帕斯卡思想录英文版 1--7

帕斯卡思想录英文版——

PENSEESbyBlaisePascal

1660

translatedbyW.F.Trotter

PENSEES

SECTIONI:THOUGHTSONMINDANDONSTYLE

1.Thedifferencebetweenthemathematicalandtheintuitivemind.—Intheone,theprinciplesarepalpable,butremovedfromordinaryuse;sothatforwantofhabititisdifficulttoturnone-smindinthatdirection:butifoneturnsitthithereversolittle,oneseestheprinciplesfully,andonemusthaveaquiteinaccuratemindwhoreasonswronglyfromprinciplessoplainthatitisalmostimpossibletheyshouldescapenotice.

Butintheintuitivemindtheprinciplesarefoundincommonuseandarebeforetheeyesofeverybody.Onehasonlytolook,andnoeffortisnecessary;itisonlyaquestionofgoodeyesight,butitmustbegood,fortheprinciplesaresosubtleandsonumerousthatitisalmostimpossiblebutthatsomeescapenotice.Nowtheomissionofoneprincipleleadstoerror;thusonemusthaveveryclearsighttoseealltheprinciplesand,inthenextplace,anaccuratemindnottodrawfalsedeductionsfromknownprinciples.

Allmathematicianswouldthenbeintuitiveiftheyhadclearsight,fortheydonotreasonincorrectlyfromprinciplesknowntothem;andintuitivemindswouldbemathematicaliftheycouldturntheireyestotheprinciplesofmathematicstowhichtheyareunused.

Thereason,therefore,thatsomeintuitivemindsarenotmathematicalisthattheycannotatallturntheirattentiontotheprinciplesofmathematics.Butthereasonthatmathematiciansarenotintuitiveisthattheydonotseewhatisbeforethem,andthat,accustomedtotheexactandplainprinciplesofmathematics,andnotreasoningtilltheyhavewellinspectedandarrangedtheirprinciples,theyarelostinmattersofintuitionwheretheprinciplesdonotallowofsucharrangement.Theyarescarcelyseen;theyarefeltratherthanseen;thereisthegreatestdifficultyinmakingthemfeltbythosewhodonotofthemselvesperceivethem.Theseprinciplesaresofineandsonumerousthataverydelicateandveryclearsenseisneededtoperceivethem,andtojudgerightlyandjustlywhentheyareperceived,withoutforthemostpartbeingabletodemonstratetheminorderasinmathematics,becausetheprinciplesarenotknowntousinthesameway,andbecauseitwouldbeanendlessmattertoundertakeit.Wemustseethematteratonce,atoneglance,andnotbyaprocessofreasoning,atleasttoacertaindegree.Andthusitisrarethatmathematiciansareintuitiveandthatmenofintuitionaremathematicians,becausemathematicianswishtotreatmattersofintuitionmathematicallyandmakethemselvesridiculous,wishingtobeginwithdefinitionsandthenwithaxioms,whichisnotthewaytoproceedinthiskindofreasoning.Notthattheminddoesnotdoso,butitdoesittacitly,naturally,andwithouttechnicalrules;fortheexpressionofitisbeyondallmen,andonlyafewcanfeelit.

Intuitiveminds,onthecontrary,beingthusaccustomedtojudgeatasingleglance,aresoastonishedwhentheyarepresentedwithpropositionsofwhichtheyunderstandnothing,andthewaytowhichisthroughdefinitionsandaxiomssosterile,andwhichtheyarenotaccustomedtoseethusindetail,thattheyarerepelledanddisheartened.

Butdullmindsarenevereitherintuitiveormathematical.

Mathematicianswhoareonlymathematicianshaveexactminds,providedallthingsareexplainedtothembymeansofdefinitionsandaxioms;otherwisetheyareinaccurateandinsufferable,fortheyareonlyrightwhentheprinciplesarequiteclear.

Andmenofintuitionwhoareonlyintuitivecannothavethepatiencetoreachtofirstprinciplesofthingsspeculativeandconceptual,whichtheyhaveneverseenintheworldandwhicharealtogetheroutofthecommon.

2.Therearedifferentkindsofrightunderstanding;somehaverightunderstandinginacertainorderofthings,andnotinothers,wheretheygoastray.Somedrawconclusionswellfromafewpremises,andthisdisplaysanacutejudgment.

Othersdrawconclusionswellwheretherearemanypremises.

Forexample,theformereasilylearnhydrostatics,wherethepremisesarefew,buttheconclusionsaresofinethatonlythegreatestacutenesscanreachthem.

Andinspiteofthatthesepersonswouldperhapsnotbegreatmathematicians,becausemathematicscontainagreatnumberofpremises,andthereisperhapsakindofintellectthatcansearchwitheaseafewpremisestothebottomandcannotintheleastpenetratethosemattersinwhichtherearemanypremises.

Therearethentwokindsofintellect:theoneabletopenetrateacutelyanddeeplyintotheconclusionsofgivenpremises,andthisisthepreciseintellect;theotherabletocomprehendagreatnumberofpremiseswithoutconfusingthem,andthisisthemathematicalintellect.Theonehasforceandexactness,theothercomprehension.Nowtheonequalitycanexistwithouttheother;theintellectcanbestrongandnarrow,andcanalsobecomprehensiveandweak.

3.Thosewhoareaccustomedtojudgebyfeelingdonotunderstandtheprocessofreasoning,fortheywouldunderstandatfirstsightandarenotusedtoseekforprinciples.Andothers,onthecontrary,whoareaccustomedtoreasonfromprinciples,donotatallunderstandmattersoffeeling,seekingprinciplesandbeingunabletoseeataglance.

4.Mathematics,intuition.—Trueeloquencemakeslightofeloquence,truemoralitymakeslightofmorality;thatistosay,themoralityofthejudgement,whichhasnorules,makeslightofthemoralityoftheintellect.

Foritistojudgementthatperceptionbelongs,assciencebelongstointellect.Intuitionisthepartofjudgement,mathematicsofintellect.

Tomakelightofphilosophyistobeatruephilosopher.

5.Thosewhojudgeofaworkbyruleareinregardtoothersasthosewhohaveawatchareinregardtoothers.Onesays,"Itistwohoursago";theothersays,"Itisonlythree-quartersofanhour."Ilookatmywatch,andsaytotheone,"Youareweary,"andtotheother,"Timegallopswithyou";foritisonlyanhourandahalfago,andIlaughatthosewhotellmethattimegoesslowlywithmeandthatIjudgebyimagination.TheydonotknowthatIjudgebymywatch.

6.Justasweharmtheunderstanding,weharmthefeelingsalso.

Theunderstandingandthefeelingsaremouldedbyintercourse;theunderstandingandfeelingsarecorruptedbyintercourse.Thusgoodorbadsocietyimprovesorcorruptsthem.Itis,then,all-importanttoknowhowtochooseinordertoimproveandnottocorruptthem;andwecannotmakethischoice,iftheybenotalreadyimprovedandnotcorrupted.Thusacircleisformed,andthosearefortunatewhoescapeit.

7.Thegreaterintellectonehas,themoreoriginalityonefindsinmen.Ordinarypersonsfindnodifferencebetweenmen.

8.Therearemanypeoplewholistentoasermoninthesamewayastheylistentovespers.

9.Whenwewishtocorrectwithadvantageandtoshowanotherthatheerrs,wemustnoticefromwhatsideheviewsthematter,foronthatsideitisusuallytrue,andadmitthattruthtohim,butrevealtohimthesideonwhichitisfalse.Heissatisfiedwiththat,forheseesthathewasnotmistakenandthatheonlyfailedtoseeallsides.Now,nooneisoffendedatnotseeingeverything;butonedoesnotliketobemistaken,andthatperhapsarisesfromthefactthatmannaturallycannotseeeverything,andthatnaturallyhecannoterrinthesidehelooksat,sincetheperceptionsofoursensesarealwaystrue.

10.Peoplearegenerallybetterpersuadedbythereasonswhichtheyhavethemselvesdiscoveredthanbythosewhichhavecomeintothemindofothers.

11.AllgreatamusementsaredangeroustotheChristianlife;butamongallthosewhichtheworldhasinventedthereisnonemoretobefearedthanthetheatre.Itisarepresentationofthepassionssonaturalandsodelicatethatitexcitesthemandgivesbirthtotheminourhearts,and,aboveall,tothatoflove,principallywhenitisrepresentedasverychasteandvirtuous.Forthemoreinnocentitappearstoinnocentsouls,themoretheyarelikelytobetouchedbyit.Itsviolencepleasesourself-love,whichimmediatelyformsadesiretoproducethesameeffectswhichareseensowellrepresented;and,atthesametime,wemakeourselvesaconsciencefoundedontheproprietyofthefeelingswhichweseethere,bywhichthefearofpuresoulsisremoved,sincetheyimaginethatitcannothurttheirpuritytolovewithalovewhichseemstothemsoreasonable.

Sowedepartfromthetheatrewithourheartsofilledwithallthebeautyandtendernessoflove,thesoulandthemindsopersuadedofitsinnocence,thatwearequitereadytoreceiveitsfirstimpressions,orrathertoseekanopportunityofawakeningthemintheheartofanother,inorderthatwemayreceivethesamepleasuresandthesamesacrificeswhichwehaveseensowellrepresentedinthetheatre.

12.Scaramouch,whoonlythinksofonething.

Thedoctor,whospeaksforaquarterofanhourafterhehassaideverything,sofullisheofthedesireoftalking.

13.Onelikestoseetheerror,thepassionofCleobuline,becausesheisunconsciousofit.Shewouldbedispleasing,ifshewerenotdeceived.

14.Whenanaturaldiscoursepaintsapassionoraneffect,onefeelswithinoneselfthetruthofwhatonereads,whichwastherebefore,althoughonedidnotknowit.Henceoneisinclinedtolovehimwhomakesusfeelit,forhehasnotshownushisownriches,butours.Andthusthisbenefitrendershimpleasingtous,besidesthatsuchcommunityofintellectaswehavewithhimnecessarilyinclinesthehearttolove.

15.Eloquence,whichpersuadesbysweetness,notbyauthority;asatyrant,notasaking.

16.Eloquenceisanartofsayingthingsinsuchaway(1)thatthosetowhomwespeakmaylistentothemwithoutpainandwithpleasure;(2)thattheyfeelthemselvesinterested,sothatself-loveleadsthemmorewillinglytoreflectionuponit.

Itconsists,then,inacorrespondencewhichweseektoestablishbetweentheheadandtheheartofthosetowhomwespeak,ontheonehand,and,ontheother,betweenthethoughtsandtheexpressionswhichweemploy.Thisassumesthatwehavestudiedwelltheheartofmansoastoknowallitspowersand,then,tofindthejustproportionsofthediscoursewhichwewishtoadapttothem.Wemustputourselvesintheplaceofthosewhoaretohearus,andmaketrialonourownheartoftheturnwhichwegivetoourdiscourseinordertoseewhetheroneismadefortheother,andwhetherwecanassureourselvesthatthehearerwillbe,asitwere,forcedtosurrender.Weoughttorestrictourselves,sofaraspossible,tothesimpleandnatural,andnottomagnifythatwhichislittle,orbelittlethatwhichisgreat.Itisnotenoughthatathingbebeautiful;itmustbesuitabletothesubject,andtheremustbeinitnothingofexcessordefect.

17.Riversareroadswhichmove,andwhichcarryuswhitherwedesiretogo.

18.Whenwedonotknowthetruthofathing,itisofadvantagethatthereshouldexistacommonerrorwhichdeterminesthemindofman,as,forexample,themoon,towhichisattributedthechangeofseasons,theprogressofdiseases,etc.Forthechiefmaladyofmanisrestlesscuriosityaboutthingswhichhecannotunderstand;anditisnotsobadforhimtobeinerrorastobecurioustonopurpose.

ThemannerinwhichEpictetus,Montaigne,andSalomondeTultiewroteisthemostusual,themostsuggestive,themostremembered,andtheoftenestquoted,becauseitisentirelycomposedofthoughtsbornfromthecommontalkoflife.Aswhenwespeakofthecommonerrorwhichexistsamongmenthatthemoonisthecauseofeverything,weneverfailtosaythatSalomondeTultiesaysthat,whenwedonotknowthetruthofathing,itisofadvantagethatthereshouldexistacommonerror,etc.;whichisthethoughtabove.

19.Thelastthingonesettlesinwritingabookiswhatoneshouldputinfirst.

20.Order.—WhyshouldIundertaketodividemyvirtuesintofourratherthanintosix?WhyshouldIratherestablishvirtueinfour,intwo,inone?WhyintoAbstineetsustineratherthaninto"FollowNature,"or,"Conductyourprivateaffairswithoutinjustice,"asPlato,oranythingelse?Butthere,youwillsay,everythingiscontainedinoneword.Yes,butitisuselesswithoutexplanation,andwhenwecometoexplainit,assoonasweunfoldthismaximwhichcontainsalltherest,theyemergeinthatfirstconfusionwhichyoudesiredtoavoid.So,whentheyareallincludedinone,theyarehiddenanduseless,asinachest,andneverappearsaveintheirnaturalconfusion.Naturehasestablishedthemallwithoutincludingoneintheother.

21.Naturehasmadeallhertruthsindependentofoneanother.Ourartmakesonedependentontheother.Butthisisnotnatural.Eachkeepsitsownplace.

22.LetnoonesaythatIhavesaidnothingnew;thearrangementofthesubjectisnew.Whenweplaytennis,webothplaywiththesameball,butoneofusplacesitbetter.

IhadassoonitsaidthatIusedwordsemployedbefore.Andinthesamewayifthesamethoughtsinadifferentarrangementdonotformadifferentdiscourse,nomoredothesamewordsintheirdifferentarrangementformdifferentthoughts!

23.Wordsdifferentlyarrangedhaveadifferentmeaning,andmeaningsdifferentlyarrangedhavedifferenteffects.

24.Language.—Weshouldnotturnthemindfromonethingtoanother,exceptforrelaxation,andthatwhenitisnecessaryandthetimesuitable,andnototherwise.Forhethatrelaxesoutofseasonwearies,andhewhoweariesusoutofseasonmakesuslanguid,sinceweturnquiteaway.Somuchdoesourperverselustliketodothecontraryofwhatthosewishtoobtainfromuswithoutgivinguspleasure,thecoinforwhichwewilldowhateveriswanted.

25.Eloquence.—Itrequiresthepleasantandthereal;butthepleasantmustitselfbedrawnfromthetrue.

26.Eloquenceisapaintingofthought;andthusthosewho,afterhavingpaintedit,addsomethingmore,makeapictureinsteadofaportrait.

27.Miscellaneous.Language.—Thosewhomakeantithesesbyforcingwordsarelikethosewhomakefalsewindowsforsymmetry.Theirruleisnottospeakaccurately,buttomakeaptfiguresofspeech.

28.Symmetryiswhatweseeataglance;basedonthefactthatthereisnoreasonforanydifference,andbasedalsoonthefaceofman;whenceithappensthatsymmetryisonlywantedinbreadth,notinheightordepth.

29.Whenweseeanaturalstyle,weareastonishedanddelighted;forweexpectedtoseeanauthor,andwefindaman.Whereasthosewhohavegoodtaste,andwho,seeingabook,expecttofindaman,arequitesurprisedtofindanauthor.Pluspoeticequamhumanelocutuses.ThosehonourNaturewellwhoteachthatshecanspeakoneverything,evenontheology.

30.Weonlyconsulttheearbecausetheheartiswanting.Theruleisuprightness.

Beautyofomission,ofjudgement.

31.AllthefalsebeautieswhichweblameinCicerohavetheiradmirers,andingreatnumber.

32.Thereisacertainstandardofgraceandbeautywhichconsistsinacertainrelationbetweenournature,suchasitis,weakorstrong,andthethingwhichpleasesus.

Whateverisformedaccordingtothisstandardpleasesus,beithouse,song,discourse,verse,prose,woman,birds,rivers,trees,rooms,dress,etc.Whateverisnotmadeaccordingtothisstandarddispleasesthosewhohavegoodtaste.

Andasthereisaperfectrelationbetweenasongandahousewhicharemadeafteragoodmodel,becausetheyarelikethisgoodmodel,thougheachafteritskind;evensothereisaperfectrelationbetweenthingsmadeafterabadmodel.Notthatthebadmodelisunique,fortherearemany;buteachbadsonnet,forexample,onwhateverfalsemodelitisformed,isjustlikeawomandressedafterthatmodel.

Nothingmakesusunderstandbettertheridiculousnessofafalsesonnetthantoconsidernatureandthestandardand,then,toimagineawomanorahousemadeaccordingtothatstandard.

33.Poeticalbeauty.—Aswespeakofpoeticalbeauty,sooughtwetospeakofmathematicalbeautyandmedicalbeauty.Butwedonotdoso;andthereasonisthatweknowwellwhatistheobjectofmathematics,andthatitconsistsinproofs,andwhatistheobjectofmedicine,andthatitconsistsinhealing.Butwedonotknowinwhatgraceconsists,whichistheobjectofpoetry.Wedonotknowthenaturalmodelwhichweoughttoimitate;andthroughlackofthisknowledge,wehavecoinedfantasticterms,"Thegoldenage,""Thewonderofourtimes,""Fatal,"etc.,andcallthisjargonpoeticalbeauty.

Butwhoeverimaginesawomanafterthismodel,whichconsistsinsayinglittlethingsinbigwords,willseeaprettygirladornedwithmirrorsandchains,atwhomhewillsmile;becauseweknowbetterwhereinconsiststhecharmofwomanthanthecharmofverse.Butthosewhoareignorantwouldadmireherinthisdress,andtherearemanyvillagesinwhichshewouldbetakenforthequeen;hencewecallsonnetsmadeafterthismodel"VillageQueens."

34.Noonepassesintheworldasskilledinverseunlesshehasputupthesignofapoet,amathematician,etc.Buteducatedpeopledonotwantasignanddrawlittledistinctionbetweenthetradeofapoetandthatofanembroiderer.

Peopleofeducationarenotcalledpoetsormathematicians,etc.;buttheyarealltheseandjudgesofallthese.Nooneguesseswhattheyare.Whentheycomeintosociety,theytalkonmattersaboutwhichtherestaretalking.Wedonotobserveinthemonequalityratherthananother,savewhentheyhavetomakeuseofit.Butthenwerememberit,foritischaracteristicofsuchpersonsthatwedonotsayofthemthattheyarefinespeakers,whenitisnotaquestionoforatory,andthatwesayofthemthattheyarefinespeakers,whenitissuchaquestion.

Itisthereforefalsepraisetogiveamanwhenwesayofhim,onhisentry,thatheisaverycleverpoet;anditisabadsignwhenamanisnotaskedtogivehisjudgementonsomeverses.

35.Weshouldnotbeabletosayofaman,"Heisamathematician,"or"apreacher,"or"eloquent";butthatheis"agentleman."Thatuniversalqualityalonepleasesme.Itisabadsignwhen,onseeingaperson,yourememberhisbook.Iwouldpreferyoutoseenoqualitytillyoumeetitandhaveoccasiontouseit(Nequidminis),forfearsomeonequalityprevailanddesignatetheman.Letnonethinkhimafinespeaker,unlessoratorybeinquestion,andthenletthemthinkit.

36.Manisfullofwants:helovesonlythosewhocansatisfythemall."Thisoneisagoodmathematician,"onewillsay.ButIhavenothingtodowithmathematics;hewouldtakemeforaproposition."Thatoneisagoodsoldier."Hewouldtakemeforabesiegedtown.Ineed,then,anuprightmanwhocanaccommodatehimselfgenerallytoallmywants.

37.Sincewecannotbeuniversalandknowallthatistobeknownofeverything,weoughttoknowalittleabouteverything.Foritisfarbettertoknowsomethingabouteverythingthantoknowallaboutonething.Thisuniversalityisthebest.Ifwecanhaveboth,stillbetter;butifwemustchoose,weoughttochoosetheformer.Andtheworldfeelsthisanddoesso;fortheworldisoftenagoodjudge.

38.Apoetandnotanhonestman.

39.Iflightningfellonlowplaces,etc.,poets,andthosewhocanonlyreasonaboutthingsofthatkind,wouldlackproofs.

40.Ifwewishedtoprovetheexampleswhichwetaketoproveotherthings,weshouldhavetotakethoseotherthingstobeexamples;for,aswealwaysbelievethedifficultyisinwhatwewishtoprove,wefindtheexamplesclearerandahelptodemonstration.

Thus,whenwewishtodemonstrateageneraltheorem,wemustgivetheruleasappliedtoaparticularcase;butifwewishtodemonstrateaparticularcase,wemustbeginwiththegeneralrule.Forwealwaysfindthethingobscurewhichwewishtoproveandthatclearwhichweusefortheproof;for,whenathingisputforwardtobeproved,wefirstfillourselveswiththeimaginationthatitis,therefore,obscureand,onthecontrary,thatwhatistoproveitisclear,andsoweunderstanditeasily.

41.EpigramsofMartial.—Manlovesmalice,butnotagainstone-eyedmennortheunfortunate,butagainstthefortunateandproud.Peoplearemistakeninthinkingotherwise.

Forlustisthesourceofallouractions,andhumanity,etc.Wemustpleasethosewhohavehumaneandtenderfeelings.Thatepigramabouttwoone-eyedpeopleisworthless,foritdoesnotconsolethemandonlygivesapointtotheauthor-sglory.Allthatisonlyforthesakeoftheauthorisworthless.Ambitiosarecidentornamenta.

42.Tocallaking"rince"ispleasing,becauseitdiminisheshisrank.

43.Certainauthors,speakingoftheirworks,say:"Mybook,""Mycommentary,""Myhistory,"etc.Theyresemblemiddle-classpeoplewhohaveahouseoftheirownandalwayshave"Myhouse"ontheirtongue.Theywoulddobettertosay:"Ourbook,""Ourcommentary,""Ourhistory,"etc.,becausethereisinthemusuallymoreofotherpeople-sthantheirown.

44.Doyouwishpeopletobelievegoodofyou?Don-tspeak.

45.Languagesareciphers,whereinlettersarenotchangedintoletters,butwordsintowords,sothatanunknownlanguageisdecipherable.

46.Amakerofwitticisms,abadcharacter.

47.Therearesomewhospeakwellandwritebadly.Fortheplaceandtheaudiencewarmthem,anddrawfromtheirmindsmorethantheythinkofwithoutthatwarmth.

48.Whenwefindwordsrepeatedinadiscourseand,intryingtocorrectthem,discoverthattheyaresoappropriatethatwewouldspoilthediscourse,wemustleavethemalone.Thisisthetest;andourattemptistheworkofenvy,whichisblind,anddoesnotseethatrepetitionisnotinthisplaceafault;forthereisnogeneralrule.

49.Tomasknatureanddisguiseher.Nomoreking,pope,bishop—butaugustmonarch,etc.;notParis—thecapitalofthekingdom.ThereareplacesinwhichweoughttocallParis,"aris,"othersinwhichweoughttocallitthecapitalofthekingdom.

50.Thesamemeaningchangeswiththewordswhichexpressit.Meaningsreceivetheirdignityfromwordsinsteadofgivingittothem.Examplesshouldbesought

51.Sceptic,forobstinate.

52.NoonecallsanotheraCartesianbuthewhoisonehimself,apedantbutapedant,aprovincialbutaprovincial;andIwouldwageritwastheprinterwhoputitonthetitleofLetterstoaProvincial.

53.Acarriageupsetoroverturned,accordingtothemeaning.Tospreadabroadorupset,accordingtothemeaning.(TheargumentbyforceofM.leMaitreoverthefriar.)

54.Miscellaneous.—Aformofspeech,"Ishouldhavelikedtoapplymyselftothat."

55.Theaperitivevirtueofakey,theattractivevirtueofahook.

56.Toguess:"ThepartthatItakeinyourtrouble."TheCardinaldidnotwanttobeguessed.

"Mymindisdisquieted."Iamdisquietedisbetter.

57.Ialwaysfeeluncomfortableundersuchcomplimentsasthese:"Ihavegivenyouagreatdealoftrouble,""IamafraidIamboringyou,""Ifearthisistoolong."Weeithercarryouraudiencewithus,orirritatethem.

58.Youareungraceful:"Excuseme,pray."WithoutthatexcuseIwouldnothaveknowntherewasanythingamiss."Withreverencebeitspoken"Theonlythingbadistheirexcuse.

59."Toextinguishthetorchofsedition";tooluxuriant."Therestlessnessofhisgenius";twosuperfluousgrandwords.

SECTIONII:THEMISERYOFMANWITHOUTGOD

60.Firstpart:MiseryofmanwithoutGod.

Secondpart:HappinessofmanwithGod.

Or,Firstpart:Thatnatureiscorrupt.Provedbynatureitself.

Secondpart:ThatthereisaRedeemer.Provedbyure.

61.Order.—Imightwellhavetakenthisdiscourseinanorderlikethis:toshowthevanityofallconditionsofmen,toshowthevanityofordinarylives,andthenthevanityofphilosophiclives,sceptics,stoics;buttheorderwouldnothavebeenkept.Iknowalittlewhatitis,andhowfewpeopleunderstandit.Nohumansciencecankeepit.SaintThomasdidnotkeepit.Mathematicskeepit,buttheyareuselessonaccountoftheirdepth.

62.Prefacetothefirstpart.—Tospeakofthosewhohavetreatedoftheknowledgeofself;ofthedivisionsofCharron,whichsaddenandwearyus;oftheconfusionofMontaigne;thathewasquiteawareofhiswantofmethodandshunneditbyjumpingfromsubjecttosubject;thathesoughttobefashionable.

Hisfoolishprojectofdesc**nghimself!Andthisnotcasuallyandagainsthismaxims,sinceeveryonemakesmistakes,butbyhismaximsthemselves,andbyfirstandchiefdesign.Fortosaysillythingsbychanceandweaknessisacommonmisfortune,buttosaythemintentionallyisintolerable,andtosaysuchasthat

63.Montaigne.—Montaigne-sfaultsaregreat.Lewdwords;thisisbad,notwithstandingMademoiselledeGournay.Credulous;peoplewithouteyes.Ignorant;squaringthecircle,agreaterworld.Hisopinionsonsuicide,ondeath.Hesuggestsanindifferenceaboutsalvation,withoutfearandwithoutrepentance.Ashisbookwasnotwrittenwithareligiouspurpose,hewasnotboundtomentionreligion;butitisalwaysourdutynottoturnmenfromit.Onecanexcusehisratherfreeandlicentiousopinionsonsomerelationsoflife;butonecannotexcusehisthoroughlypaganviewsondeath,foramanmustrenouncepietyaltogether,ifhedoesnotatleastwishtodielikeaChristian.Now,throughthewholeofhisbookhisonlyconceptionofdeathisacowardlyandeffeminateone.

64.ItisnotinMontaigne,butinmyself,thatIfindallthatIseeinhim.

65.WhatgoodthereisinMontaignecanonlyhavebeenacquiredwithdifficulty.Theevilthatisinhim,Imeanapartfromhismorality,couldhavebeencorrectedinamoment,ifhehadbeeninformedthathemadetoomuchoftriflesandspoketoomuchofhimself.

66.Onemustknowoneself.Ifthisdoesnotservetodiscovertruth,itatleastservesasaruleoflife,andthereisnothingbetter.

67.Thevanityofthesciences.—Physicalsciencewillnotconsolemefortheignoranceofmoralityinthetimeofaffliction.Butthescienceofethicswillalwaysconsolemefortheignoranceofthephysicalsciences.

68.Menarenevertaughttobegentlemenandaretaughteverythingelse;andtheyneverplumethemselvessomuchontherestoftheirknowledgeasonknowinghowtobegentlemen.Theyonlyplumethemselvesonknowingtheonethingtheydonotknow.

69.Theinfinites,themean.—Whenwereadtoofastortooslowly,weunderstandnothing.

70.Nature—Naturehassetussowellinthecentre,thatifwechangeonesideofthebalance,wechangetheotheralso.Thismakesmebelievethatthespringsinourbrainaresoadjustedthathewhotouchesonetouchesalsoitscontrary.

71.Toomuchandtoolittlewine.Givehimnone,hecannotfindtruth;givehimtoomuch,thesame.

72.Man-sdisproportion.—Thisiswhereourinnateknowledgeleadsus.Ifitbenottrue,thereisnotruthinman;andifitbetrue,hefindsthereingreatcauseforhumiliation,beingcompelledtoabasehimselfinonewayoranother.Andsincehecannotexistwithoutthisknowledge,Iwishthat,beforeenteringondeeperresearchesintonature,hewouldconsiderherbothseriouslyandatleisure,thathewouldreflectuponhimselfalso,andknowingwhatproportionthereisLetmanthencontemplatethewholeofnatureinherfullandgrandmajesty,andturnhisvisionfromthelowobjectswhichsurroundhim.Lethimgazeonthatbrilliantlight,setlikeaneternallamptoilluminetheuniverse;lettheearthappeartohimapointincomparisonwiththevastcircledescribedbythesun;andlethimwonderatthefactthatthisvastcircleisitselfbutaveryfinepointincomparisonwiththatdescribedbythestarsintheirrevolutionroundthefirmament.Butifourviewbearrestedthere,letourimaginationpassbeyond;itwillsoonerexhaustthepowerofconceptionthannaturethatofsupplyingmaterialforconception.Thewholevisibleworldisonlyanimperceptibleatomintheamplebosomofnature.Noideaapproachesit.Wemayenlargeourconceptionsbeyondanimaginablespace;weonlyproduceatomsincomparisonwiththerealityofthings.Itisaninfinitesphere,thecentreofwhichiseverywhere,thecircumferencenowhere.Inshort,itisthegreatestsensiblemarkofthealmightypowerofGodthatimaginationlosesitselfinthatthought.

Returningtohimself,letmanconsiderwhatheisincomparisonwithallexistence;lethimregardhimselfaslostinthisremotecornerofnature;andfromthelittlecellinwhichhefindshimselflodged,Imeantheuniverse,lethimestimateattheirtruevaluetheearth,kingdoms,cities,andhimself.WhatisamanintheInfinite?

Buttoshowhimanotherprodigyequallyastonishing,lethimexaminethemostdelicatethingsheknows.Letamitebegivenhim,withitsminutebodyandpartsincomparablymoreminute,limbswiththeirjoints,veinsinthelimbs,bloodintheveins,humoursintheblood,dropsinthehumours,vapoursinthedrops.Dividingtheselastthingsagain,lethimexhausthispowersofconception,andletthelastobjectatwhichhecanarrivebenowthatofourdiscourse.Perhapshewillthinkthathereisthesmallestpointinnature.Iwilllethimseethereinanewabyss.Iwillpaintforhimnotonlythevisibleuniverse,butallthathecanconceiveofnature-simmensityinthewombofthisabridgedatom.Lethimseethereinaninfinityofuniverses,eachofwhichhasitsfirmament,itsplanets,itsearth,inthesameproportionasinthevisibleworld;ineachearthanimals,andinthelastmites,inwhichhewillfindagainallthatthefirsthad,findingstillintheseothersthesamethingwithoutendandwithoutcessation.Lethimlosehimselfinwondersasamazingintheirlittlenessastheothersintheirvastness.Forwhowillnotbeastoundedatthefactthatourbody,whichalittlewhileagowasimperceptibleintheuniverse,itselfimperceptibleinthebosomofthewhole,isnowacolossus,aworld,orratherawhole,inrespectofthenothingnesswhichwecannotreach?Hewhoregardshimselfinthislightwillbeafraidofhimself,andobservinghimselfsustainedinthebodygivenhimbynaturebetweenthosetwoabyssesoftheInfiniteandNothing,willtrembleatthesightofthesemarvels;andIthinkthat,ashiscuriositychangesintoadmiration,hewillbemoredisposedtocontemplatetheminsilencethantoexaminethemwithpresumption.

For,infact,whatismaninnature?ANothingincomparisonwiththeInfinite,anAllincomparisonwiththeNothing,ameanbetweennothingandeverything.Sinceheisinfinitelyremovedfromcomprehendingtheextremes,theendofthingsandtheirbeginningarehopelesslyhiddenfromhiminanimpenetrablesecret;heisequallyincapableofseeingtheNothingfromwhichhewasmade,andtheInfiniteinwhichheisswallowedup.

Whatwillhedothen,butperceivetheappearanceofthemiddleofthings,inaneternaldespairofknowingeithertheirbeginningortheirend.AllthingsproceedfromtheNothing,andarebornetowardstheInfinite.Whowillfollowthesemarvellousprocesses?TheAuthorofthesewondersunderstandsthem.Noneothercandoso.

ThroughfailuretocontemplatetheseInfinites,menhaverashlyrushedintotheexaminationofnature,asthoughtheyboresomeproportiontoher.Itisstrangethattheyhavewishedtounderstandthebeginningsofthings,andthencetoarriveattheknowledgeofthewhole,withapresumptionasinfiniteastheirobject.Forsurelythisdesigncannotbeformedwithoutpresumptionorwithoutacapacityinfinitelikenature.

Ifwearewellinformed,weunderstandthat,asnaturehasgravenherimageandthatofherAuthoronallthings,theyalmostallpartakeofherdoubleinfinity.Thusweseethatallthesciencesareinfiniteintheextentoftheirresearches.Forwhodoubtsthatgeometry,forinstance,hasaninfiniteinfinityofproblemstosolve?Theyarealsoinfiniteinthemultitudeandfinenessoftheirpremises;foritisclearthatthosewhichareputforwardasultimatearenotself-supporting,butarebasedonotherswhich,againhavingothersfortheirsupport,donotpermitoffinality.Butwerepresentsomeasultimateforreason,inthesamewayasinregardtomaterialobjectswecallthatanindivisiblepointbeyondwhichoursensescannolongerperceiveanything,althoughbyitsnatureitisinfinitelydivisible.

OfthesetwoInfinitesofscience,thatofgreatnessisthemostpalpable,andhenceafewpersonshavepretendedtoknowallthings."Iwillspeakofthewhole,"saidDemocritus.

Buttheinfinitelylittleistheleastobvious.Philosophershavemuchoftenerclaimedtohavereachedit,anditisheretheyhaveallstumbled.ThishasgivenrisetosuchcommontitlesasFirstPrinciples,PrinciplesofPhilosophy,andthelike,asostentatiousinfact,thoughnotinappearance,asthatonewhichblindsus,Deomniscibili.

Wenaturallybelieveourselvesfarmorecapableofreachingthecentreofthingsthanofembracingtheircircumference.Thevisibleextentoftheworldvisiblyexceedsus;butasweexceedlittlethings,wethinkourselvesmorecapableofknowingthem.AndyetweneednolesscapacityforattainingtheNothingthantheAll.Infinitecapacityisrequiredforboth,anditseemstomethatwhoevershallhaveunderstoodtheultimateprinciplesofbeingmightalsoattaintotheknowledgeoftheInfinite.Theonedependsontheother,andoneleadstotheother.TheseextremesmeetandreunitebyforceofdistanceandfindeachotherinGod,andinGodalone.

