Ispeakheretophilosophersonlyandnottotheologians。Weknowwellthatfaithisthethreadinthelabyrinth。WeknowthatthefallofAdamandEve，originalsin，theimmensepowergiventothedevil，thepredilectionaccordedbythegreatBeingtotheJewishpeople，andthebaptismsubstitutedfortheamputationoftheprepuce，aretheanswerswhichexplaineverything。
　　WehavearguedonlyagainstZarathustraandnotagainsttheuniversityofConimbreorCoimbre，towhichwesubmitinourarticles。PhilosophicalDictionary：PrayersPRAYERSWEdonotknowanyreligionwithoutprayers，eventheJewshadsome，althoughtherewasnotamongthemanypublicform，untilthetimewhentheysangcanticlesintheirsynagogues，whichhappenedverylate。
　　Allmen，intheirdesiresandtheirfears，invokedtheaidofadeity。
　　Somephilosophers，morerespectfultotheSupremeBeing，andlesscondescendingtohumanfrailty，forallprayerdesiredonlyresignation。Itisindeedwhatseemsproperasbetweencreatureandcreator。Butphilosophyisnotmadetogoverntheworld。sherisesabovethecommonherd。shespeaksalanguagethatthecrowdcannotunderstand。Itwouldbesuggestingtofishwivesthattheyshouldstudyconicsections。
　　Evenamongthephilosophers，IdonotbelievethatanyoneapartfromMaximusofTyrehastreatedofthismatter。thisisthesubstanceofMaximus’
　　ideas。
　　TheEternalhasHisintentionsfromalleternity。IfprayeraccordswithHisimmutablewishes，itisquiteuselesstoaskofHimwhatHehasresolvedtodo。IfonepraysHimtodothecontraryofwhatHehasresolved，itisprayingHimtobeweak，frivolous，inconstant。itisbelievingthatHeisthus，itistomockHim。EitheryouaskHimajustthing。inthiscaseHemustdoit，andthethingwillbedonewithoutyourprayingHimforit。entreatingHimiseventodistrustHim：orthethingisunjust，andthenyououtrageHim。Youareworthyorunworthyofthegraceyouimplore：ifworthy，Heknowsitbetterthanyou。ifunworthy，youcommitacrimethemoreinaskingforwhatyoudonotdeserve。
　　Inaword，wepraytoCodonlybecausewehavemadeHiminourownimage。
　　WetreatHimlikeapasha，likeasultanwhomonemayprovokeandappease。
　　Inshort，allnationspraytoGod：wisemenresignthemselvesandobeyHim。
　　Letuspraywiththepeople，andresignourselveswiththewisemen。PhilosophicalDictionary：PrecisofAncientPhilosophyPRECISOFANCIENTPHILOSOPHYIHAVEspentnearlyfortyyearsofmypilgrimageintwoorthreecornersofthisworldseekingthephilosopher’sstonethatiscalledTruth。Ihaveconsultedalltheadeptsofantiquity，EpicurusandAugustine，PlatoandMalebranchandIhaveremainedinmypoverty。Maybeinallthesephilosophers’
　　cruciblesthereareoneortwoouncesofgold。butalltherestisresidue，dullmud，fromwhichnothingcanbeborn。
　　ItseemstomethattheGreeksourmasterswrotemuchmoretoshowtheirintelligencethanthattheyusedtheirintelligenceinordertolearn。
　　Idonotseeasingleauthorofantiquitywhohadacoherentsystem，aclear，methodicalsystemprogressingfromconsequencetoconsequence。
　　WhenIwantedtocompareandcombinethesystemsofPlato，ofthepreceptorofAlexander，ofPythagorasandoftheOrientals，here，moreorless，iswhatIwasabletogather：
　　Chanceisawordemptyofsense。nothingcanexistwithoutacause。
　　Theworldisarrangedaccordingtomathematicallaws。itisthereforearrangedbyanintelligence。
　　ItisnotanintelligentbeingsuchasIam，whodirectedtheformationofthisworld，forIcannotformamite。thereforethisworldistheworkofaprodigiouslysuperiorintelligence。
　　Doesthisbeing，whopossessesintelligenceandpowerinsohighadegree，existnecessarily？Itmustbeso，foreitherthebeingreceivedexistencefromanother，orfromitsownnature。Ifthebeingreceivedexistencefromanother，whichisverydifficulttoimagine，Imusthaverecoursetothisother，andthisotherwillbetheprimeauthor。TowhicheversideIturnIhavetoadmitaprimeauthor，potentandintelligent，whoissuchnecessarilybyhisownnature。
　　Didthisprimeauthorproducethingsoutofnothing？thatisnotimaginable。
　　tocreateoutofnothingistochangenothingintosomething。ImustnotadmitsuchaproductionunlessIfindinvinciblereasonswhichforcemetoadmitwhatmyintelligencecannevercomprehend。
　　Allthatexistsappearstoexistnecessarily，sinceitexists。Forifto-daythereisareasonfortheexistenceofthings，therewasoneyesterday，therewasoneinalltime。andthiscausemustalwayshavehaditseffect，withoutwhichitwouldhavebeenduringeternityauselesscause。
　　Buthowshallthingshavealwaysexisted，beingvisiblyunderthehandoftheprimeauthor？Thispowerthereforemustalwayshaveacted。inthesameway，nearly，thatthereisnosunwithoutlight，sothereisnomovementwithoutabeingthatpassesfromonepointofspacetoanotherpoint。
　　Thereisthereforeapotentandintelligentbeingwhohasalwaysacted。
　　andifthisbeinghadneveracted，ofwhatusewouldhisexistencehavebeentohim？
　　Allthingsarethereforeeternalemanationsofthisprimeauthor。
　　ButhowimaginethatstoneandmudareemanationsoftheeternalBeing，potentandintelligent？
　　Oftwothingsone，eitherthematterofthisstoneandthismudexistnecessarilybythemselves，ortheyexistnecessarilythroughthisprimeauthor。thereisnomiddlecourse。
　　Thus，therefore，thereareonlytwochoicestomake，admiteithermattereternalbyitself，ormatterissuingeternallyfromthepotent，intelligent，eternalBeing。
　　But，eithersubsistingbyitsownnature，oremanatedfromtheproducingBeing，itexistsfromalleternity，becauseitexists，andthereisnoreasonwhyitshouldnothaveexistedbefore。
　　Ifmatteriseternallynecessary，itisthereforeimpossible，itisthereforecontradictorythatitdoesnotexist。butwhatmancanaffirmthatitisimpossible，thatitiscontradictorythatthispebbleandthisflyhavenotexistence？Oneis，nevertheless，forcedtosuppressthisdifficultywhichastonishestheimaginationmorethanitcontradictstheprinciplesofreasoning。
　　Infact，assoonasyouhaveimaginedthateverythinghasemanatedfromthesupremeandintelligentBeing，thatnothinghasemanatedfromtheBeingwithoutreason，thatthisBeingexistingalways，mustalwayshaveacted，thatconsequentlyallthingsmusthaveeternallyissuedfromthewombofHisexistence，youshouldnomorerefusetobelieveinthematterofwhichthispebbleandthisfly，aneternalproduction，areformed，thanyourefusetoimaginelightasaneternalemanationfromtheomnipotentBeing。
　　SinceIamabeingwithextensionandthought，myextensionandmythoughtarethereforenecessaryproductionsofthisBeing。ItisevidenttomethatIcannotgivemyselfeitherextensionorthought。IhavethereforereceivedbothfromthisnecessaryBeing。
　　CanHegivemewhatHehasnot？IhaveintelligenceandIaminspace。
　　thereforeHeisintelligent，andHeisinspace。
　　TosaythatthiseternalBeing，thisomnipotentGod，hasfromalltimenecessarilyfilledtheuniversewithHisproductions，isnottodepriveHimofHisliberty。onthecontrary，forlibertyisonlythepowerofacting。
　　Godhasalwaysactedtothefull。thereforeGodhasalwaysmadeuseofthefullnessofHisliberty。
　　Thelibertythatiscalledlibertyofindifferenceisaphrasewithoutidea，anabsurdity。foritwouldbedeterminationwithoutreason。
　　itwouldbeaneffectwithoutacause。Therefore，Godcannothavethisso-calledlibertywhichisacontradictioninterms。HehasthereforealwaysactedthroughthissamenecessitywhichmakesHisexistence。
　　ItisthereforeimpossiblefortheworldtobewithoutGod，itisimpossibleforGodtobewithouttheworld。
