ThesearethecommonandmostgeneralmiscarriageswhichIthinkmenshouldavoidorrectifyinarightconductoftheirunderstandings，andshouldbeparticularlytakencareofineducation。Thebusinesswhereofinrespectofknowledgeisnot，asIthink，toperfectalearnerinalloranyoneofthesciences，buttogivehismindthatfreedom，thatdispositionandthosehabitsthatmayenablehimtoattainanypartofknowledgeheshallapplyhimselftoorstandinneedofinthefuturecourseofhislife。[040]Thisandthisonlyiswellprincipling，andnottheinstillingareverenceandvenerationforcertaindogmasunderthespecioustitleofprinciples，whichareoftensoremotefromthattruthandevidencewhichbelongstoprinciples，thattheyoughttoberejectedasfalseanderroneous；andisoftenthecausetomensoeducated，whentheycomeabroadintotheworldandfindtheycannotmaintaintheprinciplessotakenupandrestedin，tocastoffallprinciplesandturnperfectskeptics，regardlessofknowledgeandvirtue。
　　Thereareseveralweaknessesanddefectsintheunderstanding，eitherfromthenaturaltemperofthemindorillhabitstakenup，whichhinderitinitsprogresstoknowledge。Ofthesethereareasmanypossiblytobefound，ifthemindwerethoroughlystudied，astherearediseasesofthebody，eachwhereofclogsanddisablestheunderstandingtosomedegreeandthereforedeservestobelookedafterandcured。Ishallsetdownsomefewtoexcitemen，especiallythosewhomakeknowledgetheirbusiness，tolookintothemselvesandobservewhethertheydonotindulgesomeweakness，allowsomemiscarriagesinthemanagementoftheirintellectualfaculty，whichisprejudicialtotheminthesearchfortruth。
　　Section13。Observation。Particularmattersoffactaretheundoubtedfoundationsonwhichourcivilandnaturalknowledgeisbuilt；
　　thebenefittheunderstandingmakesofthemistodrawfromthemconclusionswhichmaybeasstandingrulesofknowledgeandconsequentlyofpractice。Themindoftenmakesnotthatbenefititshouldoftheinformationitreceivesfromtheaccountsofcivilornaturalhistorians，inbeingtooforwardortooslowinmakingobservationsontheparticularfactsrecordedinthem。Therearethosewhoareveryassiduousinreadingandyetdonotmuchadvancetheirknowledgebyit。Theyaredelightedwiththestoriesthataretoldandperhapscantellthemagain，fortheymakealltheyreadnothingbuthistory[04l]tothemselves；butnotreflectingonit，notmakingtothemselvesobservationsfromwhattheyread，theyareverylittleimprovedbyallthatcrowdofparticularsthateitherpassthroughorlodgethemselvesintheirunderstandings。Theydreamoninaconstantcourseofreadingandcrammingthemselves；but，notdigestinganything，itproducesnothingbutaheapofcrudities。
　　Iftheirmemoriesretainwell，onemaysaytheyhavethematerialsofknowledge，but，likethoseforbuilding，theyareofnoadvantageiftherebenootherusemadeofthembuttoletthemlieheapeduptogether。Oppositetothesethereareotherswholosetheimprovementtheyshouldmakeofmattersoffactbyaquitecontraryconduct。Theyareapttodrawgeneralconclusionsandraiseaxiomsfromeveryparticulartheymeetwith。Thesemakeaslittletruebenefitofhistoryastheother，nay，beingofforwardandactivespiritsreceivemoreharmbyit；itbeingofworseconsequencetosteerone’sthoughtsbyawrongrulethantohavenoneatall，errordoingtobusymenmuchmoreharmthanignorancetotheslowandsluggish。Betweenthese，thoseseemtodobestwho，takingmaterialandusefulhints，sometimesfromsinglemattersoffact，carrythemintheirmindstobejudgedofbywhattheyshallfindinhistorytoconfirmorreversetheseimperfectobservations；whichmaybeestablishedintorulesfittobereliedonwhentheyarejustifiedbyasufficientandwaryinductionofparticulars。[042]Hethatmakesnosuchreflectionsonwhathereadsonlyloadshismindwitharhapsodyoftalesfitinwinternightsfortheentertainmentofothers；andhethatwillimproveeverymatteroffactintoamaximwillaboundincontraryobservationsthatcanbeofnootherusebuttoperplexandpudder[043]himifhecomparesthem；orelsetomisguidehim，ifhegiveshimselfuptotheauthorityofthatwhich，foritsnoveltyorforsomeotherfancy，bestpleaseshim。
　　Section14。Bias。Nexttothesewemayplacethosewhosuffertheirownnaturaltempersandpassionstheyarepossessedwithtoinfluencetheirjudgments，especiallyofmenandthingsthatmayanywayrelatetotheirpresentcircumstancesandinterest。Truthisallsimple，allpure，willbearnomixtureofanythingelsewithit。Itisrigidandinflexibletoanyby—interests；andsoshouldtheunderstandingbe，whoseuseandexcellencyliesinconformingitselftoit。Tothinkofeverythingjustasitisinitselfistheproperbusinessoftheunderstanding，thoughitbenotthatwhichmenalwaysemployitto。Thisallmen，atfirsthearing，allowistherightuseeveryoneshouldmakeofhisunderstanding。Nobodywillbeatsuchanopendefiancewithcommonsenseastoprofessthatweshouldnotendeavortoknowandthinkofthingsastheyareinthemselves，andyetthereisnothingmorefrequentthantodothecontrary；
　　andmenareapttoexcusethemselves，andthinktheyhavereasontodoso，iftheyhavebutapretensethatitisforGodoragoodcause，thatis，ineffect，forthemselves，theirownpersuasionorparty；forthoseintheirturnstheseveralsectsofmen，especiallyinmattersofreligion，entitleGodandagoodcause。ButGodrequiresnotmentowrongormisusetheirfacultiesforhim，nortolietoothersorthemselvesforhissake；whichtheypurposelydowhowillnotsuffertheirunderstandingstohaverightconceptionsofthethingsproposedtothemanddesignedlyrestrainthemselvesfromhavingjustthoughtsofeverything，asfarastheyareconcernedtoenquire。Andasforagoodcause，thatneedsnotsuchillhelps；ifitbegood，truthwillsupportitandithasnoneedoffallacyorfalsehood。
　　Section15。Arguments。Verymuchofkintothisisthehuntingafterargumentstomakegoodonesideofaquestionandwhollytoneglectandrefusethosewhichfavortheotherside。Whatisthisbutwailfullytomisguidetheunderstanding（andissofarfromgivingtruthitsduevaluethatitwhollydebasesit），[to]espouseopinionsthatbestcomportwiththeirporter，profitorcreditandthenseekargumentstosupportthem？Truthlighteduponthiswayisofnomoreavailtousthanerror；forwhatissotakenupbyusmaybefalseaswellastrue，andhehasnotdonehisdutywhohasthusstumbledupontruthinhiswaytopreferment。
　　Thereisanotherbutmoreinnocentwayofcollectingarguments，veryfamiliaramongbookishmen，whichistofurnishthemselveswiththeargumentstheymeetwithproandconinthequestionstheystudy。Thishelpsthemnottojudgerightnorarguestrongly，butonlytotalkcopiouslyoneitherside，withoutbeingsteadyandsettledintheirownjudgments；forsuchargumentsgatheredfromothermen’sthoughts，floatingonlyinthememory，aretherereadyindeedtosupplycopioustalkwithsomeappearanceofreason，butarefarfromhelpingustojudgeright。Suchvarietyofargumentsonlydistracttheunderstandingthatreliesonthem，unlessithasgonefurtherthansuchasuperficialwayofexamining；thisistoquittruthforappearance，onlytoserveourvanity。Thesureandonlywaytogettrueknowledgeistoforminourmindsclearsettlednotionsofthings，withnamesannexedtothosedeterminedideas。