Letus,then,takeourcompass;wearesomething,andwearenoteverything.ThenatureofourexistencehidesfromustheknowledgeoffirstbeginningswhicharebornoftheNothing;andthelittlenessofourbeingconcealsfromusthesightoftheInfinite.

Ourintellectholdsthesamepositionintheworldofthoughtasourbodyoccupiesintheexpanseofnature.

Limitedasweareineveryway,thisstatewhichholdsthemeanbetweentwoextremesispresentinallourimpotence.Oursensesperceivenoextreme.Toomuchsounddeafensus;toomuchlightdazzlesus;toogreatdistanceorproximityhindersourview.Toogreatlengthandtoogreatbrevityofdiscoursetendtoobscurity;toomuchtruthisparalysing(Iknowsomewhocannotunderstandthattotakefourfromnothingleavesnothing).Firstprinciplesaretooself-evidentforus;toomuchpleasuredisagreeswithus.Toomanyconcordsareannoyinginmusic;toomanybenefitsirritateus;wewishtohavethewherewithaltooverpayourdebts.Beneficiaeousquelaetasuntdumvidenturexsolviposse;ubimultumantevenere,progratiaodiumredditur.Wefeelneitherextremeheatnorextremecold.Excessivequalitiesareprejudicialtousandnotperceptiblebythesenses;wedonotfeelbutsufferthem.Extremeyouthandextremeagehinderthemind,asalsotoomuchandtoolittleeducation.Inshort,extremesareforusasthoughtheywerenot,andwearenotwithintheirnotice.Theyescapeus,orwethem.

Thisisourtruestate;thisiswhatmakesusincapableofcertainknowledgeandofabsoluteignorance.Wesailwithinavastsphere,everdriftinginuncertainty,drivenfromendtoend.Whenwethinktoattachourselvestoanypointandtofastentoit,itwaversandleavesus;andifwefollowit,iteludesourgrasp,slipspastus,andvanishesforever.Nothingstaysforus.Thisisournaturalconditionandyetmostcontrarytoourinclination;weburnwithdesiretofindsolidgroundandanultimatesurefoundationwhereontobuildatowerreachingtotheInfinite.Butourwholegroundworkcracks,andtheearthopenstoabysses.

Letus,therefore,notlookforcertaintyandstability.Ourreasonisalwaysdeceivedbyfickleshadows;nothingcanfixthefinitebetweenthetwoInfinites,whichbothencloseandflyfromit.

Ifthisbewellunderstood,Ithinkthatweshallremainatrest,eachinthestatewhereinnaturehasplacedhim.Asthisspherewhichhasfallentousasourlotisalwaysdistantfromeitherextreme,whatmattersitthatmanshouldhavealittlemoreknowledgeoftheuniverse?Ifhehasit,hebutgetsalittlehigher.Ishenotalwaysinfinitelyremovedfromtheend,andisnotthedurationofourlifeequallyremovedfrometernity,evenifitlaststenyearslonger?

IncomparisonwiththeseInfinites,allfinitesareequal,andIseenoreasonforfixingourimaginationononemorethanonanother.Theonlycomparisonwhichwemakeofourselvestothefiniteispainfultous.

Ifmanmadehimselfthefirstobjectofstudy,hewouldseehowincapableheisofgoingfurther.Howcanapartknowthewhole?Buthemayperhapsaspiretoknowatleastthepartstowhichhebearssomeproportion.ButthepartsoftheworldareallsorelatedandlinkedtooneanotherthatIbelieveitimpossibletoknowonewithouttheotherandwithoutthewhole.

Man,forinstance,isrelatedtoallheknows.Heneedsaplacewhereintoabide,timethroughwhichtolive,motioninordertolive,elementstocomposehim,warmthandfoodtonourishhim,airtobreathe.Heseeslight;hefeelsbodies;inshort,heisinadependentalliancewitheverything.Toknowman,then,itisnecessarytoknowhowithappensthatheneedsairtolive,and,toknowtheair,wemustknowhowitisthusrelatedtothelifeofman,etc.Flamecannotexistwithoutair;therefore,tounderstandtheone,wemustunderstandtheother.

Sinceeverything,then,iscauseandeffect,dependentandsupporting,mediateandimmediate,andallisheldtogetherbyanaturalthoughimperceptiblechainwhichbindstogetherthingsmostdistantandmostdifferent,Iholditequallyimpossibletoknowthepartswithoutknowingthewholeandtoknowthewholewithoutknowingthepartsindetail.

TheeternityofthingsinitselforinGodmustalsoastonishourbriefduration.Thefixedandconstantimmobilityofnature,incomparisonwiththecontinualchangewhichgoesonwithinus,musthavethesameeffect.

Andwhatcompletesourincapabilityofknowingthingsisthefactthattheyaresimpleandthatwearecomposedoftwooppositenatures,differentinkind,soulandbody.Foritisimpossiblethatourrationalpartshouldbeotherthanspiritual;andifanyonemaintainthatwearesimplycorporeal,thiswouldfarmoreexcludeusfromtheknowledgeofthings,therebeingnothingsoinconceivableastosaythatmatterknowsitself.Itisimpossibletoimaginehowitshouldknowitself.

So,ifwearesimplymaterial,wecanknownothingatall;andifwearecomposedofmindandmatter,wecannotknowperfectlythingswhicharesimple,whetherspiritualorcorporeal.Henceitcomesthatalmostallphilosophershaveconfusedideasofthings,andspeakofmaterialthingsinspiritualterms,andofspiritualthingsinmaterialterms.Fortheysayboldlythatbodieshaveatendencytofall,thattheyseekaftertheircentre,thattheyflyfromdestruction,thattheyfearthevoid,thattheyhaveinclinations,sympathies,antipathies,allofwhichattributespertainonlytomind.Andinspeakingofminds,theyconsiderthemasinaplace,andattributetothemmovementfromoneplacetoanother;andthesearequalitieswhichbelongonlytobodies.

Insteadofreceivingtheideasofthesethingsintheirpurity,wecolourthemwithourownqualities,andstampwithourcompositebeingallthesimplethingswhichwecontemplate.

Whowouldnotthink,seeinguscomposeallthingsofmindandbody,butthatthismixturewouldbequiteintelligibletous?Yetitistheverythingweleastunderstand.Manistohimselfthemostwonderfulobjectinnature;forhecannotconceivewhatthebodyis,stilllesswhatthemindis,andleastofallhowabodyshouldbeunitedtoamind.Thisistheconsummationofhisdifficulties,andyetitishisverybeing.Modusquocorporibusadhaerentspirituscomprehendiabhominibusnonpotest,ethoctamenhomoest.Finally,tocompletetheproofofourweakness,Ishallconcludewiththesetwoconsiderations

73.Butperhapsthissubjectgoesbeyondthecapacityofreason.Letusthereforeexaminehersolutionstoproblemswithinherpowers.Iftherebeanythingtowhichherowninterestmusthavemadeherapplyherselfmostseriously,itistheinquiryintoherownsovereigngood.Letussee,then,whereinthesestrongandclear-sightedsoulshaveplaceditandwhethertheyagree.

Onesaysthatthesovereigngoodconsistsinvirtue,anotherinpleasure,anotherintheknowledgeofnature,anotherintruth,Felixquipotuitrerumcognoscerecausas,anotherintotalignorance,anotherinindolence,othersindisregardingappearances,anotherinwonderingatnothing,nihiladmirariproperesunaquaepossitfacereetservarebeatum,andthetruescepticsintheirindifference,doubt,andperpetualsuspense,andothers,wiser,thinktofindabetterdefinition.Wearewellsatisfied.

Wemustseeifthisfinephilosophyhasgainednothingcertainfromsolongandsointentstudy;perhapsatleastthesoulwillknowitself.Letusheartherulersoftheworldonthissubject.Whathavetheythoughtofhersubstance?394.Havetheybeenmorefortunateinlocatingher?395.Whathavetheyfoundoutaboutherorigin,duration,anddeparture?Harumsententiarum,399.

Is,then,thesoultoonobleasubjectfortheirfeeblelights?Letus,then,abasehertomatterandseeifsheknowswhereofismadetheverybodywhichsheanimatesandthoseotherswhichshecontemplatesandmovesatherwill.Whathavethosegreatdogmatists,whoareignorantofnothing,knownofthismatter?393.

Thiswoulddoubtlesssuffice,ifReasonwerereasonable.Sheisreasonableenoughtoadmitthatshehasbeenunabletofindanythingdurable,butshedoesnotyetdespairofreachingit;sheisasardentaseverinthissearch,andisconfidentshehaswithinherthenecessarypowersforthisconquest.Wemustthereforeconclude,and,afterhavingexaminedherpowersintheireffects,observetheminthemselves,andseeifshehasanatureandagraspcapableoflayingholdofthetruth.

74.AletterOntheFoolishnessofHumanKnowledgeandPhilosophy.

ThisletterbeforeDiversion.

FelixquipotuitNihiladmirari.

280kindsofsovereigngoodinMontaigne.

75.PartI,1,2,c.1,section4.

Probability.—Itwillnotbedifficulttoputthecaseastagelower,andmakeitappearridiculous.Tobeginattheverybeginning.Whatismoreabsurdthantosaythatlifelessbodieshavepassions,fears,hatreds—thatinsensiblebodies,lifelessandincapableoflife,havepassionswhichpresupposeatleastasensitivesoultofeelthem,naymore,thattheobjectoftheirdreadisthevoid?Whatisthereinthevoidthatcouldmakethemafraid?Nothingismoreshallowandridiculous.Thisisnotall;itissaidthattheyhaveinthemselvesasourceofmovementtoshunthevoid.Havetheyarms,legs,muscles,nerves?

76.Towriteagainstthosewhomadetooprofoundastudyofscienceescartes.

77.IcannotforgiveDescartes.InallhisphilosophyhewouldhavebeenquitewillingtodispensewithGod.ButhehadtomakeHimgiveafilliptosettheworldinmotion;beyondthis,hehasnofurtherneedofGod.

78.Descartesuselessanduncertain.

79.Descartes.—Wemustsaysummarily:"Thisismadebyfigureandmotion,"foritistrue.Buttosaywhattheseare,andtocomposethemachine,isridiculous.Foritisuseless,uncertain,andpainful.Andwereittrue,wedonotthinkallPhilosophyisworthonehourofpain.

80.Howcomesitthatacrippledoesnotoffendus,butthatafooldoes?Becauseacripplerecognisesthatwewalkstraight,whereasafooldeclaresthatitiswewhoaresilly;ifitwerenotso,weshouldfeelpityandnotanger.

Epictetusasksstillmorestrongly:"Whyarewenotangryifwearetoldthatwehaveaheadache,andwhyareweangryifwearetoldthatwereasonbadly,orchoosewrongly"?Thereasonisthatwearequitecertainthatwehavenotaheadache,orarenotlame,butwearenotsosurethatwemakeatruechoice.So,havingassuranceonlybecauseweseewithourwholesight,itputsusintosuspenseandsurprisewhenanotherwithhiswholesightseestheopposite,andstillmoresowhenathousandothersderideourchoice.Forwemustpreferourownlightstothoseofsomanyothers,andthatisboldanddifficult.Thereisneverthiscontradictioninthefeelingstowardsacripple.

81.Itisnaturalforthemindtobelieveandforthewilltolove;sothat,forwantoftrueobjects,theymustattachthemselvestofalse.

82.Imagination.—Itisthatdeceitfulpartinman,thatmistressoferrorandfalsity,themoredeceptivethatsheisnotalwaysso;forshewouldbeaninfallibleruleoftruth,ifshewereaninfallibleruleoffalsehood.Butbeingmostgenerallyfalse,shegivesnosignofhernature,impressingthesamecharacteronthetrueandthefalse.

Idonotspeakoffools,Ispeakofthewisestmen;anditisamongthemthattheimaginationhasthegreatgiftofpersuasion.Reasonprotestsinvain;itcannotsetatruevalueonthings.

Thisarrogantpower,theenemyofreason,wholikestoruleanddominateit,hasestablishedinmanasecondnaturetoshowhowall-powerfulsheis.Shemakesmenhappyandsad,healthyandsick,richandpoor;shecompelsreasontobelieve,doubt,anddeny;shebluntsthesenses,orquickensthem;shehasherfoolsandsages;andnothingvexesusmorethantoseethatshefillsherdevoteeswithasatisfactionfarmorefullandentirethandoesreason.Thosewhohavealivelyimaginationareagreatdealmorepleasedwiththemselvesthanthewisecanreasonablybe.Theylookdownuponmenwithhaughtiness;theyarguewithboldnessandconfidence,otherswithfearanddiffidence;andthisgaietyofcountenanceoftengivesthemtheadvantageintheopinionofthehearers,suchfavourhavetheimaginarywiseintheeyesofjudgesoflikenature.Imaginationcannotmakefoolswise;butshecanmakethemhappy,totheenvyofreasonwhichcanonlymakeitsfriendsmiserable;theonecoversthemwithglory,theotherwithshame.

Whatbutthisfacultyofimaginationdispensesreputation,awardsrespectandvenerationtopersons,works,laws,andthegreat?Howinsufficientarealltherichesoftheearthwithoutherconsent!

Wouldyounotsaythatthismagistrate,whosevenerableagecommandstherespectofawholepeople,isgovernedbypureandloftyreason,andthathejudgescausesaccordingtotheirtruenaturewithoutconsideringthosemeretrifleswhichonlyaffecttheimaginationoftheweak?Seehimgotosermon,fullofdevoutzeal,strengtheninghisreasonwiththeardourofhislove.Heisreadytolistenwithexemplaryrespect.Letthepreacherappear,andletnaturehavegivenhimahoarsevoiceoracomicalcastofcountenance,orlethisbarberhavegivenhimabadshave,orletbychancehisdressbemoredirtiedthanusual,then,howevergreatthetruthsheannounces,Iwageroursenatorloseshisgravity.

Ifthegreatestphilosopherintheworldfindhimselfuponaplankwiderthanactuallynecessary,buthangingoveraprecipice,hisimaginationwillprevail,thoughhisreasonconvincehimofhissafety.Manycannotbearthethoughtwithoutacoldsweat.Iwillnotstateallitseffects.

Everyoneknowsthatthesightofcatsorrats,thecrushingofacoal,etc.,mayunhingethereason.Thetoneofvoiceaffectsthewisest,andchangestheforceofadiscourseorapoem.

Loveorhatealterstheaspectofjustice.Howmuchgreaterconfidencehasanadvocate,retainedwithalargefee,inthejusticeofhiscause!Howmuchbetterdoeshisboldmannermakehiscaseappeartothejudges,deceivedastheyarebyappearances!Howludicrousisreason,blownwithabreathineverydirection!

Ishouldhavetoenumeratealmosteveryactionofmenwhoscarcewaversaveunderherassaults.Forreasonhasbeenobligedtoyield,andthewisestreasontakesasherownprinciplesthosewhichtheimaginationofmanhaseverywhererashlyintroduced.Hewhowouldfollowreasononlywouldbedeemedfoolishbythegeneralityofmen.Wemustjudgebytheopinionofthemajorityofmankind.Becauseithaspleasedthem,wemustworkalldayforpleasuresseentobeimaginary;and,aftersleephasrefreshedourtiredreason,wemustforthwithstartupandrushafterphantoms,andsuffertheimpressionsofthismistressoftheworld.Thisisoneofthesourcesoferror,butitisnottheonlyone.

Ourmagistrateshaveknownwellthismystery.Theirredrobes,theermineinwhichtheywrapthemselveslikefurrycats,thecourtsinwhichtheyadministerjustice,thefleurs-de-lis,andallsuchaugustapparelwerenecessary;ifthephysicianshadnottheircassocksandtheirmules,ifthedoctorshadnottheirsquarecapsandtheirrobesfourtimestoowide,theywouldneverhavedupedtheworld,whichcannotresistsooriginalanappearance.Ifmagistrateshadtruejustice,andifphysicianshadthetrueartofhealing,theywouldhavenooccasionforsquarecaps;themajestyofthesescienceswouldofitselfbevenerableenough.Buthavingonlyimaginaryknowledge,theymustemploythosesillytoolsthatstriketheimaginationwithwhichtheyhavetodeal;andthereby,infact,theyinspirerespect.Soldiersalonearenotdisguisedinthismanner,becauseindeedtheirpartisthemostessential;theyestablishthemselvesbyforce,theothersbyshow.

Thereforeourkingsseekoutnodisguises.Theydonotmaskthemselvesinextraordinarycostumestoappearsuch;buttheyareaccompaniedbyguardsandhalberdiers.Thosearmedandred-facedpuppetswhohavehandsandpowerforthemalone,thosetrumpetsanddrumswhichgobeforethem,andthoselegionsroundaboutthem,makethestoutesttremble.Theyhavenotdressonly,theyhavemight.AveryrefinedreasonisrequiredtoregardasanordinarymantheGrandTurk,inhissuperbseraglio,surroundedbyfortythousandjanissaries.

Wecannotevenseeanadvocateinhisrobeandwithhiscaponhishead,withoutafavourableopinionofhisability.Theimaginationdisposesofeverything;itmakesbeauty,justice,andhappiness,whichiseverythingintheworld.IshouldmuchliketoseeanItalianwork,ofwhichIonlyknowthetitle,whichaloneisworthmanybooks,Dellaopinionereginadelmondo.Iapproveofthebookwithoutknowingit,savetheevilinit,ifany.Theseareprettymuchtheeffectsofthatdeceptivefaculty,whichseemstohavebeenexpresslygivenustoleadusintonecessaryerror.Wehave,however,manyothersourcesoferror.

Notonlyareoldimpressionscapableofmisleadingus;thecharmsofnoveltyhavethesamepower.Henceariseallthedisputesofmen,whotaunteachothereitherwithfollowingthefalseimpressionsofchildhoodorwithrunningrashlyafterthenew.Whokeepstheduemean?Lethimappearandproveit.Thereisnoprinciple,howevernaturaltousfrominfancy,whichmaynotbemadetopassforafalseimpressioneitherofeducationorofsense.

"Because,"saysome,"youhavebelievedfromchildhoodthataboxwasemptywhenyousawnothinginit,youhavebelievedinthepossibilityofavacuum.Thisisanillusionofyoursenses,strengthenedbycustom,whichsciencemustcorrect.""Because,"sayothers,"youhavebeentaughtatschoolthatthereisnovacuum,youhavepervertedyourcommonsensewhichclearlycomprehendedit,andyoumustcorrectthisbyreturningtoyourfirststate."Whichhasdeceivedyou,yoursensesoryoureducation?

Wehaveanothersourceoferrorindiseases.Theyspoilthejudgementandthesenses;andifthemoreseriousproduceasensiblechange,Idonotdoubtthatslighterillsproduceaproportionateimpression.

Ourowninterestisagainamarvellousinstrumentfornicelyputtingoutoureyes.Thejustestmanintheworldisnotallowedtobejudgeinhisowncause;Iknowsomewho,inordernottofallintothisself-love,havebeenperfectlyunjustoutofopposition.Thesurewayoflosingajustcausehasbeentogetitrecommendedtothesemenbytheirnearrelatives.

Justiceandtrutharetwosuchsubtlepointsthatourtoolsaretooblunttotouchthemaccurately.Iftheyreachthepoint,theyeithercrushit,orleanallround,moreonthefalsethanonthetrue.

Manissohappilyformedthathehasnogoodofthetrue,andseveralexcellentofthefalse.LetusnowseehowmuchButthemostpowerfulcauseoferroristhewarexistingbetweenthesensesandreason.

83.Wemustthusbeginthechapteronthedeceptivepowers.Manisonlyasubjectfulloferror,naturalandineffaceable,withoutgrace.Nothingshowshimthetruth.Everythingdeceiveshim.Thesetwosourcesoftruth,reasonandthesenses,besidesbeingbothwantinginsincerity,deceiveeachotherinturn.ThesensesmisleadtheReasonwithfalseappearances,andreceivefromReasonintheirturnthesametrickerywhichtheyapplytoher;Reasonhasherrevenge.Thepassionsofthesoultroublethesenses,andmakefalseimpressionsuponthem.Theyrivaleachotherinfalsehoodanddeception.

Butbesidesthoseerrorswhichariseaccidentallyandthroughlackofintelligence,withtheseheterogeneousfaculties

84.Theimaginationenlargeslittleobjectssoastofilloursoulswithafantasticestimate;and,withrashinsolence,itbelittlesthegreattoitsownmeasure,aswhentalkingofGod.

85.Thingswhichhavemostholdonus,astheconcealmentofourfewpossessions,areoftenamerenothing.Itisanothingwhichourimaginationmagnifiesintoamountain.Anotherturnoftheimaginationwouldmakeusdiscoverthiswithoutdifficulty.

86.Myfancymakesmehateacroaker,andonewhopantswheneating.Fancyhasgreatweight.Shallweprofitbyit?Shallweyieldtothisweightbecauseitisnatural?No,butbyresistingit

87.Naeistemagnoconatumagnasnugasdixerit.

583.Quasiquidquaminfeliciussithominicuisuafigmentadominantur.

88.Childrenwhoarefrightenedatthefacetheyhaveblackenedarebutchildren.Buthowshallonewhoissoweakinhischildhoodbecomereallystrongwhenhegrowsolder?Weonlychangeourfancies.Allthatismadeperfectbyprogressperishesalsobyprogress.Allthathasbeenweakcanneverbecomeabsolutelystrong.Wesayinvain,"Hehasgrown,hehaschanged";heisalsothesame.

89.Customisournature.Hewhoisaccustomedtothefaithbelievesinit,cannolongerfearhell,andbelievesinnothingelse.Hewhoisaccustomedtobelievethatthekingisterribleetc.Whodoubts,then,thatoursoul,beingaccustomedtoseenumber,space,motion,believesthatandnothingelse?

90.Quodcrebrovidetnonmiratur,etiamsicurfiatnescit;quodantenonviderit,idsievenerit,ostentumessecenset.

91.Spongiasolis.—Whenweseethesameeffectalwaysrecur,weinferanaturalnecessityinit,asthattherewillbeatomorrow,etc.ButNatureoftendeceivesus,anddoesnotsubjectherselftoherownrules.

92.Whatareournaturalprinciplesbutprinciplesofcustom?Inchildrentheyarethosewhichtheyhavereceivedfromthehabitsoftheirfathers,ashuntinginanimals.Adifferentcustomwillcausedifferentnaturalprinciples.Thisisseeninexperience;andiftherearesomenaturalprinciplesineradicablebycustom,therearealsosomecustomsopposedtonature,ineradicablebynatureorbyasecondcustom.Thisdependsondisposition.

93.Parentsfearlestthenaturalloveoftheirchildrenmayfadeaway.Whatkindofnatureisthatwhichissubjecttodecay?Customisasecondnaturewhichdestroystheformer.Butwhatisnature?Foriscustomnotnatural?Iammuchafraidthatnatureisitselfonlyafirstcustom,ascustomisasecondnature.

94.Thenatureofmaniswhollynatural,omneanimal.

Thereisnothinghemaynotmakenatural;thereisnothingnaturalhemaynotlose.

95.Memory,joy,areintuitions;andevenmathematicalpropositionsbecomeintuitions,foreducationproducesnaturalintuitions,andnaturalintuitionsareerasedbyeducation.

96.Whenweareaccustomedtousebadreasonsforprovingnaturaleffects,wearenotwillingtoreceivegoodreasonswhentheyarediscovered.Anexamplemaybegivenfromthecirculationofthebloodasareasonwhytheveinswellsbelowtheligature.

97.Themostimportantaffairinlifeisthechoiceofacalling;chancedecidesit.Custommakesmenmasons,soldiers,slaters."Heisagoodslater,"saysone,and,speakingofsoldiers,remarks,"Theyareperfectfools."Butothersaffirm,"Thereisnothinggreatbutwar;therestofmenaregoodfornothing."Wechooseourcallingsaccordingaswehearthisorthatpraisedordespisedinourchildhood,forwenaturallylovetruthandhatefolly.Thesewordsmoveus;theonlyerrorisintheirapplication.Sogreatistheforceofcustomthat,outofthosewhomnaturehasonlymademen,arecreatedallconditionsofmen.Forsomedistrictsarefullofmasons,othersofsoldiers,etc.Certainlynatureisnotsouniform.Itiscustomthenwhichdoesthis,foritconstrainsnature.Butsometimesnaturegainstheascendancyandpreservesman-sinstinct,inspiteofallcustom,goodorbad.

98.Biasleadingtoerror.—Itisadeplorablethingtoseeallmendeliberatingonmeansalone,andnotontheend.Eachthinkshowhewillacquithimselfinhiscondition;butasforthechoiceofcondition,orofcountry,chancegivesthemtous.

ItisapitiablethingtoseesomanyTurks,heretics,andinfidelsfollowthewayoftheirfathersforthesolereasonthateachhasbeenimbuedwiththeprejudicethatitisthebest.Andthatfixesforeachmanhisconditionoflocksmith,soldier,etc.

HencesavagescarenothingforProvidence.

99.Thereisanuniversalandessentialdifferencebetweentheactionsofthewillandallotheractions.

Thewillisoneofthechieffactorsinbelief,notthatitcreatesbelief,butbecausethingsaretrueorfalseaccordingtotheaspectinwhichwelookatthem.Thewill,whichprefersoneaspecttoanother,turnsawaythemindfromconsideringthequalitiesofallthatitdoesnotliketosee;andthusthemind,movinginaccordwiththewill,stopstoconsidertheaspectwhichitlikesandsojudgesbywhatitsees.

100.Self-love.Thenatureofself-loveandofthishumanEgoistoloveselfonlyandconsiderselfonly.Butwhatwillmando?Hecannotpreventthisobjectthathelovesfrombeingfulloffaultsandwants.Hewantstobegreat,andheseeshimselfsmall.Hewantstobehappy,andheseeshimselfmiserable.Hewantstobeperfect,andheseeshimselffullofimperfections.Hewantstobetheobjectofloveandesteemamongmen,andheseesthathisfaultsmeritonlytheirhatredandcontempt.Thisembarrassmentinwhichhefindshimselfproducesinhimthemostunrighteousandcriminalpassionthatcanbeimagined;forheconceivesamortalenmityagainstthattruthwhichreproveshimandwhichconvinceshimofhisfaults.Hewouldannihilateit,but,unabletodestroyitinitsessence,hedestroysitasfaraspossibleinhisownknowledgeandinthatofothers;thatistosay,hedevotesallhisattentiontohidinghisfaultsbothfromothersandfromhimself,andhecannotendureeitherthatothersshouldpointthemouttohim,orthattheyshouldseethem.

Trulyitisaneviltobefulloffaults;butitisastillgreatereviltobefullofthemandtobeunwillingtorecognisethem,sincethatistoaddthefurtherfaultofavoluntaryillusion.Wedonotlikeotherstodeceiveus;wedonotthinkitfairthattheyshouldbeheldinhigheresteembyusthantheydeserve;itisnot,then,fairthatweshoulddeceivethemandshouldwishthemtoesteemusmorehighlythanwedeserve.

Thus,whentheydiscoveronlytheimperfectionsandviceswhichwereallyhave,itisplaintheydousnowrong,sinceitisnottheywhocausethem;theyratherdousgood,sincetheyhelpustofreeourselvesfromanevil,namely,theignoranceoftheseimperfections.Weoughtnottobeangryattheirknowingourfaultsanddespisingus;itisbutrightthattheyshouldknowusforwhatweareandshoulddespiseus,ifwearecontemptible.

Sucharethefeelingsthatwouldariseinaheartfullofequityandjustice.Whatmustwesaythenofourownheart,whenweseeitinawhollydifferentdisposition?Forisitnottruethatwehatetruthandthosewhotellitus,andthatwelikethemtobedeceivedinourfavour,andprefertobeesteemedbythemasbeingotherthanwhatweareinfact?Oneproofofthismakesmeshudder.TheCatholicreligiondoesnotbindustoconfessoursinsindiscriminatelytoeverybody;itallowsthemtoremainhiddenfromallothermensaveone,towhomshebidsusrevealtheinnermostrecessesofourheartandshowourselvesasweare.Thereisonlythisonemanintheworldwhomsheordersustoundeceive,andshebindshimtoaninviolablesecrecy,whichmakesthisknowledgetohimasifitwerenot.Canweimagineanythingmorecharitableandpleasant?Andyetthecorruptionofmanissuchthathefindseventhislawharsh;anditisoneofthemainreasonswhichhascausedagreatpartofEuropetorebelagainsttheChurch.

Howunjustandunreasonableistheheartofman,whichfeelsitdisagreeabletobeobligedtodoinregardtoonemanwhatinsomemeasureitwererighttodotoallmen!Forisitrightthatweshoulddeceivemen?

Therearedifferentdegreesinthisaversiontotruth;butallmayperhapsbesaidtohaveitinsomedegree,becauseitisinseparablefromself-love.Itisthisfalsedelicacywhichmakesthosewhoareunderthenecessityofreprovingotherschoosesomanywindingsandmiddlecoursestoavoidoffence.Theymustlessenourfaults,appeartoexcusethem,interspersepraisesandevidenceofloveandesteem.Despiteallthis,themedicinedoesnotceasetobebittertoself-love.Ittakesaslittleasitcan,alwayswithdisgust,andoftenwithasecretspiteagainstthosewhoadministerit.

Henceithappensthat,ifanyhavesomeinterestinbeinglovedbyus,theyareaversetorenderusaservicewhichtheyknowtobedisagreeable.Theytreatusaswewishtobetreated.Wehatethetruth,andtheyhideitfromus.Wedesireflattery,andtheyflatterus.Weliketobedeceived,andtheydeceiveus.

Soeachdegreeofgoodfortunewhichraisesusintheworldremovesusfartherfromtruth,becausewearemostafraidofwoundingthosewhoseaffectionismostusefulandwhosedislikeismostdangerous.AprincemaybethebywordofallEurope,andhealonewillknownothingofit.Iamnotastonished.Totellthetruthisusefultothosetowhomitisspoken,butdisadvantageoustothosewhotellit,becauseitmakesthemdisliked.Nowthosewholivewithprinceslovetheirowninterestsmorethanthatoftheprincewhomtheyserve;andsotheytakecarenottoconferonhimabenefitsoastoinjurethemselves.

Thisevilisnodoubtgreaterandmorecommonamongthehigherclasses;butthelowerarenotexemptfromit,sincethereisalwayssomeadvantageinmakingmenloveus.Humanlifeisthusonlyaperpetualillusion;mendeceiveandflattereachother.Noonespeaksofusinourpresenceashedoesofusinourabsence.Humansocietyisfoundedonmutualdeceit;fewfriendshipswouldendureifeachknewwhathisfriendsaidofhiminhisabsence,althoughhethenspokeinsincerityandwithoutpassion.

Manis,then,onlydisguise,falsehood,andhypocrisy,bothinhimselfandinregardtoothers.Hedoesnotwishanyonetotellhimthetruth;heavoidstellingittoothers,andallthesedispositions,soremovedfromjusticeandreason,haveanaturalrootinhisheart.

101.Isetitdownasafactthatifallmenknewwhateachsaidoftheother,therewouldnotbefourfriendsintheworld.Thisisapparentfromthequarrelswhicharisefromtheindiscreettalestoldfromtimetotime.Isay,further,allmenwouldbe

102.Somevicesonlylayholdofusbymeansofothers,andthese,likebranches,fallonremovalofthetrunk.

103.TheexampleofAlexander-schastityhasnotmadesomanycontinentasthatofhisdrunkennesshasmadeintemperate.Itisnotshamefulnottobeasvirtuousashe,anditseemsexcusabletobenomorevicious.Wedonotbelieveourselvestobeexactlysharinginthevicesofthevulgarwhenweseethatwearesharinginthoseofgreatmen;andyetwedonotobservethatinthesematterstheyareordinarymen.Weholdontothembythesameendbywhichtheyholdontotherabble;for,howeverexaltedtheyare,theyarestillunitedatsomepointtothelowestofmen.Theyarenotsuspendedintheair,quiteremovedfromoursociety.No,no;iftheyaregreaterthanwe,itisbecausetheirheadsarehigher;buttheirfeetareaslowasours.Theyareallonthesamelevel,andrestonthesameearth;andbythatextremitytheyareaslowasweare,asthemeanestfolk,asinfants,andasthebeasts.

104.Whenourpassionleadsustodosomething,weforgetourduty;forexample,welikeabookandreadit,whenweoughttobedoingsomethingelse.Now,toremindourselvesofourduty,wemustsetourselvesataskwedislike;wethenpleadthatwehavesomethingelsetodoandbythismeansrememberourduty.

105.Howdifficultitistosubmitanythingtothejudgementofanother,withoutprejudicinghisjudgementbythemannerinwhichwesubmitit!Ifwesay,"Ithinkitbeautiful,""Ithinkitobscure,"orthelike,weeitherenticetheimaginationintothatview,orirritateittothecontrary.Itisbettertosaynothing;andthentheotherjudgesaccordingtowhatreallyis,thatistosay,accordingasitthenisandaccordingastheothercircumstances,notofourmaking,haveplacedit.Butweatleastshallhaveaddednothing,unlessitbethatsilencealsoproducesaneffect,accordingtotheturnandtheinterpretationwhichtheotherwillbedisposedtogiveit,orashewillguessitfromgesturesorcountenance,orfromthetoneofthevoice,ifheisaphysiognomist.Sodifficultisitnottoupsetajudgementfromitsnaturalplace,or,rather,sorarelyisitfirmandstable!

106.Byknowingeachman-srulingpassion,wearesureofpleasinghim;andyeteachhashisfancies,opposedtohistruegood,intheveryideawhichhehasofthegood.Itisasingularlypuzzlingfact.

107.Lustravitlampadeterras.—Theweatherandmymoodhavelittleconnection.Ihavemyfoggyandmyfinedayswithinme;myprosperityormisfortunehaslittletodowiththematter.Isometimesstruggleagainstluck,thegloryofmasteringitmakesmemasteritgaily;whereasIamsometimessurfeitedinthemidstofgoodfortune.

108.Althoughpeoplemayhavenointerestinwhattheyaresaying,wemustnotabsolutelyconcludefromthisthattheyarenotlying;fortherearesomepeoplewholieforthemeresakeoflying.

109.Whenwearewellwewonderwhatwewoulddoifwewereill,butwhenweareillwetakemedicinecheerfully;theillnesspersuadesustodoso.Wehavenolongerthepassionsanddesiresforamusementsandpromenadeswhichhealthgavetous,butwhichareincompatiblewiththenecessitiesofillness.Naturegivesus,then,passionsanddesiressuitabletoourpresentstate.Weareonlytroubledbythefearswhichwe,andnotnature,giveourselves,fortheyaddtothestateinwhichwearethepassionsofthestateinwhichwearenot.

Asnaturemakesusalwaysunhappyineverystate,ourdesirespicturetousahappystate;becausetheyaddtothestateinwhichwearethepleasuresofthestateinwhichwearenot.Andifweattainedtothesepleasures,weshouldnotbehappyafterall;becauseweshouldhaveotherdesiresnaturaltothisnewstate.

Wemustparticularisethisgeneralproposition

110.Theconsciousnessofthefalsityofpresentpleasures,andtheignoranceofthevanityofabsentpleasures,causeinconstancy.