　　Thisworldisfilledwithbeingswhosucceedeachother，thereforeGodhasalwaysproducedbeingswhosucceedeachother。
　　ThesepreliminaryassertionsarethebasisoftheancientOrientalphilosophyandofthatoftheGreeks。OnemustexceptDemocritusandEpicurus，whosecorpuscularphilosophycombatedthesedogmas。ButletusremarkthattheEpicureansreliedonanentirelyerroneousnaturalphilosophy，andthatthemetaphysicalsystemofalltheotherphilosophersholdsgoodwithallthesystemsofnaturalphilosophy。Thewholeofnature，exceptingthevacuum，contradictsEpicurus。andnophenomenoncontradictsthephilosophywhichIhavejustexplained。WelI，isnotaphilosophywhichisinaccordwithallthatpassesinnature，andwhichcontentsthemostcarefulminds，superiortoallothernon-revealedsystems？
　　Aftertheassertionsoftheancientphilosophers，whichIhavereconciledasfarashasbeenpossibleforme，whatislefttous？achaosofdoubtsandchimeras。Idonotthinkthattherehaseverbeenaphilosopherwithasystemwhodidnotattheendofhislifeavowthathehadwastedhistime。Itmustbeadmittedthattheinventorsofthemechanicalartshavebeenmuchmoreusefultomankindthantheinventorsofsyllogisms：themanwhoinventedtheshuttlesurpasseswithavengeancethemanwhoimaginedinnateideas。PhilosophicalDictionary：PrejudicesPREJUDICESPREJUDICEisanopinionwithoutjudgment。Thusallovertheworlddopeopleinspirechildrenwithalltheopinionstheydesire，beforethechildrencanjudge。
　　Therearesomeuniversal，necessaryprejudices，whichevenmakevirtue。
　　InallcountrieschildrenaretaughttorecognizearewardingandrevengingGod。torespectandlovetheirfatherandtheirmother。tolookontheftasacrime，selfishlieingasavice，beforetheycanguesswhatisaviceandwhatavirtue。
　　Therearethensomeverygoodprejudices。theyarethosewhichareratifiedbyjudgmentwhenonereasons。
　　Sentimentisnotasimpleprejudice。itissomethingmuchstronger。
　　Amotherdoesnotlovehersonbecauseshehasbeentoldshemustlovehim。shecherisheshimhappilyinspiteofherself。Itisnotthroughprejudicethatyouruntothehelpofanunknownchildabouttofallintoaprecipice，orbeeatenbyabeast。
　　Butitisthroughprejudicethatyouwillrespectamancladincertainclothes，walkinggravely，speakinglikewise。Yourparentshavetoldyouthatyoushouldbowbeforethisman。yourespecthimbeforeknowingwhetherhemeritsyourrespect：yougrowinyearsandinknowledge。youperceivethatthismanisacharlatansteepedinarrogance，self-interestandartifice。
　　youdespisewhatyourevered，andtheprejudicecedestojudgment。Throughprejudiceyouhavebelievedthefableswithwhichyourchildhoodwascradled。
　　youhavebeentoldthattheTitansmadewaronthegods，andVenuswasamorousofAdonis。whenyouaretwelveyouacceptthesefablesastruths。
　　whenyouaretwentyyoulookonthemasingeniousallegories。
　　Letusexaminebrieflythedifferentsortsofprejudices，soastosetouraffairsinorder。Weshallbeperhapslikethosewho，atthetimeofLaw’ssystem，perceivedthattheyhadcalculatedimaginaryriches。PREJUDICESOFTHESENSES
　　Isitnotstrangethatoureyesalwaysdeceiveus，evenwhenwehaveverygoodsight，andthatonthecontraryourearsdonotdeceiveus？Letyourwell-informedearhearYouarebeautiful，Iloveyou。itisquitecertainthatsomeonehasnotsaidIhateyou，youareugly：butyouseeasmoothmirror。itisdemonstratedthatyouaremistaken，ithasaveryunevensurface。Youseethesunasabouttwofeetindiameter。itisdemonstratedthatitisamilliontimesbiggerthantheearth。
　　ItseemsthatGodhasputtruthinyourears，anderrorinyoureyes。
　　butstudyoptics，andyouwillseethatGodhasnotdeceivedyou，andthatitisimpossibleforobjectstoappeartoyouotherwisethanyouseetheminthepresentstateofthings。PHYSICALPREJUDICES
　　Thesunrises，themoonalso，theearthismotionless：thesearenaturalphysicalprejudices。Butthatlobstersaregoodfortheblood，becausewhencookedtheyarered。thateelscureparalysisbecausetheywriggle。
　　thatthemoonaffectsourmaladiesbecauseonedaysomeoneobservedthatasickmanhadanincreaseoffeverduringthewaningofthemoon。theseideasandathousandothersaretheerrorsofancientcharlatanswhojudgedwithoutreasoning，andwho，beingdeceived，deceivedothers。HISTORICALPREJUDICES
　　Mosthistoricalstorieshavebeenbelievedwithoutexamination，andthisbeliefisaprejudice。FabiusPictorrelatesthatmanycenturiesbeforehim，avestalofthetownofAlba，goingtodrawwaterinherpitcher，wasravished，thatshegavebirthtoRomulusandRemus，thattheywerefedbyashe-wolf，etc。TheRomanpeoplebelievedthisfable。theydidnotexaminewhetheratthattimetherewerevestalsinLatium，whetheritwereprobablethataking’sdaughterwouldleaveherconventwithherpitcher，whetheritwerelikelythatashe-wolfwouldsuckletwochildreninsteadofeatingthem。theprejudiceestablisheditself。
　　AmonkwritesthatClovis，beingingreatdangeratthebattleofTolbiac，madeavowtoturnChristianifheescaped。butisitnaturaltoaddressoneselftoaforeigngodonsuchanoccasion？isitnotthenthatthereligioninwhichonewasbornactsmostpotently？WhichistheChristianwho，inabattleagainsttheTurks，willnotaddresshimselftotheHolyVirginratherthantoMohammed？ItisaddedthatapigeonbroughttheholyphialinitsbeaktoanointClovis，andthatanangelbroughttheoriflammetoleadhim。prejudicebelievedallthelittlestoriesofthiskind。ThosewhounderstandhumannatureknowwellthatClovistheusurperandRolonorRoltheusurperturnedChristianinordertogoverntheChristiansmoreSurely，justastheTurkishusurpersturnedMussulmaninordertogoverntheMussulmansmoresurely。RELIGIOUSPREJUDICES
　　IfyournursehastoldyouthatCeresrulesoverthecrops，orthatVishnouandXacamadethemselvesmenseveraltimes，orthatSammonocodomcametocutdownaforest，orthatOdinawaitsyouinhishallnearJutland，orthatMohammedorsomebodyelsemadeajourneyintothesky。iflastlyyourtutorcomestodriveintoyourbrainwhatyournursehasimprintedonit，youkeepitforlife。Ifyourjudgmentwishestoriseagainsttheseprejudices，yourneighboursand，aboveall，yourneighbours’wivescryoutImpiousreprobate，anddismayyou。yourdervish，fearingtoseehisincomediminish，accusesyoutothecadi，andthiscadihasyouimpaledifhecan，becausehelikesrulingoverfools，andthinksthatfoolsobeybetterthanothers：andthatwilllastuntilyourneighboursandthedervishandthecadibegintounderstandthatfoolishnessisgoodfornothing，andthatpersecutionisabominable。PhilosophicalDictionary：RareRARERAREinnaturalphilosophyistheoppositeofdense。Inmoralphilosophy，itistheoppositeofcommon。
　　Thislastvarietyofrareiswhatexcitesadmiration。Oneneveradmireswhatiscommon，oneenjoysit。
　　Aneccentricthinkshimselfabovetherestofwretchedmortalswhenhehasinhisstudyararemedalthatisgoodfornothing，ararebookthatnobodyhasthecouragetoread，anoldengravingbyAlbrechtDurer，badlydesignedandbadlyprinted：hetriumphsifhehasinhisgardenastuntedtreefromAmerica。Thiseccentrichasnotaste。hehasonlyvanity。
　　Hehasheardsaythatthebeautifulisrare。butheshouldknowthatallthatisrareisnotbeautiful。
　　Beautyisrareinallnature’sworks，andinallworksofart。
　　Whateverillthingshavebeensaidofwomen，Imaintainthatitisrarertofindwomenperfectlybeautifulthanpassiblygood。
