Thereisacorrespondenceinthings，andagreementanddisagreementinideas，discernibleinverydifferentdegrees，andthereareeyesinmentoseethemiftheyplease，onlytheireyesmaybedimmedordazzledandthediscerningsightinthemimpairedorlost。Interestandpassiondazzle；thecustomofarguingonanysideevenagainstourpersuasions，dimstheunderstandingandmakesitbydegreeslosethefacultyofdiscerningclearlybetweentruthandfalsehood，andsoofadheringtotherightside。Itisnotsafetoplaywitherroranddressituptoourselvesorothersintheshapeoftruth。Themindbydegreeslosesitsnaturalrelishofrealsolidtruth，isreconciledinsensiblytoanythingthatcanbutbedressedupintoanyfaint[086]appearanceofit；andifthefancybeallowedtheplaceofjudgementatfirstinsport，itafterwardscomesbyusetousurpit，andwhatisrecommendedbythisflatterer（thatstudiesbuttoplease）isreceivedforgood。Therearesomanywaysoffallacy，suchartsofgivingcolors，appearancesandresemblance’sbythiscourt—dresser，thefancy，thathewhoisnotwarytoadmitnothingbuttruthitself，verycarefulnottomakehismindsubservienttoanythingelse，cannotbutbecaught。Hethathasamindtobelievehashalfassentedalready；andhethatbyoftenarguingagainsthisownsenseimposesfalsehoodsonothersisnotfarfrombelievinghimself。Thistakesawaythegreatdistancethereisbetwixttruthandfalsehood；
　　itbringsthemalmosttogetherandmakesitnogreatodds，inthingsthatapproachsonear，whichyoutake；andwhenthingsarebroughttothatpass，passionorinterest，etc。，easilyandwithoutbeingperceiveddeterminewhichshallbetheright。
　　Section34。Indifferency。[087]Ihavesaidabovethatweshouldkeepaperfectindifferenceforallopinions，notwishanyofthemtrueortrytomakethemappearso，but，beingindifferent，receiveandembracethemaccordingasevidenceandthatalonegivestheattestationoftruth。Theythatdothus，i。e。
　　keeptheirmindsindifferenttoopinions，tobedeterminedonlybyevidence，willalwaysfindtheunderstandinghasperceptionenoughtodistinguishbetweenevidenceornoevidence，betwixtplainanddoubtful；andiftheyneithergivenorrefusetheirassentbutbythatmeasure，theywillbesafeintheopinionstheyhave。Whichbeingperhapsbutfew，thiscautionwillhavealsothisgoodinit，thatitstillputthemuponconsideringandteachthemthenecessityofexaminingmorethantheydo；withoutwhichthemindisbutareceptacleofinconsistencies，notthestorehouseoftruths。Theythatdonotkeepupthisindifferenceinthemselvesforallbuttruth，notsupposed，butevidencedinthemselves，putcoloredspectaclesbeforetheireyesandlookonthingsthroughfalseglasses，andthenthinkthemselvesexcusedinfollowingthefalseappearanceswhichtheythemselvesputuponthem。Idonotexpectthatbythiswaytheassentshouldineveryonebeproportionedtothegroundsandclearnesswherewitheverytruthiscapabletobemadeout，orthatmenshouldbeperfectlykeptfromerror；thatismorethanhumannaturecanbyanymeansbeadvancedto；Iaimatnosuchunattainableprivilege；Iamonlyspeakingofwhattheyshoulddowhowoulddealfairlywiththeirownmindsandmakearightuseoftheirfacultiesinthepursuitoftruth；wefailthemagreatdealmorethantheyfailus。Itismismanagementmorethanwantofabilitiesthatmenhavereasontocomplainofandwhichtheyactuallydocomplainofinthosethatdifferfromthem。Hethatbyanindifferencyforallbuttruthsuffersnothisassenttogofasterthanhisevidence，norbeyondit，willlearntoexamineandexaminefairlyinsteadofpresuming，andnobodywillbeatalossorindangerforwantofembracingthosetruthswhicharenecessaryinhisstationandcircumstances。Inanyotherwaybutthisalltheworldareborntoorthodoxy；theyimbibeatfirsttheallowedopinionsoftheircountryandparts，andso，neverquestioningtheirtruth，notoneofahundredeverexamines。Theyareapplaudedforpresumingtheyareintheright。Hethatconsidersisafoetoorthodoxy，becausepossiblyhemaydeviatefromsomeofthereceiveddoctrinesthere。Andthusmenwithoutanyindustryoracquisitionoftheirowninheritlocaltruths（foritisnotthesameeverywhere）andareinuredtoassentwithoutevidence。
　　Thisinfluencesfurtherthanisthought；forwhatoneofahundredofthezealousbigotsinallpartieseverexaminedthetenetsheissostiffinoreverthoughtithisbusinessordutysotodo？Itissuspectedoflukewarmnesstosupposeitnecessaryandatendencytoapostasytogoaboutit。Andifamancanbringhismindoncetobepositiveandfierceforpositionswhoseevidencehehasneveronceexamined，andthatinmattersofgreatestconcernmenttohim，Whatshallkeephimfromthisshortandeasywayofbeingintherightincasesoflessmoment？Thusevearetaughttoclotheourmindsaswedoourbodiesafterthefashioninvogue，anditisaccountedfantasticalnessorsomethingworsenottodoso。Thiscustom（whichwhodaresoppose？）makestheshort—sightedbigotsandthewarierskeptics，[088]asfarasitprevails。Andthosethatbreakfromitareindangerofheresy；for，takingtheWholeworld，howmuchofitdoestruthandorthodoxypossesstogether？Thoughitisbythelastalone（whichhasthegoodlucktobeeverywhere）thaterrorandheresyarejudgedof；forargumentandevidencesignifynothinginthecaseandexcusenowhere，butaresuretobebornedowninallsocietiesbytheinfallibleorthodoxyoftheplace。Whetherthisbethewaytotruthandrightassent，lettheopinionsthattakeplaceandprescribeintheseveralhabitablepartsoftheearthdeclare。
　　Ineversawanyreasonyetwhytruthmightnotbetrustedtoitsownevidence；