111.Inconstancy.—Wethinkweareplayingonordinaryorganswhenplayinguponman.Menareorgans,itistrue,but,odd,changeable,variablewithpipesnotarrangedinproperorder.Thosewhoonlyknowhowtoplayonordinaryorganswillnotproducebarmoniesonthese.Wemustknowwhereare.

112.Inconstancy.—Thingshavedifferentqualities,andthesouldifferentinclinations;fornothingissimplewhichispresentedtothesoul,andthesoulneverpresentsitselfsimplytoanyobject.Henceitcomesthatweweepandlaughatthesamething.

113.Inconstancyandoddity.—Toliveonlybywork,andtoruleoverthemostpowerfulStateintheworld,areveryoppositethings.TheyareunitedinthepersonofthegreatSultanoftheTurks.

114.Varietyisasabundantasalltonesofthevoice,allwaysofwalking,coughing,blowingthenose,sneezing.Wedistinguishvinesbytheirfruit,andcallthemtheCondrien,theDesargues,andsuchandsuchastock.Isthisall?Hasavineeverproducedtwobunchesexactlythesame,andhasabunchtwograpesalike,etc.?

Icanneverjudgeofthesamethingexactlyinthesameway.Icannotjudgeofmywork,whiledoingit.Imustdoastheartists,standatadistance,butnottoofar.Howfar,then?Guess.

115.Variety.—Theologyisascience,butatthesametimehowmanysciences?Amanisawhole;butifwedissecthim,willhebethehead,theheart,thestomach,theveins,eachvein,eachportionofavein,theblood,eachhumourintheblood?

Atown,acountry-place,isfromafaratownandacountry-place.But,aswedrawnear,therearehouses,trees,tiles,leaves,grass,ants,limbsofants,ininfinity.Allthisiscontainedunderthenameofcountry-place.

116.Thoughts.—Allisone,allisdifferent.Howmanynaturesexistinman?Howmanyvocations?Andbywhatchancedoeseachmanordinarilychoosewhathehasheardpraised?Awell-turnedheel.

117.Theheelofaslipper.—"Ah!Howwellthisisturned!Hereisacleverworkman!Howbraveisthissoldier!"Thisisthesourceofourinclinationsandofthechoiceofconditions."Howmuchthismandrinks!Howlittlethatone"!Thismakespeoplesoberordrunk,soldiers,cowards,etc.

118.Chieftalent,thatwhichrulestherest.

119.NatureimitatesherselfAseedgrowningoodgroundbringsforthfruit.Aprincipleinstilledintoagoodmindbringsforthfruit.Numbersimitatespace,whichisofadifferentnature.

Allismadeandledbythesamemaster,root,branches,andfruits;principlesandconsequences.

120.Naturediversifiesandimitates;artimitatesanddiversifies.

121.Naturealwaysbeginsthesamethingsagain,theyears,thedays,thehours;inlikemannerspacesandnumbersfolloweachotherfrombeginningtoend.Thusismadeakindofinfinityandeternity.Notthatanythinginallthisisinfiniteandeternal,butthesefiniterealitiesareinfinitelymultiplied.Thusitseemstometobeonlythenumberwhichmultipliesthemthatisinfinite.

122.Timehealsgriefsandquarrels,forwechangeandarenolongerthesamepersons.Neithertheoffendernortheoffendedareanymorethemselves.Itislikeanationwhichwehaveprovoked,butmeetagainaftertwogenerations.TheyarestillFrenchmen,butnotthesame.

123.Henolongerlovesthepersonwhomhelovedtenyearsago.Iquitebelieveit.Sheisnolongerthesame,norishe.Hewasyoung,andshealso;sheisquitedifferent.Hewouldperhapsloveheryet,ifshewerewhatshewasthen.

124.Weviewthingsnotonlyfromdifferentsides,butwithdifferenteyes;wehavenowishtofindthemalike.

125.Contraries.—Manisnaturallycredulousandincredulous,timidandrash.

126.Deionofman:dependency,desireofindependence,need.

127.Conditionofman:inconstancy,weariness,unrest.

128.Thewearinesswhichisfeltbyusinleavingpursuitstowhichweareattached.Amandwellsathomewithpleasure;butifheseesawomanwhocharmshim,orifheenjoyshimselfinplayforfiveorsixdays,heismiserableifhereturnstohisformerwayofliving.Nothingismorecommonthanthat.

129.Ournatureconsistsinmotion;completerestisdeath.

130.Restlessness.—Ifasoldier,orlabourer,complainofthehardshipofhislot,sethimtodonothing.

131.Weariness.—Nothingissoinsufferabletomanastobecompletelyatrest,withoutpassions,withoutbusiness,withoutdiversion,withoutstudy.Hethenfeelshisnothingness,hisforlornness,hisinsufficiency,hisdependence,hisweakness,hisemptiness.Therewillimmediatelyarisefromthedepthofhisheartweariness,gloom,sadness,fretfulness,vexation,despair.

132.MethinksCaesarwastoooldtosetaboutamusinghimselfwithconqueringtheworld.SuchsportwasgoodforAugustusorAlexander.Theywerestillyoungmenandthusdifficulttorestrain.ButCaesarshouldhavebeenmoremature.

133.Twofaceswhichresembleeachothermakeuslaugh,whentogether,bytheirresemblance,thoughneitherofthembyitselfmakesuslaugh.

134.Howuselessispainting,whichattractsadmirationbytheresemblanceofthings,theoriginalsofwhichwedonotadmire!

135.Thestrugglealonepleasesus,notthevictory.Welovetoseeanimalsfighting,notthevictorinfuriatedoverthevanquished.Wewouldonlyseethevictoriousend;and,assoonasitcomes,wearesatiated.Itisthesameinplay,andthesameinthesearchfortruth.Indisputesweliketoseetheclashofopinions,butnotatalltocontemplatetruthwhenfound.Toobserveitwithpleasure,wehavetoseeitemergeoutofstrife.Sointhepassions,thereispleasureinseeingthecollisionoftwocontraries;butwhenoneacquiresthemastery,itbecomesonlybrutality.Weneverseekthingsforthemselves,butforthesearch.Likewiseinplays,sceneswhichdonotrousetheemotionoffearareworthless,soareextremeandhopelessmisery,brutallust,andextremecruelty.

136.Ameretrifleconsolesus,forameretrifledistressesus.

137.Withoutexaminingeveryparticularpursuit,itisenoughtocomprehendthemunderdiversion.

138.Mennaturallyslatersandofallcallings,saveintheirownrooms.

139.Diversion.—WhenIhaveoccasionallysetmyselftoconsiderthedifferentdistractionsofmen,thepainsandperilstowhichtheyexposethemselvesatcourtorinwar,whencearisesomanyquarrels,passions,boldandoftenbadventures,etc.,Ihavediscoveredthatalltheunhappinessofmenarisesfromonesinglefact,thattheycannotstayquietlyintheirownchamber.Amanwhohasenoughtoliveon,ifheknewhowtostaywithpleasureathome,wouldnotleaveittogotoseaortobesiegeatown.Acommissioninthearmywouldnotbeboughtsodearly,butthatitisfoundinsufferablenottobudgefromthetown;andmenonlyseekconversationandenteringgames,becausetheycannotremainwithpleasureathome.

But,onfurtherconsideration,when,afterfindingthecauseofallourills,Ihavesoughttodiscoverthereasonofit,Ihavefoundthatthereisoneveryrealreason,namely,thenaturalpovertyofourfeebleandmortalcondition,somiserablethatnothingcancomfortuswhenwethinkofitclosely.

Whateverconditionwepicturetoourselves,ifwemusterallthegoodthingswhichitispossibletopossess,royaltyisthefinestpositionintheworld.Yet,whenweimagineakingattendedwitheverypleasurehecanfeel,ifhebewithoutdiversionandbelefttoconsiderandreflectonwhatheis,thisfeeblehappinesswillnotsustainhim;hewillnecessarilyfallintoforebodingsofdangers,ofrevolutionswhichmayhappen,and,finally,ofdeathandinevitabledisease;sothat,ifhebewithoutwhatiscalleddiversion,heisunhappyandmoreunhappythantheleastofhissubjectswhoplaysanddivertshimself.

Henceitcomesthatplayandthesocietyofwomen,warandhighposts,aresosoughtafter.Notthatthereisinfactanyhappinessinthem,orthatmenimaginetrueblisstoconsistinmoneywonatplay,orintheharewhichtheyhunt;wewouldnottaketheseasagift.Wedonotseekthateasyandpeacefullotwhichpermitsustothinkofourunhappycondition,northedangersofwar,northelabourofoffice,butthebustlewhichavertsthesethoughtsofoursandamusesus.

Reasonswhywelikethechasebetterthanthequarry.

Henceitcomesthatmensomuchlovenoiseandstir;henceitcomesthattheprisonissohorribleapunishment;henceitcomesthatthepleasureofsolitudeisathingincomprehensible.Anditis,infact,thegreatestsourceofhappinessintheconditionofkingsthatmentryincessantlytodivertthemandtoprocureforthemallkindsofpleasures.

Thekingissurroundedbypersonswhoseonlythoughtistodivertthekingandtopreventhisthinkingofself.Forheisunhappy,kingthoughhebe,ifhethinkofhimself.

Thisisallthatmenhavebeenabletodiscovertomakethemselveshappy.Andthosewhophilosophiseonthematter,andwhothinkmenunreasonableforspendingawholedayinchasingaharewhichtheywouldnothavebought,scarceknowournature.Thehareinitselfwouldnotscreenusfromthesightofdeathandcalamities;butthechase,whichturnsawayourattentionfromthese,doesscreenus.

TheadvicegiventoPyrrhus,totaketherestwhichhewasabouttoseekwithsomuchlabour,wasfullofdifficulties.

Tobidamanlivequietlyistobidhimlivehappily.Itistoadvisehimtobeinastateperfectlyhappy,inwhichhecanthinkatleisurewithoutfindingthereinacauseofdistress.Thisistomisunderstandnature.

Asmenwhonaturallyunderstandtheirownconditionavoidnothingsomuchasrest,sothereisnothingtheyleaveundoneinseekingturmoil.Notthattheyhaveaninstinctiveknowledgeoftruehappiness

Sowearewronginblamingthem.Theirerrordoesnotlieinseekingexcitement,iftheyseekitonlyasadiversion;theevilisthattheyseekitasifthepossessionoftheobjectsoftheirquestwouldmakethemreallyhappy.Inthisrespectitisrighttocalltheirquestavainone.Henceinallthisboththecensurersandthecensureddonotunderstandman-struenature.

Andthus,whenwetaketheexceptionagainstthem,thatwhattheyseekwithsuchfervourcannotsatisfythem,iftheyreplied—astheyshoulddoiftheyconsideredthematterthoroughly—thattheysoughtinitonlyaviolentandimpetuousoccupationwhichturnedtheirthoughtsfromself,andthattheythereforechoseanattractiveobjecttocharmandardentlyattractthem,theywouldleavetheiropponentswithoutareply.Buttheydonotmakethisreply,becausetheydonotknowthemselves.Theydonotknowthatitisthechase,andnotthequarry,whichtheyseek.

Dancing:Wemustconsiderrightlywheretoplaceourfeet.—Agentlemansincerelybelievesthathuntingisgreatandroyalsport;butabeaterisnotofthisopinion.

Theyimaginethat,iftheyobtainedsuchapost,theywouldthenrestwithpleasureandareinsensibleoftheinsatiablenatureoftheifdesire.Theythinktheyaretrulyseekingquiet,andtheyareonlyseekingexcitement.

Theyhaveasecretinstinctwhichimpelsthemtoseekamusementandoccupationabroad,andwhicharisesfromthesenseoftheirconstantunhappiness.Theyhaveanothersecretinstinct,aremnantofthegreatnessofouroriginalnature,whichteachesthemthathappinessinrealityconsistsonlyinrestandnotinstir.Andofthesetwocontraryinstinctstheyformwithinthemselvesaconfusedidea,whichhidesitselffromtheirviewinthedepthsoftheirsoul,incitingthemtoaimatrestthroughexcitement,andalwaystofancythatthesatisfactionwhichtheyhavenotwillcometothem,if,bysurmountingwhateverdifficultiesconfrontthem,theycantherebyopenthedoortorest.

Thuspassesawayallman-slife.Menseekrestinastruggleagainstdifficulties;andwhentheyhaveconqueredthese,restbecomesinsufferable.Forwethinkeitherofthemisfortuneswehaveorofthosewhichthreatenus.Andevenifweshouldseeourselvessufficientlyshelteredonallsides,wearinessofitsownaccordwouldnotfailtoarisefromthedepthsoftheheartwhereinithasitsnaturalrootsandtofillthemindwithitspoison.

Thussowretchedismanthathewouldwearyevenwithoutanycauseforwearinessfromthepeculiarstateofhisdisposition;andsofrivolousishethat,thoughfullofathousandreasonsforweariness,theleastthing,suchasplayingbilliardsorhittingaball,issufficienttoamusehim.

Butwillyousaywhatobjecthasheinallthis?Thepleasureofbraggingtomorrowamonghisfriendsthathehasplayedbetterthananother.Sootherssweatintheirownroomstoshowtothelearnedthattheyhavesolvedaprobleminalgebra,whichnoonehadhithertobeenabletosolve.Manymoreexposethemselvestoextremeperils,inmyopinionasfoolishly,inordertoboastafterwardsthattheyhavecapturedatown.Lastly,otherswearthemselvesoutinstudyingallthesethings,notinordertobecomewiser,butonlyinordertoprovethattheyknowthem;andthesearethemostsenselessoftheband,sincetheyaresoknowingly,whereasonemaysupposeoftheothersthat,iftheyknewit,theywouldnolongerbefoolish.

Thismanspendshislifewithoutwearinessinplayingeverydayforasmallstake.Givehimeachmorningthemoneyhecanwineachday,onconditionhedoesnotplay;youmakehimmiserable.Itwillperhapsbesaidthatheseekstheamusementofplayandnotthewinnings.Makehim,then,playfornothing;hewillnotbecomeexcitedoveritandwillfeelbored.Itis,then,nottheamusementalonethatheseeks;alanguidandpassionlessamusementwillwearyhim.Hemustgetexcitedoveritanddeceivehimselfbythefancythathewillbehappytowinwhathewouldnothaveasagiftonconditionofnotplaying;andhemustmakeforhimselfanobjectofpassion,andexciteoverithisdesire,hisanger,hisfear,toobtainhisimaginedend,aschildrenarefrightenedatthefacetheyhaveblackened.

Whencecomesitthatthisman,wholosthisonlysonafewmonthsago,orwhothismorningwasinsuchtroublethroughbeingdistressedbylawsuitsandquarrels,nownolongerthinksofthem?Donotwonder;heisquitetakenupinlookingoutfortheboarwhichhisdogshavebeenhuntingsohotlyforthelastsixhours.Herequiresnothingmore.Howeverfullofsadnessamanmaybe,heishappyforthetime,ifyoucanprevailuponhimtoenterintosomeamusement;andhoweverhappyamanmaybe,hewillsoonbediscontentedandwretched,ifhebenotdivertedandoccupiedbysomepassionorpursuitwhichpreventswearinessfromovercominghim.Withoutamusementthereisnojoy;withamusementthereisnosadness.Andthisalsoconstitutesthehappinessofpersonsinhighposition,thattheyhaveanumberofpeopletoamusethemandhavethepowertokeepthemselvesinthisstate.

Considerthis.Whatisittobesuperintendent,chancellor,firstpresident,buttobeinaconditionwhereinfromearlymorningalargenumberofpeoplecomefromallquarterstoseethem,soasnottoleavethemanhourinthedayinwhichtheycanthinkofthemselves?Andwhentheyareindisgraceandsentbacktotheircountryhouses,wheretheylackneitherwealthnorservantstohelpthemonoccasion,theydonotfailtobewretchedanddesolate,becausenoonepreventsthemfromthinkingofthemselves.

140.Howdoesithappenthatthisman,sodistressedatthedeathofhiswifeandhisonlyson,orwhohassomegreatlawsuitwhichannoyshim,isnotatthismomentsad,andthatheseemssofreefromallpainfulanddisquietingthoughts?Weneednotwonder;foraballhasbeenservedhim,andhemustreturnittohiscompanion.Heisoccupiedincatchingitinitsfallfromtheroof,towinagame.Howcanhethinkofhisownaffairs,pray,whenhehasthisothermatterinhand?Hereisacareworthyofoccupyingthisgreatsoulandtakingawayfromhimeveryotherthoughtofthemind.Thisman,borntoknowtheuniverse,tojudgeallcauses,togovernawholestate,isaltogetheroccupiedandtakenupwiththebusinessofcatchingahare.Andifhedoesnotlowerhimselftothisandwantsalwaystobeonthestrain,hewillbemorefoolishstill,becausehewouldraisehimselfabovehumanity;andafterall,heisonlyaman,thatistosaycapableoflittleandofmuch,ofallandofnothing;heisneitherangelnorbrute,butman.

141.Menspendtheirtimeinfollowingaballorahare;itisthepleasureevenofkings.

142.Diversion—Isnottheroyaldignitysufficientlygreatinitselftomakeitspossessorhappybythemerecontemplationofwhatheis?Musthebedivertedfromthisthoughtlikeordinaryfolk?Iseewellthatamanismadehappybydivertinghimfromtheviewofhisdomesticsorrowssoastooccupyallhisthoughtswiththecareofdancingwell.Butwillitbethesamewithaking,andwillhebehappierinthepursuitoftheseidleamusementsthaninthecontemplationofhisgreatness?Andwhatmoresatisfactoryobjectcouldbepresentedtohismind?Woulditnotbeadeprivationofhisdelightforhimtooccupyhissoulwiththethoughtofhowtoadjusthisstepstothecadenceofanair,orofhowtothrowaballskilfully,insteadofleavingittoenjoyquietlythecontemplationofthemajesticglorywhichencompasseshim?Letusmakethetrial;letusleaveakingallalonetoreflectonhimselfquiteatleisure,withoutanygratificationofthesenses,withoutanycareinhismind,withoutsociety;andwewillseethatakingwithoutdiversionisamanfullofwretchedness.Sothisiscarefullyavoided,andnearthepersonsofkingsthereneverfailtobeagreatnumberofpeoplewhoseetoitthatamusementfollowsbusiness,andwhowatchallthetimeoftheirleisuretosupplythemwithdelightsandgames,sothatthereisnoblankinit.Infact,kingsaresurroundedwithpersonswhoarewonderfullyattentiveintakingcarethatthekingbenotaloneandinastatetothinkofhimself,knowingwellthathewillbemiserable,kingthoughhebe,ifhemeditateonself.

InallthisIamnottalkingofChristiankingsasChristians,butonlyaskings.

143.Diversion.—Menareentrustedfrominfancywiththecareoftheirhonour,theirproperty,theirfriends,andevenwiththepropertyandthehonouroftheirfriends.Theyareoverwhelmedwithbusiness,withthestudyoflanguages,andwithphysicalexercise;andtheyaremadetounderstandthattheycannotbehappyunlesstheirhealth,theirhonour,theirfortuneandthatoftheirfriendsbeingoodcondition,andthatasinglethingwantingwillmakethemunhappy.Thustheyaregivencaresandbusinesswhichmakethembustleaboutfrombreakofday.Itis,youwillexclaim,astrangewaytomakethemhappy!Whatmorecouldbedonetomakethemmiserable?—Indeed!whatcouldbedone?Weshouldonlyhavetorelievethemfromallthesecares;forthentheywouldseethemselves:theywouldreflectonwhattheyare,whencetheycame,whithertheygo,andthuswecannotemployanddivertthemtoomuch.Andthisiswhy,afterhavinggiventhemsomuchbusiness,weadvisethem,iftheyhavesometimeforrelaxation,toemployitinamusement,inplay,andtobealwaysfullyoccupied.

Howhollowandfullofribaldryistheheartofman!

144.Ispentalongtimeinthestudyoftheabstractsciences,andwasdisheartenedbythesmallnumberoffellow-studentsinthem.WhenIcommencedthestudyofman,IsawthattheseabstractsciencesarenotsuitedtomanandthatIwaswanderingfartherfrommyownstateinexaminingthemthanothersinnotknowingthem.Ipardonedtheirlittleknowledge;butIthoughtatleasttofindmanycompanionsinthestudyofmanandthatitwasthetruestudywhichissuitedtohim.Ihavebeendeceived;stillfewerstudyitthangeometry.Itisonlyfromthewantofknowinghowtostudythisthatweseektheotherstudies.Butisitnotthatevenhereisnottheknowledgewhichmanshouldhaveandthatforthepurposeofhappinessitisbetterforhimnottoknowhimself.?

145.Onethoughtaloneoccupiesus;wecannotthinkoftwothingsatthesametime.Thisisluckyforusaccordingtotheworld,notaccordingtoGod.

146.Manisobviouslymadetothink.Itishiswholedignityandhiswholemerit;andhiswholedutyistothinkasheought.Now,theorderofthoughtistobeginwithself,andwithitsAuthoranditsend.

Now,ofwhatdoestheworldthink?Neverofthis,butofdancing,playingthelute,singing,makingverses,runningatthering,etc.,fighting,makingoneselfking,withoutthinkingwhatitistobeakingandwhattobeaman.

147.Wedonotcontentourselveswiththelifewehaveinourselvesandinourownbeing;wedesiretoliveanimaginarylifeinthemindofothers,andforthispurposeweendeavourtoshine.Welabourunceasinglytoadornandpreservethisimaginaryexistenceandneglectthereal.Andifwepossesscalmness,orgenerosity,ortruthfulness,weareeagertomakeitknown,soastoattachthesevirtuestothatimaginaryexistence.Wewouldratherseparatethemfromourselvestojointhemtoit;andwewouldwillinglybecowardsinordertoacquirethereputationofbeingbrave.Agreatproofofthenothingnessofourbeing,nottobesatisfiedwiththeonewithouttheother,andtorenouncetheonefortheother!Forhewouldbeinfamouswhowouldnotdietopreservehishonour.

148.Wearesopresumptuousthatwewouldwishtobeknownbyalltheworld,evenbypeoplewhoshallcomeafter,whenweshallbenomore;andwearesovainthattheesteemoffiveorsixneighboursdelightsandcontentsus.

149.Wedonottroubleourselvesaboutbeingesteemedinthetownsthroughwhichwepass.Butifwearetoremainalittlewhilethere,wearesoconcerned.Howlongisnecessary?Atimecommensuratewithourvainandpaltrylife.

150.Vanityissoanchoredintheheartofmanthatasoldier,asoldier-sservant,acook,aporterbragsandwishestohavehisadmirers.Evenphilosopherswishforthem.Thosewhowriteagainstitwanttohavethegloryofhavingwrittenwell;andthosewhoreaditdesirethegloryofhavingreadit.Iwhowritethishaveperhapsthisdesire,andperhapsthosewhowillreadit

151.Glory.—Admirationspoilsallfrominfancy.Ah!Howwellsaid!Ah!Howwelldone!Howwell-behavedheis!etc.

ThechildrenofPort-Royal,whodonotreceivethisstimulusofenvyandglory,fallintocarelessness.

152.Pride.—Curiosityisonlyvanity.Mostfrequentlywewishtoknowbuttotalk.Otherwisewewouldnottakeaseavoyageinordernevertotalkofit,andforthesolepleasureofseeingwithouthopeofevercommunicatingit.

153.Ofthedesireofbeingesteemedbythosewithwhomweare.—Pridetakessuchnaturalpossessionofusinthemidstofourwoes,errors,etc.Weevenloseourlifewithjoy,providedpeopletalkofit.

Vanity:play,hunting,visiting,falseshame,alastingname.

154.Ihavenofriendstoyouradvantage.

155.Atruefriendissogreatanadvantage,evenforthegreatestlords,inorderthathemayspeakwellofthemandbackthemintheirabsence,thattheyshoulddoalltohaveone.Buttheyshouldchoosewell;for,iftheyspendalltheireffortsintheinterestsoffools,itwillbeofnouse,howeverwellthesemayspeakofthem;andthesewillnotevenspeakwellofthemiftheyfindthemselvesontheweakestside,fortheyhavenoinfluence;andthustheywillspeakillofthemincompany.

156.Feroxgens,nullamessevitamsinearmisrati.—Theypreferdeathtopeace;otherspreferdeathtowar.

Everyopinionmaybeheldpreferabletolife,theloveofwhichissostrongandsonatural.

157.Contradiction:contemptforourexistence,todiefornothing,hatredofourexistence.

158.Pursuits.—Thecharmoffameissogreatthatwelikeeveryobjecttowhichitisattached,evendeath.

159.Nobledeedsaremostestimablewhenhidden.WhenIseesomeoftheseinhistory,theypleasemegreatly.Butafteralltheyhavenotbeenquitehidden,sincetheyhavebeenknown;andthoughpeoplehavedonewhattheycouldtohidethem,thelittlepublicationofthemspoilsall,forwhatwasbestinthemwasthewishtohidethem.

160.Sneezingabsorbsallthefunctionsofthesoul,aswellasworkdoes;butwedonotdrawtherefromthesameconclusionsagainstthegreatnessofman,becauseitisagainsthiswill.Andalthoughwebringitonourselves,itisneverthelessagainstourwillthatwesneeze.Itisnotinviewoftheactitself;itisforanotherend.Andthusitisnotaproofoftheweaknessofmanandofhisslaveryunderthataction.

Itisnotdisgracefulformantoyieldtopain,anditisdisgracefultoyieldtopleasure.Thisisnotbecausepaincomestousfromwithout,andweourselvesseekpleasure;foritispossibletoseekpain,andyieldtoitpurposely,withoutthiskindofbaseness.Whencecomesit,then,thatreasonthinksithonourabletosuccumbunderstressofpain,anddisgracefultoyieldtotheattackofpleasure?Itisbecausepaindoesnottemptandattractus.Itisweourselveswhochooseitvoluntarily,andwillittoprevailoverus.Sothatwearemastersofthesituation;andinthismanyieldstohimself.Butinpleasureitismanwhoyieldstopleasure.Nowonlymasteryandsovereigntybringglory,andonlyslaverybringsshame.

161.Vanity.—Howwonderfulitisthatathingsoevidentasthevanityoftheworldissolittleknown,thatitisastrangeandsurprisingthingtosaythatitisfoolishtoseekgreatness?

162.Hewhowillknowfullythevanityofmanhasonlytoconsiderthecausesandeffectsoflove.Thecauseisajenesaisquoi(Corneille),andtheeffectsaredreadful.Thisjenesaisquoi,sosmallanobjectthatwecannotrecogniseit,agitatesawholecountry,princes,armies,theentireworld.

Cleopatra-snose:haditbeenshorter,thewholeaspectoftheworldwouldhavebeenaltered.

163.Vanity.—Thecauseandtheeffectsoflove:Cleopatra.

164.Hewhodoesnotseethevanityoftheworldishimselfveryvain.Indeedwhodonotseeitbutyouthswhoareabsorbedinfame,diversion,andthethoughtofthefuture?Buttakeawaydiversion,andyouwillseethemdriedupwithweariness.Theyfeelthentheirnothingnesswithoutknowingit;foritisindeedtobeunhappytobeininsufferablesadnessassoonaswearereducedtothinkingofselfandhavenodiversion.

165.Thoughts.—Inomnibusrequiemquaesivi.Ifourconditionweretrulyhappy,wenotneeddiversionfromthinkingofitinordertomakeourselveshappy.

166.Diversion.—Deathiseasiertobearwithoutthinkingofitthanisthethoughtofdeathwithoutperil.

167.Themiseriesofhumanlifehasestablishedallthis:asmenhaveseenthis,theyhavetakenupdiversion.

168.Diversion.—Asmenarenotabletofightagainstdeath,misery,ignorance,theyhavetakenitintotheirheads,inordertobehappy,nottothinkofthematall.

169.Despitethesemiseries,manwishestobehappy,andonlywishestobehappy,andcannotwishnottobeso.Buthowwillhesetaboutit?Tobehappyhewouldhavetomakehimselfimmortal;but,notbeingabletodoso,ithasoccurredtohimtopreventhimselffromthinkingofdeath.

170.Diversion.—Ifmanwerehappy,hewouldbethemoreso,thelesshewasdiverted,liketheSaintsandGod.Yes;butisitnottobehappytohaveafacultyofbeingamusedbydiversion?No;forthatcomesfromelsewhereandfromwithout,andthusisdependent,andthereforesubjecttobedisturbedbyathousandaccidents,whichbringinevitablegriefs.

171.Misery.—Theonlythingwhichconsolesusforourmiseriesisdiversion,andyetthisisthegreatestofourmiseries.Foritisthiswhichprincipallyhindersusfromreflectinguponourselvesandwhichmakesusinsensiblyruinourselves.Withoutthisweshouldbeinastateofweariness,andthiswearinesswouldspurustoseekamoresolidmeansofescapingfromit.Butdiversionamusesus,andleadsusunconsciouslytodeath.

172.Wedonotrestsatisfiedwiththepresent.Weanticipatethefutureastooslowincoming,asifinordertohastenitscourse;orwerecallthepast,tostopitstoorapidflight.Soimprudentarewethatwewanderinthetimeswhicharenotoursanddonotthinkoftheonlyonewhichbelongstous;andsoidlearewethatwedreamofthosetimeswhicharenomoreandthoughtlesslyoverlookthatwhichaloneexists.Forthepresentisgenerallypainfultous.Weconcealitfromoursight,becauseittroublesus;and,ifitbedelightfultous,weregrettoseeitpassaway.Wetrytosustainitbythefutureandthinkofarrangingmatterswhicharenotinourpower,foratimewhichwehavenocertaintyofreaching.

Leteachoneexaminehisthoughts,andhewillfindthemalloccupiedwiththepastandthefuture.Wescarcelyeverthinkofthepresent;andifwethinkofit,itisonlytotakelightfromittoarrangethefuture.Thepresentisneverourend.Thepastandthepresentareourmeans;thefuturealoneisourend.Soweneverlive,butwehopetolive;and,aswearealwayspreparingtobehappy,itisinevitableweshouldneverbeso.

173.Theysaythateclipsesforetokenmisfortune,becausemisfortunesarecommon,sothat,asevilhappenssooften,theyoftenforetellit;whereasiftheysaidthattheypredictgoodfortune,theywouldoftenbewrong.Theyattributegoodfortuneonlytorareconjunctionsoftheheavens;sotheyseldomfailinprediction.

174.Misery.—SolomonandJobhavebestknownandbestspokenofthemiseryofman;theformerthemostfortunate,andthelatterthemostunfortunateofmen;theformerknowingthevanityofpleasuresfromexperience,thelattertherealityofevils.

175.Weknowourselvessolittlethatmanythinktheyareabouttodiewhentheyarewell,andmanythinktheyarewellwhentheyareneardeath,unconsciousofapproachingfever,oroftheabscessreadytoformitself.

176.CromwellwasabouttoravageallChristendom;theroyalfamilywasundone,andhisownforeverestablished,saveforalittlegrainofsandwhichformedinhisureter.Romeherselfwastremblingunderhim;butthissmallpieceofgravelhavingformedthere,heisdead,hisfamilycastdown,allispeaceful,andthekingisrestored.

177.Threehosts.WouldhewhohadpossessedthefriendshipoftheKingofEngland,theKingofPoland,andtheQueenofSweden,havebelievedhewouldlackarefugeandshelterintheworld?

178.MacrobiusntheinnocentsslainbyHerod.

179.WhenAugustuslearntthatHerod-sownsonwasamongsttheinfantsundertwoyearsofage,whomhehadcausedtobeslain,hesaidthatitwasbettertobeHerod-spigthanhisson.Macrobius,Saturnalia,ii.4.

180.Thegreatandthehumblehavethesamemisfortunes,thesamegriefs,thesamepassions;buttheoneisatthetopofthewheel,andtheothernearthecentre,andsolessdisturbedbythesamerevolutions.

181.Wearesounfortunatethatwecanonlytakepleasureinathingonconditionofbeingannoyedifitturnoutill,asathousandthingscando,anddoeveryhour.Hewhoshouldfindthesecretofrejoicinginthegood,withouttroublinghimselfwithitscontraryevil,wouldhavehitthemark.Itisperpetualmotion.

182.Thosewhohavealwaysgoodhopeinthemidstofmisfortunes,andwhoaredelightedwithgoodluck,aresuspectedofbeingverypleasedwiththeillsuccessoftheaffair,iftheyarenotequallydistressedbybadluck;andtheyareoverjoyedtofindthesepretextsofhope,inordertoshowthattheyareconcernedandtoconcealbythejoywhichtheyfeigntofeelthatwhichtheyhaveatseeingthefailureofthematter.

183.Weruncarelesslytotheprecipice,afterwehaveputsomethingbeforeustopreventusseeingit.

SECTIONIII:OFTHENECESSITYOFTHEWAGER

184.AlettertoincitetothesearchafterGod.

AndthentomakepeopleseekHimamongthephilosophers,sceptics,anddogmatists,whodisquiethimwhoinquiresofthem.

185.TheconductofGod,whodisposesallthingskindly,istoputreligionintothemindbyreason,andintotheheartbygrace.Buttowilltoputitintothemindandheartbyforceandthreatsisnottoputreligionthere,butterror;terorrempotiusquamreligionem.

186.Nisiterrerenturetnondocerentur,improbaquasidominatiovideretur(St.Augustine,Epistle48or49),ContraMendaciumadConsentium.

187.Order.—Mendespisereligion;theyhateitandfearitistrue.Toremedythis,wemustbeginbyshowingthatreligionisnotcontrarytoreason;thatitisvenerable,toinspirerespectforit;thenwemustmakeitlovable,tomakegoodmenhopeitistrue;finally,wemustproveitistrue.

Venerable,becauseithasperfectknowledgeofman;lovablebecauseitpromisesthetruegood.

188.Ineverydialogueanddiscourse,wemustbeabletosaytothosewhotakeoffence,"Ofwhatdoyoucomplain?"

189.Tobeginbypityingunbelievers;theyarewretchedenoughbytheircondition.Weoughtonlytorevilethemwhereitisbeneficial;butthisdoesthemharm.

190.Topityatheistswhoseek,foraretheynotunhappyenough?Toinveighagainstthosewhomakeaboastofit.

191.Andwillthisonescoffattheother?Whooughttoscoff?Andyet,thelatterdoesnotscoffattheother,butpitieshim.

192.ToreproachMiltonwithnotbeingtroubled,sinceGodwillreproachhim.

193.Quidfiethominibusquiminimacontemnunt,majoranoncredunt?