　　Youwillmeetinthecountrytenthousandwomenattachedtotheirhomes，laborious，sober，feeding，rearing，teachingtheirchildren。andyouwillfindbarelyonewhomyoucouldshowatthetheatresofParis，London，Naples，orinthepublicgardens，andwhowouldbelookedonasabeauty。
　　Likewise，inworksofart，youhavetenthousanddaubsandscrawlstoonemasterpiece。
　　Ifeverythingwerebeautifulandgood，itisclearthatonewouldnolongeradmireanything。onewouldenjoy。Butwouldonehavepleasureinenjoying？thatisabigquestion。
　　WhyhavethebeautifulpassagesinTheCid，TheHoraces，Cinna，
　　hadsuchaprodigioussuccess？Becauseintheprofoundnightinwhichpeoplewereplunged，theysuddenlysawshineanewlightthattheydidnotexpect。
　　Itwasbecausethisbeautywastherarestthingintheworld。
　　ThegrovesofVersailleswereabeautyuniqueintheworld，aswerethencertainpassagesofCorneille。St。Peter’s，Rome，isunique。
　　ButletussupposethatallthechurchesofEuropewereequaltoSt。
　　Peter’s，Rome，thatallstatueswereVenusdeiMedici，thatalltragedieswereasbeautifulasRacine’s’’Iphigenie’’，allworksofpoetryaswellwrittenasBoileau’sArtPoetique，allcomediesasgoodasTartufe，andthusineverysphere。wouldyouthenhaveasmuchpleasureinenjoyingmasterpiecesbecomecommonastheymadeyoutastewhentheywererare？
　　IsayboldlyNo！。andIbelievethattheancientschool，whichsorarelywasright，wasrightwhenitsaid：Abassuetisnonfitpassio，habitdoesnotmakepassion。
　　But，mydearreader，willitbethesamewiththeworksofnature？WillyoubedisgustedifallthemaidsaresobeautifulasHelen。andyou，ladies，ifalltheladsarelikeParis？Letussupposethatallwinesareexcellent，willyouhavelessdesiretodrink？ifthepartridges，pheasants，pulletsarecommonatalltimes，willyouhavelessappetite？IsayboldlyagainNo！，despitetheaxiomoftheschools，Habitdoesnotmakepassion：andthereason，youknowit，isthatallthepleasureswhichnaturegivesusarealwaysrecurringneeds，necessaryenjoyments，andthatthepleasuresoftheartsarenotnecessary。Itisnotnecessaryforamantohavegroveswherewatergushestoaheightofahundredfeetfromthemouthofamarbleface，andonleavingthesegrovestogotoseeafinetragedy。Butthetwosexesarealwaysnecessarytoeachother。Thetableandthebedarenecessities。Thehabitofbeingalternatelyonthesetwothroneswillneverdisgustyou。
　　InParisafewyearsagopeopleadmiredarhinoceros。Iftherewereinoneprovincetenthousandrhinoceroses，menwouldrunafterthemonlytokillthem。Butlettherebeahundredthousandbeautifulwomen，menwillalwaysrunafterthemto……honourthem。PhilosophicalDictionary：ReasonREASONATthetimewhenallFrancewasmadaboutLaw’ssystem，andLawwascontroller-general，therecametohiminthepresenceofagreatassemblyamanwhowasalwaysright，whoalwayshadreasononhisside。SaidhetoLaw：
　　Sir，youarethebiggestmadman，thebiggestfool，orthebiggestroguewhohasyetappearedamongus。andthatissayingagreatdeal：thisishowIproveit。Youhaveimaginedthatastate’swealthcanbeincreasedtenfoldwithpaper。butasthispapercanrepresentonlythemoneythatisrepresentativeoftruewealth，theproductsofthelandandindustry，youshouldhavebegunbygivingustentimesmorecorn，wine，cloth，canvas，etc。Thatisnotenough，youmustbesureofyourmarket。Butyoumaketentimesasmanynotesaswehaveofsilverandcommodities，thereforeyouaretentimesmoreextravagant，ormoreinept，ormoreofaroguethanallthecomptrollerswhohaveprecededyou。ThisishowIprovemymajor。
　　HardlyhadhestartedhismajorthanhewasconductedtoSaint-Lazare。
　　WhenhecameoutofSaint-Lazare，wherehestudiedmuchandstrengthenedhisreason，hewenttoRome。heaskedforapublicaudienceofthePope，onconditionthathewasnotinterruptedinhisharangue。andhespoketothePopeintheseterms：
　　HolyFather，youareanantichristandthisishowIproveittoYourHoliness。IcallantichristthemanwhodoesthecontrarytowhatChristdidandcommanded。NowChristwaspoor，andyouareveryrich。hepaidtribute，andyouexacttribute。hesubmittedtothepowersthatwere，andyouhavebecomeapower。hewalkedonfoot，andyougotoCastel-Gandolfoinasumptuousequipage。heateallthatonewassogoodastogivehim，andyouwantustoeatfishonFridayandSaturday，whenwelivefarfromseaandriver。heforbadeSimonBarjonatouseasword，andyouhaveswordsinyourservice，etc。，etc。，etc。ThereforeinthissenseYourHolinessisantichrist。IneveryothersenseIholdyouingreatveneration，andIaskyouforanindulgenceinarticulomortis。
　　MymanwasputintheCastelloSt。Angelo。
　　WhenhecameoutoftheCastelloSt。Angelo，herushedtoVenice，andaskedtospeaktothedoge。
　　YourSerenity，hesaid，mustbeascatter-braintomarrytheseaeveryyear：forfirstly，oneonlymarriesthesamepersononce。secondly，yourmarriageresemblesHarlequin’s，whichwashalfmade，seeingthatitlackedbuttheconsentofthebride。thirdly，whohastoldyouthatonedayothermaritimepowerswillnotdeclareyouincapableofconsummatingthemarriage？
　　Hespoke，andwasshutupintheTowerofSt。Mark’s。
　　WhenhecameoutoftheTowerofSt。Mark’s，hewenttoConstantinople。
　　hehadaudienceofthemufti。andspoketohimintheseterms：
　　Yourreligion，althoughithassomegoodpoints，suchasworshipofthegreatBeing，andthenecessityofbeingjustandcharitable，isotherwisenothingbutarehashofJudaismandatediouscollectionoffairytales。
　　IfthearchangelGabrielhadbroughttheleavesoftheKorantoMahometfromsomeplanet，allArabiawouldhaveseenGabrielcomedown：nobodysawhim。thereforeMahometwasabrazenimpostorwhodeceivedimbeciles。
　　Hardlyhadhepronouncedthesewordsthanhewasimpaled。Neverthelesshehadalwaysbeenright，andhadalwayshadreasononhisside。PhilosophicalDictionary：ReligionRELIGIONIMEDITATEDlastnight。Iwasabsorbedinthecontemplationofnature。
　　Iadmiredtheimmensity，thecourse，theharmonyoftheseinfiniteglobeswhichthevulgardonotknowhowtoadmire。
　　Iadmiredstillmoretheintelligencewhichdirectsthesevastforces。
　　Isaidtomyself：Onemustbeblindnottobedazzledbythisspectacle。
　　onemustbestupidnottorecognizetheauthorofit。onemustbemadnottoworshipHim。WhattributeofworshipshouldIrenderHim？Shouldnotthistributebethesameinthewholeofspace，sinceitisthesamesupremepowerwhichreignsequallyinallspace？ShouldnotathinkingbeingwhodwellsinastarintheMilkyWayofferHimthesamehomageasthethinkingbeingonthislittleglobewhereweare？LightisuniformforthestarSiriusandforus。moralphilosophymustbeuniform。Ifasentient，thinkinganimalinSiriusisbornofatenderfatherandmotherwhohavebeenoccupiedwithhishappiness，heowesthemasmuchloveandcareasweowetoourparents。IfsomeoneintheMilkyWayseesaneedycripple，ifhecanrelievehimandifhedoesnotdoit，heisguiltytowardallglobes。Everywherethehearthasthesameduties：onthestepsofthethroneofGod，ifHehasathrone。andinthedepthoftheabyss，ifHeisanabyss。
　　Iwasplungedintheseideaswhenoneofthosegeniiwhofilltheintermundanespacescamedowntome。IrecognizedthissameaerialcreaturewhohadappearedtomeonanotheroccasiontoteachmehowdifferentGod’sjudgmentswerefromourown，andhowagoodactionispreferabletoacontroversy。
　　Hetransportedmeintoadesertallcoveredwithpiledupbones。andbetweentheseheapsofdeadmentherewerewalksofever-greentrees，andattheendofeachwalkatallmanofaugustmien，whoregardedthesesadremainswithpity。
　　Alas！myarchangel，saidI，wherehaveyoubroughtme？
　　Todesolation，heanswered。