　　[044]Thesewearetoconsider，andwiththeirseveralrelationsandhabitudes，[045]andnottoamuseourselveswithfloatingnamesandwordsofindeterminedsignification，whichwecanuseinseveralsensestoserveaturn。Itisintheperceptionofthehabitudesandrespectsourideashaveonetoanotherthatrealknowledgeconsists；andwhenamanonceperceiveshowfartheyagreeordisagreeonewithanother，hewillbeabletojudgeofwhatotherpeoplesayandwillnotneedtobeledbytheargumentsofothers，whicharemanyofthemnothingbutplausiblesophistry。Thiswillteachhimtostatethequestionrightandseewhereonitturns；andthushewillstanduponhisownlegsandknowbyhisownunderstanding。Whereasbycollectingandlearningargumentsbyhearthewillbebutaretainertoothers；andwhenanyonequestionsthefoundationstheyarebuiltupon，hewillbeatanonplusandbefaintogiveuphisimplicit[046]
　　knowledge。
　　Section16。Haste。Labourforlaboursakeisagainstnature。Theunderstanding，aswellasalltheotherfaculties，choosesalwaystheshortestwaytoitsend，wouldpresentlyobtaintheknowledgeitisaboutandthensetuponsomenewenquiry。Butthiswhetherlazinessorhasteoftenmisleadsitandmakesitcontentitselfwithimproperwaysofsearchandsuchaswillnotservetheturn。
　　Sometimesitrestsupontestimony，whentestimonyofrighthasnothingtodo，becauseitiseasiertobelievethantobescientificallyinstructed。
　　Sometimesitcontentsitselfwithoneargumentandrestssatisfiedwiththat，asitwereademonstration；whereasthethingunderproofisnotcapableofdemonstrationandthereforemustbesubmittedtothetrialofprobabilities，andallthematerialargumentsproandconbeexaminedandbroughttoabalance。Insomecasesthemindisdeterminedbyprobabletopicsinenquirieswheredemonstrationmaybehad。Alltheseandseveralothers，whichlaziness，impatience，customandwantofuseandattentionleadmeninto，aremisapplicationsoftheunderstandinginthesearchoftruth。Ineveryquestionthenatureandmanneroftheproofitiscapableofshouldfirstbeconsideredtomakeourenquirysuchasitshouldbe。[047]Thiswouldsaveagreatdealoffrequentlymisemployedpainsandleadussoonertothatdiscoveryandpossessionoftruthwearecapableof。Themultiplyingvarietyofarguments，especiallyfrivolousones，suchasareallthataremerelyverbal，isnotonlylostlabour，butNumbersthememorytonopurposeandservesonlytohinderitfromseizingandholdingofthetruthinallthosecaseswhicharecapableofdemonstration。
　　Insuchawayofproofthetruthandcertaintyisseenandthemindfullypossessesitselfofit；
　　whenintheotherwayofassentitonlyhoversaboutit，isamusedwithuncertainties。Inthissuperficialwayindeedthemindiscapableofmorevarietyofplausibletalk，butisnotenlargedasitshouldbeinitsknowledge。Itistothissamehasteandimpatienceofthemindalsothatanotduetracingoftheargumentstotheirtruefoundationisowing；menseealittle，presumeagreatdeal，andsojumptotheconclusion。Thisisashortwaytofancyandconceitand（iffirmlyembraced）toopiniatrety，[048]butiscertainlythefurthestwayabouttoknowledge。Forhethatwillknowmust，bytheconnectionoftheproofs，seethetruthandthegrounditstandson；andtherefore，ifhehasforhasteskippedoverwhatheshouldhaveexamined，hemustbeginandgooverallagain，orelsehewillnevercometoknowledge。
　　Section17。Desultory。Anotherfaultofasillconsequenceasthis，whichproceedsalsofromlazinesswithamixtureofvanity，istheskippingfromonesortofknowledgetoanother。Somemen’stempersarequicklywearyofanyonething。Constancyandassiduityiswhattheycannotbear；thesamestudylongcontinuedinisasintolerabletothemastheappearinglonginthesameclothesorfashionistoaCourtlady。
　　Section18。Smattering。Others，thattheymayseemuniversallyknowing，getalittlesmatteringineverything。Boththesemayfilltheirheadsfaithsuperficialnotionsofthings，butareverymuchoutofthewayofattainingtruthorknowledge。
　　Section19。Universality。Idonotherespeakagainstthetakingatasteofeverysortofknowledge；itiscertainlyveryusefulandnecessarytoformthemind，butthenitmustbedoneinadifferentwayandtoadifferentendÑ；notfortalkandvanitytofilltheheadwithshredsofallkinds，thathewhoispossessedofsuchafripperymaybeabletomatchthediscoursesofallheshallmeetwith，asifnothingcouldcomeamisstohimandhisheadwassowellastoredmagazinethatnothingcouldbeproposedwhichhewasnotmasterofandwasreadilyfurnishedtoentertainanyoneon。Thisisanexcellencyindeed，andagreatonetoo，tohavearealandtrueknowledgeinallormostoftheobjectsofcontemplation。Butitiswhatthemindofoneandthesamemancanhardlyattainunto；
　　andtheinstancesaresofewofthosewhohaveinanymeasureapproachedtowardsit，thatIknownotwhethertheyaretobeproposedasexamplesintheordinaryconductoftheunderstanding。Foramantounderstandfullythebusinessofhisparticularcallinginthecommonwealthandofreligion，whichishiscallingasheisamanintheworld，isusuallyenoughtotakeuphiswholetime；andtherearefewthatinformthemselvesinthese，whichiseveryman’sproperandpeculiarbusiness，sotothebottomastheyshoulddo。Butthoughthisbeso，andthereareveryfewmenthatextendtheirthoughtstowardsuniversalknowledge，yetIdonotdoubtbut，iftherightwayweretakenandthemethodsofenquirywereorderedastheyshouldbe，menoflittlebusinessandgreatleisuremightgoagreatdealfurtherinitthanisusuallydone。Toreturntothebusinessinhand，theendanduseofalittleinsightinthosepartsofknowledgeWhicharenotaman’sproperbusinessistoaccustomourmindstoallsortsofideasandtheproperwaysofexaminingtheirhabitudesandrelations。Thisgivesthemindafreedom，andtheexercisingtheunderstandingintheseveralwaysofenquiryandreasoningwhichthemostskillfulhavemadeuseofteachesthemindsagacityandwarinessandasupplenesstoapplyitselfmorecloselyanddexterouslytothebentsandturnsofthematterinallitsresearches。
　　Besides，thisuniversaltasteofallthescienceswithanindifferency，beforethemindispossessedwithanyoneinparticularandgrownintoloveandadmirationofwhatismadeitsdarling，stillpreventanotherevilverycommonlytobeobservedinthosewhohavefromthebeginningbeenseasonedonlybyonepartofknowledge。Letamanbegivenuptothecontemplationofonesortofknowledge，andthatwillbecomeeverything。Themindwilltakesuchatincturefromafamiliaritywiththatobject，thateverythingelse，holeremotehowever，willbebroughtunderthesameview。Ametaphysicianwillbringploughingandgardeningimmediatelytoabstractnotions；thehistoryofnatureshallsignifynothingtohim。Analchemist，onthecontrary，shallreducedivinitytothemaximsofhislaboratory，explainmoralitybysagsulfurandmercuryandallegorizetheScriptureitselfandthesacredmasteriesthereofintothephilosopher’sstone。
　　Section20。Reading。ThisisthatwhichIthinkgreatreadersareapttobemistakenin。
　　Thosewhohavereadofeverythingarethoughttounderstandeverythingtoo；butitisnotalwaysso。Readingfurnishesthemindonlywithmaterialsofknowledge；itisthinkingmakeswhatwereadours。Weareoftheruminatingkind，anditisnotenoughtocramourselveswithagreatloadofcollections；unlesswechewthemoveragain，theywillnotgiveusstrengthandnourishment。Thereareindeedinsomewritersrisibleinstancesofdeepthought，closeandacutereasoningandideaswellpursued。
　　Thelightthesewouldgivewouldbeofgreatuse，iftheirreaderswouldobserveandimitatethem；alltherestatbestarebutparticularsfittobeturnedintoknowledge；butthatcanbedoneonlybyourownmeditationandexaminingthereach，forceandcoherenceofwhatissaid；andthen，asfarasweapprehendandseetheconnectionofideas，sofaritisours；withoutthatitisbutsomuchloosematterfloatinginourbrain。Thememorymaybestored，butthejudgmentislittlebetterandthestockofknowledgenotincreasedbybeingabletorepeatwhatothershavesaidorproducetheargumentswehavefoundinthem。Suchaknowledgeasthisisbutknowledgebyhearsay，andtheostentationofitisatbestbuttalkingbyrote，andveryoftenuponweakandwrongprinciples。