194Letthematleastlearnwhatisthereligiontheyattack,beforeattackingit.IfthisreligionboastedofhavingaclearviewofGod,andofpossessingitopenandunveiled,itwouldbeattackingittosaythatweseenothingintheworldwhichshowsitwiththisclearness.Butsince,onthecontrary,itsaysthatmenareindarknessandestrangedfromGod,thatHehashiddenHimselffromtheirknowledge,thatthisisinfactthenamewhichHegivesHimselfintheures,Deusabsconditus;andfinally,ifitendeavoursequallytoestablishthesetwothings:thatGodhassetupintheChurchvisiblesignstomakeHimselfknowntothosewhoshouldseekHimsincerely,andthatHehasneverthelesssodisguisedthemthatHewillonlybeperceivedbythosewhoseekHimwithalltheirheart;whatadvantagecantheyobtain,when,inthenegligencewithwhichtheymakeprofessionofbeinginsearchofthetruth,theycryoutthatnothingrevealsittothem;andsincethatdarknessinwhichtheyare,andwithwhichtheyupbraidtheChurch,establishesonlyoneofthethingswhichsheaffirms,withouttouchingtheother,and,veryfarfromdestroying,provesherdoctrine?

Inordertoattackit,theyshouldhaveprotestedthattheyhadmadeeveryefforttoseekHimeverywhere,andeveninthatwhichtheChurchproposesfortheirinstruction,butwithoutsatisfaction.Iftheytalkedinthismanner,theywouldintruthbeattackingoneofherpretensions.ButIhopeheretoshowthatnoreasonablepersoncanspeakthus,andIventureeventosaythatnoonehaseverdoneso.Weknowwellenoughhowthosewhoareofthismindbehave.Theybelievetheyhavemadegreateffortsfortheirinstructionwhentheyhavespentafewhoursinreadingsomebookofureandhavequestionedsomepriestsonthetruthsofthefaith.Afterthat,theyboastofhavingmadevainsearchinbooksandamongmen.But,verily,IwilltellthemwhatIhaveoftensaid,thatthisnegligenceisinsufferable.Wearenothereconcernedwiththetriflinginterestsofsomestranger,thatweshouldtreatitinthisfashion;thematterconcernsourselvesandourall.

Theimmortalityofthesoulisamatterwhichisofsogreatconsequencetousandwhichtouchesussoprofoundlythatwemusthavelostallfeelingtobeindifferentastoknowingwhatitis.Allouractionsandthoughtsmusttakesuchdifferentcourses,accordingasthereareorarenoteternaljoystohopefor,thatitisimpossibletotakeonestepwithsenseandjudgmentunlessweregulateourcoursebyourviewofthispointwhichoughttobeourultimateend.

Thusourfirstinterestandourfirstdutyistoenlightenourselvesonthissubject,whereondependsallourconduct.Thereforeamongthosewhodonotbelieve,Imakeavastdifferencebetweenthosewhostrivewithalltheirpowertoinformthemselvesandthosewholivewithouttroublingorthinkingaboutit.

Icanhaveonlycompassionforthosewhosincerelybewailtheirdoubt,whoregarditasthegreatestofmisfortunes,andwho,sparingnoefforttoescapeit,makeofthisinquirytheirprincipalandmostseriousoccupation.

Butasforthosewhopasstheirlifewithoutthinkingofthisultimateendoflife,andwho,forthissolereasonthattheydonotfindwithinthemselvesthelightswhichconvincethemofit,neglecttoseekthemelsewhere,andtoexaminethoroughlywhetherthisopinionisoneofthosewhichpeoplereceivewithcreduloussimplicity,oroneofthosewhich,althoughobscureinthemselves,haveneverthelessasolidandimmovablefoundation,Ilookupontheminamannerquitedifferent.

Thiscarelessnessinamatterwhichconcernsthemselves,theireternity,theirall,movesmemoretoangerthanpity;itastonishesandshocksme;itistomemonstrous.Idonotsaythisoutofthepiouszealofaspiritualdevotion.Iexpect,onthecontrary,thatweoughttohavethisfeelingfromprinciplesofhumaninterestandself-love;forthisweneedonlyseewhattheleastenlightenedpersonssee.

Wedonotrequiregreateducationofthemindtounderstandthathereisnorealandlastingsatisfaction;thatourpleasuresareonlyvanity;thatourevilsareinfinite;and,lastly,thatdeath,whichthreatensuseverymoment,mustinfalliblyplaceuswithinafewyearsunderthedreadfulnecessityofbeingforevereitherannihilatedorunhappy.

Thereisnothingmorerealthanthis,nothingmoreterrible.Beweasheroicaswelike,thatistheendwhichawaitstheworld.Letusreflectonthisandthensaywhetheritisnotbeyonddoubtthatthereisnogoodinthislifebutinthehopeofanother;thatwearehappyonlyinproportionaswedrawnearit;andthat,astherearenomorewoesforthosewhohavecompleteassuranceofeternity,sothereisnomorehappinessforthosewhohavenoinsightintoit.

Surelythenitisagreatevilthustobeindoubt,butitisatleastanindispensabledutytoseekwhenweareinsuchdoubt;andthusthedoubterwhodoesnotseekisaltogethercompletelyunhappyandcompletelywrong.Andifbesidesthisheiseasyandcontent,professestobeso,andindeedboastsofit;ifitisthisstateitselfwhichisthesubjectofhisjoyandvanity,Ihavenowordstodescribesosillyacreature.

Howcanpeopleholdtheseopinions?Whatjoycanwefindintheexpectationofnothingbuthopelessmisery?Whatreasonforboastingthatweareinimpenetrabledarkness?Andhowcanithappenthatthefollowingargumentoccurstoareasonableman?

"Iknownotwhoputmeintotheworld,norwhattheworldis,norwhatImyselfam.Iaminterribleignoranceofeverything.Iknownotwhatmybodyis,normysenses,normysoul,noteventhatpartofmewhichthinkswhatIsay,whichreflectsonallandonitself,andknowsitselfnomorethantherest.Iseethosefrightfulspacesoftheuniversewhichsurroundme,andIfindmyselftiedtoonecornerofthisvastexpanse,withoutknowingwhyIamputinthisplaceratherthaninanother,norwhytheshorttimewhichisgivenmetoliveisassignedtomeatthispointratherthanatanotherofthewholeeternitywhichwasbeforemeorwhichshallcomeafterme.Iseenothingbutinfinitesonallsides,whichsurroundmeasanatomandasashadowwhichenduresonlyforaninstantandreturnsnomore.AllIknowisthatImustsoondie,butwhatIknowleastisthisverydeathwhichIcannotescape.

"AsIknownotwhenceIcome,soIknownotwhitherIgo.Iknowonlythat,inleavingthisworld,IfallforevereitherintoannihilationorintothehandsofanangryGod,withoutknowingtowhichofthesetwostatesIshallbeforeverassigned.Suchismystate,fullofweaknessanduncertainty.AndfromallthisIconcludethatIoughttospendallthedaysofmylifewithoutcaringtoinquireintowhatmusthappentome.PerhapsImightfindsomesolutiontomydoubts,butIwillnottakethetrouble,nortakeasteptoseekit;andaftertreatingwithscornthosewhoareconcernedwiththiscare,Iwillgowithoutforesightandwithoutfeartotrythegreatevent,andletmyselfbeledcarelesslytodeath,uncertainoftheeternityofmyfuturestate."

Whowoulddesiretohaveforafriendamanwhotalksinthisfashion?Whowouldchoosehimoutfromotherstotellhimofhisaffairs?Whowouldhaverecoursetohiminaffliction?Andindeedtowhatuseinlifecouldoneputhim?

Intruth,itisthegloryofreligiontohaveforenemiesmensounreasonable;andtheiroppositiontoitissolittledangerousthatitserves,onthecontrary,toestablishitstruths.FortheChristianfaithgoesmainlytoestablishthesetwofacts:thecorruptionofnature,andredemptionbyJesusChrist.NowIcontendthat,ifthesemendonotservetoprovethetruthoftheredemptionbytheholinessoftheirbehaviour,theyatleastserveadmirablytoshowthecorruptionofnaturebysentimentssounnatural.

Nothingissoimportanttomanashisownstate,nothingissoformidabletohimaseternity;andthusitisnotnaturalthatthereshouldbemenindifferenttothelossoftheirexistence,andtotheperilsofeverlastingsuffering.Theyarequitedifferentwithregardtoallotherthings.Theyareafraidofmeretrifles;theyforeseethem;theyfeelthem.Andthissamemanwhospendssomanydaysandnightsinrageanddespairforthelossofoffice,orforsomeimaginaryinsulttohishonour,istheveryonewhoknowswithoutanxietyandwithoutemotionthathewillloseallbydeath.Itisamonstrousthingtoseeinthesameheartandatthesametimethissensibilitytotriflesandthisstrangeinsensibilitytothegreatestobjects.Itisanincomprehensibleenchantment,andasupernaturalslumber,whichindicatesasitscauseanall-powerfulforce.

Theremustbeastrangeconfusioninthenatureofman,thatheshouldboastofbeinginthatstateinwhichitseemsincrediblethatasingleindividualshouldbe.However,experiencehasshownmesogreatanumberofsuchpersonsthatthefactwouldbesurprising,ifwedidnotknowthatthegreaterpartofthosewhotroublethemselvesaboutthematteraredisingenuousandnot,infact,whattheysay.Theyarepeoplewhohavehearditsaidthatitisthefashiontobethusdaring.Itiswhattheycall"shakingofftheyoke,"andtheytrytoimitatethis.Butitwouldnotbedifficulttomakethemunderstandhowgreatlytheydeceivethemselvesinthusseekingesteem.Thisisnotthewaytogainit,evenIsayamongthosemenoftheworldwhotakeahealthyviewofthingsandwhoknowthattheonlywaytosucceedinthislifeistomakeourselvesappearhonourable,faithful,judicious,andcapableofusefulservicetoafriend;becausenaturallymenloveonlywhatmaybeusefultothem.Now,whatdowegainbyhearingitsaidofamanthathehasnowthrownofftheyoke,thathedoesnotbelievethereisaGodwhowatchesouractions,thatheconsidershimselfthesolemasterofhisconduct,andthathethinksheisaccountableforitonlytohimself.?Doeshethinkthathehasthusbroughtustohavehenceforthcompleteconfidenceinhimandtolooktohimforconsolation,advice,andhelpineveryneedoflife?Dotheyprofesstohavedelightedusbytellingusthattheyholdoursoultobeonlyalittlewindandsmoke,especiallybytellingusthisinahaughtyandself-satisfiedtoneofvoice?Isthisathingtosaygaily?Isitnot,onthecontrary,athingtosaysadly,asthesaddestthingintheworld?

Iftheythoughtofitseriously,theywouldseethatthisissobadamistake,socontrarytogoodsense,soopposedtodecency,andsoremovedineveryrespectfromthatgoodbreedingwhichtheyseek,thattheywouldbemorelikelytocorrectthantopervertthosewhohadaninclinationtofollowthem.And,indeed,makethemgiveanaccountoftheiropinions,andofthereasonswhichtheyhavefordoubtingreligion,andtheywillsaytoyouthingssofeebleandsopetty,thattheypersuadeyouofthecontrary.Thefollowingiswhatapersononedaysaidtosuchaoneveryappositely:"Ifyoucontinuetotalkinthismanner,youwillreallymakemereligious."Andhewasright,forwhowouldnothaveahorrorofholdingopinionsinwhichhewouldhavesuchcontemptiblepersonsascompanions!

Thusthosewhoonlyfeigntheseopinionswouldbeveryunhappy,iftheyrestrainedtheirnaturalfeelingsinordertomakethemselvesthemostconceitedofmen.If,atthebottomoftheirheart,theyaretroubledatnothavingmorelight,letthemnotdisguisethefact;thisavowalwillnotbeshameful.Theonlyshameistohavenone.Nothingrevealsmoreanextremeweaknessofmindthannottoknowthemiseryofagodlessman.Nothingismoreindicativeofabaddispositionofheartthannottodesirethetruthofeternalpromises.NothingismoredastardlythantoactwithbravadobeforeGod.Letthemthenleavetheseimpietiestothosewhoaresufficientlyill-bredtobereallycapableofthem.Letthematleastbehonestmen,iftheycannotbeChristians.Finally,letthemrecognisethattherearetwokindsofpeopleonecancallreasonable;thosewhoserveGodwithalltheirheartbecausetheyknowHim,andthosewhoseekHimwithalltheirheartbecausetheydonotknowHim.

ButasforthosewholivewithoutknowingHimandwithoutseekingHim,theyjudgethemselvessolittleworthyoftheirowncare,thattheyarenotworthyofthecareofothers;anditneedsallthecharityofthereligionwhichtheydespise,nottodespisethemeventothepointofleavingthemtotheirfolly.Butbecausethisreligionobligesusalwaystoregardthem,solongastheyareinthislife,ascapableofthegracewhichcanenlightenthem,andtobelievethattheymay,inalittletime,bemorereplenishedwithfaiththanweare,andthat,ontheotherhand,wemayfallintotheblindnesswhereintheyare,wemustdoforthemwhatwewouldtheyshoulddoforusifwewereintheirplace,andcalluponthemtohavepityuponthemselves,andtotakeatleastsomestepsintheendeavourtofindlight.Letthemgivetoreadingthissomeofthehourswhichtheyotherwiseemploysouselessly;whateveraversiontheymaybringtothetask,theywillperhapsgainsomething,andatleastwillnotlosemuch.Butasforthosewhobringtothetaskperfectsincerityandarealdesiretomeetwithtruth,thoseIhopewillbesatisfiedandconvincedoftheproofsofareligionsodivine,whichIhaveherecollected,andinwhichIhavefollowedsomewhatafterthisorder

195.BeforeenteringintotheproofsoftheChristianreligion,Ifinditnecessarytopointoutthesinfulnessofthosemenwholiveinindifferencetothesearchfortruthinamatterwhichissoimportanttothem,andwhichtouchesthemsonearly.

Ofalltheirerrors,thisdoubtlessistheonewhichmostconvictsthemoffoolishnessandblindness,andinwhichitiseasiesttoconfoundthembythefirstglimmeringsofcommonsenseandbynaturalfeelings.

Foritisnottobedoubtedthatthedurationofthislifeisbutamoment;thatthestateofdeathiseternal,whatevermaybeitsnature;andthatthusallouractionsandthoughtsmusttakesuchdifferentdirections,accordingtothestateofthateternity,thatitisimpossibletotakeonestepwithsenseandjudgement,unlessweregulateourcoursebythetruthofthatpointwhichoughttobeourultimateend.

Thereisnothingclearerthanthis;andthus,accordingtotheprinciplesofreason,theconductofmeniswhollyunreasonable,iftheydonottakeanothercourse.

Onthispoint,therefore,wecondemnthosewholivewithoutthoughtoftheultimateendoflife,wholetthemselvesbeguidedbytheirowninclinationsandtheirownpleasureswithoutreflectionandwithoutconcern,and,asiftheycouldannihilateeternitybyturningawaytheirthoughtfromit,thinkonlyofmakingthemselveshappyforthemoment.

Yetthiseternityexists,anddeath,whichmustopenintoitandthreatensthemeveryhour,mustinalittletimeinfalliblyputthemunderthedreadfulnecessityofbeingeitherannihilatedorunhappyforever,withoutknowingwhichoftheseeternitiesisforeverpreparedforthem.

Thisisadoubtofterribleconsequence.Theyareinperilofeternalwoeandthereupon,asifthematterwerenotworththetrouble,theyneglecttoinquirewhetherthisisoneofthoseopinionswhichpeoplereceivewithtoocredulousafacility,oroneofthosewhich,obscureinthemselves,haveaveryfirm,thoughhidden,foundation.Thustheyknownotwhethertherebetruthorfalsityinthematter,norwhethertherebestrengthorweaknessintheproofs.Theyhavethembeforetheireyes;theyrefusetolookatthem;andinthatignorancetheychooseallthatisnecessarytofallintothismisfortuneifitexists,toawaitdeathtomaketrialofit,yettobeverycontentinthisstate,tomakeprofessionofit,andindeedtoboastofit.Canwethinkseriouslyoftheimportanceofthissubjectwithoutbeinghorrifiedatconductsoextravagant?

Thisrestinginignoranceisamonstrousthing,andtheywhopasstheirlifeinitmustbemadetofeelitsextravaganceandstupidity,byhavingitshowntothem,sothattheymaybeconfoundedbythesightoftheirfolly.Forthisishowmenreason,whentheychoosetoliveinsuchignoranceofwhattheyareandwithoutseekingenlightenment."Iknownot,"theysay

196.Menlackheart;theywouldnotmakeafriendofit.

197.Tobeinsensibletotheextentofdespisinginterestingthings,andtobecomeinsensibletothepointwhichinterestsusmost.

198.Thesensibilityofmantotrifles,andhisinsensibilitytogreatthings,indicatesastrangeinversion.

199.Letusimagineanumberofmeninchainsandallcondemnedtodeath,wheresomearekilledeachdayinthesightoftheothers,andthosewhoremainseetheirownfateinthatoftheirfellowsandwaittheirturn,lookingateachothersorrowfullyandwithouthope.Itisanimageoftheconditionofmen.

200.Amaninadungeon,ignorantwhetherhissentencebepronouncedandhavingonlyonehourtolearnit,butthishourenough,ifheknewthatitispronounced,toobtainitsrepeal,wouldactunnaturallyinspendingthathour,notinascertaininghissentence,butinplayingpiquet.Soitisagainstnaturethatman,etc.ItismakingheavythehandofGod.

ThusnotonlythezealofthosewhoseekHimprovesGod,butalsotheblindnessofthosewhoseekHimnot.

201.Alltheobjectionsofthisoneandthatoneonlygoagainstthemselves,andnotagainstreligion.Allthatinfidelssay

202.Fromthosewhoareindespairatbeingwithoutfaith,weseethatGoddoesnotenlightenthem;butastotherest,weseethereisaGodwhomakesthemblind.

203.Fascinationugacitatis.—Thatpassionmaynotharmus,letusactasifwehadonlyeighthourstolive.

204.Ifweoughttodevoteeighthoursoflife,weoughttodevoteahundredyears.

205.WhenIconsidertheshortdurationofmylife,swallowedupintheeternitybeforeandafter,thelittlespacewhichIfillandevencansee,engulfedintheinfiniteimmensityofspacesofwhichIamignorantandwhichknowmenot,Iamfrightenedandamastonishedatbeinghereratherthanthere;forthereisnoreasonwhyhereratherthanthere,whynowratherthanthen.Whohasputmehere?Bywhoseorderanddirectionhavethisplaceandtimebeenallottedtome?Memoriahospitisuniusdieipraetereuntis.

206.Theeternalsilenceoftheseinfinitespacesfrightensme.

207.Howmanykingdomsknowusnot!

208.Whyismyknowledgelimited?Whymystature?Whymylifetoonehundredyearsratherthantoathousand?Whatreasonhasnaturehadforgivingmesuch,andforchoosingthisnumberratherthananotherintheinfinityofthosefromwhichthereisnomorereasontochooseonethananother,tryingnothingelse?

209.Artthoulessaslavebybeinglovedandfavouredbythymaster?Thouartindeedwelloff,slave.Thymasterfavoursthee;hewillsoonbeatthee.

210.Thelastactistragic,howeverhappyalltherestoftheplayis;atthelastalittleearthisthrownuponourhead,andthatistheendforever.

211.Wearefoolstodependuponthesocietyofourfellow-men.Wretchedasweare,powerlessasweare,theywillnotaidus;weshalldiealone.Weshouldthereforeactasifwewerealone,andinthatcaseshouldwebuildfinehouses,etc.Weshouldseekthetruthwithouthesitation;and,ifwerefuseit,weshowthatwevaluetheesteemofmenmorethanthesearchfortruth.

212.Instability.—Itisahorriblethingtofeelallthatwepossessslippingaway.

213.Betweenusandheavenorhellthereisonlylife,whichisthefrailestthingintheworld.

214.Injustice.—Thatpresumptionshouldbejoinedtomeannessisextremeinjustice.

215.Tofeardeathwithoutdanger,andnotindanger,foronemustbeaman.

216.Suddendeathaloneisfeared;henceconfessorsstaywithlords.

217.Anheirfindsthetitle-deedsofhishouse.Willhesay,"erhapstheyareforged"andneglecttoexaminethem?

218.Dungeon.—IapproveofnotexaminingtheopinionofCopernicus;butthis!Itconcernsallourlifetoknowwhetherthesoulbemortalorimmortal.

219.Itiscertainthatthemortalityorimmortalityofthesoulmustmakeanentiredifferencetomorality.Andyetphilosophershaveconstructedtheirethicsindependentlyofthis:theydiscusstopassanhour.

Plato,toinclinetoChristianity.

220.Thefallacyofphilosopherswhohavenotdiscussedtheimmortalityofthesoul.ThefallacyoftheirdilemmainMontaigne.

221.Atheistsoughttosaywhatisperfectlyevident;nowitisnotperfectlyevidentthatthesoulismaterial.

222.Atheists.—Whatreasonhavetheyforsayingthatwecannotrisefromthedead?Whatismoredifficult,tobebornortoriseagain;thatwhathasneverbeenshouldbe,orthatwhathasbeenshouldbeagain?Isitmoredifficulttocomeintoexistencethantoreturntoit?Habitmakestheoneappeareasytous;wantofhabitmakestheotherimpossible.Apopularwayofthinking!

Whycannotavirginbearachild?Doesahennotlayeggswithoutacock?Whatdistinguishestheseoutwardlyfromothers?Andwhohastoldusthatthehenmaynotformthegermaswellasthecock?

223.Whathavetheytosayagainsttheresurrection,andagainstthechild-bearingoftheVirgin?Whichisthemoredifficult,toproduceamanorananimal,ortoreproduceit?Andiftheyhadneverseenanyspeciesofanimals,couldtheyhaveconjecturedwhethertheywereproducedwithoutconnectionwitheachother?

224.HowIhatethesefolliesofnotbelievingintheEucharist,etc.!IftheGospelbetrue,ifJesusChristbeGod,whatdifficultyisthere?

225.Atheismshowsstrengthofmind,butonlytoacertaindegree.

226.Infidels,whoprofesstofollowreason,oughttobeexceedinglystronginreason.Whatsaytheythen?"Dowenotsee,"saythey,"thatthebrutesliveanddielikemen,andTurkslikeChristians?Theyhavetheirceremonies,theirprophets,theirdoctors,theirsaints,theirmonks,likeus,"etc.(Isthiscontrarytoure?Doesitnotsayallthis?)

Ifyoucarebutlittletoknowthetruth,hereisenoughofittoleaveyouinrepose.Butifyoudesirewithallyourhearttoknowit,itisnotenough;lookatitindetail.Thiswouldbesufficientforaquestioninphilosophy;butnothere,whereitconcernsyourall.Andyet,afteratriflingreflectionofthiskind,wegotoamuseourselves,etc.Letusinquireofthissamereligionwhetheritdoesnotgiveareasonforthisobscurity;perhapsitwillteachittous.

227.Orderbydialogues.—WhatoughtItodo?Iseeonlydarknesseverywhere.ShallIbelieveIamnothing?ShallIbelieveIamGod?

"Allthingschangeandsucceedeachother."Youaremistaken;thereis

228.Objectionofatheists:"Butwehavenolight."

229.ThisiswhatIseeandwhattroublesme.Ilookonallsides,andIseeonlydarknesseverywhere.Naturepresentstomenothingwhichisnotmatterofdoubtandconcern.IfIsawnothingtherewhichrevealedaDivinity,Iwouldcometoanegativeconclusion;ifIsaweverywherethesignsofaCreator,Iwouldremainpeacefullyinfaith.But,seeingtoomuchtodenyandtoolittletobesure,Iaminastatetobepitied;whereforeIhaveahundredtimeswishedthatifaGodmaintainsNature,sheshouldtestifytoHimunequivocally,andthat,ifthesignsshegivesaredeceptive,sheshouldsuppressthemaltogether;thatsheshouldsayeverythingornothing,thatImightseewhichcauseIoughttofollow.Whereasinmypresentstate,ignorantofwhatIamorofwhatIoughttodo,Iknowneithermyconditionnormyduty.Myheartinclineswhollytoknowwhereisthetruegood,inordertofollowit;nothingwouldbetoodeartomeforeternity.

IenvythosewhomIseelivinginthefaithwithsuchcarelessnessandwhomakesuchabaduseofagiftofwhichitseemstomeIwouldmakesuchadifferentuse.

230.ItisincomprehensiblethatGodshouldexist,anditisincomprehensiblethatHeshouldnotexist;thatthesoulshouldbejoinedtothebody,andthatweshouldhavenosoul;thattheworldshouldbecreated,andthatitshouldnotbecreated,etc.;thatoriginalsinshouldbe,andthatitshouldnotbe.

231.DoyoubelieveittobeimpossiblethatGodisinfinite,withoutparts?Yes.Iwishthereforetoshowyouaninfiniteandindivisiblething.Itisapointmovingeverywherewithaninfinitevelocity;foritisoneinallplacesandisalltotalityineveryplace.

Letthiseffectofnature,whichpreviouslyseemedtoyouimpossible,makeyouknowthattheremaybeothersofwhichyouarestillignorant.Donotdrawthisconclusionfromyourexperiment,thatthereremainsnothingforyoutoknow;butratherthatthereremainsaninfinityforyoutoknow.

232.Infinitemovement,thepointwhichfillseverything,themomentofrest;infinitewithoutquantity,indivisibleandinfinite.

233.Infinite—nothing.—Oursouliscastintoabody,whereitfindsnumber,dimension.Thereuponitreasons,andcallsthisnaturenecessity,andcanbelievenothingelse.

Unityjoinedtoinfinityaddsnothingtoit,nomorethanonefoottoaninfinitemeasure.Thefiniteisannihilatedinthepresenceoftheinfinite,andbecomesapurenothing.SoourspiritbeforeGod,soourjusticebeforedivinejustice.ThereisnotsogreatadisproportionbetweenourjusticeandthatofGodasbetweenunityandinfinity.

ThejusticeofGodmustbevastlikeHiscompassion.Nowjusticetotheoutcastislessvastandoughtlesstooffendourfeelingsthanmercytowardstheelect.

Weknowthatthereisaninfinite,andareignorantofitsnature.Asweknowittobefalsethatnumbersarefinite,itisthereforetruethatthereisaninfinityinnumber.Butwedonotknowwhatitis.Itisfalsethatitiseven,itisfalsethatitisodd;fortheadditionofaunitcanmakenochangeinitsnature.Yetitisanumber,andeverynumberisoddoreven(thisiscertainlytrueofeveryfinitenumber).SowemaywellknowthatthereisaGodwithoutknowingwhatHeis.Istherenotonesubstantialtruth,seeingtherearesomanythingswhicharenotthetruthitself?

Weknowthentheexistenceandnatureofthefinite,becausewealsoarefiniteandhaveextension.Weknowtheexistenceoftheinfiniteandareignorantofitsnature,becauseithasextensionlikeus,butnotlimitslikeus.ButweknowneithertheexistencenorthenatureofGod,becauseHehasneitherextensionnorlimits.

ButbyfaithweknowHisexistence;ingloryweshallknowHisnature.Now,Ihavealreadyshownthatwemaywellknowtheexistenceofathing,withoutknowingitsnature.

Letusnowspeakaccordingtonaturallights.

IfthereisaGod,Heisinfinitelyincomprehensible,since,havingneitherpartsnorlimits,Hehasnoaffinitytous.WearethenincapableofknowingeitherwhatHeisorifHeis.Thisbeingso,whowilldaretoundertakethedecisionofthequestion?Notwe,whohavenoaffinitytoHim.

WhothenwillblameChristiansfornotbeingabletogiveareasonfortheirbelief,sincetheyprofessareligionforwhichtheycannotgiveareason?Theydeclare,inexpoundingittotheworld,thatitisafoolishness,stultitiam;andthenyoucomplainthattheydonotproveit!Iftheyprovedit,theywouldnotkeeptheirword;itisinlackingproofsthattheyarenotlackinginsense."Yes,butalthoughthisexcusesthosewhoofferitassuchandtakesawayfromthemtheblameofputtingitforwardwithoutreason,itdoesnotexcusethosewhoreceiveit."Letusthenexaminethispoint,andsay,"Godis,orHeisnot."Buttowhichsideshallweincline?Reasoncandecidenothinghere.Thereisaninfinitechaoswhichseparatedus.Agameisbeingplayedattheextremityofthisinfinitedistancewhereheadsortailswillturnup.Whatwillyouwager?Accordingtoreason,youcandoneithertheonethingnortheother;accordingtoreason,youcandefendneitherofthepropositions.

Donot,then,reproveforerrorthosewhohavemadeachoice;foryouknownothingaboutit."No,butIblamethemforhavingmade,notthischoice,butachoice;foragainbothhewhochoosesheadsandhewhochoosestailsareequallyatfault,theyarebothinthewrong.Thetruecourseisnottowageratall."

Yes;butyoumustwager.Itisnotoptional.Youareembarked.Whichwillyouchoosethen?Letussee.Sinceyoumustchoose,letusseewhichinterestsyouleast.Youhavetwothingstolose,thetrueandthegood;andtwothingstostake,yourreasonandyourwill,yourknowledgeandyourhappiness;andyournaturehastwothingstoshun,errorandmisery.Yourreasonisnomoreshockedinchoosingoneratherthantheother,sinceyoumustofnecessitychoose.Thisisonepointsettled.Butyourhappiness?LetusweighthegainandthelossinwageringthatGodis.Letusestimatethesetwochances.Ifyougain,yougainall;ifyoulose,youlosenothing.Wager,then,withouthesitationthatHeis."Thatisveryfine.Yes,Imustwager;butImayperhapswagertoomuch."Letussee.Sincethereisanequalriskofgainandofloss,ifyouhadonlytogaintwolives,insteadofone,youmightstillwager.Butiftherewerethreelivestogain,youwouldhavetoplay(sinceyouareunderthenecessityofplaying),andyouwouldbeimprudent,whenyouareforcedtoplay,nottochanceyourlifetogainthreeatagamewherethereisanequalriskoflossandgain.Butthereisaneternityoflifeandhappiness.Andthisbeingso,iftherewereaninfinityofchances,ofwhichoneonlywouldbeforyou,youwouldstillberightinwageringonetowintwo,andyouwouldactstupidly,beingobligedtoplay,byrefusingtostakeonelifeagainstthreeatagameinwhichoutofaninfinityofchancesthereisoneforyou,iftherewereaninfinityofaninfinitelyhappylifetogain.Butthereishereaninfinityofaninfinitelyhappylifetogain,achanceofgainagainstafinitenumberofchancesofloss,andwhatyoustakeisfinite.Itisalldivided;where-evertheinfiniteisandthereisnotaninfinityofchancesoflossagainstthatofgain,thereisnotimetohesitate,youmustgiveall.Andthus,whenoneisforcedtoplay,hemustrenouncereasontopreservehislife,ratherthanriskitforinfinitegain,aslikelytohappenasthelossofnothingness.

Foritisnousetosayitisuncertainifwewillgain,anditiscertainthatwerisk,andthattheinfinitedistancebetweenthecertainlyofwhatisstakedandtheuncertaintyofwhatwillbegained,equalsthefinitegoodwhichiscertainlystakedagainsttheuncertaininfinite.Itisnotso,aseveryplayerstakesacertaintytogainanuncertainty,andyethestakesafinitecertaintytogainafiniteuncertainty,withouttransgressingagainstreason.Thereisnotaninfinitedistancebetweenthecertaintystakedandtheuncertaintyofthegain;thatisuntrue.Intruth,thereisaninfinitybetweenthecertaintyofgainandthecertaintyofloss.Buttheuncertaintyofthegainisproportionedtothecertaintyofthestakeaccordingtotheproportionofthechancesofgainandloss.Henceitcomesthat,ifthereareasmanyrisksononesideasontheother,thecourseistoplayeven;andthenthecertaintyofthestakeisequaltotheuncertaintyofthegain,sofarisitfromfactthatthereisaninfinitedistancebetweenthem.Andsoourpropositionisofinfiniteforce,whenthereisthefinitetostakeinagamewherethereareequalrisksofgainandofloss,andtheinfinitetogain.Thisisdemonstrable;andifmenarecapableofanytruths,thisisone.

"Iconfessit,Iadmitit.But,still,istherenomeansofseeingthefacesofthecards?"Yes,ureandtherest,etc."Yes,butIhavemyhandstiedandmymouthclosed;Iamforcedtowager,andamnotfree.Iamnotreleased,andamsomadethatIcannotbelieve.What,then,wouldyouhavemedo?"

True.Butatleastlearnyourinabilitytobelieve,sincereasonbringsyoutothis,andyetyoucannotbelieve.Endeavour,then,toconvinceyourself,notbyincreaseofproofsofGod,butbytheabatementofyourpassions.Youwouldliketoattainfaithanddonotknowtheway;youwouldliketocureyourselfofunbeliefandasktheremedyforit.Learnofthosewhohavebeenboundlikeyou,andwhonowstakealltheirpossessions.Thesearepeoplewhoknowthewaywhichyouwouldfollow,andwhoarecuredofanillofwhichyouwouldbecured.Followthewaybywhichtheybegan;byactingasiftheybelieved,takingtheholywater,havingmassessaid,etc.Eventhiswillnaturallymakeyoubelieve,anddeadenyouracuteness."ButthisiswhatIamafraidof."Andwhy?Whathaveyoutolose?

Buttoshowyouthatthisleadsyouthere,itisthiswhichwilllessenthepassions,whichareyourstumbling-blocks.

Theendofthisdiscourse.—Now,whatharmwillbefallyouintakingthisside?Youwillbefaithful,humble,grateful,generous,asincerefriend,truthful.Certainlyyouwillnothavethosepoisonouspleasures,gloryandluxury;butwillyounothaveothers?Iwilltellyouthatyouwilltherebygaininthislife,andthat,ateachstepyoutakeonthisroad,youwillseesogreatcertaintyofgain,somuchnothingnessinwhatyourisk,thatyouwillatlastrecognisethatyouhavewageredforsomethingcertainandinfinite,forwhichyouhavegivennothing.

"Ah!Thisdiscoursetransportsme,charmsme,"etc.

Ifthisdiscoursepleasesyouandseemsimpressive,knowthatitismadebyamanwhohasknelt,bothbeforeandafterit,inprayertothatBeing,infiniteandwithoutparts,beforewhomhelaysallhehas,foryoualsotolaybeforeHimallyouhaveforyourowngoodandforHisglory,thatsostrengthmaybegiventolowliness.

234.Ifwemustnotactsaveonacertainty,weoughtnottoactonreligion,foritisnotcertain.Buthowmanythingswedoonanuncertainty,seavoyages,battles!Isaythenwemustdonothingatall,fornothingiscertain,andthatthereismorecertaintyinreligionthanthereisastowhetherwemayseeto-morrow;foritisnotcertainthatwemayseeto-morrow,anditiscertainlypossiblethatwemaynot,seeit.Wecannotsayasmuchaboutreligion.Itisnotcertainthatitis;butwhowillventuretosaythatitiscertainlypossiblethatitisnot?Nowwhenweworkforto-morrow,andsoonanuncertainty,weactreasonably;forweoughttoworkforanuncertaintyaccordingtothedoctrineofchancewhichwasdemonstratedabove.

SaintAugustinehasseenthatweworkforanuncertainty,onsea,inbattle,etc.Buthehasnotseenthedoctrineofchancewhichprovesthatweshoulddoso.Montaignehasseenthatweareshockedatafool,andthathabitisall-powerful;buthehasnotseenthereasonofthiseffect.