　　AndwhoarethesefinepatriarchswhomIseesadandmotionlessattheendofthesegreenwalks？theyseemtobeweepingoverthiscountlesscrowdofdead。
　　Youshallknow，poorhumancreature，answeredthegeniusfromtheintermundanespaces。butfirstofallyoumustweep。
　　Hebeganwiththefirstpile。These，hesaid，arethetwenty-threethousandJewswhodancedbeforeacalf，withthetwenty-fourthousandwhowerekilledwhilelyingwithMidianitishwomen。Thenumberofthosemassacredforsucherrorsandoffencesamountstonearlythreehundredthousand。
　　IntheotherwalksarethebonesoftheChristiansslaughteredbyeachotherformetaphysicaldisputes。Theyaredividedintoseveralheapsoffourcenturieseach。Oneheapwouldhavemountedrighttothesky。theyhadtobedivided。
　　What！Icried，brothershavetreatedtheirbrotherslikethis，andIhavethemisfortunetobeofthisbrotherhood！
　　Here，saidthespirit，arethetwelvemillionAmericanskilledintheirfatherlandbecausetheyhadnotbeenbaptized。
　　MyGod！whydidyounotleavethesefrightfulbonestodryinthehemispherewheretheirbodieswereborn，andwheretheywereconsignedtosomanydifferentdeaths？Whyassembleherealltheseabominablemonumentstobarbarismandfanaticism？
　　Toinstructyou。
　　Sinceyouwishtoinstructme，Isaidtothegenius，tellmeiftherehavebeenpeoplesotherthantheChristiansandtheJewsinwhomzealandreligionwretchedlytransformedintofanaticism，haveinspiredsomanyhorriblecruelties。
　　Yes，hesaid。TheMohammedansweresulliedwiththesameinhumanities，butrarely。andwhenoneaskedamman，pity，ofthem，andofferedthemtribute，theypardoned。Asfortheothernationstherehasnotbeenonerightfromtheexistenceoftheworldwhichhasevermadeapurelyreligiouswar。Followmenow。Ifollowedhim。
　　Alittlebeyondthesepilesofdeadmenwefoundotherpiles。theywerecomposedofsacksofgoldandsilver，andeachhaditslabel：Substanceofthehereticsmassacredintheeighteenthcentury，theseventeenthandthesixteenth。Andsooningoingback：GoldandsilverofAmericansslaughtered，etc。，etc。Andallthesepilesweresurmountedwithcrosses，mitres，croziers，triplecrownsstuddedwithpreciousstones。
　　What，mygenius！itwasthentohavetheserichesthatthesedeadwerepiledup？
　　Yes，myson。
　　Iwept。andwhenbymygriefIhadmeritedtobeledtotheendofthegreenwalks，heledmethere。
　　Contemplate，hesaid，theheroesofhumanitywhoweretheworld’sbenefactors，andwhowereallunitedinbanishingfromtheworld，asfarastheywereable，violenceandrapine。Questionthem。
　　Irantothefirstoftheband。h#hadacrownonhishead，andalittlecenserinhishand。Ihumblyaskedhimhisname。IamNumaPompilius，
　　hesaidtome。Isucceededabrigand，andIhadbrigandstogovern：I
　　taughtthemvirtueandtheworshipofGod。aftermetheyforgotbothmorethanonce。Iforbadethatinthetemplesthereshouldbeanyimage，becausetheDeitywhichanimatesnaturecannotberepresented。DuringmyreigntheRomanshadneitherwarsnorseditions，andmyreligiondidnothingbutgood。Alltheneighbouringpeoplescametohonourmeatmyfuneral：
　　thathappenedtonoonebutme。
　　Ikissedhishand，andIwenttothesecond。Hewasafineoldmanaboutahundredyearsold，cladinawhiterobe。Heputhismiddle-fingeronhismouth，andwiththeotherhandhecastsomebeansbehindhim。IrecognizedPythagoras。Heassuredmehehadneverhadagoldenthigh，andthathehadneverbeenacock。butthathehadgovernedtheCrotoniateswithasmuchjusticeasNumagovernedtheRomans，almostatthesametime。andthatthisjusticewastherarestandmostnecessarythingintheworld。
　　IlearnedthatthePythagoreansexaminedtheirconsciencestwiceaday。
　　Thehonestpeople！howfarwearefromthem！Butwewhohavebeennothingbutassassinsforthirteenhundredyears，wesaythatthesewisemenwerearrogant。
　　InordertopleasePythagoras，IdidnotsayawordtohimandIpassedtoZarathustra，whowasoccupiedinconcentratingthecelestialfireinthefocusofaconcavemirror，inthemiddleofahallwithahundreddoorswhichallledtowisdom。Zarathustra’spreceptsarecalleddoors，andareahundredinnumber。OvertheprincipaldoorIreadthesewordswhicharetheprecisofallmoralphilosophy，andwhichcutshortallthedisputesofthecausists：Whenindoubtifanactionisgoodorbad，refrain。
　　Certainly，Isaidtomygenius，thebarbarianswhoimmolatedallthesevictimshadneverreadthesebeautifulwords。
　　WethensawtheZaleucus，theThales，theAniximanders，andallthesageswhohadsoughttruthandpractisedvirtue。
　　WhenwecametoSocrates，Irecognizedhimveryquicklybyhisflatnose。Well，Isaidtohim，hereyouarethenamongthenumberoftheAlmighty’sconfidants！AlltheinhabitantsofEurope，excepttheTurksandtheTartarsoftheCrimea，whoknownothing，pronounceyournamewithrespect。Itisrevered，loved，thisgreatname，tothepointthatpeoplehavewantedtoknowthoseofyourpersecutors。MelitusandAnitusareknownbecauseofyou，justasRavaillacisknownbecauseofHenryIV……butI
　　knowonlythisnameofAnitus。Idonotknowpreciselywhowasthescoundrelwhocalumniatedyou，andwhosucceededinhavingyoucondemnedtotakehemlock。
　　Sincemyadventure，repliedSocrates，Ihaveneverthoughtaboutthatman。butseeingthatyoumakemerememberit，Ihavemuchpityforhim。Hewasawickedpriestwhosecretlyconductedabusinessinhides，atradereputedshamefulamongus。Hesenthistwochildrentomyschool。
　　Theotherdiscipfestauntedthemwithhavingafatherwhowasacurrier。
　　theywereobligedtoleave。Theirritatedfatherhadnorestuntilhehadstirredupallthepriestsandallthesophistsagainstme。TheypersuadedthecounselofthefivehundredthatIwasanimpiousfellowwhodidnotbelievethattheMoon，MercuryandMarsweregods。Indeed，Iusedtothink，asIthinknowthatthereisonlyoneGod，masterofallnature。Thejudgeshandedmeovertothepoisoneroftherepublic。hecutshortmylifebyafewdays：Idiedpeacefullyattheageofseventy。andsincethattimeIpassahappylifewithhallthesegreatmenwhomyousee，andofwhomIamtheleast。
　　AfterenjoyingsometimeinconversationwithSocrates，Ihwentforwardwithmyguideintoagrovesituatedabovethethicketswhereallthesagesofantiquityseemedtobetastingsweetrepose。
　　Isawamanofgentle，simplecountenance，whoseemedtometobeaboutthirty-fiveyearsold。Fromafarhecastcompassionateglancesonthesepilesofwhitenedbones，acrosswhichIhadhadtopasstoreachthesages’
　　abode。Iwasastonishedtofindhisfeetswollenandbleeding，hishandslikewise，hissidepierced，andhisribsflayedwithwhipcuts。GoodHeavens！Isaidtohim，isitpossibleforajustman，asage，tobeinthisstate？Ihavejustseenonewhowastreatedinaveryhatefulway，butthereisnocomparisonbetweenhistortureandyours。Wickedpriestsandwickedjudgespoisonedhim。isitbypriestsanhdjudgesthatyouhavebeensocruellyassassinated？
　　Heansweredwithmuchcourtesy——Yes。
　　Andwhowerethesemonsters？
　　Theywerehypocrites。
　　Ah！thatsayseverything。Iunderstandbythissinglewordthattheymusthavecondemnedyoutodeath。Hadyouthenprovedtothem，asSocratesdid，thattheMoonwasnotagoddess，andthatMercurywasnotagod？
　　No，theseplanetswerenotinquestion。Mycompatriotsdidnotknowatallwhataplanetis。theywereallarrantignoramuses。TheirsuperstitionswerequitedifferentfromthoseoftheGreeks。
　　Youwantedtoteachthemanewreligion，then？