　　Forallthatistobefoundinbooksisnotbuiltupontruefoundationsnoralwaysrightlydeducedfromtheprinciplesitispretendedtobebuilton。Suchanexamenasisrequisitetodiscoverthat，everyreader’smindisnotforwardtomake，especiallyinthosewhohavegiventhemselvesuptoapartyandonlyhuntforwhattheycanscrapetogetherthatmayfavorandsupportthetenetsofit。Suchmenwillfullyexcludethemselvesfromtruthandfromalltruebenefittobereceivedbyreading。Othersofmoreindifferenceoftenwantattentionandindustry。Themindisbackwardinitselftobeatthepainstotraceeveryargumenttoitsoriginalandtoseeuponwhatbasisitstandsandhowfirmly；butyetitisthisthatgivessomuchtheadvantagetoonemanmorethananotherinreading。Themindshouldbysevererulesbetieddowntothisatfirstuneasytask；useandexercisewillgiveitfacility，sothatthosewhoareaccustomedtoit，readily，asitwerewithonecastoftheeye，takeaviewoftheargumentandpresentlyinmostcasesseewhereitbottoms。Thosewhohavegotthisfaculty，onemaysay，havegotthetruekeyofbooksandthecluetoleadthemthroughthemazeofvarietyofopinionsandauthorstotruthandcertainty。
　　Thisyoungbeginnersshouldbeenteredinandshowedtheuseof，thattheymightprofitbytheirreading。Thosewhoarestrangerstoitstillbeapttothinkittoogreatacloginthewayofmen’sstudies，andtheywillsuspecttheyshallmakebutsmallprogressif，inthebookstheyread，theymuststandtoexamineandunraveleveryargumentandfollowitstepbystepuptoitsoriginal。
　　Ianswer，thisisagoodobjectionandoughttoweighwiththosewhosereadingisdesignedformuchtalkandlittleknowledge，andIhavenothingtosaytoit。
　　ButIamhereenquiringintotheconductoftheunderstandinginitsprogresstowardsknowledge；andtothosewhoaimatthatImaysaythathewhofairandsoftlygoessteadilyforwardinacoursethatpointsrightwillsoonerbeathisjourney’sendthanhethatrunsaftereveryonehemeets，thoughhegallopalldayfullspeed。
　　Towhichletmeaddthatthiswayofthinkingonandprofitingbywhatwereadwillbeaclogandrubtoanyoneonlyinthebeginning；whencustomandexercisehasmadeitfamiliar，itwillbedispatchedinmostoccasionswithoutrestingorinterruptioninthecourseofourreading。Themotionsandviewsofamindexercisedthatwayarewonderfullyquick；andamanusedtosuchsortofreflectionsseesasmuchatoneglimpseaswouldrequirealongdiscoursetolaybeforeanotherandmakeoutinanentireandgradualdeduction。
　　Besidesthat，whenthefirstdifficultiesareover，thedelightandsensibleadvantageitbringsmightilyencouragesandenlivensthemindinreading，whichwithoutthisisveryimproperlycalledstudy。
　　Section21。Intermediateprinciples。AsahelptothisIthinkitmaybeproposedthat，forthesavingthelongprogressionofthethoughtstoremoteandfirstprinciplesineverycase，themindshouldprovideitselfseveralstages，thatistosay，intermediateprinciples，whichitmighthaverecoursetointheexaminingthosepositionsthatcomeinitsway。
　　These，thoughtheyarenotself—evidentprinciples，yet，iftheyhavebeenmadeoutfromthembyawaryandunquestionablededuction，maybedependedonascertainandinfallibletruthsandserveasunquestionabletruthstoproveotherpointsdependingonthembyanearerandshorterviewsthanremoteandgeneralmaxims。
　　Thesemayserveaslandmarkstoshowwhatliesinthedirectwayoftruthorisquitebesidesit。Andthusmathematiciansdo，whodonotineverynewproblemrunitbacktothefirstaxiomsthroughallthewholetrainofintermediatepropositions。CertaintheoremsthattheyhavesettledtothemselvesuponsuredemonstrationservetoresolvetothemmultitudesofpropositionswhichdependonthemandareasfirmlymadeoutfromthenceasifthemindwentafreshovereverylinkoftheWholechainthattiesthemtofirstself—evidentprinciples。Onlyinothersciencesgreatcareistobetakenthattheyestablishthoseintermediateprincipleswithasmuchcaution，exactnessandindifferencyasmathematiciansuseinthesettlinganyoftheirgreattheorems。Whenthisisnotdone，butmentakeuptheprinciplesinthisorthatscienceuponcredit，inclination，interest，etc。，inhastewithoutdueexaminationandmostunquestionableproof，theylayatrapforthemselvesandasmuchasinthemliescaptivatetheirunderstandingstomistake，falsehoodanderror。
　　Section22。Partiality。Asthereisapartialitytoopinions，which，aswehavealreadyobserved，isapttomisleadtheunderstanding，sothereisoftenapartialitytostudies，whichisprejudicialalsotoknowledgeandimprovement。Thosescienceswhichmenareparticularlyversedintheyareapttovalueandextol，asifthatpartofknowledgewhicheveryonehasacquaintedhimselfwithwerethatalonewhichwasworththehaving，andalltherestwereidleandemptyamusements，comparativelyofnouseorimportance。Thisistheeffectofignoranceandnotknowledge，thebeingvainlypuffedupwithaflatulencyarisingfromaweakandnarrowcomprehension。Itisnotamissthateveryoneshouldrelishthesciencethathehasmadehispeculiarstudy；aviewofitsbeautiesandasenseofitsusefulnesscarriesamanonwiththemoredelightandwarmthinthepursuitandimprovementofit。Butthecontemptofallotherknowledge，asifitwerenothingincomparisonoflaworphysic，ofastronomyorchemistry，orperhapssomeyetmeanerpartofknowledgewhereinIhavegotsomesmatteringoramsomewhatadvanced，isnotonlythemarkofavainorlittlemind，butdoesthisprejudiceintheconductoftheunderstanding，thatitcoopsitupwithinnarrowboundsandhindersitfromlookingabroadintootherprovincesoftheintellectualworld，morebeautifulpossibleandmorefruitfulthanthatwhichithadtillthenlaboredin；whereinitmightfind，besidesnewknowledge，waysorhintswherebyitmightbeenabledthebettertocultivateitsown。
　　Section23。Theology。Thereisindeedonescience（astheyarenowdistinguished）incomparablyabovealltherest，whereitisnotbycorruptionnarrowedintoatradeorfactionformeanorillendsandsecularinterests；I
　　meantheology，which，containingtheknowledgeofGodandhiscreatures，ourdutytohimandourfellowcreaturesandaviewofourpresentandfuturestate，isthecomprehensionofallotherknowledgedirectedtoitstrueend，i。e。，thehonorandvenerationoftheCreatorandthehappinessofmankind。
　　Thisisthatnoblestudywhichiseveryman’sdutyandeveryonethatcanbecalledarationalcreatureiscapableof。Theworksofnatureandthewordsofrevelationdisplayittomankindincharacterssolargeandvisible，thatthosewhoarenotquiteblindmayinthemreadandseethefirstprinciplesandmostnecessarypartsofitandfromthence，astheyhavetimeandindustry，maybeenabledtogoontothemoreabstrusepartsofitandpenetrateintothoseinfinitedepthsfilledwiththetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge。Thisisthatsciencewhichwouldtrulyenlargemen’sminds，wereitstudiedorpermittedtobestudiedeverywherewiththatfreedom，loveoftruthandcharitywhichitteaches，andwerenotmade，contrarytoitsnature，theoccasionofstrife，faction，malignityandnarrowimpositions。Ishallsaynomorehereofthis，butthatitisundoubtedlyawronguseofmyunderstandingtomakeittheruleandmeasureofanotherman’s，ausewhichitisneitherfitfornorcapableof。