Allthesepersonshaveseentheeffects,buttheyhavenotseenthecauses.Theyare,incomparisonwiththosewhohavediscoveredthecauses,asthosewhohaveonlyeyesareincomparisonwiththosewhohaveintellect.Fortheeffectsareperceptiblebysense,andthecausesarevisibleonlytotheintellect.Andalthoughtheseeffectsareseenbythemind,thismindis,incomparisonwiththemindwhichseesthecauses,asthebodilysensesareincomparisonwiththeintellect.

235.Remviderunt,causamnonviderunt.

236.Accordingtothedoctrineofchance,yououghttoputyourselftothetroubleofsearchingforthetruth;forifyoudiewithoutworshippingtheTrueCause,youarelost."But,"sayyou,"ifHehadwishedmetoworshipHim,HewouldhaveleftmesignsofHiswill."Hehasdoneso;butyouneglectthem.Seekthem,therefore;itiswellworthit.

237.Chances.—Wemustlivedifferentlyintheworld,accordingtothesedifferentassumptions1)thatwecouldalwaysremaininit;(2)thatitiscertainthatweshallnotremainherelong,anduncertainifweshallremainhereonehour.Thislastassumptionisourcondition.

238.Whatdoyouthenpromiseme,inadditiontocertaintroubles,buttenyearsofself-love(fortenyearsisthechance),totryhardtopleasewithoutsuccess?

239.Objection.—Thosewhohopeforsalvationaresofarhappy;buttheyhaveasacounterpoisethefearofhell.

Reply.—Whohasmostreasontofearhell:hewhoisinignorancewhetherthereisahell,andwhoiscertainofdamnationifthereis;orhewhocertainlybelievesthereisahellandhopestobesavedifthereis?

240."Iwouldsoonhaverenouncedpleasure,"saythey,"hadIfaith."FormypartItellyou,"Youwouldsoonhavefaith,ifyourenouncedpleasure."Now,itisforyoutobegin.IfIcould,Iwouldgiveyoufaith.Icannotdoso,northereforetestthetruthofwhatyousay.ButyoucanwellrenouncepleasureandtestwhetherwhatIsayistrue.

241.Order.—Iwouldhavefarmorefearofbeingmistaken,andoffindingthattheChristianreligionwastrue,thanofnotbeingmistakeninbelievingittrue.

SECTIONIV:OFTHEMEANSOFBELIEF

242.Prefacetothesecondpart.—Tospeakofthosewhohavetreatedofthismatter.

IadmiretheboldnesswithwhichthesepersonsundertaketospeakofGod.Inaddressingtheirargumenttoinfidels,theirfirstchapteristoproveDivinityfromtheworksofnature.Ishouldnotbeastonishedattheirenterprise,iftheywereaddressingtheirargumenttothefaithful;foritiscertainthatthosewhohavethelivingfaithintheirheartsseeatoncethatallexistenceisnoneotherthantheworkoftheGodwhomtheyadore.Butforthoseinwhomthislightisextinguished,andinwhomwepurposetorekindleit,personsdestituteoffaithandgrace,who,seekingwithalltheirlightwhatevertheyseeinnaturethatcanbringthemtothisknowledge,findonlyobscurityanddarkness;totellthemthattheyhaveonlytolookatthesmallestthingswhichsurroundthem,andtheywillseeGodopenly,togivethem,asacompleteproofofthisgreatandimportantmatter,thecourseofthemoonandplanets,andtoclaimtohaveconcludedtheproofwithsuchanargument,istogivethemgroundforbelievingthattheproofsofourreligionareveryweak.AndIseebyreasonandexperiencethatnothingismorecalculatedtoarousetheircontempt.

Itisnotafterthismannerthaturespeaks,whichhasabetterknowledgeofthethingsthatareofGod.Itsays,onthecontrary,thatGodisahiddenGod,andthat,sincethecorruptionofnature,HehasleftmeninadarknessfromwhichtheycanescapeonlythroughJesusChrist,withoutwhomallcommunionwithGodiscutoff.NemonovitPatrem,nisiFilius,etcuivolueritFiliusrevelare.

Thisiswhaturepointsouttous,whenitsaysinsomanyplacesthatthosewhoseekGodfindHim.Itisnotofthatlight,"likethenoondaysun,"thatthisissaid.Wedonotsaythatthosewhoseekthenoondaysun,orwaterinthesea,shallfindthem;andhencetheevidenceofGodmustnotbeofthisnature.Soittellsuselsewhere:VeretuesDeusabsconditus.

243.ItisanastoundingfactthatnocanonicalwriterhasevermadeuseofnaturetoproveGod.TheyallstrivetomakeusbelieveinHim.David,Solomon,etc.,haveneversaid,"Thereisnovoid,thereforethereisaGod."Theymusthavehadmoreknowledgethanthemostlearnedpeoplewhocameafterthem,andwhohaveallmadeuseofthisargument.Thisisworthyofattention.

244."Why!DoyounotsayyourselfthattheheavensandbirdsproveGod?"No."Anddoesyourreligionnotsayso"?No.ForalthoughitistrueinasenseforsomesoulstowhomGodgivesthislight,yetitisfalsewithrespecttothemajorityofmen.

245.Therearethreesourcesofbelief:reason,custom,inspiration.TheChristianreligion,whichalonehasreason,doesnotacknowledgeashertruechildrenthosewhobelievewithoutinspiration.Itisnotthatsheexcludesreasonandcustom.Onthecontrary,themindmustbeopenedtoproofs,mustbeconfirmedbycustomandofferitselfinhumblenesstoinspirations,whichalonecanproduceatrueandsavingeffect.NeevacueturcruxChristi.

246.Order.—AftertheletterThatweoughttoseekGod,towritetheletterOnremovingobstacles,whichisthediscourseon"themachine,"onpreparingthemachine,onseekingbyreason.

247.Order.—Aletterofexhortationtoafriendtoinducehimtoseek.Andhewillreply,"Butwhatistheuseofseeking?Nothingisseen."Thentoreplytohim,"Donotdespair."Andhewillanswerthathewouldbegladtofindsomelight,butthat,accordingtothisveryreligion,ifhebelievedinit,itwillbeofnousetohim,andthatthereforeheprefersnottoseek.Andtoanswertothat:Themachine.

248.Aletterwhichindicatestheuseofproofsbythemachine.—Faithisdifferentfromproof;theoneishuman,theotherisagiftofGod.Justusexfidevivit.ItisthisfaiththatGodHimselfputsintotheheart,ofwhichtheproofisoftentheinstrument,fidesexauditu;butthisfaithisintheheart,andmakesusnotsayscio,butcredo.

249.Itissuperstitiontoputone-shopeinformalities;butitispridetobeunwillingtosubmittothem.

250.TheexternalmustbejoinedtotheinternaltoobtainanythingfromGod,thatistosay,wemustkneel,praywiththelips,etc.,inorderthatproudman,whowouldnotsubmithimselftoGod,maybenowsubjecttothecreature.Toexpecthelpfromtheseexternalsissuperstition;torefusetojointhemtotheinternalispride.

251.Otherreligions,asthepagan,aremorepopular,fortheyconsistinexternals.Buttheyarenotforeducatedpeople.Apurelyintellectualreligionwouldbemoresuitedtothelearned,butitwouldbeofnousetothecommonpeople.TheChristianreligionaloneisadaptedtoall,beingcomposedofexternalsandinternals.Itraisesthecommonpeopletotheinternal,andhumblestheproudtotheexternal;itisnotperfectwithoutthetwo,forthepeoplemustunderstandthespiritoftheletter,andthelearnedmustsubmittheirspirittotheletter.

252.Forwemustnotmisunderstandourselves;weareasmuchautomaticasintellectual;andhenceitcomesthattheinstrumentbywhichconvictionisattainedisnotdemonstratedalone.Howfewthingsaredemonstrated!Proofsonlyconvincethemind.Customisthesourceofourstrongestandmostbelievedproofs.Itbendstheautomaton,whichpersuadesthemindwithoutitsthinkingaboutthematter.Whohasdemonstratedthattherewillbeato-morrowandthatweshalldie?Andwhatismorebelieved?Itis,then,customwhichpersuadesusofit;itiscustomthatmakessomanymenChristians;customthatmakesthemTurks,heathens,artisans,soldiers,etc.(FaithinbaptismismorereceivedamongChristiansthanamongTurks.)Finally,wemusthaverecoursetoitwhenoncethemindhasseenwherethetruthis,inordertoquenchourthirst,andsteepourselvesinthatbelief,whichescapesusateveryhour;foralwaystohaveproofsreadyistoomuchtrouble.Wemustgetaneasierbelief,whichisthatofcustom,which,withoutviolence,withoutart,withoutargument,makesusbelievethingsandinclinesallourpowerstothisbelief,sothatoursoulfallsnaturallyintoit.Itisnotenoughtobelieveonlybyforceofconviction,whentheautomatonisinclinedtobelievethecontrary.Bothourpartsmustbemadetobelieve,themindbyreasonswhichitissufficienttohaveseenonceinalifetime,andtheautomatonbycustom,andbynotallowingittoinclinetothecontrary.Inclinacormeum,Deus.

Thereasonactsslowly,withsomanyexaminationsandonsomanyprinciples,whichmustbealwayspresent,thatateveryhouritfallsasleep,orwanders,throughwantofhavingallitsprinciplespresent.Feelingdoesnotactthus;itactsinamoment,andisalwaysreadytoact.Wemustthenputourfaithinfeeling;otherwiseitwillbealwaysvacillating.

253.Twoextremes:toexcludereason,toadmitreasononly.

254.Itisnotararethingtohavetoreprovetheworldfortoomuchdocility.Itisanaturalvicelikecredulity,andaspernicious.Superstition.

255.Pietyisdifferentfromsuperstition.

Tocarrypietyasfarassuperstitionistodestroyit.

Thehereticsreproachusforthissuperstitioussubmission.Thisistodowhattheyreproachusfor

Infidelity,nottobelieveintheEucharist,becauseitisnotseen.

Superstitiontobelievepropositions.Faith,etc.

256.IsaytherearefewtrueChristians,evenasregardsfaith.Therearemanywhobelievebutfromsuperstition.Therearemanywhodonotbelievesolelyfromwickedness.Fewarebetweenthetwo.

InthisIdonotincludethosewhoareoftrulypiouscharacter,norallthosewhobelievefromafeelingintheirheart.

257.Thereareonlythreekindsofpersons;thosewhoserveGod,havingfoundHim;otherswhoareoccupiedinseekingHim,nothavingfoundHim;whiletheremainderlivewithoutseekingHimandwithouthavingfoundHim.Thefirstarereasonableandhappy,thelastarefoolishandunhappy;thosebetweenareunhappyandreasonable.

258.UnusquisquesibiDeumfingit.

Disgust

259.Ordinarypeoplehavethepowerofnotthinkingofthataboutwhichtheydonotwishtothink."DonotmeditateonthepassagesabouttheMessiah,saidtheJewtohisson.Thusourpeopleoftenact.Thusarefalsereligionspreserved,andeventhetrueone,inregardtomanypersons.

Buttherearesomewhohavenotthepowerofthuspreventingthought,andwhothinksomuchthemoreastheyareforbidden.Theseundofalsereligionsandeventhetrueone,iftheydonotfindsolidarguments.

260.Theyhidethemselvesinthepressandcallnumberstotheirrescue.Tumult.

Authority.—Sofarfrommakingitaruletobelieveathingbecauseyouhaveheardit,yououghttobelievenothingwithoutputtingyourselfintothepositionasifyouhadneverheardit.

Itisyourownassenttoyourself,andtheconstantvoiceofyourownreason,andnotofothers,thatshouldmakeyoubelieve.

Beliefissoimportant!Ahundredcontradictionsmightbetrue.Ifantiquityweretheruleofbelief,menofancienttimewouldthenbewithoutrule.Ifgeneralconsent,ifmenhadperished?

Falsehumanity,pride.

Liftthecurtain.Youtryinvain;ifyoumusteitherbelieve,ordeny,ordoubt.Shallwethenhavenorule?Wejudgethatanimalsdowellwhattheydo.Istherenorulewherebytojudgemen?

Todeny,tobelieve,andtodoubtwell,aretoamanwhattheraceistoahorse.

Punishmentofthosewhosin,error.

261.Thosewhodonotlovethetruthtakeasapretextthatitisdisputed,andthatamultitudedenyit.Andsotheirerrorarisesonlyfromthis,thattheydonotloveeithertruthorcharity.Thustheyarewithoutexcuse.

262.Superstitionandlust.Scruples,evildesires.Evilfear;fear,notsuchascomesfromabeliefinGod,butsuchascomesfromadoubtwhetherHeexistsornot.Truefearcomesfromfaith;falsefearcomesfromdoubt.Truefearisjoinedtohope,becauseitisbornoffaith,andbecausemenhopeintheGodinwhomtheybelieve.Falsefearisjoinedtodespair,becausemenfeartheGodinwhomtheyhavenobelief.TheformerfeartoloseHim;thelatterfeartofindHim.

263."Amiracle,"saysone,"wouldstrengthenmyfaith."Hesayssowhenhedoesnotseeone.Reasons,seenfromafar,appeartolimitourview;butwhentheyarereached,webegintoseebeyond.Nothingstopsthenimblenessofourmind.Thereisnorule,saywe,whichhasnotsomeexceptions,notruthsogeneralwhichhasnotsomeaspectinwhichitfails.Itissufficientthatitbenotabsolutelyuniversaltogiveusapretextforapplyingtheexceptionstothepresentsubjectandforsaying,"Thisisnotalwaystrue;therearethereforecaseswhereitisnotso."Itonlyremainstoshowthatthisisoneofthem;andthatiswhyweareveryawkwardorunlucky,ifwedonotfindonesomeday.

264.Wedonotwearyofeatingandsleepingeveryday,forhungerandsleepinessrecur.Withoutthatweshouldwearyofthem.So,withoutthehungerforspiritualthings,wewearyofthem.Hungerafterrighteousness,theeighthbeautitude.

265.Faithindeedtellswhatthesensesdonottell,butnotthecontraryofwhattheysee.Itisabovethemandnotcontrarytothem.

266.Howmanystarshavetelescopesrevealedtouswhichdidnotexistforourphilosophersofold!WefreelyattackHolyureonthegreatnumberofstars,saying,"Thereareonlyonethousandandtwenty-eight,weknowit."Thereisgrassontheearth,weseeit—fromthemoonwewouldnotseeit—andonthegrassareleaves,andintheseleavesaresmallanimals;butafterthatnomore.Opresumptuousman!Thecompoundsarecomposedofelements,andtheelementsnot.Opresumptuousman!Hereisafinereflection.Wemustnotsaythatthereisanythingwhichwedonotsee.Wemustthentalklikeothers,butnotthinklikethem.

267.Thelastproceedingofreasonistorecognisethatthereisaninfinityofthingswhicharebeyondit.Itisbutfeebleifitdoesnotseesofarastoknowthis.Butifnaturalthingsarebeyondit,whatwillbesaidofsupernatural?

268.Submission.—Wemustknowwheretodoubt,wheretofeelcertain,wheretosubmit.Hewhodoesnotdosounderstandsnottheforceofreason.Therearesomewhooffendagainstthesethreerules,eitherbyaffirmingeverythingasdemonstrative,fromwantofknowingwhatdemonstrationis;orbydoubtingeverything,fromwantofknowingwheretosubmit;orbysubmittingineverything,fromwantofknowingwheretheymustjudge.

269.SubmissionistheuseofreasoninwhichconsiststrueChristianity.

270.SaintAugustine.—Reasonwouldneversubmit,ifitdidnotjudgethattherearesomeoccasionsonwhichitoughttosubmit.Itisthenrightforittosubmit,whenitjudgesthatitoughttosubmit.

271.Wisdomsendsustochildhood.Nisiefficiaminisicutparvuli.

272.Thereisnothingsoconformabletoreasonasthisdisavowalofreason.

273.Ifwesubmiteverythingtoreason,ourreligionwillhavenomysteriousandsupernaturalelement.Ifweoffendtheprinciplesofreason,ourreligionwillbeabsurdandridiculous.

274.Allourreasoningreducesitselftoyieldingtofeeling.

Butfancyislike,thoughcontraryto,feeling,sothatwecannotdistinguishbetweenthesecontraries.Onepersonsaysthatmyfeelingisfancy,anotherthathisfancyisfeeling.Weshouldhavearule.Reasonoffersitself;butitispliableineverysense;andthusthereisnorule.

275.Menoftentaketheirimaginationfortheirheart;andtheybelievetheyareconvertedassoonastheythinkofbeingconverted.

276.M.deRoannezsaid:"Reasonscometomeafterwards,butatfirstathingpleasesorshocksmewithoutmyknowingthereason,andyetitshocksmeforthatreasonwhichIonlydiscoverafterwards."ButIbelieve,notthatitshockedhimforthereasonswhichwerefoundafterwards,butthatthesereasonswereonlyfoundbecauseitshockedhim.

277.Thehearthasitsreasons,whichreasondoesnotknow.Wefeelitinathousandthings.IsaythattheheartnaturallylovestheUniversalBeing,andalsoitselfnaturally,accordingasitgivesitselftothem;andithardensitselfagainstoneortheotheratitswill.Youhaverejectedtheoneandkepttheother.Isitbyreasonthatyouloveyourself?

278.ItistheheartwhichexperiencesGod,andnotthereason.This,then,isfaith:Godfeltbytheheart,notbythereason.

FaithisagiftofGod;donotbelievethatwesaiditwasagiftofreasoning.Otherreligionsdonotsaythisoftheirfaith.Theyonlygivereasoninginordertoarriveatit,andyetitdoesnotbringthemtoit.

279.FaithisagiftofGod;donotbelievethatwesaiditwasagiftofreasoning.Otherreligionsdonotsaythisoftheirfaith.Theyonlygavereasoninginordertoarriveatit,andyetitdoesnotbringthemtoit.

280.TheknowledgeofGodisveryfarfromtheloveofHim.

281.Heart,instinct,principles.

282.Weknowtruth,notonlybythereason,butalsobytheheart,anditisinthislastwaythatweknowfirstprinciples;andreason,whichhasnopartinit,triesinvaintoimpugnthem.Thesceptics,whohaveonlythisfortheirobject,labourtonopurpose.Weknowthatwedonotdream,and,howeverimpossibleitisforustoproveitbyreason,thisinabilitydemonstratesonlytheweaknessofourreason,butnot,astheyaffirm,theuncertaintyofallourknowledge.Fortheknowledgeoffirstprinciples,asspace,time,motion,number,isassureasanyofthosewhichwegetfromreasoning.Andreasonmusttrusttheseintuitionsoftheheart,andmustbasethemoneveryargument.(Wehaveintuitiveknowledgeofthetri-dimensionalnatureofspaceandoftheinfinityofnumber,andreasonthenshowsthattherearenotwosquarenumbersoneofwhichisdoubleoftheother.Principlesareintuited,propositionsareinferred,allwithcertainty,thoughindifferentways.)Anditisasuselessandabsurdforreasontodemandfromtheheartproofsofherfirstprinciples,beforeadmittingthem,asitwouldbeforthehearttodemandfromreasonanintuitionofalldemonstratedpropositionsbeforeacceptingthem.

Thisinabilityought,then,toserveonlytohumblereason,whichwouldjudgeall,butnottoimpugnourcertainty,asifonlyreasonwerecapableofinstructingus.WouldtoGod,onthecontrary,thatwehadneverneedofit,andthatwekneweverythingbyinstinctandintuition!Butnaturehasrefusedusthisboon.Onthecontrary,shehasgivenusbutverylittleknowledgeofthiskind;andalltherestcanbeacquiredonlybyreasoning.

Therefore,thosetowhomGodhasimpartedreligionbyintuitionareveryfortunateandjustlyconvinced.Buttothosewhodonothaveit,wecangiveitonlybyreasoning,waitingforGodtogivethemspiritualinsight,withoutwhichfaithisonlyhumananduselessforsalvation.

283.Order.—Againsttheobjectionthaturehasnoorder.

Thehearthasitsownorder;theintellecthasitsown,whichisbyprincipleanddemonstration.Thehearthasanother.Wedonotprovethatweoughttobelovedbyenumeratinginorderthecausesoflove;thatwouldberidiculous.

JesusChristandSaintPaulemploytheruleoflove,notofintellect;fortheywouldwarm,notinstruct.ItisthesamewithSaintAugustine.Thisorderconsistschieflyindigressionsoneachpointtoindicatetheend,andkeepitalwaysinsight.

284.Donotwondertoseesimplepeoplebelievewithoutreasoning.GodimpartstothemloveofHimandhatredofself.Heinclinestheirhearttobelieve.Menwillneverbelievewithasavingandrealfaith,unlessGodinclinestheirheart;andtheywillbelieveassoonasHeinclinesit.AndthisiswhatDavidknewwell,whenhesaid:Inclinacormeum,Deus,in

285.Religionissuitedtoallkindsofminds.Somepayattentiononlytoitsestablishment,andthisreligionissuchthatitsveryestablishmentsufficestoproveitstruth.Otherstraceiteventotheapostles.Themorelearnedgobacktothebeginningoftheworld.Theangelsseeitbetterstill,andfromamoredistanttime.

286.ThosewhobelievewithouthavingreadtheTestaments,dosobecausetheyhaveaninwarddispositionentirelyholy,andallthattheyhearofourreligionconformstoit.TheyfeelthataGodhasmadethem;theydesireonlytoloveGod;theydesiretohatethemselvesonly.Theyfeelthattheyhavenostrengthinthemselves;thattheyareincapableofcomingtoGod;andthatifGoddoesnotcometothem,theycanhavenocommunionwithHim.AndtheyhearourreligionsaythatmenmustloveGodonly,andhateselfonly;butthat,allbeingcorruptandunworthyofGod,GodmadeHimselfmantouniteHimselftous.Nomoreisrequiredtopersuademenwhohavethisdispositionintheirheart,andwhohavethisknowledgeoftheirdutyandoftheirinefficiency.

287.ThosewhomweseetobeChristianswithouttheknowledgeoftheprophetsandevidences,neverthelessjudgeoftheirreligionaswellasthosewhohavethatknowledge.Theyjudgeofitbytheheart,asothersjudgeofitbytheintellect.Godhimselfinclinesthemtobelieve,andthustheyaremosteffectivelyconvinced.

IconfessindeedthatoneofthoseChristianswhobelievewithoutproofswillnot,perhaps,becapableofconvincinganinfidelwhowillsaythesameofhimself.ButthosewhoknowtheproofsofreligionwillprovewithoutdifficultythatsuchabelieveristrulyinspiredbyGod,thoughhecannotproveithimself.

ForGodhavingsaidinHisprophecies(whichareundoubtedlyprophecies)thatinthereignofJesusChristHewouldspreadHisspiritabroadamongnations,andthattheyouthsandmaidensandchildrenoftheChurchwouldprophesy;itiscertainthattheSpiritofGodisintheseandnotintheothers.

288.InsteadofcomplainingthatGodhadhiddenHimself,youwillgiveHimthanksfornothavingrevealedsomuchofHimself;andyouwillalsogiveHimthanksfornothavingrevealedHimselftohaughtysages,unworthytoknowsoholyaGod.

TwokindsofpersonsknowHim:thosewhohaveahumbleheart,andwholovelowliness,whateverkindofintellecttheymayhave,highorlow;andthosewhohavesufficientunderstandingtoseethetruth,whateveroppositiontheymayhavetoit.

289.Proof.—1.TheChristianreligion,byitsestablishment,havingestablisheditselfsostrongly,sogently,whilstsocontrarytonature.2.Thesanctity,thedignity,andthehumilityofaChristiansoul.3.ThemiraclesofHolyure.4.JesusChristinparticular.5.Theapostlesinparticular.6.Mosesandtheprophetsinparticular.7.TheJewishpeople.8.Theprophecies.9.Perpetuity;noreligionhasperpetuity.10.Thedoctrinewhichgivesareasonforeverything.11.Thesanctityofthislaw.12.Bythecourseoftheworld.

Surely,afterconsideringwhatislifeandwhatisreligion,weshouldnotrefusetoobeytheinclinationtofollowit,ifitcomesintoourheart;anditiscertainthatthereisnogroundforlaughingatthosewhofollowit.

290.Proofsofreligion.—Morality,doctrine,miracles,prophecies,types.

SECTIONV:JUSTICEANDTHEREASONOFEFFECTS

291.IntheletterOnInjusticecancometheridiculousnessofthelawthattheeldergetsall."Myfriend,youwerebornonthissideofthemountain,itisthereforejustthatyourelderbrothergetseverything."

"Whydoyoukillme"?

292.Helivesontheothersideofthewater.

293."Whydoyoukillme?What!doyounotliveontheothersideofthewater?Ifyoulivedonthisside,myfriend,Ishouldbeanassassin,anditwouldbeunjusttoslayyouinthismanner.Butsinceyouliveontheotherside,Iamahero,anditisjust."

294.Onwhatshallmanfoundtheorderoftheworldwhichhewouldgovern?Shallitbeonthecapriceofeachindividual?Whatconfusion!Shallitbeonjustice?Manisignorantofit.

Certainly,hadheknownit,hewouldnothaveestablishedthismaxim,themostgeneralofallthatobtainamongmen,thateachshouldfollowthecustomofhisowncountry.Thegloryoftrueequitywouldhavebroughtallnationsundersubjection,andlegislatorswouldnothavetakenastheirmodelthefanciesandcapriceofPersiansandGermansinsteadofthisunchangingjustice.WewouldhaveseenitsetupinalltheStatesonearthandinalltimes;whereasweseeneitherjusticenorinjusticewhichdoesnotchangeitsnaturewithchangeinclimate.Threedegreesoflatitudereversealljurisprudence;ameridiandecidesthetruth.Fundamentallawschangeafterafewyearsofpossession;righthasitsepochs;theentryofSaturnintotheLionmarkstoustheoriginofsuchandsuchacrime.Astrangejusticethatisboundedbyariver!TruthonthissideofthePyrenees,errorontheotherside.

Menadmitthatjusticedoesnotconsistinthesecustoms,butthatitresidesinnaturallaws,commontoeverycountry.Theywouldcertainlymaintainitobstinately,ifrecklesschancewhichhasdistributedhumanlawshadencounteredevenonewhichwasuniversal;butthefarceisthatthecapriceofmenhassomanyvagariesthatthereisnosuchlaw.

Theft,incest,infanticide,parricide,haveallhadaplaceamongvirtuousactions.Cananythingbemoreridiculousthanthatamanshouldhavetherighttokillmebecausehelivesontheothersideofthewater,andbecausehisrulerhasaquarrelwithmine,thoughIhavenonewithhim?

Doubtlesstherearenaturallaws;butgoodreasononcecorruptedhascorruptedall.Nihilampliusnostrumest;quodnostrumdicimus,artisest.Exsenatus—consultisetplebiscitiscriminaexercentur.Utolimvitiis,sicnunclegibuslaboramus.

Theresultofthisconfusionisthatoneaffirmstheessenceofjusticetobetheauthorityofthelegislator;another,theinterestofthesovereign;another,presentcustom,andthisisthemostsure.Nothing,accordingtoreasonalone,isjustitself;allchangeswithtime.Customcreatesthewholeofequity,forthesimplereasonthatitisaccepted.Itisthemysticalfoundationofitsauthority;whoevercarriesitbacktofirstprinciplesdestroysit.Nothingissofaultyasthoselawswhichcorrectfaults.Hewhoobeysthembecausetheyarejustobeysajusticewhichisimaginaryandnottheessenceoflaw;itisquiteself-contained,itislawandnothingmore.Hewhowillexamineitsmotivewillfinditsofeebleandsotriflingthat,ifhebenotaccustomedtocontemplatethewondersofhumanimagination,hewillmarvelthatonecenturyhasgainedforitsomuchpompandreverence.Theartofoppositionandofrevolutionistounsettleestablishedcustoms,soundingthemeventotheirsource,topointouttheirwantofauthorityandjustice.Wemust,itissaid,getbacktothenaturalandfundamentallawsoftheState,whichanunjustcustomhasabolished.Itisagamecertaintoresultinthelossofall;nothingwillbejustonthebalance.Yetpeoplereadilylendtheireartosucharguments.Theyshakeofftheyokeassoonastheyrecogniseit;andthegreatprofitbytheirruinandbythatofthesecuriousinvestigatorsofacceptedcustoms.Butfromacontrarymistakemensometimesthinktheycanjustlydoeverythingwhichisnotwithoutanexample.Thatiswhythewisestoflegislatorssaidthatitwasnecessarytodeceivemenfortheirowngood;andanother,agoodpolitician,Cumveritatemqualibereturignoret,expeditquodfallatur.Wemustnotseethefactofusurpation;lawwasonceintroducedwithoutreason,andhasbecomereasonable.Wemustmakeitregardedasauthoritative,eternal,andconcealitsorigin,ifwedonotwishthatitshouldsooncometoanend.

295.Mine,thine.—"Thisdogismine,"saidthosepoorchildren;"thatismyplaceinthesun."Hereisthebeginningandtheimageoftheusurpationofalltheearth.

296.Whenthequestionforconsiderationiswhetherweoughttomakewarandkillsomanymen—condemnsomanySpaniardstodeath—onlyonemanisjudge,andheisaninterestedparty.Thereshouldbeathird,whoisdisinterested.

297.Verijuris.—Wehaveitnomore;ifwehadit,weshouldtakeconformitytothecustomsofacountryastheruleofjustice.Itisherethat,notfindingjustice,wehavefoundforce,etc.

298.Justice,might.—Itisrightthatwhatisjustshouldbeobeyed;itisnecessarythatwhatisstrongestshouldbeobeyed.Justicewithoutmightishelpless;mightwithoutjusticeistyrannical.Justicewithoutmightisgainsaid,becausetherearealwaysoffenders;mightwithoutjusticeiscondemned.Wemustthencombinejusticeandmightand,forthisend,makewhatisjuststrong,orwhatisstrongjust.

Justiceissubjecttodispute;mightiseasilyrecognisedandisnotdisputed.Sowecannotgivemighttojustice,becausemighthasgainsaidjusticeandhasdeclaredthatitissheherselfwhoisjust.Andthus,beingunabletomakewhatisjuststrong,wehavemadewhatisstrongjust.

299.Theonlyuniversalrulesarethelawsofthecountryinordinaryaffairsandofthemajorityinothers.Whencecomesthis?Fromthemightwhichisinthem.Henceitcomesthatkings,whohavepowerofadifferentkind,donotfollowthemajorityoftheirministers.

Nodoubtequalityofgoodsisjust;but,beingunabletocausemighttoobeyjustice,menhavemadeitjusttoobeymight.Unabletostrengthenjustice,theyhavejustifiedmight;sothatthejustandthestrongshouldunite,andthereshouldbepeace,whichisthesovereigngood.

300."Whenastrongmanarmedkeepethhisgoods,hisgoodsareinpeace."

301.Whydowefollowthemajority?Isitbecausetheyhavemorereason?No,becausetheyhavemorepower.

Whydowefollowtheancientlawsandopinions?Isitbecausetheyaremoresound?No,butbecausetheyareuniqueandremovefromustherootofdifference.

302Itistheeffectofmight,notofcustom.Forthosewhoarecapableoforiginalityarefew;thegreaternumberwillonlyfollowandrefuseglorytothoseinventorswhoseekitbytheirinventions.Andiftheseareobstinateintheirwishtoobtaingloryanddespisethosewhodonotinvent,thelatterwillcallthemridiculousnamesandwillbeatthemwithastick.Letnoone,then,boastofhissubtlety,orlethimkeephiscomplacencytohimself.

303.Mightisthesovereignoftheworld,andnotopinion.Butopinionmakesuseofmight.Itismightthatmakesopinion.Gentlenessisbeautifulinouropinion.Why?Becausehewhowilldanceonaropewillbealone,andIwingatherastrongermobofpeoplewhowillsaythatitisunbecoming.

304.Thecordswhichbindtherespectofmentoeachotherareingeneralcordsofnecessity;fortheremustbedifferentdegrees,allmenwishingtorule,andnotallbeingabletodoso,butsomebeingable.

Letus,then,imagineweseesocietyintheprocessofformation.Menwilldoubtlessfighttillthestrongerpartyovercomestheweaker,andadominantpartyisestablished.Butwhenthisisoncedetermined,themasters,whodonotdesirethecontinuationofstrife,thendecreethatthepowerwhichisintheirhandsshallbetransmittedastheyplease.Someplaceitinelectionbythepeople,othersinhereditarysuccession,etc.

Andthisisthepointwhereimaginationbeginstoplayitspart.Tillnowpowermakesfact;nowpowerissustainedbyimaginationinacertainparty,inFranceinthenobility,inSwitzerlandintheburgesses,etc.

Thesecordswhichbindtherespectofmentosuchandsuchanindividualarethereforethecordsofimagination.

305.TheSwissareoffendedbybeingcalledgentlemen,andprovethemselvestrueplebeiansinordertobethoughtworthyofgreatoffice.

306.Asduchies,kingships,andmagistraciesarerealandnecessary,becausemightrulesall,theyexisteverywhereandalways.Butsinceonlycapricemakessuchandsuchaonearuler,theprincipleisnotconstant,butsubjecttovariation,etc.

307.Thechancellorisgraveandclothedwithornaments,forhispositionisunreal.Notsotheking;hehaspowerandhasnothingtodowiththeimagination.Judges,physicians,etc.,appealonlytotheimagination.

308.Thehabitofseeingkingsaccompaniedbyguards,drums,officers,andalltheparaphernaliawhichmechanicallyinspirerespectandawe,makestheircountenance,whensometimesseenalonewithouttheseaccompaniments,impressrespectandaweontheirsubjects;becausewecannotseparateinthoughttheirpersonsfromthesurroundingswithwhichweseethemusuallyjoined.Andtheworld,whichknowsnotthatthiseffectistheresultofhabit,believesthatitarisesbyanaturalforce,whencecomethesewords,"ThecharacterofDivinityisstampedonhiscountenance,"etc.

309.Justice.—Ascustomdetermineswhatisagreeable,soalsodoesitdeterminejustice.

310.Kingandtyrant.—I,too,willkeepmythoughtssecret.

Iwilltakecareoneveryjourney.

Greatnessofestablishment,respectforestablishment.

Thepleasureofthegreatisthepowertomakepeoplehappy.

Thepropertyofrichesistobegivenliberally.

Thepropertyofeachthingmustbesought.Thepropertyofpoweristoprotect.

Whenforceattackshumbug,whenaprivatesoldiertakesthesquarecapoffafirstpresident,andthrowsitoutofthewindow.

311.Thegovernmentfoundedonopinionandimaginationreignsforsometime,andthisgovernmentispleasantandvoluntary;thatfoundedonmightlastsforever.Thusopinionisthequeenoftheworld,butmightisitstyrant.

312.Justiceiswhatisestablished;andthusallourestablishedlawswillnecessarilyberegardedasjustwithoutexamination,sincetheyareestablished.