　　Iamsure，ifthatbenotabletosupportit，thereisnofenceagainsterror，andthentruthandfalsehoodarebutnamesthatstandforthesamethings。Evidence，therefore，isthatbywhichaloneeverymanis（andshouldbe）
　　taughttoregulatehisassent，whoisthenandthenonlyintherightwaywhenhefollowsit。
　　Mendeficientinknowledgeareusuallyinoneofthesethreestates：
　　eitherwhollyignorant；orasdoubtingofsomepropositiontheyhaveeitherembracedformerlyoratpresentareinclinedto；or，lastly，theydowithassuranceholdandprofesswithouteverhavingexaminedandbeingconvincedbywell—groundedarguments。
　　Thefirstoftheseareinthebeststateofthethree，byhavingtheirmindsyetintheirperfectfreedomandindifferency，thelikeliertopursuetruththebetter，havingnobiasyetclappedontomisleadthem。[089]
　　Section35。Forignorancewithanindifferencefortruthisnearertoitthanopinionwithungroundedinclination，whichisthegreatsourceoferror；andtheyaremoreindangertogooutofthewaywhoaremarchingundertheconductofaguidethatitisahundredtoonewillmisleadthem，thanhethathasnotyettakenastepandislikeliertobeprevailedontoenquireaftertherightway。Thelastofthethreesortsareintheworstconditionofall；forifamancanbepersuadedandfullyassuredofanythingforatruthwithouthavingexamined，whatistherethathemaynotembracefortruth？Andifhehasgivenhimselfuptobelievealie，whatmeansistherelefttorecoveronewhocanbeassuredwithoutexamining？TotheothertwothisIcraveleavetosaythat，ashethatisignorantisinthebeststateofthetrio，soheshouldpursuetruthinamethodsuitabletothatstate，i。e。byenquiringdirectlyintothenatureofthethingitselfwithoutmindingtheopinionsofothersortroublinghimselfwiththeirquestionsordisputesaboutit，buttoseewhathehimselfcan，sincerelysearchingaftertruth，findout。Hethatproceedsuponothers’principlesinhisenquiryintoanysciences，thoughheberesolvedtoexaminethemandjudgeofthemfreely，doesyetatleastputhimselfonthatsideandposthimselfinapartywhichhewillnotquittillhebebeatenout；bywhichthemindisinsensiblyengagedtomakewhatdefenseitcan，andsoisunawaresbiased。Idonotsaybutamanshouldembracesomeopinionwhenhehasexamined，elseheexaminestonopurpose；
　　butthesurestandsafestwayistohavenoopinionatalltillhehasexamined，andthatwithoutanytheleastregardtotheopinionsorsystemsofothermenaboutit。Forexample，wereitmybusinesstounderstandphysic，wouldnotthesaferandreadierwaybetoconsultnatureherselfandinformmyselfinthehistoryofdiseasesandtheircures，than，espousingtheprinciplesofthedogmatists，methodistsorchemists，[090]engageinallthedisputesconcerningeitherofthosesystemsandsupposeittruetillIhavetriedwhattheycansaytobeatmeoutofit？OrsupposingthatHippocrates[091]oranyotherbookinfalliblycontainsthewholeartofphysic，wouldnotthedirectwaybetostudy，readandconsiderthatbook，weighandcomparethepartsofittofindthetruth，ratherthanespousethedoctrinesofanyparty，who，thoughtheyacknowledgehisauthority，havealreadyinterpretedandwithdrawnallhistexttotheirownsenseÑ；thetincturewhereofwhenIhaveimbibed，IammoreindangertomisunderstandhistruemeaningthanifIhadcometohimwithamindunprepossessedbydoctorsandcommentatorsofmysect，whosereasonings，interpretationandlanguage，whichIhavebeenusedto，willofcoursemakeallchimethatwayandmakeanother，andperhapsthegenuine，meaningoftheauthorseemharsh，strainedanduncouthtome。Forwords，havingnaturallynoneoftheirown，carrythatsignificationtothehearerthatheisusedtoputuponthem，whateverbethesenseofhimthatusesthem。This，Ithink，isvisiblyso；andifitbe，hethatbeginstohaveanydoubtofanyofhistenets，whichhereceivedwithoutexamination，oughtasmuchhecantoputhimselfwhollyintothisstateofignoranceinreferencetothatquestionand，throwingwhollybyallhisformernotionsandtheopinionsofothers，examinewithaperfectindifferencethequestioninitssourcewithoutanyinclinationtoeithersideoranyregardtohisorothers’unexaminedopinions。ThisIownisnoeasythingtodo；butIamnotenquiringtheeasywaytoopinion，buttherightwaytotruth，whichtheymustfollowwhowilldealfairlywiththeirownunderstandingsandtheirownsouls。
　　Section36。Question。TheindifferencethatIhereproposewillalsoenablethemtostatethequestionrightwhichtheyareindoubtabout，withoutwhichtheycannevercometoafairandcleardecisionofit。
　　Section37。Perseverance。Anotherfruitfromthisindifferencyandtheconsideringthingsinthemselvesabstractfromourownopinionsandothermen’snotionsanddiscoursesonthemwillbethateachmanwillpursuehisthoughtsinthatmethodwhichwillbemostagreeabletothenatureofthethingandtohisapprehensionofwhatitsuggeststohim；
　　inwhichheoughttoproceedwithregularityandconstancyuntilhecometoawell—groundedresolutionwhereinhemayacquiesce。
　　Ifitbeobjectedthatthiswillrequireeverymantobeascholarandquitallhisotherbusinessandbetakehimselfwhollytostudy，Ianswer，Iproposenomoretoanyonethanhehastimefor。Somemen’sstateandconditionrequiresnogreatextentofknowledge；thenecessaryprovisionforlifeswallowsthegreatestpartoftheirtime。Butoneman’swantofleisureisnoexcusefortheoscitancy[092]andignoranceofthosewhohavetimetospare；andeveryonehasenoughtogetasmuchknowledgeasisrequiredandexpectedofhim，andhethatdoesnotthatisinlovewithignoranceandisaccountableforit。