　　Section24。Partiality。Thispartiality，whereitisnotpermittedanauthoritytorenderallotherstudiesinsignificantorcontemptible，isoftenindulgedsofarastoberelieduponandmadeuseofinotherpartsofknowledgetowhichitdoesnotatallbelongandwherewithithasnomannerofaffinity。
　　Somemenhavesousedtheirheadstomathematicalfiguresthat，givingapreferencetothemethodsofthatscience，theyintroducelinesanddiagramsintotheirstudiesofdivinityorpolitic[al]enquiries，asifnothingcouldbeknownwithoutthem；andothers，accustomedtoretiredspeculations，runnaturalphilosophyintometaphysicalnotionsandtheabstractgeneralitiesoflogic；
　　andhowoftenmayonemeetwithreligionandmoralitytreatedofinthetermsofthelaboratoryandthoughttobeimprovedbythemethodsandnotationsofchemistry。
　　Buthethatwilltakecareoftheconductofhisunderstandingtodirectitrighttotheknowledgeofthingsmustavoidthoseunduemixturesandnot，byafondnessforChathehasfoundusefulandnecessaryinone，transferittoanothersciencewhereitservesonlytoperplexandconfoundtheunderstanding。
　　Itisacertaintruththatresnoluntmaleadministration；[052]itisnolesscertainresnoluntmaleintelligence。[053]Thingsthemselvesaretobeconsideredastheyareinthemselves，andthentheystillshowusinwhatwaytheyaretobeunderstood。
　　Fortohaverightconceptionsaboutthemwemustbringourunderstandingstotheinflexiblenaturesandunalterablerelationsofthings，andnotendeavortobringthingstoanypreconceivednotionsofourown。[054]
　　Thereisanotherpartialityverycommonlyobservableinmenofstudy，nolessprejudicialnorridiculousthantheformer，andthatisafantasticalandwildattributingallknowledgetotheancientsaloneortothemoderns。
　　ThisravinguponantiquityinmatterofpoetryHoracehaswittilydescribedandexposedinoneofhissatires。[055]Thesamesortofmadnessmaybefoundinreferencetoalltheothersciences。Somewillnotadmitanopinionnotauthorizedbymenofold，whowerethenallgiantsinknowledge；nothingistobeputintothetreasuryoftruthorknowledgewhichhasnotthestampofGreeceorRomeuponit；andsincetheirdayswillscarceallowthatmenhavebeenabletosee，thinkorwrite。Others，withalikeextravagancy，contemnallthattheancientshaveleftusand，beingtakenwiththemoderninventionsanddiscoveries，laybyallthatwentbefore，asifwhateveriscalledoldmusthavethedecayoftimeuponitandtruthtoowereliabletomoldandrottenness。Men，Ithink，havebeenmuchthesamefornaturalendowmentsinalltimes。Fashion，disciplineandeducationhaveputeminentdifferencesintheagesofseveralcountriesandmadeonegenerationmuchdifferfromanotherinartsandsciences；
　　buttruthisalwaysthesame；timealtersitnot，norisitthebetterorworseforbeingofancientormoderntradition。Manywereeminentinformeragesoftheworldfortheirdiscoveryanddeliveryofit；butthoughtheknowledgetheyhaveleftusbeworthourstudy，yettheyexhaustednotallitstreasure；theyleftagreatdealfortheindustryandsagacityofafterages，andsoshallwe。
　　Thatwasoncenewtothemwhichanyonenowreceiveswithvenerationforitsantiquity；
　　norwasittheworseforappearingasanovelty，andthatWhichisnowembracedforitsnewnesswill，toposterity，beoldbutnottherebybelesstrueorlessgenuine。
　　Thereisnooccasiononthisaccounttoopposetheancientsandthemodernstooneanotherortobesqueamishoneitherside。Hethatwiselyconductshismindinthepursuitofknowledgewillgatherwhatlightsandgetwhathelpshecanfromeitherofthem，fromwhomtheyarebesttobehad，withoutadoringtheerrorsorrejectingthetruthswhichhemayfindmingledinthem。
　　Anotherpartialitymaybeobserved，insometovulgar，inotherstoheterodoxtenets。Someareapttoconcludethatwhatisthecommonopinioncannotbutbetrue；somanymen’seyes，theythink，cannotbutseeright；
　　somanymen’sunderstandingsofallsortscannotbedeceived；andtherefore[they]willnotventuretolookbeyondthereceivednotionsoftheplaceandagenorhavesopresumptuousathoughtastobewiserthantheirneighbors。Theyarecontenttogowiththecrowd，andsogoeasily，whichtheythinkisgoingrightoratleastservesthemaswell。ButhoweverFoxpopuliloxDei[056]
　　hasprevailedasamaxim，yetIdonotrememberwhereverGoddeliveredhisoraclesbythemultitudeornaturetruthsbytheherd。Ontheotherside，someflyallcommonopinionsaseitherfalseorfrivolous。Thetitleofmany—headedbeast[057]isasufficientreasontothemtoconcludethatnotruthsofweightorconsequencecanbelodgedthere。vulgaropinionsaresuitedtovulgarcapacitiesandadaptedtotheendsofthosethatgovern。Hethatisillknowthetruthofthingsmustleavethecommonandbeatentract，whichnonebutweakandservilemindsaresatisfiedtotrudgealongcontinuallyin。Suchnice[058]palatesrelishnothingbutstrangenotionsquiteoutoftheflay；whateveriscommonlyreceivedhasthemarl；ofthebeast[059]onit，andtheythinkitalesseningtothemtohearkentoitorreceiveit；theirmindrunsonlyafterparadoxes；
　　thesetheyseek，thesetheyembrace，thesealonetheyvent，andso，astheythink，distinguishthemselvesfromthevulgar。Butcommonoruncommonarenotthemarkstodistinguishtruthorfalsehoodandthereforeshouldnotbeanybiastousinourenquiries。Weshouldnotjudgeofthingsbymen’sopinions，butofopinionsbythings。Themultitudereasonbutill，andthereforemaybewellsuspectedandcannotbereliedonnorshouldbefollowedasasureguide；butphilosopherswhohavequittedtheorthodoxyofthecommunityandthepopulardoctrinesoftheircountrieshavefallenintoasextravagantandasabsurdopinionsasevercommonreceptioncountenanced。Itwouldbemadnesstorefusetobreathethecommonairorquenchone’sthirstwithwaterbecausetherabbleusethemtothesepurposes；andifthereareconveniencesoflifewhichcommonusereachesnot。itisnotreasontorejectthembecausetheyarenotgrownintotheordinaryfashionofthecountryandeveryvillagerdoesnotknowthem。
　　Truth，whetherinoroutoffashion，isthemeasureofknowledgeandthebusinessoftheunderstanding；whatsoeverisbesidesthat，howeverauthorizedbyconsentorrecommendedbyrarity，isnothingbutignoranceorsomethingworse。
　　Anothersortofpartialitythereiswherebymenimposeuponthemselvesandbyitmadetheirreadinglittleusefultothemselves；Imeanthemakinguseoftheopinionsofwritersandlayingstressupontheirauthoritieswherevertheyfindthemtofavortheirownopinions。
　　Thereisnothingalmosthasdonemoreharmtomendedicatedtolettersthangivingthenameofstudytoreadingandmakingamanofgreatreadingtobethesamewithamanofgreatknowledge。oratleasttobeatitleofhonor。Allthatcanberecordedinwritingareonlyfactsorreasonings。Factsareofthreesorts：
　　1。Merelyofnaturalagents。observableintheordinaryoperationsofbodiesoneuponanother，whetherinthevisiblecourseofthingslefttothemselves，orinexperimentsmadebymenapplyingagentsandpatients[060]tooneanotherafterapeculiarandartificialmanner。2。Ofvoluntaryagents，moreespeciallytheactionsofmeninsociety，whichmakescivilandmoralhistory。
　　3。Ofopinions[06l]
　　Inthesethreeconsists。asitseemstome，thatwhichcommonlyhasthenameoflearning；towhichperhapssomemayaddadistinctheadofcriticalwritings，whichindeedatbottomisnothingbutmatteroffactandresolvesitselfintothis，thatsuchamanorsetofmenusedsuchawordorphraseinsuchasense，i。e。thatthismadesuchsoundsthemarksofsuchideas。[062]