313.Soundopinionsofthepeople.—Civilwarsarethegreatestofevils.Theyareinevitable,ifwewishtorewarddesert;forallwillsaytheyaredeserving.Theevilwehavetofearfromafoolwhosucceedsbyrightofbirth,isneithersogreatnorsosure.

314.GodhascreatedallforHimself.HehasbestoweduponHimselfthepowerofpainandpleasure.

YoucanapplyittoGod,ortoyourself.IftoGod,theGospelistherule.Iftoyourself,youwilltaketheplaceofGod.AsGodissurroundedbypersonsfullofcharity,whoaskofHimtheblessingsofcharitythatareinHispower,sorecognise,then,andlearnthatyouareonlyakingoflust,andtakethewaysoflust.

315.Thereasonofeffects.—Itiswonderfulthatmenwouldnothavemehonouramanclothedinbrocadeandfollowedbysevenoreightlackeys!Why!Hewillhavemethrashed,ifIdonotsalutehim.Thiscustomisafarce.Itisthesamewithahorseinfinetrappingsincomparisonwithanother!Montaigneisafoolnottoseewhatdifferencethereis,towonderatourfindingany,andtoaskthereason."Indeed,"sayshe,"howcomesit,"etc

316.Soundopinionsofthepeople.—Tobespruceisnotaltogetherfoolish,foritprovesthatagreatnumberofpeopleworkforone.Itshowsbyone-shair,thatonehasavalet,aperfumer,etc.,byone-sband,thread,lace,etc.Nowitisnotmerelysuperficialnormerelyoutwardshowtohavemanyarmsatcommand.Themorearmsonehas,themorepowerfuloneis.Tobespruceistoshowone-spower.

317.Deferencemeans,"utyourselftoinconvenience."Thisisapparentlysilly,butisquiteright.Foritistosay,"Iwouldindeedputmyselftoinconvenienceifyourequiredit,sinceindeedIdosowhenitisofnoservicetoyou."Deferencefurtherservestodistinguishthegreat.Nowifdeferencewasdisplayedbysittinginanarm-chair,weshouldshowdeferencetoeverybody,andsonodistinctionwouldbemade;but,beingputtoinconvenience,wedistinguishverywell.

318.Hehasfourlackeys.

319.Howrightlydowedistinguishmenbyexternalappearancesratherthanbyinternalqualities!Whichofustwoshallhaveprecedence?Whowillgiveplacetotheother?Theleastclever.ButIamascleverashe.Weshouldhavetofightoverthis.Hehasfourlackeys,andIhaveonlyone.Thiscanbeseen;wehaveonlytocount.Itfallstometoyield,andIamafoolifIcontestthematter.Bythismeansweareatpeace,whichisthegreatestofboons.

320.Themostunreasonablethingsintheworldbecomemostreasonable,becauseoftheunrulinessofmen.WhatislessreasonablethantochoosetheeldestsonofaqueentoruleaState?Wedonotchooseascaptainofashipthepassengerwhoisofthebestfamily.

Thislawwouldbeabsurdandunjust;but,becausemenaresothemselvesandalwayswillbeso,itbecomesreasonableandjust.Forwhomwillmenchoose,asthemostvirtuousandable?Weatoncecometoblows,aseachclaimstobethemostvirtuousandable.Letusthenattachthisqualitytosomethingindisputable.Thisistheking-seldestson.Thatisclear,andthereisnodispute.Reasoncandonobetter,forcivilwaristhegreatestofevils.

321.Childrenareastonishedtoseetheircomradesrespected.

322.Tobeofnoblebirthisagreatadvantage.Ineighteenyearsitplacesamanwithintheselectcircle,knownandrespected,asanotherhavemeritedinfiftyyears.Itisagainofthirtyyearswithouttrouble.

323.WhatistheEgo?

Supposeamanputshimselfatawindowtoseethosewhopassby.IfIpassby,canIsaythatheplacedhimselftheretoseeme?No;forhedoesnotthinkofmeinparticular.Butdoeshewholovessomeoneonaccountofbeautyreallylovethatperson?No;forthesmall-pox,whichwillkillbeautywithoutkillingtheperson,willcausehimtolovehernomore.

Andifonelovesmeformyjudgement,memory,hedoesnotloveme,forIcanlosethesequalitieswithoutlosingmyself.Where,then,isthisEgo,ifitbeneitherinthebodynorinthesoul?Andhowlovethebodyorthesoul,exceptforthesequalitieswhichdonotconstituteme,sincetheyareperishable?Foritisimpossibleandwouldbeunjusttolovethesoulofapersonintheabstractandwhateverqualitiesmightbetherein.Wenever,then,loveaperson,butonlyqualities.

Letus,then,jeernomoreatthosewhoarehonouredonaccountofrankandoffice;forweloveapersononlyonaccountofborrowedqualities.

324.Thepeoplehaveverysoundopinions,forexample:

1.Inhavingpreferreddiversionandhuntingtopoetry.Thehalf-learnedlaughatit,andgloryinbeingabovethefollyoftheworld;butthepeoplearerightforareasonwhichthesedonotfathom.

2.Inhavingdistinguishedmenbyexternalmarks,asbirthorwealth.Theworldagainexultsinshowinghowunreasonablethisis;butitisveryreasonable.Savageslaughataninfantking.

3.Inbeingoffendedatablow,orindesiringglorysomuch.Butitisverydesirableonaccountoftheotheressentialgoodswhicharejoinedtoit;andamanwhohasreceivedablow,withoutresentingit,isoverwhelmedwithtauntsandindignities.

4.Inworkingfortheuncertain;insailingonthesea;inwalkingoveraplank.

325.Montaigneiswrong.Customshouldbefollowedonlybecauseitiscustom,andnotbecauseitisreasonableorjust.Butpeoplefollowitforthissolereason,thattheythinkitjust.Otherwisetheywouldfollowitnolonger,althoughitwerethecustom;fortheywillonlysubmittoreasonorjustice.Customwithoutthiswouldpassfortyranny;butthesovereigntyofreasonandjusticeisnomoretyrannicalthanthatofdesire.Theyareprinciplesnaturaltoman.

Itwould,therefore,berighttoobeylawsandcustoms,becausetheyarelaws;butweshouldknowthatthereisneithertruthnorjusticetointroduceintothem,thatweknownothingofthese,andsomustfollowwhatisaccepted.Bythismeanswewouldneverdepartfromthem.Butpeoplecannotacceptthisdoctrine;and,astheybelievethattruthcanbefound,andthatitexistsinlawandcustom,theybelievethemandtaketheirantiquityasaproofoftheirtruth,andnotsimplyoftheirauthorityapartfromtruth.Thustheyobeylaws,buttheyareliabletorevoltwhentheseareprovedtobevalueless;andthiscanbeshownofall,lookedatfromacertainaspect.

326.Injustice.—Itisdangeroustotellthepeoplethatthelawsareunjust;fortheyobeythemonlybecausetheythinkthemjust.Thereforeitisnecessarytotellthematthesametimethattheymustobeythembecausetheyarelaws,justastheymustobeysuperiors,notbecausetheyarejust,butbecausetheyaresuperiors.Inthiswayallseditionisprevented,ifthiscanbemadeintelligibleanditbeunderstoodwhatistheproperdefinitionofjustice.

327.Theworldisagoodjudgeofthings,foritisinnaturalignorance,whichisman-struestate.Thescienceshavetwoextremeswhichmeet.Thefirstisthepurenaturalignoranceinwhichallmenfindthemselvesatbirth.Theotherextremeisthatreachedbygreatintellects,who,havingrunthroughallthatmencanknow,findtheyknownothing,andcomebackagaintothatsameignorancefromwhichtheysetout;butthisisalearnedignorancewhichisconsciousofitself.Thosebetweenthetwo,whohavedepartedfromnaturalignoranceandnotbeenabletoreachtheother,havesomesmatteringofthisvainknowledgeandpretendtobewise.Thesetroubletheworldandarebadjudgesofeverything.Thepeopleandthewiseconstitutetheworld;thesedespiseit,andaredespised.Theyjudgebadlyofeverything,andtheworldjudgesrightlyofthem.

328.Thereasonofeffects.—Continualalternationofproandcon.

Wehave,then,shownthatmanisfoolish,bytheestimationhemakesofthingswhicharenotessential;andalltheseopinionsaredestroyed.Wehavenextshownthatalltheseopinionsareverysoundandthatthus,sinceallthesevanitiesarewellfounded,thepeoplearenotsofoolishasissaid.Andsowehavedestroyedtheopinionwhichdestroyedthatofthepeople.

Butwemustnowdestroythislastpropositionandshowthatitremainsalwaystruethatthepeoplearefoolish,thoughtheiropinionsaresoundbecausetheydonotperceivethetruthwhereitis,and,astheyplaceitwhereitisnot,theiropinionsarealwaysveryfalseandveryunsound.

329.Thereasonofeffects.—Theweaknessofmanisthereasonwhysomanythingsareconsideredfine,astobegoodatplayingthelute.Itisonlyanevilbecauseofourweakness.

330.Thepowerofkingsisfoundedonthereasonandonthefollyofthepeople,andspeciallyontheirfolly.Thegreatestandmostimportantthingintheworldhasweaknessforitsfoundation,andthisfoundationiswonderfullysure;forthereisnothingmoresurethanthis,thatthepeoplewillbeweak.Whatisbasedonsoundreasonisveryill-foundedastheestimateofwisdom.

331.WecanonlythinkofPlatoandAristotleingrandacademicrobes.Theywerehonestmen,likeothers,laughingwiththeirfriends,and,whentheydivertedthemselveswithwritingtheirLawsandthePolitics,theydiditasanamusement.Thatpartoftheirlifewastheleastphilosophicandtheleastserious;themostphilosophicwastolivesimplyandquietly.Iftheywroteonpolitics,itwasasiflayingdownrulesforalunaticasylum;andiftheypresentedtheappearanceofspeakingofagreatmatter,itwasbecausetheyknewthatthemadmen,towhomtheyspoke,thoughttheywerekingsandemperors.Theyenteredintotheirprinciplesinordertomaketheirmadnessaslittleharmfulaspossible.

332.Tyrannyconsistsinthedesireofuniversalpowerbeyonditsscope.

Therearedifferentassembliesofthestrong,thefair,thesensible,thepious,inwhicheachmanrulesathome,notelsewhere.Andsometimestheymeet,andthestrongandthefairfoolishlyfightastowhoshallbemaster,fortheirmasteryisofdifferentkinds.Theydonotunderstandoneanother,andtheirfaultisthedesiretoruleeverywhere.Nothingcaneffectthis,notevenmight,whichisofnouseinthekingdomofthewise,andisonlymistressofexternalactions.

Tyranny—Sotheseexpressionsarefalseandtyrannical:"Iamfair,thereforeImustbefeared.Iamstrong,thereforeImustbeloved.Iam

Tyrannyisthewishtohaveinonewaywhatcanonlybehadinanother.Werenderdifferentdutiestodifferentmerits;thedutyoflovetothepleasant;thedutyoffeartothestrong;dutyofbelieftothelearned.

Wemustrendertheseduties;itisunjusttorefusethem,andunjusttoaskothers.Andsoitisfalseandtyrannicaltosay,"Heisnotstrong,thereforeIwillnotesteemhim;heisnotable,thereforeIwillnotfearhim."

333.Haveyouneverseenpeoplewho,inordertocomplainofthelittlefussyoumakeaboutthem,paradebeforeyoutheexampleofgreatmenwhoesteemthem?InanswerIreplytothem,"Showmethemeritwherebyyouhavecharmedthesepersons,andIalsowillesteemyou."

334.Thereasonofeffects.—Lustandforcearethesourceofallouractions;lustcausesvoluntaryactions,forceinvoluntaryones.

335.Thereasonofeffects.—Itis,then,truetosaythatalltheworldisunderadelusion;for,althoughtheopinionsofthepeoplearesound,theyarenotsoasconceivedbythem,sincetheythinkthetruthtobewhereitisnot.Truthisindeedintheiropinions,butnotatthepointwheretheyimagineit.Thusitistruethatwemusthonournoblemen,butnotbecausenoblebirthisrealsuperiority,etc.

336.Thereasonofeffects.—Wemustkeepourthoughtsecret,andjudgeeverythingbyit,whiletalkinglikethepeople.

337.Thereasonofeffects.Degrees.Thepeoplehonourpersonsofhighbirth.Thesemi-learneddespisethem,sayingthatbirthisnotapersonal,butachancesuperiority.Thelearnedhonourthem,notforpopularreasons,butforsecretreasons.Devoutpersons,whohavemorezealthanknowledge,despisethem,inspiteofthatconsiderationwhichmakesthemhonouredbythelearned,becausetheyjudgethembyanewlightwhichpietygivesthem.ButperfectChristianshonourthembyanotherandhigherlight.Soariseasuccessionofopinionsforandagainst,accordingtothelightonehas.

338.TrueChristians,nevertheless,complywithfolly,notbecausetheyrespectfolly,butthecommandofGod,whoforthepunishmentofmenhasmadethemsubjecttothesefollies.Omniscreaturasubjectaestvanitati.Liberabitur.ThusSaintThomasexplainsthepassageinSaintJamesongivingplacetotherich,that,iftheydoitnotinthesightofGod,theydepartfromthecommandofreligion.

SECTIONVI:THEPHILOSOPHERS

339.Icanwellconceiveamanwithouthands,feet,head(foritisonlyexperiencewhichteachesusthattheheadismorenecessarythanfeet).ButIcannotconceivemanwithoutthought;hewouldbeastoneorabrute.

340.Thearithmeticalmachineproduceseffectswhichapproachnearertothoughtthanalltheactionsofanimals.Butitdoesnothingwhichwouldenableustoattributewilltoit,astotheanimals.

341.TheaccountofthepikeandfrogofLiancourt.Theydoitalways,andneverotherwise,noranyotherthingshowingmind.

342.Ifananimaldidbymindwhatitdoesbyinstinct,andifitspokebymindwhatitspeaksbyinstinct,inhuntingandinwarningitsmatesthatthepreyisfoundorlost,itwouldindeedalsospeakinregardtothosethingswhichaffectitcloser,asexample,"Gnawmethiscordwhichiswoundingme,andwhichIcannotreach."

343.Thebeakoftheparrot,whichitwipes,althoughitisclean.

344.Instinctandreason,marksoftwonatures.

345.Reasoncommandsusfarmoreimperiouslythanamaster;forindisobeyingtheoneweareunfortunate,andindisobeyingtheotherwearefools.

346.Thoughtconstitutesthegreatnessofman.

347.Manisbutareed,themostfeeblethinginnature;butheisathinkingreed.Theentireuniverseneednotarmitselftocrushhim.Avapour,adropofwatersufficestokillhim.But,iftheuniverseweretocrushhim,manwouldstillbemorenoblethanthatwhichkilledhim,becauseheknowsthathediesandtheadvantagewhichtheuniversehasoverhim;theuniverseknowsnothingofthis.

Allourdignityconsists,then,inthought.Byitwemustelevateourselves,andnotbyspaceandtimewhichwecannotfill.Letusendeavour,then,tothinkwell;thisistheprincipleofmorality.

348.Athinkingreed.—ItisnotfromspacethatImustseekmydignity,butfromthegovernmentofmythought.IshallhavenomoreifIpossessworlds.Byspacetheuniverseencompassesandswallowsmeuplikeanatom;bythoughtIcomprehendtheworld.

349.Immaterialityofthesoul—Philosopherswhohavemasteredtheirpassions.Whatmattercoulddothat?

350.TheStoics.—Theyconcludethatwhathasbeendoneoncecanbedonealways,andthat,sincethedesireofgloryimpartssomepowertothosewhomitpossesses,otherscandolikewise.Therearefeverishmovementswhichhealthcannotimitate.

Epictetusconcludesthat,sincethereareconsistentChristians,everymancaneasilybeso.

351.Thosegreatspiritualefforts,whichthesoulsometimesassays,arethingsonwhichitdoesnotlayhold.Itonlyleapstothem,notasuponathrone,forever,butmerelyforaninstant.

352.Thestrengthofaman-svirtuemustnotbemeasuredbyhisefforts,butbyhisordinarylife.

353.Idonotadmiretheexcessofavirtueasofvalour,exceptIseeatthesametimetheexcessoftheoppositevirtue,asinEpaminondas,whohadthegreatestvalourandthegreatestkindness.Forotherwiseitisnottorise,itistofall.Wedonotdisplaygreatnessbygoingtooneextreme,butintouchingbothatonce,andfillingalltheinterveningspace.Butperhapsthisisonlyasuddenmovementofthesoulfromonetotheotherextreme,andinfactitiseveratonepointonly,asinthecaseofafirebrand.Beitso,butatleastthisindicatesagilityifnotexpanseofsoul.

354.Man-snatureisnotalwaystoadvance;ithasitsadvancesandretreats.

Feverhasitscoldandhotfits;andthecoldprovesaswellasthehotthegreatnessofthefireoffever.

Thediscoveriesofmenfromagetoageturnoutthesame.Thekindnessandthemaliceoftheworldingeneralarethesame.Plerumquegrataeprincipibusvices.

355.Continuouseloquencewearies.

Princesandkingssometimesplay.Theyarenotalwaysontheirthrones.Theywearythere.Grandeurmustbeabandonedtobeappreciated.Continuityineverythingisunpleasant.Coldisagreeable,thatwemaygetwarm.

Natureactsbyprogress,itusetreditus.Itgoesandreturns,thenadvancesfurther,thentwiceasmuchbackwards,thenmoreforwardthanever,etc.

Thetideoftheseabehavesinthesamemanner;andso,apparently,doesthesuninitscourse.

356.Thenourishmentofthebodyislittlebylittle.Fullnessofnourishmentandsmallnessofsubstance.

357.Whenwewouldpursuevirtuestotheirextremesoneitherside,vicespresentthemselves,whichinsinuatethemselvesinsensiblythere,intheirinsensiblejourneytowardstheinfinitelylittle;andvicespresentthemselvesinacrowdtowardstheinfinitelygreat,sothatweloseourselvesinthemandnolongerseevirtues.Wefindfaultwithperfectionitself.

358.Manisneitherangelnorbrute,andtheunfortunatethingisthathewhowouldacttheangelactsthebrute.

359.Wedonotsustainourselvesinvirtuebyourownstrength,butbythebalancingoftwoopposedvices,justasweremainuprightamidsttwocontrarygales.Removeoneofthevices,andwefallintotheother.

360.WhattheStoicsproposeissodifficultandfoolish!

TheStoicslaydownthatallthosewhoarenotatthehighdegreeofwisdomareequallyfoolishandvicious,asthosewhoaretwoinchesunderwater.

361.Thesovereigngood.Disputeaboutthesovereigngood.—Utsiscontentustemetipsoetextenascentibusbonis.Thereisacontradiction,forintheendtheyadvisesuicide.Oh!Whatahappylife,fromwhichwearetofreeourselvesasfromtheplague!

362.Exsenatus-consultisetplebiscitis

Toasklikepassages.

363.Exsenatus-consultisetplebiscitissceleraexercentur.Seneca.588.

Nihiltamabsurdedicipotestquodnondicaturabaliquophilosophorum.

Quibusdamdestinatissententiisconsecratiquaenonprobantcogunturdefendere.

Utomniumrerumsiclitterarumquoqueintemperantialaboramus.

Idmaximequemquedecet,quodestcujusquesuummaxime.

Hosnaturamodosprimumdedit.

Paucisopusestlitterisadbonammentem.

Siquandoturpenonsit,tamennonestnonturpequumidamultitudinelaudetur.

Mihisicususest,tibiutopusestfacto,fac.

364.Rarumestenimutsatissequisquevereatur.

Totcircaunumcaputtumultuantesdeos.

Nihilturpiusquamcognitioniassertionempraecurrere.

Necmepudet,utistos,faterinescirequidnesciam.

Meliusnonincipient.

365.Thought.—Allthedignityofmanconsistsinthought.Thoughtis,therefore,byitsnatureawonderfulandincomparablething.Itmusthavestrangedefectstobecontemptible.Butithassuch,sothatnothingismoreridiculous.Howgreatitisinitsnature!Howvileitisinitsdefects!

Butwhatisthisthought?Howfoolishitis!

366.Themindofthissovereignjudgeoftheworldisnotsoindependentthatitisnotliabletobedisturbedbythefirstdinaboutit.Thenoiseofacannonisnotnecessarytohinderitsthoughts;itneedsonlythecreakingofaweathercockorpulley.Donotwonderifatpresentitdoesnotreasonwell;aflyisbuzzinginitsears;thatisenoughtorenderitincapableofgoodjudgement.Ifyouwishittobeabletoreachthetruth,chaseawaythatanimalwhichholdsitsreasonincheckanddisturbsthatpowerfulintellectwhichrulestownsandkingdoms.Hereisacomicalgod!Oridicolosissimoeroe!

367.Thepowerofflies;theywinbattles,hinderoursoulfromacting,eatourbody.

368.Whenitissaidthatheatisonlythemotionsofcertainmolecules,andlighttheconatusrecedendiwhichwefeel,itastonishesus.What!Ispleasureonlytheballetofourspirits?Wehaveconceivedsodifferentanideaofit!Andthesesensationsseemsoremovedfromthoseotherswhichwesayarethesameasthosewithwhichwecomparethem!Thesensationfromthefire,thatwarmthwhichaffectsusinamannerwhollydifferentfromtouch,thereceptionofsoundandlight,allthisappearstousmysterious,andyetitismaterialliketheblowofastone.Itistruethatthesmallnessofthespiritswhichenterintotheporestouchesothernerves,buttherearealwayssomenervestouched.

369.Memoryisnecessaryforalltheoperationsofreason.

370.Chancegivesrisetothoughts,andchanceremovesthem;noartcankeeporacquirethem.

Athoughthasescapedme.Iwantedtowriteitdown.Iwriteinsteadthatithasescapedme.

371.WhenIwassmall,Ihuggedmybook;andbecauseitsometimeshappenedtometoinbelievingIhuggedit,Idoubted

372.Inwritingdownmythought,itsometimesescapesme;butthismakesmeremembermyweakness,thatIconstantlyforget.Thisisasinstructivetomeasmyforgottenthought;forIstriveonlytoknowmynothingness.

373.Scepticism.—Ishallherewritemythoughtswithoutorder,andnotperhapsinunintentionalconfusion;thatistrueorder,whichwillalwaysindicatemyobjectbyitsverydisorder.Ishoulddotoomuchhonourtomysubject,ifItreateditwithorder,sinceIwanttoshowthatitisincapableofit.

374.Whatastonishesmemostistoseethatalltheworldisnotastonishedatitsownweakness.Menactseriously,andeachfollowshisownmodeoflife,notbecauseitisinfactgoodtofollowsinceitisthecustom,butasifeachmanknewcertainlywherereasonandjusticeare.Theyfindthemselvescontinuallydeceived,and,byacomicalhumility,thinkitistheirownfaultandnotthatoftheartwhichtheyclaimalwaystopossess.Butitiswelltherearesomanysuchpeopleintheworld,whoarenotscepticsforthegloryofscepticism,inordertoshowthatmanisquitecapableofthemostextravagantopinions,sinceheiscapableofbelievingthatheisnotinastateofnaturalandinevitableweakness,but,onthecontrary,ofnaturalwisdom.

Nothingfortifiesscepticismmorethanthattherearesomewhoarenotsceptics;ifallwereso,theywouldbewrong.

375.Ihavepassedagreatpartofmylifebelievingthattherewasjustice,andinthisIwasnotmistaken;forthereisjusticeaccordingasGodhaswilledtorevealittous.ButIdidnottakeitso,andthisiswhereImadeamistake;forIbelievedthatourjusticewasessentiallyjust,andthatIhadthatwherebytoknowandjudgeofit.ButIhavesooftenfoundmyrightjudgementatfault,thatatlastIhavecometodistrustmyselfandthenothers.Ihaveseenchangesinallnationsandmen,andthus,aftermanychangesofjudgementregardingtruejustice,Ihaverecognisedthatournaturewasbutincontinualchange,andIhavenotchangedsince;andifIchanged,Iwouldconfirmmyopinion.

ThescepticArcesilaus,whobecameadogmatist.

376.Thissectderivesmorestrengthfromitsenemiesthanfromitsfriends;fortheweaknessofmanisfarmoreevidentinthosewhoknowitnotthaninthosewhoknowit.

377.Discoursesonhumilityareasourceofprideinthevainandofhumilityinthehumble.Sothoseonscepticismcausebelieverstoaffirm.Fewmenspeakhumblyofhumility,chastelyofchastity,fewdoubtinglyofscepticism.Weareonlyfalsehood,duplicity,contradiction;webothconcealanddisguiseourselvesfromourselves.

378.Scepticism.—Excess,likedefectofintellect,isaccusedofmadness.Nothingisgoodbutmediocrity.Themajorityhassettledthatandfindsfaultwithhimwhoescapesitatwhicheverend.Iwillnotopposeit.Iquiteconsenttoputthere,andrefusetobeatthelowerend,notbecauseitislow,butbecauseitisanend;forIwouldlikewiserefusetobeplacedatthetop.Toleavethemeanistoabandonhumanity.Thegreatnessofthehumansoulconsistsinknowinghowtopreservethemean.Sofarfromgreatnessconsistinginleavingit,itconsistsinnotleavingit.

379.Itisnotgoodtohavetoomuchliberty.Itisnotgoodtohaveallonewants.

380.Allgoodmaximsareintheworld.Weonlyneedtoapplythem.Forinstance,wedonotdoubtthatweoughttoriskourlivesindefenceofthepublicgood;butforreligion,no.

Itistruetheremustbeinequalityamongmen;butifthisbeconceded,thedoorisopenednotonlytothehighestpower,buttothehighesttyranny.

Wemustrelaxourmindsalittle;butthisopensthedoortothegreatestdebauchery.Letusmarkthelimits.Therearenolimitsinthings.lawswouldputthemthere,andthemindcannotsufferit.

381.Whenwearetooyoung,wedonotjudgewell;so,also,whenwearetooold.Ifwedonotthinkenough,orifwethinktoomuchonanymatter,wegetobstinateandinfatuatedwithit.Ifoneconsidersone-sworkimmediatelyafterhavingdoneit,oneisentirelyprepossessedinitsfavour;bydelayingtoolong,onecannolongerenterintothespiritofit.Sowithpicturesseenfromtoofarortoonear;thereisbutoneexactpointwhichisthetrueplacewherefromtolookatthem:therestaretoonear,toofar,toohighortoolow.Perspectivedeterminesthatpointintheartofpainting.Butwhoshalldetermineitintruthandmorality?

382.Whenallisequallyagitated,nothingappearstobeagitated,asinaship.Whenalltendtodebauchery,noneappearstodoso.Hewhostopsdrawsattentiontotheexcessofothers,likeafixedpoint.

383.Thelicentioustellmenoforderlylivesthattheystrayfromnature-spath,whiletheythemselvesfollowit;aspeopleinashipthinkthosemovewhoareontheshore.Onallsidesthelanguageissimilar.Wemusthaveafixedpointinordertojudge.Theharbourdecidesforthosewhoareinaship;butwhereshallwefindaharbourinmorality?

384.Contradictionisabadsignoftruth;severalthingswhicharecertainarecontradicted;severalthingswhicharefalsepasswithoutcontradiction.Contradictionisnotasignoffalsity,northewantofcontradictionasignoftruth.

385.Scepticism.—Eachthinghereispartlytrueandpartlyfalse.Essentialtruthisnotso;itisaltogetherpureandaltogethertrue.Thismixturedishonoursandannihilatesit.Nothingispurelytrue,andthusnothingistrue,meaningbythatpuretruth.Youwillsayitistruethathomicideiswrong.Yes;forweknowwellthewrongandthefalse.Butwhatwillyousayisgood?Chastity?Isayno;fortheworldwouldcometoanend.Marriage?No;continenceisbetter.Nottokill?No;forlawlessnesswouldbehorrible,andthewickedwouldkillallthegood.Tokill?No;forthatdestroysnature.Wepossesstruthandgoodnessonlyinpart,andmingledwithfalsehoodandevil.

386.Ifwedreamtthesamethingeverynight,itwouldaffectusasmuchastheobjectsweseeeveryday.Andifanartisanweresuretodreameverynightfortwelvehours-durationthathewasaking,Ibelievehewouldbealmostashappyasaking,whoshoulddreameverynightfortwelvehoursonendthathewasanartisan.

Ifweweretodreameverynightthatwewerepursuedbyenemiesandharassedbythesepainfulphantoms,orthatwepassedeverydayindifferentoccupations,asinmakingavoyage,weshouldsufferalmostasmuchasifitwerereal,andshouldfeartosleep,aswefeartowakewhenwedreadinfacttoenteronsuchmishaps.And,indeed,itwouldcauseprettynearlythesamediscomfortsasthereality.

Butsincedreamsarealldifferent,andeachsingleoneisdiversified,whatisseeninthemaffectsusmuchlessthanwhatweseewhenawake,becauseofitscontinuity,whichisnot,however,socontinuousandlevelasnottochangetoo;butitchangeslessabruptly,exceptrarely,aswhenwetravel,andthenwesay,"ItseemstomeIamdreaming."Forlifeisadreamalittlelessinconstant.

387.Itmaybethattherearetruedemonstrations;butthisisnotcertain.Thus,thisprovesnothingelsebutthatitisnotcertainthatallisuncertain,tothegloryofscepticism.

388.Goodsense.—Theyarecompelledtosay,"Youarenotactingingoodfaith;wearenotasleep,"etc.HowIlovetoseethisproudreasonhumiliatedandsuppliant!Forthisisnotthelanguageofamanwhoserightisdisputed,andwhodefendsitwiththepowerofarmedhands.Heisnotfoolishenoughtodeclarethatmenarenotactingingoodfaith,buthepunishesthisbadfaithwithforce.

389.EcclesiastesshowsthatmanwithoutGodisintotalignoranceandinevitablemisery.Foritiswretchedtohavethewish,butnotthepower.Nowhewouldbehappyandassuredofsometruth,andyethecanneitherknow,nordesirenottoknow.Hecannotevendoubt.

390.MyGod!Howfoolishthistalkis!"WouldGodhavemadetheworldtodamnit?WouldHeasksomuchfrompersonssoweak"?etc.Scepticismisthecureforthisevil,andwilltakedownthisvanity.

391.Conversation.—Greatwords:Religion,Idenyit.

Conversation.—Scepticismhelpsreligion.

392.AgainstScepticism.—Itis,then,astrangefactthatwecannotdefinethesethingswithoutobscuringthem,whilewespeakofthemwithallassurance.Weassumethatallconceiveoftheminthesameway;butweassumeitquitegratuitously,forwehavenoproofofit.Isee,intruth,thatthesamewordsareappliedonthesameoccasions,andthateverytimetwomenseeabodychangeitsplace,theybothexpresstheirviewofthissamefactbythesameword,bothsayingthatithasmoved;andfromthisconformityofapplicationwederiveastrongconvictionofaconformityofideas.Butthisisnotabsolutelyorfinallyconvincingthoughthereisenoughtosupportabetontheaffirmative,sinceweknowthatweoftendrawthesameconclusionsfromdifferentpremises.

Thisisenough,atleast,toobscurethematter;notthatitcompletelyextinguishesthenaturallightwhichassuresusofthesethings.Theacademicianswouldhavewon.Butthisdullsitandtroublesthedogmatiststothegloryofthescepticalcrowd,whichconsistsinthisdoubtfulambiguityandinacertaindoubtfuldimnessfromwhichourdoubtscannottakeawayalltheclearness,norourownnaturallightschaseawayallthedarkness.

393.Itisasingularthingtoconsiderthattherearepeopleintheworldwho,havingrenouncedallthelawsofGodandnature,havemadelawsforthemselveswhichtheystrictlyobey,as,forinstance,thesoldiersofMahomet,robbers,heretics,etc.Itisthesamewithlogicians.Itseemsthattheirlicensemustbewithoutanylimitsorbarriers,sincetheyhavebrokenthroughsomanythataresojustandsacred.

394.Alltheprinciplesofsceptics,stoics,atheists,etc.,aretrue.Buttheirconclusionsarefalse,becausetheoppositeprinciplesarealsotrue.

395.Instinct,reason.—Wehaveanincapacityofproof,insurmountablebyalldogmatism.Wehaveanideaoftruth,invincibletoallscepticism.

396.Twothingsinstructmanabouthiswholenature;instinctandexperience.

397.Thegreatnessofmanisgreatinthatheknowshimselftobemiserable.Atreedoesnotknowitselftobemiserable.Itisthenbeingmiserabletoknowoneselftobemiserable;butitisalsobeinggreattoknowthatoneismiserable.

398.Allthesesamemiseriesproveman-sgreatness.Theyarethemiseriesofagreatlord,ofadeposedking.

399.Wearenotmiserablewithoutfeelingit.Aruinedhouseisnotmiserable.Manonlyismiserable.Egovirvidens.

400.Thegreatnessofman.—Wehavesogreatanideaofthesoulofmanthatwecannotendurebeingdespised,ornotbeingesteemedbyanysoul;andallthehappinessofmenconsistsinthisesteem.

401.Glory.—Thebrutesdonotadmireeachother.Ahorsedoesnotadmirehiscompanion.Notthatthereisnorivalrybetweentheminarace,butthatisofnoconsequence;for,wheninthestable,theheaviestandmostill-formeddoesnotgiveuphisoatstoanother,asmenwouldhaveothersdotothem.Theirvirtueissatisfiedwithitself.

402.Thegreatnessofmaneveninhislust,tohaveknownhowtoextractfromitawonderfulcode,andtohavedrawnfromitapictureofbenevolence.

403.Greatness.—Thereasonsofeffectsindicatethegreatnessofman,inhavingextractedsofairanorderfromlust.

404.Thegreatestbasenessofmanisthepursuitofglory.Butisthegreatestmarkofhisexcellence;forwhateverpossessionshemayhaveonearth,whateverhealthandessentialcomfort,heisnotsatisfiedifhehasnottheesteemofmen.Hevalueshumanreasonsohighlythat,whateveradvantageshemayhaveonearth,heisnotcontentifheisnotalsorankedhighlyinthejudgementofman.Thisisthefinestpositionintheworld.Nothingcanturnhimfromthatdesire,whichisthemostindeliblequalityofman-sheart.

Andthosewhomustdespisemen,andputthemonalevelwiththebrutes,yetwishtobeadmiredandbelievedbymen,andcontradictthemselvesbytheirownfeelings;theirnature,whichisstrongerthanall,convincingthemofthegreatnessofmanmoreforciblythanreasonconvincesthemoftheirbaseness.

405.Contradiction.—Pridecounterbalancingallmiseries.Maneitherhideshismiseries,or,ifhedisclosethem,gloriesinknowingthem.

406.Pridecounterbalancesandtakesawayallmiseries.Hereisastrangemonsterandaveryplainaberration.Heisfallenfromhisplaceandisanxiouslyseekingit.Thisiswhatallmendo.Letusseewhowillhavefoundit.