　　Section38。Presumption。Thevarietyofdistempersinmen’smindsisasgreatasofthoseintheirbodies；someareepidemic，fewescapethem，andeveryonetoo，ifhewouldlookintohimself，wouldfindsomedefectofhisparticulargenius。Thereisscarceanyonewithoutsomeidiosyncrasythathesuffersby。Thismanpresumesuponhispartsthattheywillnotfailhimattimeofneed，andsothinksitsuperfluouslabourtomakeanyprovisionbeforehand。HisunderstandingistohimlikeFortunatus’spurse，[093]whichisalwaystofurnishhimwithouteverputtinganythingintoitbeforehand；andsohesitsstillsatisfiedwithoutendeavoringtostorehisunderstandingwithknowledge。Itisthespontaneousproductofthecountry，andwhatneedoflabourintillage？
　　Suchmenmayspreadtheirnativerichesbeforetheignorant；
　　buttheywerebestnotcometostressandtrialwiththeskillful。Wearebornignorantofeverything。Thesuperficiesofthingsthatsurroundthemmakeimpressionsonthenegligent，butnobodypenetratesintotheinsidewithoutlabour，attentionandindustry。Stonesandtimbergrowofthemselves，butyetthereisnouniformpilewithsymmetryandconveniencetolodgeinwithouttoilandpains。Godhasmadetheintellectualworldharmoniousandbeautifulwithoutus；butitwillnevercomeintoourheadsallatonce；wemustbringithomepiecemealandtheresetitupbyourownindustry，orelseweshallhavenothingbutdarknessandachaoswithin，whateverorderandlighttherebeinthingswithoutus。
　　Section39。Despondency。Ontheothersidethereareothersthatdepresstheirownminds，despondatthefirstdifficulty，andconcludethatthegettinganinsightinanyofthesciencesormakinganyprogressinknowledgefurtherthanservestheirordinarybusinessisabovetheircapacities。Thesesitstill，becausetheythinktheyhavenotlegstogo，astheothersIlastmentioneddo，becausetheythinktheyhavewingstoflyandcansoaronhighwhentheyplease。Totheselatteronemayforanswerapplytheproverb，"Uselegsandhavelegs。"Nobodyknowswhatstrengthofpartshehastillhehastriedthem。Andoftheunderstandingonemaymosttrulysaythatitsforceisgreatergenerallythanitthinkstillitisputtoit。Viresqueacquiriteundo。
　　[094]
　　AndthereforetheproperremedyhereisbuttosetthemindtoworkandapplythethoughtsRigorouslytothebusiness；foritholdsinthestrugglesofthemindasinthoseofwar，dumputantsesincerevicere。
　　[095]Apersuasionthatweshallovercomeanydifficultiesthatwemeetwithinthesciencesseldomfailstocarryusthroughthem。Nobodyknowsthestrengthofhismindandtheforceofsteadyandregularapplicationtillhehastried。Thisiscertain，hethatsetsoutuponweaklegswillnotonlygofurtherbutgrowstrongertoothanonewho，withavigorousconstitutionandfirmlimbs，onlysitsstill。
　　Somethingofkintothismenmayobserveinthemselveswhenthemindfrightsitself（asitoftendoes）withanythingreflectedoningrossandtransientlyviewedconfusedlyandatadistance。Thingsthusofferedtothemindcarrytheshowofnothingbutdifficultyinthemandarethoughttobewrappedupinimpenetrableobscurity。Butthetruthis，thesearenothingbutspectresthattheunderstandingraisestoitselftoflatteritsownlaziness。Itseesnothingdistinctlyinthingsremoteandinahuddle，andthereforeconcludestoofaintlythatthereisnothingmorecleartobediscoveredinthem。Itisbuttoapproachnearer，andthatmistofourownraisingthatenvelopedthemwillremove；andthosethatinthatmistappearedhideousgiantsnottobegrappledwithwillbefoundtobeoftheordinaryandnaturalsizeandshape。Thingsthatinaremoteandconfusedviewseemveryobscuremustbeapproachedbygentleandregularsteps，andwhatismostvisible，easyandobviousinthemfirstconsidered。Reducethemintotheirdistinctparts，andthenintheirdueorderbringallthatshouldbeknownconcerningeveryoneofthosepartsintoplainandsimplequestions；andthenwhatwasthoughtobscure，perplexedandtoohardforourweakpartswilllayitselfopentotheunderstandinginafairviewandletthemindintothatwhichbeforeitwasawedwithandkeptatadistancefromaswhollymysterious。
　　I
　　appealtomyreader’sexperiencewhetherthishasneverhappenedtohim，especiallywhen，busyononething，hehasoccasionallyreflectedonanother。Iaskhimwhetherhehasneverthusbeenscaredwithasuddenopinionofmightydifficulties，whichyethavevanishedwhenhehasseriouslyandmethodicallyappliedhimselftotheconsiderationofthisseemingterriblesubject；andtherehasbeennoothermatterofastonishmentleft，butthatheamusedhimselffaithsodiscouragingaprospectofhisownraisingaboutamatterwhichinthehandlingwasfoundtohavenothinginitmorestrangenorintricatethanseveralotherthingswhichhehadlongsinceandwitheasemastered。Thisexperienceshouldteachushowtodealwithsuchbugbearsanothertime，whichshouldratherservetoexciteourvigorthanenervateourindustry。
　　Thesurestwayforalearnerinthisasinallothercasesisnottoadvancebejumpsandlargestrides；letthatwhichhesetshimselftolearnnextbeindeedthenext，i。e。asnearlyconjoinedwithwhatheknowsalreadyasispossible；letitbedistinctbutnotremotefromit；letitbenewandwhathedidnotknowbefore，thattheunderstandingmasadvance；
　　butletitbeaslittleatonceasmaybe，thatitsadvancesmaybeclearandsure。Allthegroundthatitgetsthiswayitwillhold。Thisdistinctgradualgrowthinknowledgeisfirmandsure；itcarriesitsownlightfaithitineverystepofitsprogressioninanyeasyandorderlytrain，thanwhichthereisnothingofmoreusetotheunderstanding。Andthoughthisperhapsmayseemaveryslowandlingeringwaytoknowledge，yetI
　　dareconfidentlyaffirmthatwhoeverwilltryitinhimselforanyonehewillteachshallfindtheadvancesgreaterinthismethodthantheywouldinthesamespaceoftimehalebeeninanyotherhecouldhavetaken。