　　Notatall。Isaidtothemsimply——’LoveGodwithallyourheartandyourfellow-creatureasyourself，forthatisman’swholeduty。’Judgeifthispreceptisnotasoldastheuniverse。judgeifIbroughtthemanewreligion。IdidnotstoptellingthemthatIhadcomenottodestroythelawbitttofulfilit。Ihadobservedalltheirrites。circumcisedastheyallwere，baptizedaswerethemostzealousamongthem，likethemIpaidtheCorban。IobservedthePassoverastheydid，eatingstandingupalahmbcookedwithlettuces。Iandmyfriendswenttoprayinthetemple。
　　myfriendsevenfrequentedthistempleaftermydeath。inaword，Ifulfilledalltheirlawswithoutasingleexception。
　　What！thesewretchescouldnotevenreproachyouwithswervingfromtheirlaws？
　　No，withoutadoubt。
　　WhythendidtheyputyouintheconditioninwhichInowseeyou？
　　Whatdoyouexpectmetosay！theywereveryarrogantandselfish。
　　TheysawthatIknewthem。theyknewthatIwasmakingthecitizensacquaintedwiththem。theywerethestronger。theytookawaymylife：andpeoplelikethemwillalwaysdoasmuch，iftheycan，towhoeverdoesthemtoomuchjustice。’’
　　Butdidyousaynothing，donothingthatcouldservethemasapretext？
　　Tothewickedeverythingservesaspretext。
　　Didyounotsayoncethatyouwerecomenottosendpeace，butasword？
　　Itisacopyist’serror。ItoldthemthatIsentpeaceandnotasword。Ihaveneverwrittenanything。whatIsaidcanhavebeenchangedwithoutevilintention。
　　Youthereforecontributedinnowaybyyourspeeches，badlyreported，badlyinterpreted，tothesefrightfulpilesofboneswhichIsawonmyroadincomingtoconsultyou？
　　ItiswithhorroronlythatIhaveseenthosewhohavemadethemselvesguiltyojthesemurders。
　　Andthesemonumentsofpowerandwealth，ofprideandavarice，thesetreasures，theseornaments，thesesignsofgrandeur，whichIhaveseenpiledupontheroadwhileIwasseekingwisdom，dotheycomefromyou？
　　Thatisimpossible。Iandmypeoplelivedinpovertyandmeanness：
　　mygrandeurwasinvirtueonly。
　　Iwasabouttobeghimtobesogoodastotellmejustwhohewas。
　　Myguidewarnedmetodonothingofthesort。hlietoldmethatIwasnotmadetounderstandthesesublimemysteries。OnlydidIconjurehimtotellmeinwhattruereligionconsisted。HaveInotalreadytoldyou？LoveGodandyourfellow-creatureasyourself。
　　What！ifonelovesGod，onecaneatmeatonFriday？
　　Ialwaysatewhatwasgivenme。forIwastoopoortogiveanyonefood。
　　InlovingGod，inbeingjust，shouldonenotberathercautiousnottoconfidealltheadventuresofone’slifetoanunknownman？
　　Thatwasalwaysmypractice。
　　CanInot，bydoinggood，dispensewithmakingapilgrimagetoSt。
　　JamesofCompostella？
　　Ihaveneverbeeninthatcountry。
　　Isitnecessaryformetoimprisonmyselfinaretreatwithfools？
　　Asforme，Ialwaysmadelittlejourneysfromtowntotown。’’
　　IsitnecessaryformetotakesideseitherfortheGreekChurchortheLatin？
　　WhenIwasintheworldInevermadeanydifferencebetweentheJewandtheSamaritan。
　　Well，ifthatisso，Itakeyouformyonlymaster。Thenhemademeasignwithhisheadwhichfilledmewithconsolation。Thevisiondisappeared，andaclearconsciencestayedwithme。PhilosophicalDictionary：SectSECTSECTIONI
　　EVERYsect，inwhateversphere，istherallying-pointofdoubtanderror。
　　Scotist，Thomist，Realist，Nominalist，Papist，Calvinist，Molinist，Jansenist，areonlypseudonyms。
　　Therearenosectsingeometry。onedoesnotspeakofaEuclidian，anArchimedean。
　　Whenthetruthisevident，itisimpossibleforpartiesandfactionstoarise。Neverhastherebeenadisputeastowhetherthereisdaylightatnoon。
　　Thebranchofastronomywhichdeterminesthecourseofthestarsandthereturnofeclipsesbeingonceknown，thereisnomoredisputeamongastronomers。
　　InEnglandonedoesnotsay——IamaNewtonian，aLockian，aHalleyan。
　　Why？Thosewhohavereadcannotrefusetheirassenttothetruthstaughtbythesethreegreatmen。ThemoreNewtonisrevered，thelessdopeoplestylethemselvesNewtonians。thiswordsupposesthatthereareanti-NewtoniansinEngland。MaybewestillhaveafewCartesiansinFrance。thatissolelybecauseDescartes’systemisatissueoferroneousandridiculousimaginings。
　　Itislikewisewiththesmallnumberoftruthsoffactwhicharewellestablished。TherecordsoftheTowerofLondonhavingbeenauthenticallygatheredbyRymer，therearenoRymerians，becauseifoccurstonoonetocombatthiscollection。Initonefindsneithercontradictions，absurditiesnorprodigies。nothingwhichrevoltsthereason，consequently，whichsectariansstrivetomaintainorupsetbyabsurdarguments。Everyoneagrees，therefore，thatRymer’srecordsareworthyofbelief。
　　YouareMohammedan，thereforetherearepeoplewhoarenot，thereforeyoumightwellbewrong。
　　WhatwouldbethetruereligionifChristianitydidnotexist？thereligioninwhichtherewerenosects。thereligioninwhichallmindswerenecessarilyinagreement。
　　Well，towhatdogmadoallmindsagree？totheworshipofaGodandtointegrity。Allthephilosophersoftheworldwhohavehadareligionhavesaidinalltime——ThereisaGod，andonemustbejust。There，then，istheuniversalreligionestablishedinalltimeandthroughoutmankind。
　　Thepointinwhichtheyallagreeisthereforetrue，andthesystemsthroughwhichtheydifferarethereforefalse。
　　Mysectisthebest，saysaBrahmintome。But，myfriend，ifyoursectisgood，itisnecessary。forifitwerenotabsolutelynecessaryyouwouldadmittomethatitwasuseless：ifitisabsolutelynecessary，itisforallmen。howthencanitbethatallmenhavenotwhatisabsolutelynecessarytothem？HowisitpossiblefortherestoftheworldtolaughatyouandyourBrahma？
　　WhenZarathustra，Hermes，Orpheus，Minosandallthegreatmensay-
　　LetusworshipGod，andletusbejust，nobodylaughs。buteveryonehissesthemanwhoclaimsthatonecannotpleaseGodunlesswhenonedieswhileoneisholdingacow’stail，andthemanwhowantsonetohavetheendofone’sprepucecutoff，andthemanwhoconsecratescrocodilesandonions，andthemanwhoattacheseternalsalvationtothedeadmen’sbonesonecarriesunderone’sshirt，ortoaplenaryindulgencewhichonebuysatRomefortwoandahalfsous。
　　Whencecomesthisuniversalcompetitioninhissesandderisionfromoneendoftheworldtotheother？Itisclearthatthethingsatwhicheveryonesneersarenotofaveryevidenttruth。WhatshallwesayofoneofSejan’ssecretarieswhodedicatedtoPetroniusabombasticbookentitled——TheTruthsoftheSibyllineOracles，ProvedbytheFacts？
　　ThissecretaryprovestoyoufirstthatitwasnecessaryforGodtosendonearthseveralsibylsoneaftertheother。forHehadnoothermeansofteachingmankind。ItisdemonstratedthatGodspoketothesesibyls，forthewordsibylsignifiesGod’scounsel。Theyhadtolivealongtime，foritistheveryleastthatpersonstowhomGodspeaksshouldhavethisprivilege。Theyweretwelveinnumber，forthisnumberissacred。
　　Theyhadcertainlypredictedalltheeventsintheworld，forTarquiniusSuperbusboughtthreeoftheirBooksfromanoldwomanforahundredcrowns。
　　Whatincredulousfellow，addsthesecretary，willdaredenyalltheseevidentfactswhichhappenedinacornerbeforethewholeworld？Whocandenythefulfilmentoftheirprophecies？HasnotVirgilhimselfquotedthepredictionsofthesibyls？IfwehavenotthefirstexamplesoftheSibyllineBooks，writtenatatimewhenpeopledidnotknowhowtoreadorwrite，havewenotauthenticcopies？Impietymustbesilentbeforesuchproofs。ThusdidHouttevillusspeaktoSejan。Hehopedtohaveapositionasaugurwhichwouldbeworthanincomeoffiftythousandfrancs，andhehadnothing。