　　UnderreasoningsIcomprehendallthediscoveriesofgeneraltruthsmadebehumanreason，whetherfoundbyintuition，demonstrationorprobabledeductions。[063]Andthisisthatwhichis，ifnotaloneknowledge（becausethetruthorprobabilityofparticularpropositionsmaybeknowntoo），suetis，asmaybesupposed，mostproperlythebusinessofthosewhopretendtoimprovetheirunderstandingsandmakethemselvesknottingbyreading。
　　Booksandreadingarelookedupontobethegreathelpsoftheunderstandingandinstrumentsofknowledge，asitmustbeallottedthattheyare；andyetI
　　begleavetoquestionwhetherthesedonotproveahindrancetomanyandkeepseveralbookishmenfromattainingtosolidandtrueknowledge。
　　This，I
　　think，Imaybepermittedtosay，thatthereisnopartwhereintheunderstandingneedsamorecarefulandwaryconductthanintheuseofbooks；
　　withoutwhichtheywillproveratherinnocentamusementsthanprofitableemploymentsofourtime，andbringbutsmalladditionstoourknowledge。
　　Thereisnotseldomtobefound，evenamongstthosewhoaimatknowledge，[those]Echowithanunweariedindustryemploytheirwholetimeinbooks，whoscarceallowthemselvestimetoeatorsleep，butreadandreadandreadon，butyetmakenogreatadvancesinrealknowledge，thoughtherebenodefectintheirintellectualfaculties，towhichtheirlittleprogresscanbeimputed。Themistakehereis，thatitisusuallysupposedthat，byreading，theauthor’sknowledgeistransfusedintothereader’sunderstanding；andsoitis，butnotbybarereading，butbyreadingandunderstandingwhathewrit。
　　TherebyImean，notbarelscomprehendingwhatisaffirmedordeniedineachproposition（thoughthatgreatreadersdonotalwaysthinkthemselvesconcernedpreciselytodo），buttoseeandfollowsthetrainofhisreasonings，observethestrengthandclearnessoftheirconnectionandexamineuponWhattheybottom。
　　Withoutthisamanmayreadthediscoursesofaveryrationalauthor，writinalanguageandinpropositionsthatheverywellunderstands，andyetacquirenotonejotofhisknowledge；whichconsistingonlyintheperceived，certainorprobableconnectionoftheideasmadeuseofinhisreasonings，thereader’sknowledgeisnofurtherincreasedthanheperceivesthat，somuchasheseesofthisconnection，somuchheknowsofthetruthorprobabilityofthatauthor’sopinions。
　　Allthathereliesonwithoutthisperceptionhetakesupontrustupontheauthor’screditwithoutanyknowledgeofitatall。Thismakesmenotatallwondertoseesomemensoaboundincitationsandbuildsomuchuponauthorities，itbeingthesolefoundationonwhichtheybottommostoftheirowntenets：sothatineffecttheyhavebutasecondhandorimplicitknowledge，[064]i。e。areintherightifsuchanonefromwhomtheyborroweditwereintherightinthatopinionwhichtheytookfromhim，Whichindeedisnoknowledgeatall。Writersofthisorformerartsmaybegoodwitnessesofmattersoffactwhichtheydeliver，whichwemaydowelltotakeupontheirauthority；
　　buttheircreditcangonofurtherthanthis；itcannotatallaffectthetruthandfalsehoodofopinions，whichhaveanothersortoftrialbyreasonandproof，whichtheythemselvesmadeuseoftomakethemselvesknowing，andsomustotherstoothatwillpartakeintheirknowledge。Indeeditisanadvantagethattheyhavebeenatthepainstofindouttheproofsandlaytheminthatorderthatmayshowthetruthorprobabilityoftheirconclusions；andforthisweowethemgreatacknowledgmentsforsavingusthepainsinsearchingoutthoseproofswhichtheyhavecollectedforusandwhichpossibly，afterallourpains，wemightnothavefoundnorbeenabletosettheminsogoodalightasthatwhichtheyleftthemusin。Uponthisaccountwearemightilybeholdingtojudiciouswritersofallagesforthosediscoveriesanddiscoursestheyhaveleftbehindthemforourinstruction，ifweknowhowtomakearightuseofthem；whichisnottorunthemoverinahastyperusalandperhapslodgetheiropinionsorsomeremarkablepassagesinourmemories，buttoenterintotheirreasonings，examinetheirproofs，andthenjudgeofthetruthorfalsehood，probabilityorimprobabilityofwhattheyadvance，notbyanyopinionwehaveentertainedoftheauthor，butbytheevidenceheproducesandtheconvictionheaffordsusdrawnfromthingsthemselves。Knowingisseeing，and，ifitbeso，itismadnesstopersuadeourselvesthatwedosobeanotherman’seyes，lethimuseneversomanywordstotellusthatwhatheassertsisveryvisible。Tillweourselvesseeitwithourowneyesandperceiveitbyourownunderstandings，weareasmuchinthedarkandasvoidofknowledgeasbefore，letusbelieveanylearnedauthorasmuchaswewill。
　　EuclidandArchimedesareallowedtobeknowingandtohavedemonstratedwhattheysay；andyetwhosoevershallreadovertheirwritingswithoutperceivingtheconnectionoftheirproofsandseeingwhattheyknew，thoughhemayunderstandalltheirwords，yetheisnotthemoreknowing；
　　hemaybelieveindeedbutdoesnotknowwhattheysay，andsoisnotadvancedonejotinmathematicalknowledgebyallhisreadingofthoseapprovedmathematicians。
　　Section25。Haste。Theeagernessandstrongbentofthemindafterknowledge，ifnotwarilyregulated，isoftenahindrancetoit。Itstillpressesintofurtherdiscoveriesandnewobjectsandcatchesatthevarietyofknowledge，andthereforeoftenstaysnotlongenoughonwhatisbeforeittolookintoitasitshould，forhastetopursuewhatisyetoutofsight。Hethatridespostthroughacountrymaybeablefromthetransientviewtotellhowingeneralthepartslie，andmaybeabletogivesomeloosedescriptionofhereamountainandthereaplain，hereamorassandthereariver，woodlandinonepartandsavannasinanother。Suchsuperficialideasandobservationsasthesehemaycollectingallopingorerit。Butthemoreusefulobservationsofthesoil，plants，animalsandinhabitantswiththeirseveralsortsandpropertiesmustnecessarilyescapehim；anditisseldommeneverdiscovertherichmineswithoutsomedigging。
　　Naturecommonlylodgeshertreasureandjewelsinrockyground。
　　Ifthematterbeknottyandthesenseliesdeep，themindmuststopandbuckletoitandstickuponitwithlabourandthoughtandclosecontemplation，andnotleaveittillithasmasteredthedifficultyandgotpossessionoftruth。Butherecaremustbetakentoavoidtheotherextreme：amanmustnotstickateveryuselessnicetyandexpectmysteriesofscienceineverytrivialquestionorscruplethathemayraise。HethatMillstandtopickupandexamineeverypebblethatcomesinhiswayisasunlikelytoreturnenrichedandloadedwithjewelsastheotherthattraveledfullspeed。TruthsarenotthebetternortheWorsefortheirobviousnessordifficulty，buttheirvalueistobemeasuredbytheirusefulnessandtendency。[065]Insignificant[066]observationsshouldnottakeupanyofourminutes，andthosethatenlargeourviewandgivelighttowardsfurtherandusefuldiscoveriesshouldnotbeneglected，thoughtheystopourcourseandspendsomeofourtimeinafixedattention。
　　Thereisanotherhastethatdoesoftenandwillmisleadthemind，ifitbelefttoitselfanditsownconduct。Theunderstandingisnaturallyforward，notonlytolearnitsknowledgebyvariety（whichmakesitskipoveronetogetspeedilytoanotherpartofknowledge），butalsoeagertoenlargeitsviewsbyrunningtoofastintogeneralobservationsandconclusionswithoutadueexaminationofparticularsenoughwhereontofoundthosegeneralaxioms。Thisseemstoenlargetheirstock，butitisoffanciesnotrealities；suchtheoriesbuiltuponnarrowfoundationsstandbutweakly，and，iftheyfallnotofthemselves，areatleastveryhardlytobesupportedagainsttheassaultsofopposition。