　　Thegreatestpartoftrueknowledgeliesinadistinctperceptionofthingsinthemselvesdistinct。Andsomemengivemoreclearlightandknowledgeasthebaredistinctstatingofaquestionthanothersbytallyingofitingrosswholehourstogether。Inthis，theywhosostateaquestiondonomorebutseparateanddisentanglethepartsofitonefromanotherandlaythem，whensodisentangled，intheirdueorder。Thisoften，withoutanymoreado，resolvesthedoubtandshewsthemindWherethetruthlies。Theagreementordisagreementoftheideasinquestion，Whentheyareonceseparatedanddistinctlyconsidered，isinmanycasespresentlyperceivedandtherebyclearandlastingknowledgegained；[096]
　　whereasthingsingrosstakenuptogether，andsolyingtogetherinconfusion，canproduceinthemindbutaconfused，whichisineffectno，knowledge；oratleast，whenitcomestobeexaminedandmadeuseof，willprovelittlebetterthannone。IthereforetakethelibertytorepeathereagainwhatIhavesaidelsewhere，[097]thatinlearninganythingaslittleshouldbeproposedtothemindatonceasispossible；
　　and，thatbeingunderstoodandfullymastered，toproceedtothenextadjoiningpartyetunknown，[a]simple，unperplexedpropositionbelongingtothematterinhandandtendingtotheclearingwhatisprincipallydesigned。
　　[098]
　　Section40。Analogy。[099]Analogyisofgreatusetothemindinmanycases，especiallyinnaturalphilosophy，andthatpartofitchieflywhichconsistsinhappyandsuccessfulexperiments。Butherewemusttakecarethatwekeepourselveswithinthatwhereintheanalogyconsists。
　　Forexample，theacidoilofvitriolisfoundtobegoodinsuchacase，thereforethespiritofnitreorvinegarmaybeusedinthelikecase。Ifthegoodeffectofitbeowingwhollytotheacidityofit，thetrialmaybejustified；butiftherebesomethingelsebesidestheacidityintheoilofvitriol，whichproducesthegoodwedesireinthecase，wemistakethatforanalogywhichisnotandsufferourunderstandingtobemisguidedbyawrongsuppositionofanalogywherethereisnone。
　　Section41。Association。ThoughIhave，inthesecondbook[100]ofmyEssayConcerningHumanUnderstanding，treatedoftheassociationofideas，yethavingdoneittherehistorically，[101]asgivingaviewoftheunderstandinginthisaswellasitsseveralotherwaysofoperating，ratherthandesigningtheretoenquireintotheremedies[that]
　　oughttobeappliedtoit，itwill，underthislatterconsideration，affordothermatterofthoughttothosewhohaveamindtoinstructthemselvesthoroughlyintherightwayofconductingtheirunderstandings；
　　andthattheratherbecausethis，ifImistakenot，isasfrequentacauseofmistakeanderrorinusasperhapsanythingelsethatcanbenamed，andisadiseaseofthemindashardtobecuredasany，itbeingaveryhardthingtoconvinceanyonethatthingsarenotso，andnaturallyso，astheyconstantlyappeartohim。
　　Bythisoneeasyandunheededmiscarriageoftheunderstandingsandyandloosefoundationsbecomeinfallibleprinciplesandwillnotsufferthemselvestobetouchedorquestioned；suchunnaturalconnectionsbecomebycustomasnaturaltothemindassunandlight。Fireandwarmthgotogetherandsoseemtocarrywiththemasnaturalanevidenceasself—evidenttruthsthemselves。[102]Andwherethenshallonewithhopesofsuccessbeginthecure？Manymenfirmlyembracefalsehoodfortruth，notonlybecausetheyneverthoughtotherwise，butalsobecause，thusblindedastheyhas—ebeenfromthebeginning，theynevercouldthinkotherwise，atleastwithoutavigorofmindabletocontesttheempireofhabitandlookintoitsownprinciplesÑ；afreedomwhichfewmenhavethenotionofinthemselvesandfewerareallowedthepracticeofbyothers，itbeingthegreatartandbusinessoftheteachersandguidesinmostsectstosuppressasmuchastheycanthisfundamentaldutywhicheverymanoweshimselfandisthefirststeadysteptowardsrightandtruthinthewholetrainofhisactionsandopinions。Thiswouldgiveonereasontosuspectthatsuchteachersareconscioustothemselvesofthefalsehoodorweaknessofthetenetstheyprofess，sincetheywillnotsufferthegroundswhereontheyarebuilttobeexamined；whereasthosewhoseektruthonlyanddesiretoownandpropagatenothingelsefreelyexposetheirprinciplestothetest，arepleasedtohavethemexamined，givemenleavetorejectthemiftheycan；andiftherebeanythingweakandunsoundinthem，arewillingtohaveitdetected，thattheythemselves，aswellasothers，maynotlayanystressuponanyreceivedpropositionbeyondwhattheevidenceofitstruthBillwarrantandallow。
　　Thereis，Iknow，agreatfaultamongallsortsofpeopleofprinciplingtheirchildrenandscholars，whichatlast，whenlookedinto，amountstonomorebutmakingthemimbibetheirteacher’snotionsandtenetsbyanimplicitfaithandfirmlytoadheretothemWhethertrueorfalse。
　　Whatcolorsmaybegiventothisorofwhatuseitmaybewhenpracticeduponthevulgar，destinedtolabourandgivenuptotheserviceoftheirbellies，Iwillnothereenquire。Butastotheingenuous[103]
　　partofmankind，whoseconditionallowsthemleisureandlettersandenquiryaftertruth，Icanseenootherrightwayofprinciplingthembuttotakeheedasmuchasmaybethatintheirtenderyearsideasthathavenonaturalcohesioncomenottobeunitedintheirheads；andthatthisrulebeofteninculcatedtothemtobetheirguideinthewholecourseoftheirlivesandstudies，viz。，thattheyneversufferanyideastobejoinedintheirunderstandingsinanyotherorstrongercombinationthanwhattheirownnature[104]andcorrespondencegivethem，andthattheyoftenexaminethosethattheyfindlinkedtogetherintheirminds，whetherthisassociationofideasbefromthevisibleagreementthatisintheideasthemselvesorfromthehabitualandprevailingcustomofthemindjoiningthemthustogetherinthinking。Thisisforcautionagainstthisevil，beforeitbethoroughlyrivetedbycustomintheunderstanding；