　　Whatmysectteachesisobscure，Iadmitit，saysafanatic。anditisbecauseofthisobscuritythatitmustbebelieved。forthesectitselfsaysitisfullofobscurities。Mysectisextravagant，thereforeitisdivine。forhowshouldwhatappearssomadhavebeenembracedbysomanypeoples，ifitwerenotdivine？ItispreciselyliketheAlcoranwhichtheSonnitessayhasanangel’sfaceandananimal’sface。benotscandalizedbytheanimal’ssnout，andworshiptheangel’sface。Thusspeaksthisinsensatefellow。ButafanaticofanothersectanswersItisyouwhoaretheanimal，andIwhoamtheangel。
　　Well，whoshalljudgethesuit？whoshalldecidebetweenthesetwofanatics？
　　Thereasonable，impartialmanlearnedinaknowledgethatisnotthatofwords。themanfreefromprejudiceandloveroftruthandjustice。inshort，themanwhoisnotthefoolishanimal，andwhodoesnotthinkheistheangel。SECTIONII
　　Sectanderroraresynonymous。YouarePeripateticandIPlatonician。wearethereforebothwrong。foryoucombatPlatoonlybecausehisfantasieshaverevoltedyou，andIamalienatedfromAristotleonlybecauseitseemstomethathedoesnotknowwhatheistalkingabout。
　　Ifoneortheotherhaddemonstratedthetruth，therewouldbeasectnolonger。Todeclareoneselffortheopinionoftheoneortheotheristotakesidesinacivilwar。Therearenosectsinmathematics，inexperimentalphysics。AmanwhoexaminestherelationsbetweenaconeandasphereisnotofthesectofArchimedes：hewhoseesthatthesquareofthehypotenuseofaright-angledtriangleisequaltothesquareofthetwoothersidesisnotofthesectofPythagoras。
　　Whenyousaythatthebloodcirculates，thattheairisheavy，thatthesun’sraysarepencilsofsevenrefrangiblerays，youarenoteitherofthesectofHarvey，orthesectofTorricelli，orthesectofNewton。
　　youagreemerelywiththetruthdemonstratedbythem，andtheentireuniversewilleverbeofyouropinion。
　　Thisisthecharacteroftruth。itisofalltime。itisforallmen。
　　ithasonlytoshowitselftoberecognized。onecannotargueagainstit。
　　Alongdisputesignifies——Bothpartiesarewrong。PhilosophicalDictionary：Self-EsteemSELF-ESTEEMNICOLEinhisEssaisdeMorale，writtenaftertwoorthreethousandvolumesofethicsTreatiseonCharity，Chap。II，saysthatbymeansofthewheelsandgibbetswhichpeopleestablishincommonarerepressedthetyrannousthoughtsanddesignsofeachindividual’sself-esteem。
　　IshallnotexaminewhetherpeoplehavegibbetsinCommon，astheyhavemeadowsandwoodsincommon，andacommonpurse，andifonerepressesideaswithwheels。butitseemsverystrangetomethatNicoleshouldtakehighwayrobberyandassassinationforself-esteem。Oneshoulddistinguishshadesofdifferencealittlebetter。ThemanwhosaidthatNerohadhismotherassassinatedthroughself-esteem，thatCartouchehadmuchself-esteem，wouldnotbeexpressinghimselfverycorrectly。Self-esteemisnotwickedness，itisasentimentthatisnaturaltoallmen。itismuchnearervanitythancrime。
　　AbeggarinthesuburbsofMadridnoblybeggedcharity。apasser-bysaystohim：Areyounotashamedtopractisethisinfamouscallingwhenyouareabletowork？
　　Sir，answeredthebeggar，Iaskformoney，notadvice。AndheturnedonhisheelwithfullCastilliandignity。
　　Thisgentlemanwasaproudbeggar，hisvanitywaswoundedbyatrifle。
　　Heaskedcharityoutofloveforhimself，andcouldnottoleratethereprimandoutoffurtherloveforhimself。
　　AmissionarytravellinginIndiametafakirladenwithchains，nakedasamonkey，lyingonhisstomach，andhavinghimselfwhippedforthesinsofhiscompatriots，theIndians，whogavehimafewfarthings。
　　Whatself-denial！saidoneofthelookers-on。
　　Self-denial！answeredthefakir。LearnthatIhavemyselffloggedinthisworldinordertoreturnitinanother，whenyouwillbehorsesandIhorseman。
　　Thosewhohavesaidthatloveofourselvesisthebasisofallouropinionsandallouractions，havethereforebeenquiterightinIndia，Spain，andallthehabitableworld：andasonedoesnotwritetoprovetomenthattheyhavefaces，itisnotnecessarytoprovetothemthattheyhaveself-esteem。
　　Self-esteemistheinstrumentofourconservation。itresemblestheinstrumentoftheperpetuityoftheSpecies：itisnecessary，itisdeartous，itgivesuspleasure，andithastobehidden。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。1SOULSECTIONI
　　THISisavague，indeterminateterm，whichexpressesanunknownprincipleofknowneffectsthatwefeelinus。ThewordsoulcorrespondstotheLatinanima，totheGreekgreekword，tothetermofwhichallnationshavemadeusetoexpresswhattheydidnotunderstandanybetterthanwedo。
　　IntheproperandliteralsenseoftheLatinandthelanguagesderivedfromLatin，itsignifiesthatwhichanimates。Thuspeoplehavespokenofthesoulofmen，ofanimals，sometimesofplants，tosignifytheirprincipalofvegetationandlife。Inpronouncingthisword，peoplehaveneverhadotherthanaconfusedidea，aswhenitissaidinGenesis——AndtheLordGodformedmanofthedustoftheground，andbreathedintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife。andmanbecamealivingsoul。andthesoulofanimalsisintheblood。andkillnotmysoul，etc。
　　Thusthesoulwasgenerallytakenfortheoriginandthecauseoflife，forlifeitself。Thatiswhyallknownnationslongimaginedthateverythingdiedwiththebody。Ifonecandisentangleanythinginthechaosofancienthistories，itseemsthattheEgyptiansatleastwerethefirsttodistinguishbetweentheintelligenceandthesoul：andtheGreekslearnedfromthemtodistinguishtheirvous，theirgreekword，theirgreekword。TheLatins，followingtheirexample，distinguishedanimusandanima。
　　andwe，finally，havealsohadoursoulandourunderstanding。
　　Butisthatwhichistheprincipleofourlifedifferentfromthatwhichistheprincipleofourthoughts？isitthesamebeing？Doesthatwhichdirectsusandgivesussensationandmemoryresemblethatwhichisinanimalsthecauseofdigestionandthecauseoftheirsensationsandoftheirmemory？
　　Thereistheeternalobjectofthedisputesofmankind。Isayeternalobject。fornothavinganyfirstnotionfromwhichwecandescendinthisexamination，wecanonlyrestforeverinalabyrinthofdoubtandfeebleconjecture。
　　Wehavenotthesmalleststepwherewemayplaceafootinordertoreachthemostsuperficialknowledgeofwhatmakesusliveandofwhatmakesusthink。Howshouldwehave？weshouldhavehadtoseelifeandthoughtenterabody。Doesafatherknowhowhehasproducedhisson？doesamotherhowsheconceivedhim？Hasanyoneeverbeenabletodivinehowheacts，howhewakes，howhesleeps？Doesanyoneknowhowhislimbsobeyhiswill？hasanyonediscoveredbywhatartideasaremarkedoutinhisbrainandissuefromitathiscommand？FrailautomatonsmovedbytheinvisiblehandwhichdirectsusonthisStageoftheworld，whichofushasbeenabletodetectthewirewhichguidesus？
　　WedarequestionwhetherthesoulisSpiritormatter。ifitiscreatedbeforeus，ifitissuesfromnonexistenceatourbirth，ifafteranimatingusforonedayonearth，itlivesafterusintoeternity。Thesequestionsappearsublime。whatarethey？questionsofblindmensayingtootherblindmen-Whatislight？
　　Whenwewanttolearnsomethingroughlyaboutapieceofmetal，weputitinacrucibleinthefire。Buthaveweacrucibleinwhichtoputthesoul？Thesoulisspirit，saysone。Butwhatisspirit？Assuredlynoonehasanyidea。itisawordthatissovoidofsensethatoneisobligedtosaywhatspiritisnot，notbeingabletosaywhatitis。
　　Thesoulismatter，saysanother。Butwhatismatter？Weknowmerelysomeofitsappearancesandsomeofitsproperties。andnotoneoftheseproperties，notoneoftheseappearances，seemstohavetheslightestconnectionwiththought。