　　Andthusmen，beingtoohastytoerecttothemselvesgeneralnotionsandillgroundedtheories，findthemselvesdeceivedintheirstockofknowledgewhentheycometoexaminetheirhastilyassumedmaximsthemselvesortohavethemattackedbyothers。Generalobservationsdrawnfromparticularsarethejewelsofknowledge，comprehendinggreatstoreinalittleroom；buttheyarethereforetobemadewiththegreatercareandcaution，lest，ifwetakecounterfeitfortrue，ourlossandshamebethegreaterwhenourstockcomestoaseverescrutiny。
　　Oneortwoparticularsmaysuggesthintsofenquiry，andtheydowellwhotakethosehints；butiftheyturnthemintoconclusionsandmakethempresentlygeneralrules，theyareforwardindeed，butitisonlytoimposeonthemselvesbypropositionsassumedfortruthswithoutsufficientwarrant。Tomakesuchobservationsis，ashasbeenalreadyremarked，[067]tomaketheheadamagazineofmaterialswhichcanhardlybecalledknowledge，oratleastitisbutlikeacollectionoflumbernotreducedtouseororder；andhethatmakeseverythinganobservationhasthesameuselessplentyandmuchmorefalsehoodmixedwithit。Theextremesonbothsidesaretobeavoided，andhewillbeabletogivethebestaccountofhisstudieswhokeepshisunderstandingintherightmeanbetweenthem。
　　Section26。Anticipation。Whetheritbealoveofthatwhichbringsthefirstlightandinformationtotheirmindsandwantofvigorandindustrytoenquire，orelsethatmencontentthemselveswithanyappearanceofknowledge，rightorwrong，whichwhentheyhaveoncegottheywillholdfast，thisisvisible，thatmanymengivethemselvesuptothefirstanticipationsoftheirmindsandareverytenaciousoftheopinionsthatfirstpossessthem。Theyareoftenasfondoftheirfirstconceptionsasoftheirfirstborn，andwillbynomeansrecedefromthejudgmenttheyhaveoncemadeoranyconjectureorconceitwhichtheyhaveonceentertained。Thisisafaultintheconductoftheunderstanding，sincethisfirmnessorratherstiffnessofthemindisnotfromanadherencetotruthbutasubmissiontoprejudice。Itisanunreasonablehomagepaidtoprepossession，wherebyweshowareverencenotto（whatwepretendtoseek）
　　truth，butwhatbyhaphazardwechancetolightonebeitwhatitwill。Thisisvisiblyapreposteroususeofourfacultiesandisadownrightprostitutingofthemindtoresignitthusandputitunderthepowerofthefirstcomer。Thiscanneverbeallowedoroughttobefollowedasarightwaytoknowledge，tilltheunderstanding（whosebusinessitistoconformitselftowhatitfindsontheobjectswithout）canbyitsownopiniatretychangethatandmaketheunalterablenatureofthingscomplywithitsownhastydeterminations，whichwillneverbe。Whateverwefancy，thingskeeptheircourse，andtheirhabitudes，correspondencesandrelationskeepthesametooneanother。
　　Section27。Resignation。Contrarytothese，butbyalikedangerousexcessontheotherside，arethosewhoalwaysresigntheirjudgmenttothelastmantheyheardorread。Truthneversinksintothesemen’smindsnorgivesanytincturetothem，but，chameleon—like，theytakethecolourofwhatislaidbeforethemandassoonloseandresignittothenextthathappenstocomeintheirway。Theorderwhereinopinionsareproposedorreceivedbyusisnoruleoftheirrectitudenoroughttobeacauseoftheirpreference。Firstorlastinthiscaseistheeffectofchanceandnotthemeasureoftruthorfalsehood。
　　Thiseveryonemustconfessandthereforeshouldinthepursuitoftruthkeephismindfreefromtheinfluenceofanysuchaccidents。Amanmayasreasonablydrawcutsforhistenets，regulatehispersuasionbythecastofadie，astakeitupforitsnoveltyorretainitbecauseithadhisfirstassentandhewasneverofanothermind。
　　Wellweighedreasonsaretodeterminethejudgment；thosethemindshouldbealwaysreadytohearkenandsubmittoandbytheirtestimonyandsuffrageentertainorrejectanytenetindifferently，whetheritbeaperfectstrangeroranoldacquaintance。
　　Section28。Practice。Thoughthefacultiesofthemindareimprovedbyexercise，yettheymustnotbeputtoastressbeyondtheirstrength。
　　Quidvaleanthumeri，quidferrerecusent[068]mustbemadethemeasureofeveryone’sunderstandingwhohasadesirenotonlytoperformwellbuttokeepupthevigorofhisfacultiesandnottobalkhisunderstandingbywhatistoohardforit。Themind，bybeingengagedinataskbeyonditsstrength，likethebodystrainedbyliftingataweighttooheavy，hasoftenitsforcebrokenandtherebygetsanineptnessoranaversiontoanyvigorousattempteverafter。A
　　sinewcrackedseldomrecoversitsformerstrength，oratleastthetendernessofthesprainremainsagoodwhileafterandthememoryofitlonger，andleavesalastingcautioninthemannottoputthepartquicklyagaintoanyrobustemployment。Soitfaresinthemindoncejadedbyanattemptaboveitspower；
　　iteitherisdisabledforthefutureorelsechecksatanyvigorousundertakingeverafter，atleastisveryhardlybroughttoexertitsforceagainonanysubjectthatrequiresthoughtandmeditation。Theunderstandingshouldbebroughttothedifficultandknottypartsofknowledge，thattrythestrengthofthought，andafullbentofthemindbyinsensibledegrees；[069]andinsuchagradualproceedingnothingistoohardforit。Norletitbeobjectedthatsuchaslowprogresswillneverreachtheextentofsomesciences。Itisnottobeimaginedhowfarconstancywillcarryaman；however，itisbetterwalkingslowlyinaruggedwaythantobreakalegandbeacripple。Hethatbeginswiththecalfmaycarrytheox；buthethatwillatfirstgototakeupanoxmaysodisablehimselfasnotbeabletoliftacalfafterthat。Whenthemindbyinsensibledegreeshasbroughtitselftoattentionandclosethinking，itwillbeabletocopewithdifficultiesandmasterthemwithoutanyprejudicetoitself，andthenitmaygoonroundly。Everyabstruseproblem，everyintricatequestionwillnotbaffle，discourageorbreakit。Butthoughputtingthemindunprepareduponanunusualstressthatmaydiscourageordampitforthefutureoughttobeavoided，yetthismustnotrunit，byanovergreatshynessofdifficulties，intoalazysaunteringaboutordinaryandobviousthingsthatdemandnothoughtorapplication。Thisdebasesandenervatestheunderstanding，makesitweakandunfitforlabour。Thisisasortofhoveringaboutthesurfaceofthingswithoutanyinsightintothemorpenetration；andwhenthemindhasbeenoncehabituatedtothislazyrecumbencyandsatisfactionontheobvioussurfaceofthings，itisindangertorestsatisfiedthereandgonodeeper，sinceitcannotdoitwithoutpainsanddigging。Hethathasforsometimeaccustomedhimselftotakeupwithwhateasilyoffersitselfatfirstview，hasreasontofearheshallneverreconcilehimselftothefatigueofturningandtumblingthingsinhismindtodiscovertheirmoreretiredandmorevaluablesecrets。
　　Itisnotstrangethatmethodsoflearningwhichscholarshavebeenaccustomedtointheirbeginningandentranceuponthesciencesshouldinfluencethemalltheirlivesandbesettledintheirmindsbyanover—rulingreverence，especiallyiftheybesuchasuniversalusehasestablished。Learnersmustatfirstbebelievers，and，theirmaster’sruleshavingoncebeenmadeaxiomstothem，itisnowondertheyshouldkeepthatdignity[070]andbytheauthoritytheyhaveoncegotmisleadthosewhothinkitsufficienttoexcusethemiftheygooutoftheirwayinawellbeatentract。
　　Section29。Words。Ihavecopiouslyenoughspokenoftheabuseofwordsinanotherplace[071]andthereforeshalluponthisreflection，thatthesciencesarefullofthem，warnthosethatwouldconducttheirunderstandingsrightnottotakeanyterm，howsoeverauthorizedbythelanguageoftheschools，tostandforanythingtilltheyhaveanideaofit。Awordmaybeoffrequentuseandgreatcreditwithseveralauthorsandbebythemmadeuseofasifitstoodforsomerealbeing；butMet，ifhethatreadscannotframeanydistinctideaofthatbeing，itiscertain[ly]tohimamereemptysoundwithoutameaning，andhelearnsnomorebyallthatissaidofitorattributedtoitthanifitwereaffirmedonlyofthatbareemptysound。Theywhowouldadvanceinknowledgeandnotdeceiveandswellthemselveswithalittlearticulatedairshouldlaydolorthisasafundamentalrule，nottotakewordsforthingsnorsupposethatnamesinboozessignifyrealentitiesinnaturetilltheycanframeclearanddistinctideasofthoseentities。ItwillnotperhapsbeallowedifI