　　buthethatwouldcureitwhenhabithasestablisheditmustnicely[l05]
　　observetheveryquickandalmostimperceptiblemotionsofthemindinitshabitualactions。WhatIhavesaidinanotherplace[106]
　　aboutthechangeoftheideasofsenseintothoseofjudgmentmaybeproofofthis。Letanyonenotskilledinpaintingbetold，whenheseesbottlesandtobaccopipesandotherthingssopaintedastheyareinsomeplacesshown，thathedoesnotseeprotuberances，andyouwillnotconvincehimbutbythetouch；hewillnotbelievethatbyaninstantaneouslegerdemainofhisownthoughtsoneideaissubstitutedfortheother。
　　Howfrequentinstancesmayonemeetwithofthisinthearguingsofthelearned，whonotseldom，intwoideasthattheyhavebeenaccustomedtojoinintheirminds，substituteonefortheother；and，I
　　amapttothink，oftenwithoutperceivingitthemselves。This，whilsttheyareunderthedeceitofit，makesthemincapableofconviction，andtheyapplaudthemselvesaszealouschampionsfortruthwhenindeedtheyarecontendingforerror。Andtheconfusionoftwodifferentideas，whichacustomaryconnectionofthemintheirmindshasmadetothemalmostone，fillstheirheadwithfalseviewsandtheirreasoningswithfalseconsequences。
　　Section42。Fallacies。Rightunderstandingconsistsinthediscoveryandadherencetotruth，andthatintheperceptionofthevisibleorprobableagreementordisagreementofideasastheyareaffirmedanddeniedoneofanother。[107]Fromwhenceitisevidentthattherightuseandconductoftheunderstanding，whosebusinessispurelytruthandnothingelse，isthatthemindshouldbekeptinaperfectindifference，notincliningtoeithersideanyfurtherthanevidencesettlesitbyknowledgeortheover—balanceofprobabilitygivesittheturnofassentandbelief；butyetitisveryhardtomeetwithanydiscoursewhereinonemaynotperceivetheauthornotonlymaintain（forthatisreasonableandfit），butinclinedandbiasedtoonesideofthequestionWithmarksofadesirethatshouldbetrue。Ifitbeaskedmehowauthorswhohavesuchabiasandleantoitmaybediscovered，Ianswer，byobservinghowintheirWritingsorarguingstheyareoftenledbytheirinclinationstochangetheideasofthequestion，eitherbychangingthetermsorbyaddingandjoiningotherstothem，wherebytheideasunderconsiderationaresovariedastobemoreserviceabletotheirpurposeandtobetherebybroughttoaneasierandneareragreementormorevisibleandremoterdisagreementonewithanother。Thisisplainanddirectsophistry；butIamfarfromthinkingthat，whereveritisfound，itismadeuseofwithdesigntodeceiveandmisleadthereaders。
　　Itisvisiblethatmen’sprejudicesandinclinationsbythiswayimposeoftenuponthemselves；andtheiraffectionfortruth，undertheirprepossessioninfavorofoneside，istheverythingthatleadsthemfromit。Inclinationsuggestsandslidesintotheirdiscoursefavorabletermswhichintroducefavorableideas，tillatlastbythismeansthatisconcludedclearandevident，thusdressedup，whichtakeninitsnativestate，bymakinguseofnonebuttheprecisedeterminedideas，wouldfindnoadmittanceatall。Theputtingtheseglossesonwhattheyaffirm，these（astheyarethought）handsome，easyandgracefulexplicationsofwhattheyarediscoursingon，issomuchthecharacterofwhatiscalledandesteemedwritingwell，thatitisveryhardtothinkthatauthorswilleverbepersuadedtoleavewhatservessowelltopropagatetheiropinionsandprocurethemselvescreditintheworldforamorejejuneanddrywayofwriting，bykeepingtothesametermspreciselyannexedtothesameideas，asourandbluntstiffnesstolerableinmathematiciansonly，whoforcetheirwayandmaketruthprevailbyirresistibledemonstration。
　　Butyet，ifauthorscannotbeprevailedwithtoquitthelooser，thoughmoreinsinuating，waysofwriting，iftheywillnotthinkfittokeepclosetotruthandinstructionbyunvariedtermsandplainunsophisticatedarguments，yetitconcernsreadersnottobeimposedonbyfallaciesandtheprevailingwaysofinsinuation。Todothis，thesurestandmosteffectualremedyistofixinthemindtheclearanddistinctideasofthequestionstrippedofwords；andsolikewiseinthetrainofargumentation，totakeuptheauthor’sideas，neglectinghiswords，observinghowtheyconnectorseparatethoseinthequestion。Hethatdoesthiswillbeabletocastoffallthatissuperfluous；hewillseewhatispertinent，whatcoherent，whatisdirectto，whatslidesbythequestion。Thiswillreadilyshowhimalltheforeignideasinthediscourseandwheretheywerebroughtin；andthoughtheyperhapsdazzledthewriter，yethewillperceivethattheygivenolightnorstrengthtohisreasonings。
　　This，thoughitbetheshortestandeasiestwayofreadingbookswithprofitandkeepingoneselffrombeingmisledbygreatnamesorplausiblediscourses，yet，itbeinghardandtedioustothosewhohavenotaccustomedthemselvestoit，itisnottobeexpectedthateveryone（amongstthosefewwhoreallypursuetruth）shouldthiswayguardhisunderstandingfrombeingimposedonbythewillfuloratleastundesignedsophistrywhichcreepsintomostofthebooksofargument。Theythatwriteagainsttheirconvictionorthat，nexttothem，areresolvedtomaintainthetenetsofapartytheyareengagedincannotbesupposedtorejectanyarmsthatmayhelptodefendtheircause，andthereforesuchshouldbereadwiththegreatestcaution。Andtheywhowriteforopinionstheyaresincerelypersuadedofandbelievetobetruethinktheymaysofarallowthemselvestoindulgetheirlaudableaffectiontotruthastopermittheiresteemofittogiveitthebestcolorsandsetitoffwiththebestexpressionsanddresstheycan，therebytogainittheeasiestentranceintothemindsoftheirreadersandfixitdeepestthere。
