，independentoftheircorrespondentimpressions。I
　　believeitwillreadilybeallowed，thattheseveraldistinctideasofcolour，whichenterbytheeye，orthoseofsound，whichareconveyedbytheear，arereallydifferentfromeachother；though，atthesametime，resembling。Nowifthisbetrueofdifferentcolours，itmustbenolesssoofthedifferentshadesofthesamecolour；andeachshadeproducesadistinctidea，independentoftherest。Forifthisshouldbedenied，itispossible，bythecontinualgradationofshades，torunacolourinsensiblyintowhatismostremotefromit；andifyouwillnotallowanyofthemeanstobedifferent，youcannot，withoutabsurdity，denytheextremestobethesame。
　　Suppose，therefore，apersontohaveenjoyedhissightforthirtyyears，andtohavebecomeperfectlyacquaintedwithcoloursofallkindsexceptoneparticularshadeofblue，forinstance，whichitneverhasbeenhisfortunetomeetwith。Letallthedifferentshadesofthatcolour，exceptthatsingleone，beplacedbeforehim，descendinggraduallyfromthedeepesttothelightest；itisplainthathewillperceiveablank，wherethatshadeiswanting，andwillbesensiblethatthereisagreaterdistanceinthatplacebetweenthecontiguouscolourthaninanyother。NowIask，whetheritbepossibleforhim，fromhisownimagination，tosupplythisdeficiency，andraiseuptohimselftheideaofthatparticularshade，thoughithadneverbeenconveyedtohimbyhissenses？Ibelievetherearefewbutwillbeofopinionthathecan:Andthismayserveasaproofthatthesimpleideasarenotalways，ineveryinstance，derivedfromthecorrespondentimpressions；thoughthisinstanceissosingular，thatitisscarcelyworthourobserving，anddoesnotmeritthatforitalonewe
　　shouldalterourgeneralmaxim。
　　Here，therefore，isaproposition，whichnotonlyseems，initself，simpleandintelligible；but，ifaproperuseweremadeofit，mightrendereverydisputeequallyintelligible，andbanishallthatjargon，whichhassolongtakenpossessionofmetaphysicalreasonings，anddrawndisgraceuponthem。Allideas，especiallyabstractones，arenaturallyfaintandobscure:Themindhasbutaslenderholdofthem:Theyareapttobeconfoundedwithotherresemblingideas；andwhenwehaveoftenemployedanyterm，thoughwithoutadistinctmeaning，weareapttoimagineithasadeterminateideaannexedtoit。Onthecontrary，allimpressions，thatis，allsensations，eitheroutwardorinward，arestrongandvivid:Thelimitsbetweenthemaremoreexactlydetermined:Norisiteasytofallintoanyerrorormistakewithregardtothem。Whenweentertain，therefore，anysuspicionthataphilosophicaltermisemployedwithoutanymeaningorideaasisbuttoofrequent，weneedbutenquire，？Andifitbeimpossibletoassignany，thiswillservetoconfirmoursuspicion。Bybringingideasintosoclearalightwemayreasonablyhopetoremovealldispute，whichmayarise，concerningtheirnatureandreality。[4]
　　SECTIONIII。
　　OftheAssociationofIdeas。
　　I/T\isevidentthatthereisaprincipleofconnexionbetweenthedifferentthoughtsorideasofthemind，andthatintheirappearancetothememoryorimagination，theyintroduceeachotherwithacertaindegreeofmethodandregularity。Inourmoreseriousthinkingordiscoursethisissoobservablethatanyparticularthought，whichbreaksinupontheregulartractorchainofideas，isimmediatelyremarkedandrejected。Andeveninourwildestandmostwanderingreveries，nayinourverydreams，weshallfind，ifwereflect，thattheimaginationrannotaltogetheratadventures，butthattherewasstillaconnexionupheldamongthedifferentideas，whichsucceededeachother。Weretheloosestandfreestconversationtobetranscribed，therewouldimmediatelybeobservedsomethingwhichconnecteditinallitstransitions。Orwherethisiswanting，thepersonwhobrokethethreadofdiscoursemightstillinformyou，thattherehadsecretlyrevolvedinhismindasuccessionofthought，whichhadgraduallyledhimfromthesubjectofconversation。Amongdifferentlanguages，evenwherewecannotsuspecttheleastconnexionorcommunication，itisfound，thatthewords，expressiveofideas，themostcompounded，doyetnearlycorrespondtoeachother:A
　　certainproofthatthesimpleideas，comprehendedinthecompoundones，wereboundtogetherbysomeuniversalprinciple，whichhadanequalinfluenceonallmankind。
　　Thoughitbetooobvioustoescapeobservation，thatdifferentideasareconnectedtogether；Idonotfindthatanyphilosopherhasattemptedtoenumerateorclassalltheprinciplesofassociation；asubject，however，thatseemsworthyofcuriosity。Tome，thereappeartobeonlythreeprinciplesofconnexionamongideas，namely，，intimeorplace，andor。
　　Thattheseprinciplesservetoconnectideaswillnot，Ibelieve，bemuchdoubted。Apicturenaturallyleadsourthoughtstotheoriginal:[5]thementionofoneapartmentinabuildingnaturallyintroducesanenquiryordiscourseconcerningtheothers:[6]andifwethinkofawound，wecanscarcelyforbearreflectingonthepainwhichfollowsit。[7]
　　Butthatthisenumerationiscomplete，andthattherearenootherprinciplesofassociationexceptthese，maybedifficulttoprovetothesatisfactionofthereader，oreventoaman'sownsatisfaction。Allwecando，insuchcases，istorunoverseveralinstances，andexaminecarefullytheprinciplewhichbindsthedifferentthoughtstoeachother，neverstoppingtillwerendertheprincipleasgeneralaspossible。[8]Themoreinstancesweexamine，andthemorecareweemploy，themoreassuranceshallweacquire，thattheenumeration，whichweformfromthewhole，iscompleteandentire。[9]