　　shouldsetdown"substantialforms"and"intentionalspecies"[072]assuchthatmayjustlybesuspectedtobeofthiskindofinsignificantterms。ButthisIamsure，toonethatcanformnodeterminedideasofChattheystandfortheysignifynothingatall；andallthathethinksheknowsaboutthemistohimsomuchknowledgeaboutnothingandamountsatmostbuttoalearnedignorance。
　　Itisnotwithoutallreasonsupposedthattherearemanysuchemptytermstobefoundinsomelearnedwriters，towhichtheyhadrecoursetoetch[073]outtheirsostemswheretheirunderstandingscouldnotfurnishthemwithconceptionsfromthings。
　　ButyetIbelievethesupposingofsomerealitiesinnatureansweringthoseandthelikewordshavemuchperplexedsomeandquitemisledothersinthestudyofnature。Thatwhichinanydiscoursesignifies"Iknownotwhat"
　　[074]shouldbeconsidered"Iknownotwhen。"Wheremenhaveanyconceptions，theycan，iftheyareneversoabstruseorabstracted，explainthemandthetermstheyuseforthem。Forourconceptionsbeingnothingbutideas，whichareallmadeupofsimpleones，[075]iftheycannotgiveustheideastheirwordsstandfor，itisplaintheyhavenone。Towhatpurposecanitbetohuntafterhisconceptionswhohasnoneornonedistinct？Hethatknewnotwhathehimselfmeantbyalearnedtermcannotmakeusknowanythingbyhisuseofit，letusbeatourheadsaboutitneversolong。Whetherweareabletocomprehendalltheoperationsofnatureandthemannersofthem，itmattersnottoenquire；butthisiscertain，thatwecancomprehendnomoreofthemthanwecandistinctlyconceive；andthereforetoobtrudetermswhereMehavenodistinctconceptions，asiftheydidcontainorratherconcealsomething，isbutanartificeoflearnedvanitytocoveradefectinahypothesisorourunderstandings。Wordsarenotmadetoconceal，buttodeclareandshowsomething；wheretheyare，bythosewhopretendtoinstruct，otherwiseused，theyconcealindeedsomething；butthattheyconcealisnothingbuttheignorance，errororsophistryofthetalker，forthereis，intruth，nothingelseunderthem。
　　Section30。Wandering。ThatthereisconstantsuccessionandfluxofideasinourmindsIhaveobservedintheformerpartofthisessay[076]
　　andeveryonemaytakenoticeofitinhimself。ThisIsupposemaydeservesomepartofourcareintheconductofourunderstandings；andIthinkitmaybeofgreatadvantageifatecanbyusegetthatpoweroverourmindsastobeabletodirectthattrainofideas，thatso，sincethereMillnewonesperpetuallycomeintoourthoughtsbyaconstantsuccession，wemaybeablebychoicesotodirectthem，thatnonemaycomeintoviewbutsuchasarepertinenttoourpresentenquiry，andinsuchorderasmaybemostusefultothediscoveryweareupon；oratleast，ifsomeforeignandunsoughtideaswillofferthemselves，thatyetwemightbeabletorejectthemandkeepthemfromtakingoffourmindsfromitspresentpursuitandhinderthemfromrunningawaywithourthoughtsquitefromthesubjectinhand。Thisisnot，Isuspect，soeasytobedoneasperhapsmaybeimagined；andyet，foroughtIknow，thismaybe，ifnotthechief，yetoneofthegreatdifferencesthatcarrysomemenintheirreasoningsofarbeyondothers，wheretheyseemtobenaturallyofequalparts。
　　AproperandeffectualremedyforthiswanderingofthoughtsIwouldbegladtofind。Hethatshallproposesuchaonewoulddogreatservicetothestudiousandcontemplativepartofmankindandperhapshelpunthinkingmentobecomethinking。ImustacknowledgethathithertoIhavediscoverednootherwaytokeepourthoughtsclosetotheirbusinessbuttheendeavoringasmuchaswecanandbyfrequentattentionandapplicationgettingthehabitofattentionandapplication。Hethatwillobservechildrenwillfindthat，evenwhentheyendeavortheiruttermost，theycannotkeeptheirmindsfromstraggling。
　　Thewaytocureit，Iamsatisfied，isnotangrychidingorbeating[077]forthatpresentlyfillstheirheadswithalltheideasthatfear，dread，orconfusioncanoffertothem。
　　Tobringbackgentlytheirwanderingthoughtsbyleadingthemintothepathandgoingbeforetheminthetraintheyshouldpursue，withoutanyrebukeorsomuchastakingnotice（whereitcanbeavoided）oftheirroving，Isupposewouldsoonerreconcileandinurethemtoattentionthanallthoseroughermethodswhichmoredistracttheirthoughtand，hinderingtheapplicationtheywouldpromote，introduceacontraryhabit。
　　Section31。Distinction。Distinctionanddivision[078]are（ifImistakenottheimportofthewords）verydifferentthings，theonebeingtheperceptionofadifferencethatnaturehasplacedinthings，theotherourmakingadivisionwherethereisyetnone。Atleast，ifImaybepermittedtoconsidertheminthissense，IthinkImaysayofthemthatoneofthemisthemostnecessaryandconducivetotrueknowledgethatcanbe，theother，whentoomuchmadeuseof，servesonlytopuzzleandconfoundtheunderstanding。Toobserveeverytheleastdifferencethatisinthingsarguesaquickandclearsight，andthiskeepstheunderstandingsteadyandrightinitswaytoknowledge。Butthoughitbeusefultodiscerneveryvariety[that]istobefoundinnature，yetitisnotconvenient[079]toconsidereverydifferencethatisinthingsanddividethemintodistinctclassesundereverysuchdifference。Thiswillrunus，iffollowed，intoparticulars（foreveryindividualhassomethingthatdifferencesitfromanother），andweshallbeabletoestablishnogeneraltruths，orelseatleastshallbeapttoperplexthemindaboutthem。ThecollectionofseveralthingsintoseveralclassesgivesthemindmoregeneralandlargerViennesebutwemusttakecaretounitethemonlyinthatandsofarastheydoagree，forsofartheymaybeunitedundertheconsideration。Forentity[080]itselfthatcomprehendrationalconceptions。Ifwewouldwellsleighandkeepinourmindswhatitisweareconsidering，thatwouldbestinstructusAshenweshouldorshouldnotbranchintofurtherdistinctions，whicharetobetakenonlyfromaduecontemplationofthings；towhichthereisnothingmoreoppositethantheartofverbaldistinctions，madeatpleasureinlearnedandarbitrarilyinventedterms，tobeappliedataventurewithoutcomprehendingorconceivinganydistinctnotions，andsoaltogetherfittedtoartificialtalkoremptynoiseindisputewithoutanyclearingofdifficultiesoradvanceinknowledge。
　　WhatsoeversubjectweexamineandShouldgetknowledgeinlieshould，Ithink，makeasgeneralandaslargeasittrillbear；norcantherebeanydangerofthisiftheideaofitbesettledanddetermined；[081]forifthatbeso，weshalleasilydistinguishitfromanyotheridea，thoughcomprehendedunderthesamename。Foritistofenceagainsttheentanglementsofequivocalwordsandthegreatartofsophistrywhichliesinthemthatdistinctionshavebeenmultipliedandtheirusethoughtsonecessary。Buthadeverydistinctabstractideaadistinctknownname，therewouldbelittleneedofthesemultipliedscholasticdistinctions，thoughtherewouldbeneverthelessasmuchneedstillofthemind’sobservingthedifferencesthatareinthingsanddiscriminatingthemtherebyonefromanother。