　　Oneofthosebeingthestateofmindwemayjustlysupposemostwriterstobein，itisfittheirreaders，whoapplytothemforinstruction，shouldnotlaybythatcautionwhichbecomes[108]asincerepursuitoftruth，andshouldmakethemalwayswatchfulagainstwhatevermightconcealormisrepresentit。Iftheyhavenottheskillofrepresentingtothemselvestheauthor’ssensebypureideasseparatedfromsoundsandtherebydivestedofthefalselights[109]anddeceitfulornamentsofspeech，thisyettheyshoulddo：theyshouldkeeptheprecisequestionsteadilyintheirminds，carryitalongFaiththemthroughthewholediscourse，andsuffernottheleastalterationinthetermseitherbyaddition，subtractionorsubstitutinganyother。Thiseveryonecandowhohasamindtoit；andhethathasnotamindtoit，itisplainmakeshisunderstandingonlythewarehouseofothermen’slumberÑ；I
　　meanfalseandunconcludingreasonings，ratherthanarepositoryoftruthforhisownuse，whichwillprovesubstantialandstandhiminsteadwhenhehasoccasionforit。Andwhethersuchaonedealsfairlybyhisownmindandconductshisownunderstandingright，Ileavetohisownunderstandingtojudge。
　　Section43。Fundamentalverities。Themindofmenbeingverynarrowandsoslowinmakingacquaintancewiththingsandtakinginnewtruthsthatnoonemaniscapableinamuchlongerlifethanours，toknowalltruths，itbecomesourprudenceinoursearchafterknowledgetoemployourthoughtsaboutfundamentalandmaterialquestions，carefullyavoidingthosethataretriflingandnotsufferingcursedistobedivertedfromourmainevenpurposebythosethataremerelyincidental。
　　Howmuchofmanyyoungmen’stimeisthrownawayinpurelylogicalenquiries，Ineednotmention。[110]Thisisnobetterthanifamanwhowastobeapaintershouldspendallhistimeinexaminingthethreadsoftheseveralclothsheistopaintuponandcountingthehairsofeachpencilandbrushheintendstouseinthelayingonofhiscolors。
　　Clay，itismuchworsethanforayoungpaintertospendhisapprenticeshipinsuchuselessniceties；forhe，attheendofallhispainstonopurpose，findsthatitisnotpaintingnoranyhelptoit，andsoisreallytonopurpose。Whereasmendesignedforscholarshaveoftentheirheadssofilledandwannedwithdisputesonlogicalquestions，thattheytakethoseairyuselessnotionsforrealandsubstantialknowledgeandthinktheirunderstandingssowellfurnishedwithsciencethattheyneednotlookanyfurtherintothenatureofthingsordescendtothemechanicaldrudgeryofexperimentandenquiry。Thisissoobviousamismanagementoftheunderstanding，andthatintheprofessedwaytoknowledge，thatitcouldnotbepassedby；towhichmightbejoinedabundanceofquestionsandthewayofhandlingofthemintheschools。Whatfaultsinparticularofthiskindeverymanisormaybeguiltyofwouldbeinfinitetoenumerate；itsufficestohaveshownthatsuperficialandslightdiscoveriesandobservationsthatcontainnothingofmomentinthemselves，norserveascluestoleadusintofurtherknowledge，shouldbelightlypassedbyandneverthoughtworthoursearchingafter。
　　Therearefundamentaltruthsthatlieatthebottom，thebasisuponwhichagreatmanyothersrestandinwhichtheyhavetheirconsistency。Theseareteemingtruths，richinstorewithwhichtheyfurnishthemind，and，likethelightsofheaven，arenotonlybeautifulandentertaininginthemselves，butgivelightandevidencetootherthingsthatwithoutthemcouldnotbeseenorknown。SuchisthatadmirablediscoveryofMr。Newton，[111]thatallbodiesgravitatetooneanother，whichmaybecountedasthebasisofnaturalphilosophy；whichofwhatuseitistotheunderstandingofthegreatframeofoursolarsystemhehastotheastonishmentofthelearnedworldshown；andhowmuchfurtheritwouldguideusinotherthings，ifrightlypursued，isnotyetknown。OurSaviour’sgreatrule，thatweshouldloveourneighborasourselves，issuchafundamentaltruthfortheregulatinghumansociety，that，Ithink，bythataloneonemightwithoutdifficultydetermineallthecasesanddoubtsinsocialmorality。Theseandsuchasthesearethetruthsweshouldendeavortofindoutandstoreourmindswith。
　　Whichleadsmetoanotherthingintheconductoftheunderstandingthatisnolessnecessary，viz。：
　　Section44。Bottoming。Toaccustomourselvesinanyquestionproposedtoexamineandfindoutuponwhatitbottoms。Mostofthedifficultiesthatcomeinourway，whenwellconsideredandtraced，leadustosomepropositionwhich，knowntobetrue，clearsthedoubtandgivesaneasysolutionofthequestion；whilsttopical[112]andsuperficialarguments，ofwhichthereisstoretobefoundonbothsides，fillingtheheadwithvarietyofthoughtsandthemouthwithcopiousdiscourseserveonlytoamusetheunderstandingandentertaincompanywithoutcomingtothebottomofthequestion，theonlyplaceofrestandstabilityforaninquisitivemindwhosetendencyisonlytotruthandknowledge。
　　Forexample，ifitbedemandedwhethertheGrandSeignior[113]
　　canlawfullytakewhathewillfromanyofhispeople，thisquestioncannotberesolvedwithoutcomingtoacertaintywhetherallmenarenaturallyequal；foruponthatitturns，andthattruth，wellsettledintheunderstandingandcarriedinthemindthroughthevariousdebatesconcerningthevariousrightsofmeninsociety，willgoagreatwayinputtinganendtothemandshowingonwhichsidethetruthis。