　　Insteadofenteringintoadetailofthiskind，whichwouldleadusintomanyuselesssubtilties，weshallconsidersomeoftheeffectsofthisconnectionuponthepassionsandimagination；wherewemayopenupafieldofspeculationmoreentertaining，andperhapsmoreinstructive，thantheother。
　　Asmanisareasonablebeingandiscontinuallyinpursuitofhappiness，whichhehopestofindinthegratificationofsomepassionoraffection，heseldomactsorspeaksorthingswithoutapurposeandintention。Hehasstillsomeobjectinvies；andhoweverimproperthemeansmaysometimesbewhichhechoosesfortheattainmentofhisend，heneverlosesviewofanend，norwillhesomuchasthrowawayhisthoughtsorreflectionswherehehopesnottoreapanysatisfactionfromthem。
　　Inallcompositionsofgenius，therefore，itisrequisitethatthewriterhavesomeplanorobject；andthoughhemaybehurriedfromthisplanbythevehemenceofthought，asinanode，ordropitcarelessly，asinanepistleoressay，theremustappearsomeaimorintentioninhisfirstsettingout，ifnotinthecompositionofthewholework。Aproductionwithoutadesignwouldresemblemoretheravingsofamadmanthanthesobereffortsofgeniusandlearning。
　　Asthisruleadmitsofnoexception，itfollowsthatinnarrativecompositionstheeventsoractionswhichthewriterrelatesmustbeconnectedtogetherbysomebondortie:Theymustberelatedtoeachotherintheimagination，andformakindofwhichmaybringthemunderoneplanorview，andwhichmaybetheobjectorendofthewriterinhisfirstundertaking。
　　Thisconnectingprincipleamongtheseveraleventswhichformthesubjectofapoemorhistorymaybeverydifferentaccordingtothedifferentdesignsofthepoetorhistorian。O/VID\hasformedhisplanupontheconnectingprinciplesofresemblance。Everyfabuloustransformationproducedbythemiraculouspowerofthegodsfallswithinthecompassofhiswork。Thereneedsbutthisonecircumstance，inanyevent，tobringitunderhisoriginalplanorintention。
　　AnannalistorhistorianwhoshouldundertaketowritethehistoryorEuropeduringanycenturywouldbeinfluencedbytheconnectionofcontiguityintimeorplace。Alleventswhichhappeninthatportionofspaceandperiodoftimearecomprehendedinhisdesign，thoughinotherrespectsdifferentandunconnected。Theyhavestillaspeciesofunityamidstalltheirdiversity。
　　Butthemostusualspeciesofconnectionsamongthedifferenteventswhichenterintoanynarrativecompositionisthatofcauseandeffect；whilethehistoriantracestheseriesofactionsaccordingtotheirnaturalorder，remountstotheirsecretspringsandprinciples，anddelineatestheirmostremoteconsequences。Hechoosesforhissubjectacertainportionofthatgreatchainofeventswhichcomposethehistoryofmankind:Eachlinkinthischainheendeavourstotouchinhisnarration；sometimesunavoidableignorancerendersallhisattemptsfruitless；sometimeshesuppliesbyconjecturewhatiswantinginknowledge；andalwaysheissensiblethatthemoreunbrokenthechainiswhichhepresentstohisreaders，themoreperfectishisproduction。Heseesthattheknowledgeofcausesisnotonlythemostsatisfactory，thisrelationorconnectionbeingthestrongestofallothers，butalsothemostinstructive；
　　sinceitisbythisknowledgealoneweareenabledtocontroleventsandgovernfuturity。
　　Here，therefore，wemayattainsomenotionofthatofaboutwhichallcriticsafterAristotlehavetalkedsomuch，perhapstolittlepurpose，whichtheydirectednottheirtasteorsentimentbytheaccuracyofphilosophy。Itappearsthatinallproductions，aswellasintheepicandtragic，thereisacertainunityrequired，andthatonnooccasionourthoughtscanbeallowedtorunatadventuresifwewouldproduceaworkthatwillgiveanylastingentertainmenttomankind。Itappears，also，thatevenabiographerwhoshouldwritethelifeofAchilleswouldconnecttheeventsbyshowingtheirmutualdependenceandrelation，asmuchasapoetwhoshouldmaketheangerofthatherothesubjectofhisnarration。[10]Notonlyinanylimitedportionoflifeaman'sactionshaveadependenceoneachother，butalsocuringthewholeperiodofhisdurationfromthecradletothegrave；norisitpossibletostrikeoffonelink，howeverminute，in
　　thisregularchainwithoutaffectingthewholeseriesofeventswhichfollow。Theunityofaction，therefore，whichistobefoundinbiographyorhistorydiffersfromthatofepicpoetry，notinkind，butindegree。Inepicpoetry，theconnectionamongtheeventsismorecloseandsensible；thenarrationisnotcarriedonthroughsuchalengthoftime；andtheactorshastentosomeremarkableperiodwhichsatisfiesthecuriosityofthereader。thisconductoftheepicpoetdependsonthatparticularsituationoftheimaginationandofthepassionswhichissupposedinthatproduction。Theimaginationbothofwriterandreaderismoreenlivened，andthepassionsmoreinflamedthaninhistory，biography，oranyspeciesofnarrationthatconfinethemselvestostricttruthandreality。Letusconsidertheeffectofthesetwocircumstancesofanenlivenedimaginationandinflamedpassionswhichbelongtopoetry，especiallytheepickind，aboveanyotherspeciesofcomposition；andletusseeforwhatreasontheyrequireastricterandcloserunityinthefable。