　　Itisnotthereforetherightwaytoknotsledgetohuntafterandfilltheheadwithabundanceofartificialandscholasticdistinctions，wherewithlearnedmen’swritingsareoftenfilled；andwesometimesfindThattheytreatofsodividedandsubdividedthatthemindofthemostattentivereaderlosesthesightofit，asitismorethanprobablethewriterhimselfdid；forinthingscrumbledintodustitisinvaintoaffectorpretendorderorexpectclearness。
　　Toavoidconfusionbytoofewortoomanydivisionsisagreatskillinthinkingaswellaswriting，whichisbutthecopyingourthoughts；butwhataretheboundariesofthemeanbetweenthetwoviciousexcessesonbothhands，Ithinkishardtosetdowninwords；clearanddistinctideas[082]isallthatIyetknowabletoregulateit。
　　Butastoverbaldistinctionsreceivedandappliedtocommonterms，i。e。
　　equivocalwords，theyaremoreproperly，Ithink，thebusinessofcriticismsanddictionariesthanofrealknowledgeandphilosophy，sincetheyforthemostpartexplainthemeaningofwordsandgiveustheirseveralsignifications。
　　Thedexterousmanagementoftermsandbeingableto"fend"and"prove"
　　[083]withthemIknowhasanddoespassintheworldforagreatpartoflearning；butitislearningdistinctfromknowledge，forknowledgeconsistsonlyinperceivingthehabitudesandrelationsofideasonetoanother，whichisdonewithoutwords；
　　theinterventionofasoundhelpsnothingtoit。Andhenceweseethatthereisleastuseofdistinctionswherethereismostknowledge；Imeaninmathematics，wheremenhavedeterminedideaswithknownnamestothem；andso，therebeingnoroomforequivocations，thereisnoneedofdistinctions。
　　Inarguing，theopponentusesascomprehensiveandequivocaltermsashecan，toinvolvehisadversaryinthedoubtfulnessofhisexpressions；thisisexpected，andthereforetheanswereronhissidemakesithisplaytodistinguishasmuchashecanandthinkshecanneverdoittoomuch；norcanheindeedinthatwaywhereinvictorymaybehadwithouttruthandwithoutknowledge。Thisseemstometobetheartofdisputing。Useyourwordsascautiouslyasyoucaninyourarguingononeside，andapplydistinctionsasmuchasyoucanontheothersidetoeverytermtononplusyouropponent；sothatinthissortofscholarship，therebeingnoboundssettodistinguishing，somemenhavethoughtallacutenesstohavelaininit；andthereforeinalltheyhalereadorthoughton，theirgreatbusinesshasbeentoamusethemselveswithdistinctionsandmultiplytothemselvesdivisions，atleast，morethanthenatureofthethingrequired。Thereseemstome，asIsaid，tobenootherruleforthisbutadueandrightconsiderationofthingsastheyareinthemselves。Hethathassettledinhisminddeterminedideaswithnamesaffixedtothemwillbeablebothtodiscerntheirdifferencesonefromanother（whichisreallydistinguishing）
　　and，wherethepenuryofwordsaffordsnottermsansweringeverydistinctidea，willbeabletoapplyproperdistinguishingtermstothecomprehensiveandequivocalnamesheisforcedtomakeuseof。ThisisalltheneedIknowofdistinguishingterms；andinsuchverbaldistinctionseachtermofthedistinction，joinedtothatwhosesignificationitdistinguishes，isbutanewdistinctnameforadistinctidea。
　　Wheretheyaresoandmenhaveclearanddistinctconceptionsthatanswertheirverbaldistinctions，theyareright，andarepertinentasfarastheyservetoclearanythinginthesubjectunderconsideration。Andthisisthatwhichseemstometheproperandonlymeasureofdistinctionsanddivisions；
　　whichhethatwillconducthisunderstandingrightmustnotlookforintheacutenessofinventionnortheauthorityofwriters，butwillfindonlyintheconsiderationofthingsthemselves，whethertheyareledintoitbytheirownmeditationsortheinformationofbooks。
　　Anaptnesstojumblethingstogetherwhereincanbefoundanylikenessisafaultintheunderstandingontheothersidewhichwillnotfailtomisleaditand，bythuslumpingofthings，hinderthemindfromdistinctandaccurateconceptionsofthem。
　　Section32。Similes。Towhichletmehereaddanothernearofkintothis，atleastinname，andthatislettingtheminduponthesuggestionofanynewnotionrunimmediatelyaftersimilestomakeittheclearertoitself；which，thoughitmanbeagoodwayandusefulintheexplainingourthoughtstoothers，yetitisbynomeansarightmethodtosettletruenotionsofanythinginourselves，becausesimilesalwaysfailinsomepartandcomeshortofthatexactnesswhichourconceptionsshouldhavetothings，ifwewouldthinkaright。
　　[084]Thisindeedmakesmenplausibletalkers；forthosearealwaysmostacceptableindiscoursewhohavethewastoletintheirthoughtsintoothermen’smindswiththegreatesteaseandfacilitywhetherthosethoughtsarewellformedandcorrespondwiththingsmattersnot；fewmencaretobeinstructedbutataneasyrate。Theywhointheirdiscoursestrikethefancyandtakethehearers’conceptionsalongwiththemasfastastheirwordsflow，aretheapplaudedtalkersandgofortheonlymenofclearthoughts。
　　Nothingcontributessomuchtothisassimiles，wherebymenthinkthisthemselvesunderstandbetterbecausetheyarethebetterunderstood。Butitisonethingtothinkrightandanotherthingtoknowtherightwaytolayourthoughtsbeforeotherswithadvantageandclearness，betheyrightorwrong。Wellchosensimiles，metaphorsandallegories，withmethodandorder，dothisthebestofanything，because，beingtakenfromobjectsalreadyknownandfamiliartotheunderstanding，theyareconceivedasfastasspoken；andthecorrespondencebeingconcluded，thethingtheyarebroughttoexplainandelucidateisthoughttobeunderstoodtoo。
　　Thusfancypassesforknowledge，andwhatisprettilysaidismistakenforsolid。
　　Isaynotthistodecrymetaphor，orwithdesigntotakeawaythatornamentofspeech；mybusinesshereisnotwithrhetoriciansandorators，butwithphilosophersandloversoftruth；towhomIwouldbegleavetogivethisonerulewherebytotrywhether，intheapplicationoftheirthoughtstoanythingfortheimprovementoftheirknowledge，theydointruthcomprehendthematterbeforethemreallysuchasitisinitself。Thewaytodiscoverthisistoobservewhether，inthelayingitbeforethemselvesorothers，theymakeuseonlyofborrowedrepresentationsandideasforeigntothething，whichareappliedtoitbywayofaccommodation，asbearingsomeproportionorimaginedlikenesstothesubjectunderconsideration。Figuredandmetaphoricalexpressionsdowelltoillustratemoreabstruseandunfamiliarideaswhichthemindisnotyetthoroughlyaccustomedto；butthentheymustbemadeuseoftoillustrateideasthatwealreadyhave，nottopainttousthosewhichweyethavenot。
　　Suchborrowedandallusiveideasmayfollowrealandsolidtruth，tosetitoffwhenfound，butmustbynomeansbesetinitsplaceandtakenforit。Ifalloursearchhasyetreachednofurtherthansimileandmetaphor，wemayassureourselvesweratherfancythanknowandarenotyetpenetratedintotheinsideandrealityofthething，beitwhatitwill，butcontentourselveswithwhatourimaginations，notthingsthemselves，furnishuswith。
　　Section33。Assent。[085]Inthewholeconductoftheunderstandingthereisnothingofmoremomentthantoknowwhenandwhereandhowfartogiveassent，andpossiblythereisnothingharder。Itisveryeasilysaid，andnobodyquestionsit，thatgivingandwithholdingourassent，andthedegreesofit，shouldberegulatedbytheevidencewhichthingscarrywiththem；
　　andyetweseemenarenotthebetterforthisrule；somefirmlyembracedoctrinesuponslightgrounds，someuponnogrounds，andsomecontrarytoappearance。
　　Someadmitofcertaintyandarenottobemovedinwhattheyhold；
　　otherswaverineverything，andtherewantnotthosethatrejectallasuncertain。
　　Whatthenshallanovice，anenquirer，astrangerdointhecase？Ianswer，usehiseyes。