　　Section45。Transferringofthoughts。Thereisscarceanythingmorefortheimprovementofknowledge，fortheeaseoflifeandthedispatchofbusinessthanforamantobeabletodisposeofhisownthoughts；
　　andthereisscarceanythingharderinthewholeconductoftheunderstandingthantogetafullmasteryoverit。Themindinawakingmanhasalwayssomeobjectthatitappliesitselfto，which，whenwearelazierorunconcerned，wecaneasilychangeandatpleasuretransferourthoughtstoanother，andfromthencetoathirdwhichhasnorelationtoeitheroftheformer。Hencemenforwardlyconcludeandfrequentlysay，nothingissofreeasthought；anditwerewellitwereso；butthecontrarywillbefoundtrueinseveralinstances；andtherearemanycaseswhereinthereisnothingmoreresty[114]andungovernablethanourthoughts；theywillnotbedirectedishatobjectstopursuenorbetakenofffromthosetheyhaveoncefixedon，butrunawaywithamaninpursuitofthoseideastheyhaveinview，lethimdowhathecan。
　　IwillnotherementionagainwhatIhaveabovetakennoticeof，[115]
　　howharditistogetthemind，narrowedbyacustomofthirtyorfortyyearsstandingtoascant：collectionofobviousandcommonideas，toenlargeitselftoamorecopiousstockandgrowintoanacquaintancewiththosethatwouldaffordmoreabundantmatterofusefulcontemplation；itisnotofthisIamherespeaking。TheinconvenienceI
　　wouldhererepresentandfindaremedyforisthedifficultythereissometimestotransferourmindsfromonesubjecttoanotherincaseswheretheideasareequallyfamiliartous。
　　Mattersthatarerecommendedtoourthoughtsbyanyofourpassionstakepossessionofourmindswithakindofauthorityandwillnotbekeptoutordislodged，but，asifthepassionthatruleswereforthetimethesheriffoftheplaceandcamewithalltheposse，[116]theunderstandingisseizedandtakenwiththeobjectitintroduces，asifithadalegalrighttobealoneconsideredthere。Thereisscarceanybody，Ithink，ofsocalmatemperWhohasnotsometimefoundthistyrannyonhisunderstandingandsufferedundertheinconvenienceofit。whoistherealmostwhosemindatsometimeoranotherloveoranger，fearorgriefhasnotsofastenedtosomeclog，thatitcouldnotturnitselftoanyotherobject？Icallitaclog，forithangsuponthemindsoastohinderitsvigorandactivityinthepursuitofothercontemplations，andadvancesitselflittleornot[at]allintheknowledgeofthethingwhichitsocloselyhugsandconstantlyporeson。Menthuspossessedaresometimesasiftheycaresointheworstsenseandwasunderthepowerofanenchantment。Theyseenotwhatpassesbeforetheireyes，hearnottheaudiblediscourseofthecompany；andishenbyanystrongapplicationtothemtheyarerousedalittle，theyarelikemenbroughttothemselvesfromsomeremoteregion；whereasintruththeycomenofurtherthantheirsecretcabinetwithin，wheretheyhavebeenwhollytakenupwiththepuppetwhichisforthattimeappointedfortheirentertainment。Theshamethatsuchdumpscausetowellbredpeople，whenitcarriesthemawayfromthecompanywheretheyshouldbearapartintheconversation，isasufficientargumentthatitisafaultintheconductofourunderstandingnottohavethatpoweroveritastomakeuseofittothosepurposesandonthoseoccasionswhereinwehaveneedofitsassistance。Themindshouldbealwaysfreeandreadytoturnitselftothevarietyofobjectsthatoccurandallowthemasmuchconsiderationasshallforthattimebethoughtfit。Tobeengrossedsobyoneobjectasnottobeprevailedontoleaveitforanotherthatwejudgefitterforourcontemplationistomakeitofnousetous。Didthisstateofmindremainalwaysso，everyonewouldwithoutscruplegiveitthenameofperfectmadness；andwhileitdoeslast，atwhateverintervalsitreturns，sucharotationofthoughtsaboutthesameobjectnomorecarriesusforcardstowardstheattainmentofknowledgethangettinguponamillhorsewhilsthejogsoninhiscirculartractwouldcarryamanonajourneyIgrantsomethingmustbeallowedtolegitimatepassionsandtonaturalinclinationsEveryman，besidesoccasionalaffections，hasbelovedstudies，andthosethemindwillmorecloselystickto；butyetitisbestthatitshouldbealwaysatlibertyandunderthefreedisposalofthemantoacthowanduponwhathedirectsThisweshouldendeavortoobtain，unlesswewouldbecontentwithsuchaflawinourunderstandingsthatsometimesweshouldbeasitwerewithoutit；[117]foritisverylittlebetterthansoincaseswherewecannotmakeuseofittothosepurposeswewouldandwhichstandinpresentneedofitButbeforefitremediescanbethoughtonforthisdisease，wemustknowtheseveralcausesofitandtherebyregulatethecure，ifwewillhopetolabourwithsuccessOneweharealreadyinstancedin，whereofallmenthatreflecthavesogeneralaknowledgeandsooftenanexperienceinthemselves，thatnobodydoubtsofitAprevailingpassionsopinsdownourthoughtstotheobjectandconcernofit，thatamanpassionatelyinlovecannotbringhimselftothinkofhisordinaryaffairs，norakindmotherdroopingunderthelossofachildisnotabletobearapartasshewaswontinthediscourseofthecompanyorconversationofherfriends。
　　Butthoughpassionbethemostobviousandgeneral，yetitisnottheonlycausethatbindsuptheunderstandingandconfinesitforthetimetooneobject，fromwhichitwillnotbetakenoff。
　　Besidesthis，wemayoftenfindthattheunderstanding，whenithasawhileemployeditselfuponasubjectwhicheitherchanceorsomeslightaccidentofferedtoitwithouttheinterestorrecommendationofanypassion，worksitselfintoawarmthandbydegreesgetsintoacareer，wherein，likeabowldownahill，itincreasesitsmotionbygoingandwillnotbestoppedordiverted，though，whentheheatisover，itseesallthisearnestapplicationwasaboutatriflenotworthathoughtandallthepainsemployedaboutitlostlabour。
