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。