407.Whenmalicehasreasononitsside,itbecomesproudandparadesreasoninallitssplendour.Whenausterityorsternchoicehasnotarrivedatthetruegoodandmustneedsreturntofollownature,itbecomesproudbyreasonofthisreturn.

408.Eviliseasy,andhasinfiniteforms;goodisalmostunique.Butacertainkindofevilisasdifficulttofindaswhatwecallgood;andoftenonthisaccountsuchparticularevilgetspassedoffasgood.Anextraordinarygreatnessofsoulisneededinordertoattaintoitaswellastogood.

409.Thegreatnessofman.—Thegreatnessofmanissoevidentthatitisevenprovedbyhiswretchedness.Forwhatinanimalsisnature,wecallinmanwretchedness,bywhichwerecognisethat,hisnaturebeingnowlikethatofanimals,hehasfallenfromabetternaturewhichoncewashis.

Forwhoisunhappyatnotbeingaking,exceptadeposedking?WasPaulusAemiliusunhappyatbeingnolongerconsul?Onthecontrary,everybodythoughthimhappyinhavingbeenconsul,becausetheofficecouldonlybeheldforatime.ButmenthoughtPerseussounhappyinbeingnolongerking,becausetheconditionofkingshipimpliedhisbeingalwaysking,thattheythoughtitstrangethatheenduredlife.Whoisunhappyatonlyhavingonemouth?Andwhoisnotunhappyathavingonlyoneeye?Probablynomaneverventuredtomournatnothavingthreeeyes.Butanyoneisinconsolableathavingnone.

410.Perseus,KingofMacedon.—PaulusAemiliusreproachedPerseusfornotkillinghimself.

411.Notwithstandingthesightofallourmiseries,whichpressuponusandtakeusbythethroat,wehaveaninstinctwhichwecannotrepressandwhichliftsusup.

412.Thereisinternalwarinmanbetweenreasonandthepassions.

Ifhehadonlyreasonwithoutpassions

Ifhehadonlypassionswithoutreason

Buthavingboth,hecannotbewithoutstrife,beingunabletobeatpeacewiththeonewithoutbeingatwarwiththeother.Thusheisalwaysdividedagainstandopposedtohimself.

413.Thisinternalwarofreasonagainstthepassionshasmadeadivisionofthosewhowouldhavepeaceintotwosects.Thefirstwouldrenouncetheirpassionsandbecomegods;theotherswouldrenouncereasonandbecomebrutebeasts.(DesBarreaux.)Butneithercandoso,andreasonstillremains,tocondemnthevilenessandinjusticeofthepassionsandtotroublethereposeofthosewhoabandonthemselvestothem;andthepassionskeepalwaysaliveinthosewhowouldrenouncethem.

414.Menaresonecessarilymadthatnottobemadwouldamounttoanotherformofmadness.

415.Thenatureofmanmaybeviewedintwoways:theoneaccordingtoitsend,andthenheisgreatandincomparable;theotheraccordingtothemultitude,justaswejudgeofthenatureofthehorseandthedog,popularly,byseeingitsfleetness,etanimumarcendi;andthenmanisabjectandvile.Thesearethetwowayswhichmakeusjudgeofhimdifferentlyandwhichoccasionsuchdisputesamongphilosophers.Foronedeniestheassumptionoftheother.Onesays,"Heisnotbornforthisend,forallhisactionsarerepugnanttoit."Theothersays,"Heforsakeshisend,whenhedoesthesebaseactions."

416.ForPort-Royal.Greatnessandwretchedness.—Wretchednessbeingdeducedfromgreatness,andgreatnessfromwretchedness,somehaveinferredman-swretchednessallthemorebecausetheyhavetakenhisgreatnessasaproofofit,andothershaveinferredhisgreatnesswithallthemoreforce,becausetheyhaveinferreditfromhisverywretchedness.Allthattheonepartyhasbeenabletosayinproofofhisgreatnesshasonlyservedasanargumentofhiswretchednesstotheothers,becausethegreaterourfall,themorewretchedweare,andviceversa.Theonepartyisbroughtbacktotheotherinanendlesscircle,itbeingcertainthat,inproportionasmenpossesslight,theydiscoverboththegreatnessandthewretchednessofman.Inaword,manknowsthatheiswretched.Heisthereforewretched,becausebeisso;butheisreallygreatbecauseheknowsit.

417.Thistwofoldnatureofmanissoevidentthatsomehavethoughtthatwehadtwosouls.Asinglesubjectseemedtothemincapableofsuchsuddenvariationsfromunmeasuredpresumptiontoadreadfuldejectionofheart.

418.Itisdangeroustomakemanseetooclearlyhisequalitywiththebruteswithoutshowinghimhisgreatness.Itisalsodangeroustomakehisseehisgreatnesstooclearly,apartfromhisvileness.Itisstillmoredangeroustoleavehiminignoranceofboth.Butitisveryadvantageoustoshowhimboth.Manmustnotthinkthatheisonaleveleitherwiththebrutesorwiththeangels,normusthebeignorantofbothsidesofhisnature;buthemustknowboth.

419.Iwillnotallowmantodependuponhimself,oruponanother,totheendthat,beingwithoutaresting-placeandwithoutrepose.

420.Ifheexalthimself,Ihumblehim;ifhehumblehimself,Iexalthim;andIalwayscontradicthim,tillheunderstandsthatheisanincomprehensiblemonster.

421.Iblameequallythosewhochoosetopraiseman,thosewhochoosetoblamehim,andthosewhochoosetoamusethemselves;andIcanonlyapproveofthosewhoseekwithlamentation.

422.Itisgoodtobetiredandweariedbythevainsearchafterthetruegood,thatwemaystretchoutourarmstotheRedeemer.

423.Contraries.Afterhavingshownthevilenessandthegreatnessofman.—Letmannowknowhisvalue.Lethimlovehimself,forthereisinhimanaturecapableofgood;butlethimnotforthisreasonlovethevilenesswhichisinhim.Lethimdespisehimself,forthiscapacityisbarren;butlethimnotthereforedespisethisnaturalcapacity.Lethimhatehimself,lethimlovehimself;hehaswithinhimthecapacityofknowingthetruthandofbeinghappy,buthepossessesnotruth,eitherconstantorsatisfactory.

Iwouldthenleadmantothedesireoffindingtruth;tobefreefrompassions,andreadytofollowitwherehemayfindit,knowinghowmuchhisknowledgeisobscuredbythepassions.Iwould,indeed,thatheshouldhateinhimselfthelustwhichdeterminedhiswillbyitselfsothatitmaynotblindhiminmakinghischoice,andmaynothinderhimwhenhehaschosen.

424.Allthesecontradictions,whichseemmosttokeepmefromtheknowledgeofreligion,haveledmemostquicklytothetrueone.

SECTIONVII:MORALITYANDDOCTRINE

425.Secondpart.—Thatmanwithoutfaithcannotknowthetruegood,norjustice.

Allmenseekhappiness.Thisiswithoutexception.Whateverdifferentmeanstheyemploy,theyalltendtothisend.Thecauseofsomegoingtowar,andofothersavoidingit,isthesamedesireinboth,attendedwithdifferentviews.Thewillnevertakestheleaststepbuttothisobject.Thisisthemotiveofeveryactionofeveryman,evenofthosewhohangthemselves.

Andyet,aftersuchagreatnumberofyears,noonewithoutfaithhasreachedthepointtowhichallcontinuallylook.Allcomplain,princesandsubjects,noblemenandcommoners,oldandyoung,strongandweak,learnedandignorant,healthyandsick,ofallcountries,alltimes,allages,andallconditions.

Atrialsolong,socontinuous,andsouniform,shouldcertainlyconvinceusofourinabilitytoreachthegoodbyourownefforts.Butexampleteachesuslittle.Noresemblanceiseversoperfectthatthereisnotsomeslightdifference;andhenceweexpectthatourhopewillnotbedeceivedonthisoccasionasbefore.Andthus,whilethepresentneversatisfiesus,experiencedupesusand,frommisfortunetomisfortune,leadsustodeath,theireternalcrown.

Whatisit,then,thatthisdesireandthisinabilityproclaimtous,butthattherewasonceinmanatruehappinessofwhichtherenowremaintohimonlythemarkandemptytrace,whichheinvaintriestofillfromallhissurroundings,seekingfromthingsabsentthehelphedoesnotobtaininthingspresent?Buttheseareallinadequate,becausetheinfiniteabysscanonlybefilledbyaninfiniteandimmutableobject,thatistosay,onlybyGodHimself.Heonlyisourtruegood,andsincewehaveforsakenhim,itisastrangethingthatthereisnothinginnaturewhichhasnotbeenserviceableintakingHisplace;thestars,theheavens,earth,theelements,plants,cabbages,leeks,animals,insects,calves,serpents,fever,pestilence,war,famine,vices,adultery,incest.Andsincemanhaslostthetruegood,everythingcanappearequallygoodtohim,evenhisowndestruction,thoughsoopposedtoGod,toreason,andtothewholecourseofnature.

Someseekgoodinauthority,othersinscientificresearch,othersinpleasure.Others,whoareinfactnearerthetruth,haveconsidereditnecessarythattheuniversalgood,whichallmendesire,shouldnotconsistinanyoftheparticularthingswhichcanonlybepossessedbyoneman,andwhich,whenshared,afflicttheirpossessorsmorebythewantoftheparthehasnotthantheypleasehimbythepossessionofwhathehas.Theyhavelearnedthatthetruegoodshouldbesuchasallcanpossessatonce,withoutdiminutionandwithoutenvy,andwhichnoonecanloseagainsthiswill.Andtheirreasonisthatthisdesire,beingnaturaltoman,sinceitisnecessarilyinall,andthatitisimpossiblenottohaveit,theyinferfromit

426.Truenaturebeinglost,everythingbecomesitsownnature;asthetruegoodbeinglost,everythingbecomesitsowntruegood.

427.Mandoesnotknowinwhatranktoplacehimself.Hehasplainlygoneastrayandfallenfromhistrueplacewithoutbeingabletofinditagain.Heseeksitanxiouslyandunsuccessfullyeverywhereinimpenetrabledarkness.

428.IfitisasignofweaknesstoproveGodbynature,donotdespiseure;ifitisasignofstrengthtohaveknownthesecontradictions,esteemure.

429.Thevilenessofmaninsubmittinghimselftothebrutesandinevenworshippingthem.e

430.ForPort-Royal.Thebeginning,afterhavingexplainedtheincomprehensibility.—Thegreatnessandthewretchednessofmanaresoevidentthatthetruereligionmustnecessarilyteachusboththatthereisinmansomegreatsourceofgreatnessandagreatsourceofwretchedness.Itmustthengiveusareasonfortheseastonishingcontradictions.

Inordertomakemanhappy,itmustprovetohimthatthereisaGod;thatweoughttoloveHim;thatourtruehappinessistobeinHim,andoursoleeviltobeseparatedfromHim;itmustrecognisethatwearefullofdarknesswhichhindersusfromknowingandlovingHim;andthatthus,asourdutiescompelustoloveGod,andourluststurnusawayfromHim,wearefullofunrighteousness.ItmustgiveusanexplanationofouroppositiontoGodandtoourowngood.Itmustteachustheremediesfortheseinfirmitiesandthemeansofobtainingtheseremedies.Letus,therefore,examineallthereligionsoftheworldandseeiftherebeanyotherthantheChristianwhichissufficientforthispurpose.

Shallitbethatofthephilosophers,whoputforward,asthechiefgood,thegoodwhichisinourselves?Isthisthetruegood?Havetheyfoundtheremedyforourills?Isman-spridecuredbyplacinghimonanequalitywithGod?Havethosewhohavemadeusequaltothebrutes,ortheMohammedanswhohaveofferedusearthlypleasuresasthechiefgoodevenineternity,producedtheremedyforourlusts?Whatreligion,then,willteachustocureprideandlust?Whatreligionwill,infact,teachusourgood,ourduties,theweaknesswhichturnsusfromthem,thecauseofthisweakness,theremedieswhichcancureit,andthemeansofobtainingtheseremedies?

Allotherreligionshavenotbeenabletodoso.LetusseewhatthewisdomofGodwilldo.

"Expectneithertruth,"shesays,"norconsolationfrommen.Iamshewhoformedyou,andwhoalonecanteachyouwhatyouare.ButyouarenownolongerinthestateinwhichIformedyou.Icreatedmanholy,innocent,perfect.Ifilledhimwithlightandintelligence.Icommunicatedtohimmygloryandmywonders.TheeyeofmansawthenthemajestyofGod.Hewasnottheninthedarknesswhichblindshim,norsubjecttomortalityandthewoeswhichafflicthim.Buthehasnotbeenabletosustainsogreatglorywithoutfallingintopride.Hewantedtomakehimselfhisowncentreandindependentofmyhelp.Hewithdrewhimselffrommyrule;and,onhismakinghimselfequaltomebythedesireoffindinghishappinessinhimself,Iabandonedhimtohimself.Andsettinginrevoltthecreaturesthatweresubjecttohim,Imadethemhisenemies;sothatmanisnowbecomelikethebrutesandsoestrangedfrommethattherescarceremainstohimadimvisionofhisAuthor.Sofarhasallhisknowledgebeenextinguishedordisturbed!Thesenses,independentofreason,andoftenthemastersofreason,haveledhimintopursuitofpleasure.Allcreatureseithertormentortempthim,anddomineeroverhim,eithersubduinghimbytheirstrength,orfascinatinghimbytheircharms,atyrannymoreawfulandmoreimperious.

"Suchisthestateinwhichmennoware.Thereremainstothemsomefeebleinstinctofthehappinessoftheirformerstate;andtheyareplungedintheevilsoftheirblindnessandtheirlust,whichhavebecometheirsecondnature."FromthisprinciplewhichIdisclosetoyou,youcanrecognizethecauseofthosecontradictionswhichhaveastonishedallmenandhavedividedthemintopartiesholdingsodifferentviews.Observe,now,allthefeelingsofgreatnessandglorywhichtheexperienceofsomanywoescannotstifle,andseeifthecauseofthemmustnotbeinanothernature.

ForPort-Royalto-morrow(Prosopopaea).—"Itisinvain,Omen,thatyouseekwithinyourselvestheremedyforyourills.Allyourlightcanonlyreachtheknowledgethatnotinyourselveswillyoufindtruthorgood.Thephilosophershavepromisedyouthat,andyouhavebeenunabletodoit.Theyneitherknowwhatisyourtruegood,norwhatisyourtruestate.Howcouldtheyhavegivenremediesforyourills,whentheydidnotevenknowthem?Yourchiefmaladiesarepride,whichtakesyouawayfromGod,andlust,whichbindsyoutoearth;andtheyhavedonenothingelsebutcherishoneorotherofthesediseases.IftheygaveyouGodasanend,itwasonlytoadministertoyourpride;theymadeyouthinkthatyouarebynaturelikeHimandconformedtoHim.Andthosewhosawtheabsurdityofthisclaimputyouonanotherprecipice,bymakingyouunderstandthatyournaturewaslikethatofthebrutes,andledyoutoseekyourgoodinthelustswhicharesharedbytheanimals.Thisisnotthewaytocureyouofyourunrighteousness,whichthesewisemenneverknew.Ialonecanmakeyouunderstandwhoyouare"

Adam,JesusChrist.

IfyouareunitedtoGod,itisbygrace,notbynature.Ifyouarehumbled,itisbypenitence,notbynature.

Thusthisdoublecapacity

Youarenotinthestateofyourcreation.

Asthesetwostatesareopen,itisimpossibleforyounottorecognisethem.Followyourownfeelings,observeyourselves,andseeifyoudonotfindthelivelycharacteristicsofthesetwonatures.Couldsomanycontradictionsbefoundinasimplesubject?

Incomprehensible.Notallthatisincomprehensibleceasestoexist.Infinitenumber.Aninfinitespaceequaltoafinite.

IncrediblethatGodshoulduniteHimselftous.Thisconsiderationisdrawnonlyfromthesightofourvileness.Butifyouarequitesincereoverit,followitasfarasIhavedoneandrecognisethatweareindeedsovilethatweareincapableinourselvesofknowingifHismercycannotmakeuscapableofHim.ForIwouldknowhowthisanimal,whoknowshimselftobesoweak,hastherighttomeasurethemercyofGodandsetlimitstoit,suggestedbyhisownfancy.HehassolittleknowledgeofwhatGodisthathedoesnotknowwhathehimselfis,and,completelydisturbedatthesightofhisownstate,darestosaythatGodcannotmakehimcapableofcommunionwithHim.

ButIwouldaskhimifGoddemandsanythingelsefromhimthantheknowledgeandloveofHim,andwhy,sincehisnatureiscapableofloveandknowledge,hebelievesthatGodcannotmakeHimselfknownandlovedbyhim.Doubtlessheknowsatleastthatheexists,andthathelovessomething.Therefore,ifheseesanythinginthedarknesswhereinheis,andifhefindssomeobjectofhisloveamongthethingsonearth,why,ifGodimparttohimsomerayofHisessence,willhenotbecapableofknowingandoflovingHiminthemannerinwhichitshallpleaseHimtocommunicateHimselftous?Theremust,then,becertainlyanintolerablepresumptioninargumentsofthissort,althoughtheyseemfoundedonanapparenthumility,whichisneithersincerenorreasonable,ifitdoesnotmakeusadmitthat,notknowingofourselveswhatweare,wecanonlylearnitfromGod.

"Idonotmeanthatyoushouldsubmityourbelieftomewithoutreason,andIdonotaspiretoovercomeyoubytyranny.Infact,Idonotclaimtogiveyouareasonforeverything.Andtoreconcilethesecontradictions,Iintendtomakeyouseeclearly,byconvincingproofs,thosedivinesignsinme,whichmayconvinceyouofwhatIam,andmaygainauthorityformebywondersandproofswhichyoucannotreject;sothatyoumaythenbelievewithoutthethingswhichIteachyou,sinceyouwillfindnoothergroundforrejectingthem,exceptthatyoucannotknowofyourselvesiftheyaretrueornot.

"Godhaswilledtoredeemmenandtoopensalvationtothosewhoseekit.ButmenrenderthemselvessounworthyofitthatitisrightthatGodshouldrefusetosome,becauseoftheirobduracy,whatHegrantsothersfromacompassionwhichisnotduetothem.IfHehadwilledtoovercometheobstinacyofthemosthardened,HecouldhavedonesobyrevealingHimselfsomanifestlytothemthattheycouldnothavedoubtedofthetruthofHisessence;asitwillappearatthelastday,withsuchthundersandsuchaconvulsionofnaturethatthedeadwillriseagain,andtheblindestwillseeHim.

"ItisnotinthismannerthatHehaswilledtoappearinHisadventofmercy,because,assomanymakethemselvesunworthyofHismercy,Hehaswilledtoleavetheminthelossofthegoodwhichtheydonotwant.Itwasnot,then,rightthatHeshouldappearinamannermanifestlydivine,andcompletelycapableofconvincingallmen;butitwasalsonotrightthatHeshouldcomeinsohiddenamannerthatHecouldnotbeknownbythosewhoshouldsincerelyseekHim.Hehaswilledtomakehimselfquiterecognisablebythose;andthus,willingtoappearopenlytothosewhoseekHimwithalltheirheart,andtobehiddenfromthosewhofleefromHimwithalltheirheart,HesoregulatestheknowledgeofHimselfthatHehasgivensignsofHimself,visibletothosewhoseekHim,andnottothosewhoseekHimnot.Thereisenoughlightforthosewhoonlydesiretosee,andenoughobscurityforthosewhohaveacontrarydisposition."

431.Nootherreligionhasrecognisedthatmanisthemostexcellentcreature.Some,whichhavequiterecognisedtherealityofhisexcellence,haveconsideredasmeanandungratefulthelowopinionswhichmennaturallyhaveofthemselves;andothers,whichhavethoroughlyrecognisedhowrealisthisvileness,havetreatedwithproudridiculethosefeelingsofgreatness,whichareequallynaturaltoman.

"LiftyoureyestoGod,"saythefirst;"seeHimwhomyouresembleandwhohascreatedyoutoworshipHim.YoucanmakeyourselveslikeuntoHim;wisdomwillmakeyouequaltoHim,ifyouwillfollowit.""Raiseyourheads,freemen,"saysEpictetus.Andotherssay,"Bendyoureyestotheearth,wretchedwormthatyouare,andconsiderthebruteswhosecompanionyouare."

What,then,willmanbecome?WillhebeequaltoGodorthebrutes?Whatafrightfuldifference!What,then,shallwebe?Whodoesnotseefromallthisthatmanhasgoneastray,thathehasfallenfromhisplace,thatheanxiouslyseeksit,thathecannotfinditagain?Andwhoshallthendirecthimtoit?Thegreatestmenhavefailed.

432.Scepticismistrue;for,afterall,menbeforeJesusChristdidnotknowwheretheywere,norwhethertheyweregreatorsmall.Andthosewhohavesaidtheoneortheotherknewnothingaboutitandguessedwithoutreasonandbychance.Theyalsoerredalwaysinexcludingtheoneortheother.

Quodergoignorantes,quaeritis,religioannuntiatvobis.

433.Afterhavingunderstoodthewholenatureofman.—Thatareligionmaybetrue,itmusthaveknowledgeofournature.Itoughttoknowitsgreatnessandlittleness,andthereasonofboth.WhatreligionbuttheChristianhasknownthis?

434.Thechiefargumentsofthesceptics—Ipassoverthelesserones—arethatwehavenocertaintyofthetruthoftheseprinciplesapartfromfaithandrevelation,exceptinsofaraswenaturallyperceivetheminourselves.Nowthisnaturalintuitionisnotaconvincingproofoftheirtruth;since,havingnocertainty,apartfromfaith,whethermanwascreatedbyagoodGod,orbyawickeddemon,orbychance,itisdoubtfulwhethertheseprinciplesgiventousaretrue,orfalse,oruncertain,accordingtoourorigin.Again,nopersoniscertain,apartfromfaith,whetherheisawakeorsleeps,seeingthatduringsleepwebelievethatweareawakeasfirmlyaswedowhenweareawake;webelievethatweseespace,figure,andmotion;weareawareofthepassageoftime,wemeasureit;andinfactweactasifwewereawake.Sothathalfofourlifebeingpassedinsleep,wehaveonourownadmissionnoideaoftruth,whateverwemayimagine.Asallourintuitionsare,then,illusions,whoknowswhethertheotherhalfofourlife,inwhichwethinkweareawake,isnotanothersleepalittledifferentfromtheformer,fromwhichweawakewhenwesupposeourselvesasleep?

Andwhodoubtsthat,ifwedreamtincompany,andthedreamschancedtoagree,whichiscommonenough,andifwewerealwaysalonewhenawake,weshouldbelievethatmatterswerereversed?Inshort,asweoftendreamthatwedream,heapingdreamupondream,mayitnotbethatthishalfofourlife,whereinwethinkourselvesawake,isitselfonlyadreamonwhichtheothersaregrafted,fromwhichwewakeatdeath,duringwhichwehaveasfewprinciplesoftruthandgoodasduringnaturalsleep,thesedifferentthoughtswhichdisturbusbeingperhapsonlyillusionsliketheflightoftimeandthevainfanciesofourdreams?

Thesearethechiefargumentsononesideandtheother.

Iomitminorones,suchasthescepticaltalkagainsttheimpressionsofcustom,education,manners,countryandthelike.Thoughtheseinfluencethemajorityofcommonfolk,whodogmatiseonlyonshallowfoundations,theyareupsetbytheleastbreathofthesceptics.Wehaveonlytoseetheirbooksifwearenotsufficientlyconvincedofthis,andweshallveryquicklybecomeso,perhapstoomuch.

Inoticetheonlystrongpointofthedogmatists,namely,that,speakingingoodfaithandsincerely,wecannotdoubtnaturalprinciples.Againstthisthescepticssetupinonewordtheuncertaintyofourorigin,whichincludesthatofournature.Thedogmatistshavebeentryingtoanswerthisobjectioneversincetheworldbegan.

Sothereisopenwaramongmen,inwhicheachmusttakeapartandsideeitherwithdogmatismorscepticism.Forhewhothinkstoremainneutralisaboveallasceptic.Thisneutralityistheessenceofthesect;hewhoisnotagainstthemisessentiallyforthem.Inthisappearstheiradvantage.Theyarenotforthemselves;theyareneutral,indifferent,insuspenseastoallthings,eventhemselvesbeingnoexception.

What,then,shallmandointhisstate?Shallhedoubteverything?Shallhedoubtwhetherheisawake,whetherheisbeingpinched,orwhetherheisbeingburned?Shallhedoubtwhetherhedoubts?Shallhedoubtwhetherheexists?Wecannotgosofarasthat;andIlayitdownasafactthatthereneverhasbeenarealcompletesceptic.Naturesustainsourfeeblereasonandpreventsitravingtothisextent.

Shallhe,then,say,onthecontrary,thathecertainlypossessestruth—hewho,whenpressedeversolittle,canshownotitletoitandisforcedtoletgohishold?

Whatachimera,then,isman!Whatanovelty!Whatamonster,whatachaos,whatacontradiction,whataprodigy!Judgeofallthings,imbecilewormoftheearth;depositaryoftruth,asinkofuncertaintyanderror;theprideandrefuseoftheuniverse!

Whowillunravelthistangle?Natureconfutesthesceptics,andreasonconfutesthedogmatists.What,then,willyoubecome,Omen!whotrytofindoutbyyournaturalreasonwhatisyourtruecondition?Youcannotavoidoneofthesesects,noradheretooneofthem.

Knowthen,proudman,whataparadoxyouaretoyourself.Humbleyourself,weakreason;besilent,foolishnature;learnthatmaninfinitelytranscendsman,andlearnfromyourMasteryourtruecondition,ofwhichyouareignorant.HearGod.

Forinfact,ifmanhadneverbeencorrupt,hewouldenjoyinhisinnocencebothtruthandhappinesswithassurance;andifmanhadalwaysbeencorrupt,hewouldhavenoideaoftruthorbliss.But,wretchedasweare,andmoresothaniftherewerenogreatnessinourcondition,wehaveanideaofhappinessandcannotreachit.Weperceiveanimageoftruthandpossessonlyalie.Incapableofabsoluteignoranceandofcertainknowledge,wehavethusbeenmanifestlyinadegreeofperfectionfromwhichwehaveunhappilyfallen.

Itis,however,anastonishingthingthatthemysteryfurthestremovedfromourknowledge,namely,thatofthetransmissionofsin,shouldbeafactwithoutwhichwecanhavenoknowledgeofourselves.Foritisbeyonddoubtthatthereisnothingwhichmoreshocksourreasonthantosaythatthesinofthefirstmanhasrenderedguiltythosewho,beingsoremovedfromthissource,seemincapableofparticipationinit.Thistransmissiondoesnotonlyseemtousimpossible,itseemsalsoveryunjust.Forwhatismorecontrarytotherulesofourmiserablejusticethantodamneternallyaninfantincapableofwill,forasinwhereinheseemstohavesolittleasharethatitwascommittedsixthousandyearsbeforehewasinexistence?Certainlynothingoffendsusmorerudelythanthisdoctrine;andyetwithoutthismystery,themostincomprehensibleofall,weareincomprehensibletoourselves.Theknotofourconditiontakesitstwistsandturnsinthisabyss,sothatmanismoreinconceivablewithoutthismysterythanthismysteryisinconceivabletoman.

WhenceitseemsthatGod,willingtorenderthedifficultyofourexistenceunintelligibletoourselves,hasconcealedtheknotsohigh,or,betterspeaking,solow,thatwearequiteincapableofreachingit;sothatitisnotbytheproudexertionsofourreason,butbythesimplesubmissionsofreason,thatwecantrulyknowourselves.

Thesefoundations,solidlyestablishedontheinviolableauthorityofreligion,makeusknowthattherearetwotruthsoffaithequallycertain:theone,thatman,inthestateofcreation,orinthatofgrace,israisedaboveallnature,madelikeuntoGodandsharinginHisdivinity;theother,thatinthestateofcorruptionandsin,heisfallenfromthisstateandmadelikeuntothebeasts.

Thesetwopropositionsareequallysoundandcertain.uremanifestlydeclaresthistous,whenitsaysinsomeplaceseliciaemeaeessecumfiliishominum.Effundamspiritummeumsuperomnemcarnem.Diiestis,etc.;andinotherplaces,Omniscarofaenum.Homoassimilatusestjumentisinsipientibus,etsimilisfactusestillis.Dixiincordemeodefiliishominum.

WhenceitclearlyseemsthatmanbygraceismadelikeuntoGod,andapartakerinHisdivinity,andthatwithoutgraceheislikeuntothebrutebeasts.

435.Withoutthisdivineknowledgewhatcouldmendobuteitherbecomeelatedbytheinnerfeelingoftheirpastgreatnesswhichstillremainstothem,orbecomedespondentatthesightoftheirpresentweakness?For,notseeingthewholetruth,theycouldnotattaintoperfectvirtue.Someconsideringnatureasincorrupt,othersasincurable,theycouldnotescapeeitherprideorsloth,thetwosourcesofallvice;sincetheycannotbuteitherabandonthemselvestoitthroughcowardice,orescapeitbypride.Foriftheyknewtheexcellenceofman,theywereignorantofhiscorruption;sothattheyeasilyavoidedsloth,butfellintopride.Andiftheyrecognizedtheinfirmityofnature,theywereignorantofitsdignity;sothattheycouldeasilyavoidvanity,butitwastofallintodespair.ThencearisethedifferentschoolsoftheStoicsandEpicureans,theDogmatists,Academicians,etc.

TheChristianreligionalonehasbeenabletocurethesetwovices,notbyexpellingtheonethroughmeansoftheotheraccordingtothewisdomoftheworld,butbyexpellingbothaccordingtothesimplicityoftheGospel.Foritteachestherighteousthatitraisesthemeventoaparticipationindivinityitself;thatinthisloftystatetheystillcarrythesourceofallcorruption,whichrendersthemduringalltheirlifesubjecttoerror,misery,death,andsin;anditproclaimstothemostungodlythattheyarecapableofthegraceoftheirRedeemer.Somakingthosetremblewhomitjustifies,andconsolingthosewhomitcondemns,religionsojustlytempersfearwithhopethroughthatdoublecapacityofgraceandofsin,commontoall,thatithumblesinfinitelymorethanreasonalonecando,butwithoutdespair;anditexaltsinfinitelymorethannaturalpride,butwithoutinflating;thusmakingitevidentthatalonebeingexemptfromerrorandvice,italonefulfilsthedutyofinstructingandcorrectingmen.

Who,then,canrefusetobelieveandadorethisheavenlylight?Forisitnotclearerthandaythatweperceivewithinourselvesineffaceablemarksofexcellence?Andisitnotequallytruethatweexperienceeveryhourtheresultsofourdeplorablecondition?Whatdoesthischaosandmonstrousconfusionproclaimtousbutthetruthofthesetwostates,withavoicesopowerfulthatitisimpossibletoresistit?

436.Weakness.—Everypursuitofmenistogetwealth;andtheycannothaveatitletoshowthattheypossessitjustly,fortheyhaveonlythatofhumancaprice;norhavetheystrengthtoholditsecurely.Itisthesamewithknowledge,fordiseasetakesitaway.Weareincapablebothoftruthandgoodness.

437.Wedesiretruth,andfindwithinourselvesonlyuncertainty.

Weseekhappiness,andfindonlymiseryanddeath.

Wecannotbutdesiretruthandhappiness,andareincapableofcertaintyorhappiness.Thisdesireislefttous,partlytopunishus,partlytomakeusperceivewherefromwearefallen.

438.IfmanisnotmadeforGod,whyisheonlyhappyinGod?IfmanismadeforGod,whyishesoopposedtoGod?

439.Naturecorrupted.—Mandoesnotactbyreason,whichconstituteshisbeing.

440.Thecorruptionofreasonisshownbytheexistenceofsomanydifferentandextravagantcustoms.Itwasnecessarythattruthshouldcome,inorderthatmanshouldnolongerdwellwithinhimself.

441.Formyself,Iconfessthat,sosoonastheChristianreligionrevealstheprinciplethathumannatureiscorruptandfallenfromGod,thatopensmyeyestoseeeverywherethemarkofthistruth:fornatureissuchthatshetestifieseverywhere,bothwithinmanandwithouthim,toalostGodandacorruptnature.

442.Man-struenature,histruegood,truevirtue,andtruereligion,arethingsofwhichtheknowledgeisinseparable.

443.Greatness,wretchedness.—Themorelightwehave,themoregreatnessandthemorebasenesswediscoverinman.Ordinarymen—thosewhoaremoreeducated:philosophers,theyastonishordinarymen—Christians,theyastonishphilosophers.

Whowillthenbesurprisedtoseethatreligiononlymakesusknowprofoundlywhatwealreadyknowinproportiontoourlight?

444.Thisreligiontaughttoherchildrenwhatmenhaveonlybeenabletodiscoverbytheirgreatestknowledge.

445.Originalsinisfoolishnesstomen,butitisadmittedtobesuch.Youmustnot,then,reproachmeforthewantofreasoninthisdoctrine,sinceIadmitittobewithoutreason.Butthisfoolishnessiswiserthanallthewisdomofmen,sapientiusesthominibus.Forwithoutthis,whatcanwesaythatmanis?Hiswholestatedependsonthisimperceptiblepoint.Andhowshoulditbeperceivedbyhisreason,sinceitisathingagainstreason,andsincereason,farfromfindingitoutbyherownways,isaversetoitwhenitispresentedtoher?

446.Oforiginalsin.AmpletraditionoforiginalsinaccordingtotheJews.

OnthesayinginGenesis8:21:"Theimaginationofman-sheartisevilfromhisyouth."

R.MosesHaddarschan:Thisevilleavenisplacedinmanfromthetimethatheisformed.

MassechetSucca:Thisevilleavenhassevennamesinure.Itiscalledevil,theforeskin,uncleanness,anenemy,ascandal,aheartofstone,thenorthwind;allthissignifiesthemalignitywhichisconcealedandimpressedintheheartofman.

MidraschTillimsaysthesamethingandthatGodwilldeliverthegoodnatureofmanfromtheevil.

Thismalignityisrenewedeverydayagainstman,asitiswritten,Psalm37:32:"Thewickedwatcheththerighteous,andseekethtoslayhim";butGodwillnotabandonhim.Thismalignitytriestheheartofmaninthislifeandwillaccusehimintheother.AllthisisfoundintheTalmud.

MidraschTillimonPsalm4:4:"Standinaweandsinnot."Standinaweandbeafraidofyourlust,anditwillnotleadyouintosin.AndonPsalm36:1:"ThewickedhassaidwithinhisownheartetnotthefearofGodbebeforeme."Thatistosaythatthemalignitynaturaltomanhassaidthattothewicked.

MidraschelKohelet:"Betterisapoorandwisechildthananoldandfoolishkingwhocannotforeseethefuture."Thechildisvirtue,andthekingisthemalignityofman.Itiscalledkingbecauseallthemembersobeyit,andoldbecauseitisinthehumanheartfrominfancytooldage,andfoolishbecauseitleadsmaninthewayofperdition,whichhedoesnotforesee.ThesamethingisinMidraschTillim.