　　Thereisathirdsort，ifImistakenot，yetlowerthanthis；
　　itisasortofchildishness，ifImaysosay，oftheunderstanding，wherein，duringthefit，itplayswithanddandiessomeinsignificantpuppettonoendnorwithanydesignatall，andyetcannoteasilybegotofffromit。
　　Thussometrivialsentenceorascrapofpoetrywillsometimesgetintomen’sheadsandmakesuchachimingthere，thatthereisnostillingofit，nopeacetobeobtainednorattentiontoanythingelse，butthisimpertinent[118]
　　guestwilltakeupthemindandpossessthethoughtsinspiteofallendeavorstogetridofit。Whethereveryonehasexperimented[119]inthemselvesthistroublesomeintrusionofsomestrikingideaswhichthusimportunetheunderstandingandhinderitfrombeingbetteremployed，I
　　knownot。Butpersonsofverygoodparts，andthosemorethanone，I
　　haveheardspeakandcomplainofitthemselves。ThereasonI
　　havetomakethisdoubtisfromwhatIhaveknowninacasesomethingofkintothis，thoughmuchodder，andthatisofasortofvisionsthatsomepeoplehavelyingquietbutperfectlyawakeinthedarkorwiththeireyesshut。Itisagreatvarietyoffaces，mostcommonlyveryoddones，thatappeartothemintrainoneafteranother，sothat，havinghadjustthesightofone，itimmediatelypassesawaytogiveplacetoanotherthatthesameinstantsucceedsandhasasquickanexitasitsleader；
　　andsotheymarchoninaconstantsuccession；norcananyoneofthembyanyendeavorbestoppedorretainedbeyondtheinstantofitsappearance，butisthrustoutbyitsfollower，whichwillhaveitsturn。
　　ConcerningthisfantasticalphenomenonIhavetalkedwithseveralpeople，whereofsomehavebeenperfectlyacquaintedwithitandothershavebeensowhollystrangerstoit，thattheycouldhardlybebroughttoconceiveorbelieveit。Iknewaladyofexcellentpartswhohadgotpastthirtywithouthavingeverhadtheleastnoticeofanysuchthing。
　　Shewassogreatastrangertoitthat，whensheheardmeandanothertalkingofit，couldscarceforbearthinkingwebanteredher；
　　butsometimeafter，drinkingalargedoseofdilutetea（asshewasorderedbyaphysician）goingtobed，shetoldusatnextmeetingthatshehadnowexperimentedwhatourdiscoursehadmuchadotopersuadeherof。Shehadseenagreatvarietyoffacesinalongtrainsucceedingoneanother，aswehaddescribed；theywereallstrangersandintruders，suchasshehadnoacquaintancewithbeforenorsoughtafterthen，andastheycameofthemselvestheywenttoo；noneofthemstayedamomentnorcouldbedetainedbyalltheendeavorsshecoulduse，butwentonintheirsolemnprocession，justappearedandthenvanished。Thisoddphenomenonseemstohaveamechanicalcause，andtodependuponthematterandmotionofthebloodoranimalspirits。[l20]
　　Whenthefancyisboundbypassion，Iknownowaytosetthemindfreeandatlibertytoprosecutewhatthoughtsthemanwouldmakechoiceof，buttoallaythepresentpassionorcounterbalanceitwithanother，whichisanarttobegotbystudyandacquaintancewiththepassions。
　　Thoseashofindthemselvesapttobecarriedawaywiththespontaneouscurrentoftheirownthoughts，notexcitedbyanypassionorinterest，mustbeverywaryandcarefulinalltheinstancesofittostopitandneverhumourtheirmindsinbeingthustriflinglybusy。Menknowthevalueoftheircorporallibertyandthereforesuffernotwillinglyfettersandchainstobeputuponthem。Tohavethemindcaptivatedis，forthetime，certainlythegreaterevilofthetwoanddeservesourutmostcareandendeavorstopreservethefreedomofourbetterpart。
　　Andinthiscaseourpainswillnotbelost；strivingandstrugglingwillprevail，ifweconstantlyinallsuchoccasionsmakeuseofit。
　　Wemustneverindulgethesetrivialattentionsofthought；assoonaswefindthemindmakesitselfabusinessofnothing，weshouldimmediatelydisturbandcheckit，introducenewandmoreseriousconsiderations，andnotleavetillwehavebeatenitofffromthepursuititwasupon。
　　Thisatfirst，ifwehaveletthecontrarypracticegrowtoahabit，willperhapsbedifficult；butconstantendeavorswillbydegreesprevailandatlastmakeiteasy。Andwhenamanisprettywelladvancedandcancommandhismindoffatpleasurefromincidentalandundesignedpursuits，itmaynotbeamissforhimtogoonfurtherandmakeattemptsuponmeditationsofgreatermoment，thatatthelasthemayhaveafullpoweroverhisownmind，andbesofullymasterofhisownthoughtsastobeabletotransferthemfromonesubjecttoanotherwiththesameeasethathecanlaybyanythinghehasinhishandandtakesomethingelsethathehasamindtointheroomofit。Thislibertyofmindisofgreatusebothinbusinessandstudy，andhethathasgotitwillhavenosmalladvantageofeaseanddispatchinallthatisthechosenandusefulemploymentofhisunderstanding。
　　ThethirdandlastwaywhichImentionedthemindtobesometimestakenupwith（Imeanthechimingofsomeparticularwordsorsentenceinthememoryand，asitwere，makinganoiseinthehead，andthelike）
　　seldomhappensbutwhenthemindislazyorverylooselyandnegligentlyemployed。Itwerebetterindeedbewithoutsuchimpertinentanduselessrepetitions；anyobviousidea，whenitisrovingcauselesslyataventure，beingofmoreuseandaptertosuggestsomethingworthconsiderationthantheinsignificantbuzzofpurelyemptysounds。
　　Butsincetherousingofthemindandsettingtheunderstandingonworkwithsomedegreesofvigordoesforthemostpartpresentlysetitfreefromtheseidlecompanions，itmaynotbeamiss，wheneverwefindourselvestroubledwiththem，tomakeuseofsoprofitablearemedythatisalwaysathand。