　　Thoughtissomethingdistinctfrommatter，sayyou。Butwhatproofofithaveyou？Isitbecausematterisdivisibleandfigurable，andthoughtisnot？Butwhohastoldyouthatthefirstprinciplesofmatteraredivisibleandfigurable？Itisveryprobablethattheyarenot。entiresectsofphilosophersmaintainthattheelementsofmatterhaveneitherformnorextension。Withatriumphantairyoucry——Thoughtisneitherwood，norstone，norsand，normetal，thereforethoughtdoesnotbelongtomatter。Weak，recklessreasoners！gravitationisneitherwood，norSand，normetal，norstone。
　　movement，vegetation，lifearenotthesethingseither，andyetlife，vegetation，movement，gravitation，aregiventomatter。TosaythatGodcannotmakematterthinkistosaythemostinsolentlyabsurdthingthatanyonehaseverdaredutterintheprivilegedschoolsoflunacy。WearenotcertainthatGodhastreatedmatterlikethis。weareonlycertainthatHecan。
　　Butwhatmattersallthathasbeensaidandallthatwillbesaidaboutthesoul？whatdoesitmatterthatithasbeencalledentelechy，quintessence，flame，ether？thatithasbeenthoughtuniversal，uncreated，transmigrant，etc。？
　　Inthesemattersthatareinaccessibletothereason，whatdotheseromancesofouruncertainimaginationsmatter？WhatdoesitmatterthattheFathersofthefirstfourcenturiesthoughtthesoulcorporeal？WhatdoesitmatterthatTertullian，byacontradictionfrequentinhim，hasdecidedthatitissimultaneouslycorporeal，formedandsimple？Wehaveathousandwitnessestoignorance，andnotonethatgivesaglimmerofprobability。
　　Howthenarewesoboldastoassertwhatthesoulis？Weknowcertainlythatweexist，thatwefeel，thatwethink。Dowewanttotakeastepbeyond？
　　wefallintoashadowyabyss。andinthisabyssweareStillsomadlyrecklessastodisputewhetherthissoul，ofwhichwehavenottheleastidea，wasmadebeforeusorwithus，andwhetheritperishesorisimmortal。
　　ThearticleSOUL，andallthearticlesofthenatureofmetaphysics，muststartbyasinceresubmissiontotheincontrovertibledogmasoftheChurch。Revelationisworthmore，withoutdoubt，thanthewholeofphilosophy。
　　Systemsexercisethemind，butfaithilluminesandguidesit。
　　Dowenotoftenpronouncewordsofwhichwehaveonlyaveryconfusedidea，orevenofwhichwehavenoneatall？Isnotthewordsoulaninstance？Whentheclapperorvalveofabellowsisoutoforder，andwhenairwhichisinthebellowsleavesitbysomeunexpectedopeninginthisvalve，sothatitisnolongercornpressedagainstthetwoblades，andisnotthrustviolentlytowardsthehearthwhichithastolight，Frenchservantssay——Thesoulofthebellowshasburst。Theyknownomoreaboutitthanthat。andthisquestioninnowisedisturbstheirpeaceofmind。
　　Thegardeneruttersthephrasethesouloftheplants，andcultivatesthemverywellwithoutknowingwhathemeansbythisterm。
　　Theviolin-makerposes，drawsforwardorbackthesoulofaviolinbeneaththebridgeinthebellyoftheinstrument。apunypieceofwoodmoreorlessgivestheviolinortakesawayfromitaharmonioussoul。
　　Wehavemanyindustriesinwhichtheworkmengivethequalificationofsoultotheirmachines。Neverdoesonehearthemdisputeaboutthisword。Suchisnotthecasewithphilosophers。
　　Forusthewordsoulsignifiesgenerallythatwhichanimates。OurancestorstheCeltsgavetotheirsoulthenameofseel，fromwhichtheEnglishsoul，andtheGermanseel。andprobablytheancientTeutonsandtheancientBritonshadnoquarrelsintheiruniversitiesoverthisexpression。
　　TheGreeksdistinguishedthreesortsofsoul——greek，whichsignifiedthesensitivesoul，thesoulofthesenses。andthatiswhyLove，childofAphrodite，hadsomuchpassionforPsyche，andwhyPsychelovedhimsotenderly：greek，thebreathwhichgiveslifeandmovementtothewholemachine，andwhichwehavetranslatedbyspiritus，spirit。
　　vaguewordtowhichhavebeengivenathousanddifferentmeanings：andfinallygreek，theintelligence。
　　Wepossessedthereforethreesouls，withouthavingtheleastnotionofanyofthem。St。ThomasAquinasSummationofSt。Thomas。Lyonsedition，1738admitsthesethreesoulsasaperipatetic，anddistinguisheseachofthesethreesoulsinthreeparts。greekwasinthebreast，greek
　　wasdistributedthroughoutthebody，andgreekwasinthehead。Therehasbeennootherphilosophyinourschoolsuptoourday，andwoebetideanymanwhotookoneofthesesoulsfortheother。
　　Inthischaosofideastherewas，nevertheless，afoundation。Menhadnoticedthatintheirpassionsoflove，hate，anger，fear，theirinternalorganswerestimulatedtomovement。Theliverandtheheartweretheseatofthepassions。Ifonethoughtdeeply，onefeltastrifeintheorgansofthehead。thereforetheintellectualsoulwasinthehead。Withoutrespirationnovegetation，nolife。thereforethevegetativesoulwasinthebreastwhichreceivesthebreathofair。
　　Whenmensawindreamstheirdeadrelativesorfriends，theyhadtoseekwhathadappearedtothem。Itwasnotthebodywhichhadbeenconsumedonafuneralpyre，orswallowedupintheseaandeatenbythefishes。
　　Itwas，however，something，sotheymaintained。fortheyhadseenit。thedeadmanhadspoken。thedreamerhadquestionedhim。Wasitgreek，wasitgreek，wasitgreek，withwhomonehadconversedinthedream？Oneimaginedaphantom，anairyfigure：itwasgreek，itwasgreek，aghostfromtheshades，alittlesoulofairandfire，veryunrestricted，whichwanderedIknownotwhere。
　　Eventually，whenonewantedtosiftthematter，itbecameaconstantthatthissoulwascorporeal。andthewholeofantiquityneverhadanyotheridea。AtlastcamePlatowhososubtilizedthissoulthatitwasdoubtfulifhedidnotseparateitentirelyfrommatter。butthatwasaproblemthatwasneversolveduntilfaithcametoenlightenus。
　　InvaindothematerialistsquotesomeofthefathersoftheChurchwhodidnotexpressthemselveswithprecision。St。IrenaeussaysLiv。
　　v。chaps。viandviithatthesoulisonlythebreathoflife，thatitisincorporealonlybycomparisonwiththemortalbody，andthatitpreservestheformofmansothatitmayberecognized。
　　InvaindoesTertullianexpresshimselflikethis——ThecorporealityofthesoulshinesbrightintheGospel。CorporalitasanimaeinipsoEvangeliorelucescit，DEANIMA。cap。vii。。Forifthesouldidnothaveabody，theimageofthesoulwouldnothavetheimageofthebody。
　　Invaindoesherecordthevisionofaholywomanwhohadseenaveryshiningsoul，ofthecolourofair。
　　InvaindoesTatiensayexpresslyOratioadGraecos，c。xxiii。——
　　Thesoulofmaniscomposedofmanyparts。
　　InvainisSt。HilariusquotedassayinginlatertimesSt。HilariusonSt。Matthew-Thereisnothingcreatedwhichisnotcorporeal，eitherinheaven，oronearth，oramongthevisible，oramongtheinvisible：everythingisformedofelements。andsouls，whethertheyinhabitabody，orissuefromit，havealwaysacorporealsubstance。
　　InvaindoesSt。Ambrose，inthesixthcenturysayOnAbraham，liv。
　　ii。，ch。viii。——Werecognizenothingbutthematerial，exceptthevenerableTrinityalone。
　　ThebodyoftheentireChurchhasdecidedthatthesoulisimmaterial。
　　Thesesaintsfellintoanerroratthattimeuniversal。theyweremen。
　　buttheywerenotmistakenoverimmortality，becausethatisclearlyannouncedintheGospels。
　　WehavesoevidentaneedofthedecisionoftheinfallibleChurchonthesepointsofphilosophy，thatwehavenotindeedbyourselvesanysufficientnotionofwhatiscalledpurespirit，andofwhatisnamedmatter。
　　Purespiritisanexpressionwhichgivesusnoidea。andweknowmatteronlybyafewphenomena。Weknowitsolittlethatwecallitsubstance。well，thewordsubstancemeansthatwhichisunder’’。butwhatisunderwillbeeternallyhiddenfromus。WhatisunderistheCreator’ssecret。andthissecretoftheCreatoriseverywhere。Wedonotknoweitherhowwereceivelife，orhowwegiveit，orhowwegrow，orhowwedigest，orhowwesleep，orhowwethink，orhowwefeel。
　　Thegreatdifficultyistounderstandhowabeing，whoeverhebe，hasthoughts。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。2SOULSECTIONII
　　TheauthorofthearticleSOULintheEncyclopediatheAbbeYvon
　　followedJaquelotscrupulously。butJaquelotteachesusnothing。HesetshimselfalsoagainstLocke，becausethemodestLockesaidliv。iv，ch。
　　iii，para。vi。——Wepossiblyshallneverbeabletoknowwhetheranymerematerialbeingthinksorno。itbeingimpossibleforus，bythecontemplationofourownideaswithoutrevelation，todiscoverwhetherOmnipotencyhasnotgiventosomesystemsofmatter，fitlydisposed，apowertoperceiveandthink，orelsejoinedandfixedtomatter，sodisposed，athinkingimmaterialsubstance：itbeing，inrespectofournotions，notmuchmoreremotefromourcomprehensiontoconceivethatGodcan，ifhepleases，superaddtomatterafacultyofthinking，thanthatheshouldsuperaddtoitanothersubstancewithafacultyofthinking。sinceweknownotwhereinthinkingconsists，nortowhatsortofsubstancestheAlmightyhasbeenpleasedtogivethatpowerwhichcannotbeinanycreatedbeingbutmerelybythegoodpleasureandbountyoftheCreator，forIseenocontradictioninit，thatthefirsteternalthinkingBeingshould，ifhepleased，givetocertainsystemsofcreatedsenselessmatter，puttogetherashethinksfit，somedegreesofsense，perceptionandthought。
　　Thosearethewordsofaprofound，religiousandmodestman。
　　Weknowwhatquarrelshehadtoundergoonaccountofthisopinionwhichappearedbold，butwhichwasinfactinhimonlyaconsequenceofhisconvictionoftheomnipotenceofGodandtheweaknessofman。Hedidnotsaythatmatterthought。buthesaidthatwehavenotenoughknowledgetodemonstratethatitisimpossibleforGodtoaddthegiftofthoughttotheunknownbeingcalled’’matter’’，afteraccordingitthegiftofgravitationandthegiftofmovement，bothofwhichareequallyincomprehensible。
　　Lockewasnotassuredlytheonlyonewhohadadvancedthisopinion。
　　itwastheopinionofallantiquity，who，regardingthesoulasveryunrestrictedmatter，affirmedconsequentlythatmattercouldfeelandthink。
　　ItwasGassendi’sopinion，asmaybeseeninhisobjectionstoDescartes。
　　Itistrue，saysGassendi，thatyouknowwhatyouthink。butyouareignorantofwhatspeciesofsubstanceyouare，youwhothink。Thusalthoughtheoperationofthoughtisknowntoyou，theprincipleofyouressenceishiddenfromyou。andyoudonotknowwhatisthenatureofthissubstance，oneoftheoperationsofwhichistothink。Youarelikeablindmanwho，feelingtheheatofthesunandbeinginformedthatitiscausedbytheheatofthesun，thinkshehasaclearanddistinctideaofthisluminary。
　　becauseifhewereaskedwhatthesunwas，hecouldreplythatitisathingwhichheats，etc。
　　ThesameGassendi，inhisEpicureanPhilosophy，repeatsseveraltimesthatthereisnomathematicalevidenceofthepurespiritualityofthesoul。
　　Descartes，inoneofhisletterstothePalatinePrincessElisabeth，saystoher——Iconfessthatbythenaturalreasonalonewecanmakemanyconjecturesonthesoul，andhavegratifyinghopes，butnocertainty。
　　AndinthatsentenceDescartescombatsinhisletterswhatheputsforwardinhisworks。atooordinarycontradiction。
　　InfinewehaveseenthatalltheFathersofthefirstcenturiesoftheChurch，whilebelievingthesoulimmortal，believeditatthesametimematerial。theythoughtthatitisaseasyforGodtoconserveastocreate。Theysaid——Godmadethesoulthinking，Hewillpreserveitthinking。’’
　　Malebranchehasprovedverywellthatwehavenoideabyourselves，andthatobjectsareincapableofgivingusideas：fromthatheconcludesthatweseeeverythinginGod。ThatisatthebottomthesamethingasmakingGodtheauthorofallourideas。forwithwhatshouldweseeinHim，ifwehadnotinstrumentsforseeing？andtheseinstruments，itisHealonewhoholdsthemandguidesthem。Thissystemisalabyrinth，onelaneofwhichwouldleadyoutoSpinozism，anothertoStoicism，anothertochaos。
　　Whenonehashadagoodargumentaboutspiritandmatter，onealwaysfinishesbynotunderstandingeachother。Nophilosopherhasbeenablewithhisownstrengthtoliftthisveilstretchedbynatureoverallthefirstprinciplesofthings。Menargue，natureacts。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。3SOULSECTIONIIIOFTHESOULOFANIMALS，ANDOFSOMEEMPTYIDEAS
　　Beforethestrangesystemwhichsupposesanimalstobepuremachineswithoutanysensation，menhadneverthoughtthatthebeastspossessedanimmaterialsoul。andnobodyhadpushedrecklessnesstothepointofsayingthatanoysterhasaspiritualsoul。EveryoneconcurredpeaceablyinagreeingthatthebeastshadreceivedfromGodfeeling，memory，ideas，andnopurespirit。Nobodyhadabusedthegiftofreasontothepointofsayingthatnaturehadgiventhebeastsalltheorgansoffeelingsothattheymightnotfeelanything。Nobodyhadsaidthattheycrywhentheyarewounded，andthattheyflywhenpursued，withoutexperiencingpainorfear。
　　AtthattimepeopledidnotdenytheomnipotenceofGod。Hehadbeenabletocommunicatetotheorganizedmatterofanimalspleasure，pain，remembrance，thecombinationofafewideas。Hehadbeenabletogivetoseveralofthem，suchasthemonkey，theelephant，thehunting-dog，thetalentofperfectingthemselvesintheartswhichweretaughttothem。
　　notonlyhadHebeenabletoendownearlyallcarnivorousanimalswiththetalentofwarringbetterintheirexperiencedoldagethanintheirtootrustfulyouth。notonly，Isay，hadHebeenabletodothesethings，butHehaddonethem：theuniverseborewitnessthereto。
　　PereiraandDescartesmaintainedthattheuniversewasmistaken，thatGodwasajuggler，thatHehadgivenanimalsalltheinstrumentsoflifeandsensation，sothattheymighthaveneitherlifenorsensation，properlyspeaking。ButIdonotknowwhatso-calledphilosophers，inordertoanswerDescartes’chimera，leapedintotheoppositechimera。theygaveliberallyofpurespirittothetoadsandtheinsects。
　　Betweenthesetwomadnesses，theonerefusingfeelingtotheorgansoffeeling，theotherlodgingapurespiritinabug，somebodythoughtofamiddlepath。Itwasinstinct。Andwhatisinstinct？Oh，oh，itisasubstantialform。itisaplasticform。itisIdonotknowwhat。itisinstinct。Ishallbeofyouropinionsolongasyouwillcallthemajorityofthings，Idonotknowwhat。solongasyourphilosophybeginsandendswithIdonotknowwhat，IshallquotePriortoyouinhispoemonthevanityoftheworld。
　　TheauthorofthearticleSOULintheEncyclopediaexplainshimselflikethis：-Ipicturetheanimals’soulasanimmaterialandintelligentsubstance，butofwhatspecies？Itmust，itseemstome，beanactiveprinciplewhichhassensations，andwhichhasonlythat……Ifwereflectonthenatureofthesoulofanimals，itsuppliesuswithgroundworkwhichmightleadustothinkthatitsspiritualitywillsaveitfromannihilation。
　　Idonotknowhowonepicturesanimmaterialsubstance。Topicturesomethingistomakeanimageofit。anduptillnownobodyhasbeenabletopaintthespirit。Forthewordpicture’’，Iwanttheauthortounderstand’’Iconceive’’。speakingformyself，IconfessIdonotconceiveit。
　　Iconfessstilllessthataspiritualsoulmaybeannihilated，becauseIdonotconceiveeithercreationornon-existence。becauseIhaveneverbeenpresentatGod’scouncil。becauseIknownothingatallabouttheprincipleofthings。