BereschistRabbaonPsalm35:10:"Lord,allmybonesshallblessThee,whichdeliverestthepoorfromthetyrant."Andisthereagreatertyrantthantheevilleaven?AndonProverbs25:21:"Ifthineenemybehungry,givehimbreadtoeat."Thatistosay,iftheevilleavenhunger,givehimthebreadofwisdomofwhichitisspokeninProverbs9,andifhebethirsty,givehimthewaterofwhichitisspokeninIsaiah55.

MidraschTillimsaysthesamething,andthatureinthatpassage,speakingoftheenemy,meanstheevilleaven;andthat,ingivinghimthatbreadandthatwater,weheapcoalsoffireonhishead.

MidraschelKoheletonEcclesiastes9:14:"Agreatkingbesiegedalittlecity."Thisgreatkingistheevilleaven;thegreatbulwarksbuiltagainstitaretemptations;andtherehasbeenfoundapoorwisemanwhohasdeliveredit—thatistosay,virtue.

AndonPsalm41:1:"Blessedishethatconsidereththepoor."

AndonPsalm78:39:"Thespiritpassethaway,andcomethnotagain";whencesomehaveerroneouslyarguedagainsttheimmortalityofthesoul.Butthesenseisthatthisspiritistheevilleaven,whichaccompaniesmantilldeathandwillnotreturnattheresurrection.

AndonPsalm103thesamething.

AndonPsalm16.

PrinciplesofRabbinism:twoMessiahs.

447.Willitbesaidthat,asmenhavedeclaredthatrighteousnesshasdepartedtheearth,theythereforeknewoforiginalsin?—Nemoanteobitumbeatusest—thatistosay,theyknewdeathtobethebeginningofeternalandessentialhappiness?

448.Miltonseeswellthatnatureiscorruptandthatmenareaversetovirtue;hedoesnotknowwhytheycannotflyhigher.

449.Order.—AfterCorruptiontosay:"Itisrightthatallthosewhoareinthatstateshouldknowit,boththosewhoarecontentwithit,andthosewhoarenotcontentwithit;butitisnotrightthatallshouldseeRedemption."

450.Ifwedonotknowourselvestobefullofpride,ambition,lust,weakness,misery,andinjustice,weareindeedblind.Andif,knowingthis,wedonotdesiredeliverance,whatcanwesayofaman?

Whatthen,canwehavebutesteemforareligionwhichknowssowellthedefectsofman,anddesireforthetruthofareligionwhichpromisesremediessodesirable?

451.Allmennaturallyhateoneanother.Theyemploylustasfaraspossibleintheserviceofthepublicweal.Butthisisonlyapretneceandafalseimageoflove;foratbottomitisonlyhate.

452.Topitytheunfortunateisnotcontrarytolust.Onthecontrary,wecanquitewellgivesuchevidenceoffriendship,andacquirethereputationofkindlyfeeling,withoutgivinganything.

453.Fromlustmenhavefoundandextractedexcellentrulesofpolicy,morality,andjustice;butinrealitythisvilerootofman,thisfigmentummalum,isonlycovered,itisnottakenaway.

454.Injustice.—Theyhavenotfoundanyothermeansofsatisfyinglustwithoutdoinginjurytoothers.

455.Selfishateful.You,Milton,concealit;youdonotforthatreasondestroyit;youare,then,alwayshateful.

No;forinactingaswedotoobligeeverybody,wegivenomoreoccasionforhatredofus.Thatistrue,ifweonlyhatedinSelfthevexationwhichcomestousfromit.ButifIhateitbecauseitisunjustandbecauseitmakesitselfthecentreofeverything,Ishallalwayshateit.

Inaword,theSelfhastwoqualities:itisunjustinitselfsinceitmakesitselfthecentreofeverything;itisinconvenienttootherssinceitwouldenslavethem;foreachSelfistheenemy,andwouldliketobethetyrantofallothers.Youtakeawayitsinconvenience,butnotitsinjustice,andsoyoudonotrenderitlovabletothosewhohateinjustice;yourenderitlovableonlytotheunjust,whodonotanylongerfindinitanenemy.Andthusyouremainunjustandcanpleaseonlytheunjust.

456.Itisapervertedjudgementthatmakeseveryoneplacehimselfabovetherestoftheworld,andpreferhisowngood,andthecontinuanceofhisowngoodfortuneandlife,tothatoftherestoftheworld!

457.Eachoneisallinalltohimself;forhebeingdead,allisdeadtohim.Henceitcomesthateachbelieveshimselftobeallinalltoeverybody.Wemustnotjudgeofnaturebyourselves,butbyit.

458."Allthatisintheworldisthelustoftheflesh,orthelustoftheeyes,ortheprideoflife;libidosentiendi,libidosciendi,libidodominandi."Wretchedisthecursedlandwhichthesethreeriversoffireenflameratherthanwater!Happytheywho,ontheserivers,arenotoverwhelmednorcarriedaway,butareimmovablyfixed,notstandingbutseatedonalowandsecurebase,whencetheydonotrisebeforethelight,but,havingrestedinpeace,stretchouttheirhandstoHim,whomustliftthemup,andmakethemstanduprightandfirmintheporchesoftheholyJerusalem!Therepridecannolongerassailthemnorcastthemdown;andyettheyweep,nottoseeallthoseperishablethingssweptawaybythetorrents,butattheremembranceoftheirlovedcountry,theheavenlyJerusalem,whichtheyrememberwithoutceasingduringtheirprolongedexile.

459.TheriversofBabylonrushandfallandsweepaway.

OholyZion,whereallisfirmandnothingfalls!

Wemustsituponthewaters,notunderthemorinthem,butonthem;andnotstandingbutseated;beingseatedtobehumble,andbeingabovethemtobesecure.ButweshallstandintheporchesofJerusalem.

Letusseeifthispleasureisstableortransitory;ifitpassaway,itisariverofBabylon.

460.Thelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,pride,etc.—Therearethreeordersofthings:theflesh,thespirit,andthewill.Thecarnalaretherichandkings;theyhavethebodyastheirobject.Inquirersandscientists;theyhavethemindastheirobject.Thewise;theyhaverighteousnessastheirobject.

Godmustreignoverall,andallmenmustbebroughtbacktoHim.Inthingsofthefleshlustreignsspecially;inintellectualmatters,inquiryspecially;inwisdom,pridespecially.Notthatamancannotboastofwealthorknowledge,butitisnottheplaceforpride;foringrantingtoamanthatheislearned,itiseasytoconvincehimthatheiswrongtobeproud.Theproperplaceforprideisinwisdom,foritcannotbegrantedtoamanthathehasmadehimselfwise,andthatheiswrongtobeproud;forthatisright.NowGodalonegiveswisdom,andthatiswhyQuigloriatur,inDominoglorietur.

461.Thethreelustshavemadethreesects;andthephilosophershavedonenootherthingthanfollowoneofthethreelusts.

462.Searchforthetruegood.—Ordinarymenplacethegoodinfortuneandexternalgoods,oratleastinamusement.Philosophershaveshownthevanityofallthisandhaveplaceditwheretheycould.

463.Philosophers.—TheybelievethatGodaloneisworthytobelovedandadmired;andtheyhavedesiredtobelovedandadmiredofmenanddonotknowtheirowncorruption.Iftheyfeelfulloffeelingsofloveandadmirationandfindthereintheirchiefdelight,verywell,letthemthinkthemselvesgood.ButiftheyfindthemselvesaversetoHim,iftheyhavenoinclinationbutthedesiretoestablishthemselvesintheesteemofmen,andiftheirwholeperfectionconsistsonlyinmakingmen—butwithoutconstraint—findtheirhappinessinlovingthem,Ideclarethatthisperfectionishorrible.What!theyhaveknownGodandhavenotdesiredsolelythatmenshouldloveHim,butthatmenshouldstopshortatthem!Theyhavewantedtobetheobjectofthevoluntarydelightofmen.

464.Philosophers.—Wearefullofthingswhichtakeusoutofourselves.

Ourinstinctmakesusfeelthatwemustseekourhappinessoutsideourselves.Ourpassionsimpelusoutside,evenwhennoobjectspresentthemselvestoexcitethem.Externalobjectstemptusofthemselves,andcalltous,evenwhenwearenotthinkingofthem.Andthusphilosophershavesaidinvain:"Retirewithinyourselves,youwillfindyourgoodthere."Wedonotbelievethem,andthosewhobelievethemarethemostemptyandthemostfoolish.

465.TheStoicssay,"Retirewithinyourselves;itisthereyouwillfindyourrest."

Andthatisnottrue.

Otherssay,"Gooutofyourselves;seekhappinessinamusement."Andthisisnottrue.Illnesscomes.

Happinessisneitherwithoutusnorwithinus.ItisinGod,bothwithoutusandwithinus.

466.HadEpictetusseenthewayperfectly,hewouldhavesaidtomen,"Youfollowawrongroad";heshowsthatthereisanother,buthedoesnotleadtoit.ItisthewayofwillingwhatGodwills.JesusChristaloneleadstoit:Via,veritas.ThevicesofZenohimself.

467.Thereasonofeffects.—Epictetus.Thosewhosay,"Youhaveaheadache";thisisnotthesamething.Weareassuredofhealth,andnotofjustice;andinfacthisownwasnonsense.

Andyethebelieveditdemonstrable,whenhesaid,"Itiseitherinourpoweroritisnot."Buthedidnotperceivethatitisnotinourpowertoregulatetheheart,andhewaswrongtoinferfromthisthefactthatthereweresomeChristians.

468.Nootherreligionhasproposedtomentohatethemselves.Nootherreligion,then,canpleasethosewhohatethemselves,andwhoseekaBeingtrulylovable.Andthese,iftheyhadneverheardofthereligionofaGodhumiliated,wouldembraceitatonce.

469.IfeelthatImightnothavebeen;fortheEgoconsistsinmythoughts.ThereforeI,whothink,wouldnothavebeen,ifmymotherhadbeenkilledbeforeIhadlife.Iamnot,then,anecessarybeing.InthesamewayIamnoteternalorinfinite;butIseeplainlythatthereexistsinnatureanecessaryBeing,eternalandinfinite.

470."HadIseenamiracle,"saymen,"Ishouldbecomeconverted."Howcantheybesuretheywoulddoathingofthenatureofwhichtheyareignorant?TheyimaginethatthisconversionconsistsinaworshipofGodwhichislikecommerce,andinacommunionsuchastheypicturetothemselves.TruereligionconsistsinannihilatingselfbeforethatUniversalBeing,whomwehavesooftenprovoked,andwhocanjustlydestroyusatanytime;inrecognisingthatwecandonothingwithoutHim,andhavedeservednothingfromHimbutHisdispleasure.ItconsistsinknowingthatthereisanunconquerableoppositionbetweenusandGod,andthatwithoutamediatortherecanbenocommunionwithHim.

471.Itisunjustthatmenshouldattachthemselvestome,eventhoughtheydoitwithpleasureandvoluntarily.IshoulddeceivethoseinwhomIhadcreatedthisdesire;forIamnottheendofany,andIhavenotthewherewithaltosatisfythem.AmInotabouttodie?Andthustheobjectoftheirattachmentwilldie.Therefore,asIwouldbeblamableincausingafalsehoodtobebelieved,thoughIshouldemploygentlepersuasion,thoughitshouldbebelievedwithpleasure,andthoughitshouldgivemepleasure;evensoIamblamableinmakingmyselflovedandifIattractpersonstoattachthemselvestome.Ioughttowarnthosewhoarereadytoconsenttoaliethattheyoughtnottobelieveit,whateveradvantagecomestomefromit;andlikewisethattheyoughtnottoattachthemselvestome;fortheyoughttospendtheirlifeandtheircareinpleasingGod,orinseekingHim.

472.Self-willwillneverbesatisfied,thoughitshouldhavecommandofallitwould;butwearesatisfiedfromthemomentwerenounceit.Withoutitwecannotbediscontented;withitwecannotbecontent.

473.Letusimagineabodyfullofthinkingmembers.

474.Members.Tocommencewiththat.—Toregulatethelovewhichweowetoourselves,wemustimagineabodyfullofthinkingmembers,forwearemembersofthewhole,andmustseehoweachmembershouldloveitself,etc

475.Ifthefeetandthehandshadawilloftheirown,theycouldonlybeintheirorderinsubmittingthisparticularwilltotheprimarywillwhichgovernsthewholebody.Apartfromthat,theyareindisorderandmischief;butinwillingonlythegoodofthebody,theyaccomplishtheirowngood.

476.WemustloveGodonlyandhateselfonly.

Ifthefoothadalwaysbeenignorantthatitbelongedtothebody,andthattherewasabodyonwhichitdepended,ifithadonlyhadtheknowledgeandtheloveofself,andifitcametoknowthatitbelongedtoabodyonwhichitdepended,whatregret,whatshameforitspastlife,forhavingbeenuselesstothebodywhichinspireditslife,whichwouldhaveannihilateditifithadrejecteditandseparateditfromitself,asitkeptitselfapartfromthebody!Whatprayersforitspreservationinit!Andwithwhatsubmissionwoulditallowitselftobegovernedbythewillwhichrulesthebody,eventoconsenting,ifnecessary,tobecutoff,oritwouldloseitscharacterasmember!Foreverymembermustbequitewillingtoperishforthebody,forwhichalonethewholeis.

477.Itisfalsethatweareworthyoftheloveofothers;itisunfairthatweshoulddesireit.Ifwewerebornreasonableandimpartial,knowingourselvesandothers,weshouldnotgivethisbiastoourwill.However,wearebornwithit;thereforebornunjust,foralltendstoself.Thisiscontrarytoallorder.Wemustconsiderthegeneralgood;andthepropensitytoselfisthebeginningofalldisorder,inwar,inpolitics,ineconomy,andintheparticularbodyofman.Thewillisthereforedepraved.

Ifthemembersofnaturalandcivilcommunitiestendtowardsthewealofthebody,thecommunitiesthemselvesoughttolooktoanothermoregeneralbodyofwhichtheyaremembers.Weought,therefore,tolooktothewhole.Weare,therefore,bornunjustanddepraved.

478.WhenwewanttothinkofGod,istherenothingwhichturnsusaway,andtemptsustothinkofsomethingelse?Allthisisbad,andisborninus.

479.IfthereisaGod,wemustloveHimonlyandnotthecreaturesofaday.ThereasoningoftheungodlyintheBookofWisdomisonlybaseduponthenonexistenceofGod."Onthatsupposition,"saythey,"letustakedelightinthecreatures."Thatistheworstthatcanhappen.ButiftherewereaGodtolove,theywouldnothavecometothisconclusion,buttoquitethecontrary.Andthisistheconclusionofthewise:"ThereisaGod;letusthereforenottakedelightinthecreatures."

Thereforeallthatincitesustoattachourselvestothecreaturesisbad;sinceitpreventsusfromservingGodifweknowHim,orfromseekingHimifweknowHimnot.Nowwearefulloflust.Thereforewearefullofevil;thereforeweoughttohateourselvesandallthatexcitedustoattachourselvestoanyotherobjectthanGodonly.

480.Tomakethemembershappy,theymusthaveonewillandsubmitittothebody.

481.TheexamplesofthenobledeathsoftheLacedaemoniansandothersscarcetouchus.Forwhatgoodisittous?Buttheexampleofthedeathofthemartyrstouchesus;fortheyare"ourmembers."Wehaveacommontiewiththem.Theirresolutioncanformours,notonlybyexample,butbecauseithasperhapsdeservedours.Thereisnothingofthisintheexamplesoftheheathen.Wehavenotiewiththem;aswedonotbecomerichbyseeingastrangerwhoisso,butinfactbyseeingafatherorahusbandwhoisso.

482.Morality.—Godhavingmadetheheavensandtheearth,whichdonotfeelthehappinessoftheirbeing,Hehaswilledtomakebeingswhoshouldknowit,andwhoshouldcomposeabodyofthinkingmembers.Forourmembersdonotfeelthehappinessoftheirunion,oftheirwonderfulintelligence,ofthecarewhichhasbeentakentoinfuseintothemminds,andtomakethemgrowandendure.Howhappytheywouldbeiftheysawandfeltit!Butforthistheywouldneedtohaveintelligencetoknowit,andgood-willtoconsenttothatoftheuniversalsoul.Butif,havingreceivedintelligence,theyemployedittoretainnourishmentforthemselveswithoutallowingittopasstotheothermembers,theywouldbenotonlyunjust,butalsomiserable,andwouldhateratherthanlovethemselves;theirblessedness,aswellastheirduty,consistingintheirconsenttotheguidanceofthewholesoultowhichtheybelong,whichlovesthembetterthantheylovethemselves.

483.Tobeamemberistohaveneitherlife,being,normovement,exceptthroughthespiritofthebody,andforthebody.

Theseparatemember,seeingnolongerthebodytowhichitbelongs,hasonlyaperishinganddyingexistence.Yetitbelievesitisawhole,and,seeingnotthebodyonwhichitdepends,itbelievesitdependsonlyonselfanddesirestomakeitselfbothcentreandbody.Butnothavinginitselfaprincipleoflife,itonlygoesastrayandisastonishedintheuncertaintyofitsbeing;perceivinginfactthatitisnotabody,andstillnotseeingthatitisamemberofabody.Inshort,whenitcomestoknowitself,ithasreturned,asitwere,toitsownhome,andlovesitselfonlyforthebody.Itdeploresitspastwanderings.

Itcannotbyitsnatureloveanyotherthing,exceptforitselfandtosubjectittoself,becauseeachthinglovesitselfmorethanall.But,inlovingthebody,itlovesitself,becauseitonlyexistsinit,byit,andforit.QuiadhaeretDeounusspiritusest.

Thebodylovesthehand;andthehand,ifithadawill,shouldloveitselfinthesamewayasitislovedbythesoul.Alllovewhichgoesbeyondthisisunfair.

AdhaerensDeounusspiritusest.Weloveourselves,becausewearemembersofJesusChrist.WeloveJesusChrist,becauseHeisthebodyofwhichwearemembers.Allisone,oneisintheother,liketheThreePersons.

484.TwolawssufficetorulethewholeChristianRepublicbetterthanallthelawsofstatecraft.

485.Thetrueandonlyvirtue,then,istohateself(forwearehatefulonaccountoflust)andtoseekatrulylovablebeingtolove.Butaswecannotlovewhatisoutsideourselves,wemustloveabeingwhoisinusandisnotourselves;andthatistrueofeachandallmen.Now,onlytheUniversalBeingissuch.ThekingdomofGodiswithinus;theuniversalgoodiswithinus,isourselves—andnotourselves.

486.Thedignityofmaninhisinnocenceconsistedinusingandhavingdominionoverthecreatures,butnowinseparatinghimselffromthemandsubjectinghimselftothem.

487.Everyreligionisfalsewhich,astoitsfaith,doesnotworshiponeGodastheoriginofeverythingandwhich,astoitsmorality,doesnotloveoneonlyGodastheobjectofeverything.

488ButitisimpossiblethatGodshouldeverbetheend,ifHeisnotthebeginning.Weliftoureyesonhigh,butleanuponthesand;andtheearthwilldissolve,andweshallfallwhilstlookingattheheavens.

489.Ifthereisonesolesourceofeverything,thereisonesoleendofeverything;everythingthroughHim,everythingforHim.Thetruereligion,then,mustteachustoworshipHimonly,andtoloveHimonly.Butaswefindourselvesunabletoworshipwhatweknownot,andtoloveanyotherobjectbutourselves,thereligionwhichinstructsusinthesedutiesmustinstructusalsoofthisinability,andteachusalsotheremediesforit.Itteachesusthatbyonemanallwaslost,andthebondbrokenbetweenGodandus,andthatbyonemanthebondisrenewed.

WearebornsoaversetothisloveofGod,anditissonecessary,thatwemustbebornguilty,orGodwouldbeunjust.

490.Men,notbeingaccustomedtoformmerit,butonlytorecompenseitwheretheyfinditformed,judgeofGodbythemselves.

491.ThetruereligionmusthaveasacharacteristictheobligationtoloveGod.Thisisveryjust,andyetnootherreligionhascommandedthis;ourshasdoneso.Itmustalsobeawareofhumanlustandweakness;oursisso.Itmusthaveadducedremediesforthis;oneisprayer.NootherreligionhasaskedofGodtoloveandfollowHim.

492.Hewhohatesnotinhimselfhisself-love,andthatinstinctwhichleadshimtomakehimselfGod,isindeedblinded.Whodoesnotseethatthereisnothingsoopposedtojusticeandtruth?Foritisfalsethatwedeservethis,anditisunfairandimpossibletoattainit,sincealldemandthesamething.Itis,then,amanifestinjusticewhichisinnateinus,ofwhichwecannotgetrid,andofwhichwemustgetrid.

Yetnoreligionhasindicatedthatthiswasasin;orthatwewereborninit;orthatwewereobligedtoresistit;orhasthoughtofgivingusremediesforit.

493.Thetruereligionteachesourduties;ourweaknesses,pride,andlust;andtheremedies,humilityandmortification.

494.Thetruereligionmustteachgreatnessandmisery;mustleadtotheesteemandcontemptofself,toloveandtohate.

495.Ifitisanextraordinaryblindnesstolivewithoutinvestigatingwhatweare,itisaterribleonetoliveanevillife,whilebelievinginGod.

496.Experiencemakesusseeanenormousdifferencebetweenpietyandgoodness.

497.Againstthosewho,trustingtothemercyofGod,liveheedlessly,withoutdoinggoodworks.—Asthetwosourcesofoursinsareprideandsloth,GodhasrevealedtoustwoofHisattributestocurethem,mercyandjustice.Thepropertyofjusticeistohumblepride,howeverholymaybeourworks,etnonintresinjudicium,etc.;andthepropertyofmercyistocombatslothbyexhortingtogoodworks,accordingtothatpassage:"ThegoodnessofGodleadethtorepentance,andthatotheroftheNinevites:"LetusdopenancetoseeifperadventureHewillpityus."Andthusmercyissofarfromauthorisingslacknessthatitisonthecontrarythequalitywhichformallyattacksit;sothatinsteadofsaying,"IftherewerenomercyinGodweshouldhavetomakeeverykindofeffortaftervirtue,"wemustsay,onthecontrary,thatitisbecausethereismercyinGodthatwemustmakeeverykindofeffort.

498.Itistruethereisdifficultyinenteringintogodliness.Butthisdifficultydoesnotarisefromthereligionwhichbeginsinus,butfromtheirreligionwhichisstillthere.Ifoursenseswerenotopposedtopenitence,andifourcorruptionwerenotopposedtothepurityofGod,therewouldbenothinginthispainfultous.Wesufferonlyinproportionasthevicewhichisnaturaltousresistssupernaturalgrace.Ourheartfeelstornasunderbetweentheseopposedefforts.ButitwouldbeveryunfairtoimputethisviolencetoGod,whoisdrawinguson,insteadoftotheworld,whichisholdingusback.Itisasachild,whichamothertearsfromthearmsofrobbers,inthepainitsuffers,shouldlovethelovingandlegitimateviolenceofherwhoprocuresitsliberty,anddetestonlytheimpetuousandtyrannicalviolenceofthosewhodetainitunjustly.ThemostcruelwarwhichGodcanmakewithmeninthislifeistoleavethemwithoutthatwarwhichHecametobring."Icametosendwar,"Hesays,"andtoteachthemofthiswar.Icametobringfireandthesword."BeforeHimtheworldlivedinthisfalsepeace.

499.Externalworks.—TherenothingsoperilousaswhatpleasesGodandman.Forthosestates,whichpleaseGodandman,haveonepropertywhichpleasesGod,andanotherwhichpleasesmen;asthegreatnessofSaintTeresa.WhatpleasedGodwasherdeephumilityinthemidstofherrevelations;whatpleasedmenwasherlight.Andsowetormentourselvestoimitateherdiscourses,thinkingtoimitateherconditions,andnotsomuchtolovewhatGodlovesandtoputourselvesinthestatewhichGodloves.

Itisbetternottofast,andbetherebyhumbled,thantofastandbeself-satisfiedtherewith.ThePhariseeandthePublican.

Whatusewillmemorybetome,ifitcanalikehurtandhelpme,andalldependsupontheblessingofGod,whogivesonlytothingsdoneforHim,accordingtoHisrulesandinHisways,themannerbeingthusasimportantasthethingandperhapsmore;sinceGodcanbringforthgoodoutofevil,andwithoutGodwebringfortheviloutofgood?

500.Themeaningofthewords,goodandevil.

501.Firststep:tobeblamedfordoingevil,andpraisedfordoinggood.

Secondstep:tobeneitherpraisednorblamed.

502.Abrahamtooknothingforhimself,butonlyforhisservants.Sotherighteousmantakesforhimselfnothingoftheworld,noroftheapplauseoftheworld,butonlyforhispassions,whichheusesastheirmaster,sayingtotheone,"Go,"andtoanother,"Come."Subteeritappetitustuus.Thepassionsthussubduedarevirtues.EvenGodattributestoHimselfavarice,jealousy,anger;andthesearevirtuesaswellaskindness,pity,constancy,whicharealsopassions.Wemustemploythemasslaves,and,leavingtothemtheirfood,preventthesoulfromtakinganyofit,For,whenthepassionsbecomemasters,theyarevices;andtheygivetheirnutrimenttothesoul,andthesoulnourishesitselfuponitandispoisoned.

503.PhilosophershaveconsecratedthevicesbyplacingtheminGodHimself.Christianshaveconsecratedthevirtues.

504.Thejustmanactsbyfaithintheleastthings;whenhereproveshisservants,hedesirestheirconversionbytheSpiritofGod,andpraysGodtocorrectthem;andheexpectsasmuchfromGodasfromhisownreproofs,andpraysGodtoblesshiscorrections.AndsoinallhisotheractionsheproceedswiththeSpiritofGod;andhisactionsdeceiveusbyreasonoftheorsuspensionoftheSpiritofGodinhim;andherepentsinhisaffliction.

505.Allthingscanbedeadlytous,eventhethingsmadetoserveus;asinnaturewallscankillus,andstairscankillus,ifwedonotwalkcircumspectly.

Theleastmovementaffectsallnature;theentireseachangesbecauseofarock.Thus,ingrace,theleastactionaffectseverythingbyitsconsequences;thereforeeverythingisimportant.

Ineachactionwemustlookbeyondtheactionatourpast,present,andfuturestate,andatotherswhomitaffects,andseetherelationsofallthosethings.Andthenweshallbeverycautious.

506.LetGodnotimputetousoursins,thatistosay,alltheconsequencesandresultsofoursins,whicharedreadful,eventhoseofthesmallestfaults,ifwewishtofollowthemoutmercilessly!

507.Thespiritofgrace;thehardnessoftheheart;externalcircumstances.

508.Graceisindeedneededtoturnamanintoasaint;andhewhodoubtsitdoesnotknowwhatasaintoramanis.

509.Philosophers.—Afinethingtocrytoamanwhodoesnotknowhimself,thatheshouldcomeofhimselftoGod!Andafinethingtosaysotoamanwhodoesknowhimself!

510.ManisnotworthyofGod,butheisnotincapableofbeingmadeworthy.

ItisunworthyofGodtouniteHimselftowretchedman;butitisnotunworthyofGodtopullhimoutofhismisery.

511.IfwewouldsaythatmanistooinsignificanttodeservecommunionwithGod,wemustindeedbeverygreattojudgeofit.

512.Itis,inpeculiarphraseology,whollythebodyofJesusChrist,butitcannotbesaidtobethewholebodyofJesusChrist.Theunionoftwothingswithoutchangedoesnotenableustosaythatonebecomestheother;thesoulthusbeingunitedtothebody,thefiretothetimber,withoutchange.Butchangeisnecessarytomaketheformoftheonebecometheformoftheother;thustheunionoftheWordtoman.Becausemybodywithoutmysoulwouldnotmakethebodyofaman;thereforemysoulunitedtoanymatterwhatsoeverwillmakemybody.Itdoesnotdistinguishthenecessaryconditionfromthesufficientcondition;theunionisnecessary,butnotsufficient.Theleftarmisnottheright.

Impenetrabilityisapropertyofmatter.

Identitydenumeroinregardtothesametimerequirestheidentityofmatter.

ThusifGodunitedmysoultoabodyinChina,thesamebody,idemnumerowouldbeinChina.

ThesameriverwhichrunsthereisidemnumeroasthatwhichrunsatthesametimeinChina.

513.WhyGodhasestablishedprayer.

1.TocommunicatetoHiscreaturesthedignityofcausality.

2.Toteachusfromwhomourvirtuecomes.

3.Tomakeusdeserveothervirtuesbywork.

(ButtokeepHisownpre-eminence,HegrantsprayertowhomHepleases.)

Objection:Butwebelievethatweholdprayerofourselves.

Thisisabsurd;forsince,thoughhavingfaith,wecannothavevirtues,howshouldwehavefaith?Isthereagreaterdistancebetweeninfidelityandfaiththanbetweenfaithandvirtue?

Merit.Thiswordisambiguous.

MeruithabereRedemptorem.

Meruittamsacramembratangere.

Dignotamsacramembratangere.

Nonsumdignus.

Quimanducatindignus.

Dignusestaccipere.

Dignareme.

GodisonlyboundaccordingtoHispromises.Hehaspromisedtograntjusticetoprayers;Hehasneverpromisedprayeronlytothechildrenofpromise.

SaintAugustinehasdistinctlysaidthatstrengthwouldbetakenawayfromtherighteous.Butitisbychancethathesaidit;foritmighthavehappenedthattheoccasionofsayingitdidnotpresentitself.Buthisprinciplesmakeusseethat,whentheoccasionforitpresenteditself,itwasimpossiblethatheshouldnotsayit,orthatheshouldsayanythingtothecontrary.Itisthenratherthathewasforcedtosayit,whentheoccasionpresenteditself,thanthathesaidit,whentheoccasionpresenteditself,theonebeingofnecessity,theotherofchance.Butthetwoareallthatwecanask.

514."Workoutyourownsalvationwithfear."

Proofsofprayer.Petentidabitur.

Thereforeitisinourpowertoask.Ontheotherhand,thereisGod.Soitisnotinourpower,sincetheobtainingof(thegrace)topraytoHimisnotinourpower.Forsincesalvationisnotinus,andtheobtainingofsuchgraceisfromHim,prayerisnotinourpower.

TherighteousmanshouldthenhopenomoreinGod,forheoughtnottohope,buttostrivetoobtainwhathewants.

Letusconcludethenthat,sincemanisnowunrighteoussincethefirstsin,andGodisunwillingthatheshouldtherebynotbeestrangedfromHim,itisonlybyafirsteffectthatheisnotestranged.

Therefore,thosewhodepartfromGodhavenotthisfirsteffectwithoutwhichtheyarenotestrangedfromGod,andthosewhodonotdepartfromGodhavethisfirsteffect.Therefore,thosewhomwehaveseenpossessedforsometimeofgracebythisfirsteffect,ceasetopray,forwantofthisfirsteffect.

ThenGodabandonsthefirstinthissense.

515.Theelectwillbeignorantoftheirvirtues,andtheoutcastofthegreatnessoftheirsins:"Lord,whensawweTheeanhungered,thirsty"?etc.

516.Romans3:27.Boastingisexcluded.Bywhatlaw?Ofworks?Nay,butbyfaith.Thenfaithisnotwithinourpowerlikethedeedsofthelaw,anditisgiventousinanotherway.

517.Comfortyourselves.Itisnotfromyourselvesthatyoushouldexpectgrace;but,onthecontrary,itisinexpectingnothingfromyourselvesthatyoumusthopeforit.

518.Everycondition,andeventhemartyrs,havetofear,accordingtoure.Thegreatestpainofpurgatoryistheuncertaintyofthejudgement.Deusabsconditus.

519.John8.Multicredideruntineum.DicebatergoJesus:"SimanseritisVEREmeidiscipulieritis,etVERITASLIBERABITVOS."Responderunt:"SemenAbrahaesumus,etneminiservimusunquam."

Thereisagreatdifferencebetweendisciplesandtruedisciples.Werecognisethembytellingthemthatthetruthwillmakethemfree;foriftheyanswerthattheyarefreeandthatitisintheirpowertocomeoutofslaverytothedevil,theyareindeeddisciples,butnottruedisciples.

520.Thelawhasnotdestroyednature,buthasinstructedit;gracehasnotdestroyedthelaw,buthasmadeitact.FaithreceivedatbaptismisthesourceofthewholelifeofChristiansandoftheconverted.

521.Gracewillalwaysbeintheworld,andnaturealso;sothattheformerisinsomesortnatural.AndthustherewillalwaysbePelagians,andalwaysCatholics,andalwaysstrife;becausethefirstbirthmakestheone,andthegraceofthesecondbirththeother.

522.Thelawimposedwhatitdidnotgive.Gracegiveswhatitimposes.

523.AllfaithconsistsinJesusChristandinAdam,andallmoralityinlustandingrace.

524.Thereisnodoctrinemoreappropriatetomanthanthis,whichteacheshimhisdoublecapacityofreceivingandoflosinggrace,becauseofthedoubleperiltowhichheisexposed,ofdespairorofpride.

525.Thephilosophersdidnotprescribefeelingssuitabletothetwostates.

Theyinspiredfeelingsofpuregreatness,andthatisnotman-sstate.

Theyinspiredfeelingsofpurelittleness,andthatisnotman-sstate.

Theremustbefeelingsofhumility,notfromnature,butfrompenitence,nottorestinthem,buttogoontogreatness.Theremustbefeelingsofgreatness,notfrommerit,butfromgrace,andafterhavingpassedthroughhumiliation.

526.Miseryinducesdespair,prideinducespresumption.TheIncarnationshowsmanthegreatnessofhismiserybythegreatnessoftheremedywhichherequired.

527.TheknowledgeofGodwithoutthatofman-smiserycausespride.Theknowledgeofman-smiserywithoutthatofGodcausesdespair.TheknowledgeofJesusChristconstitutesthemiddlecourse,becauseinHimwefindbothGodandourmisery.

528.JesusChristisaGodwhomweapproachwithoutprideandbeforewhomwehumbleourselveswithoutdespair.

529Notadegradationwhichrendersusincapableofgood,noraholinessexemptfromevil.

530.Apersontoldmeonedaythatoncomingfromconfessionhefeltgreatjoyandconfidence.Anothertoldmethatheremainedinfear.WhereuponIthoughtthatthesetwotogetherwouldmakeonegoodman,andthateachwaswantinginthathehadnotthefeelingoftheother.Thesameoftenhappensinotherthings.

531.Hewhoknowsthewillofhismasterwillbebeatenwithmoreblows,becauseofthepowerhehasbyhisknowledge.Quijustusest,justificeturadhuc,becauseofthepowerhehasbyjustice.Fromhimwhohasreceivedmost,willthegreatestreckoningbedemanded,becauseofthepowerhehasbythishelp.

532.urehasprovidedpassagesofconsolationandofwarningforallconditions.

Natureseemstohavedonethesamethingbyhertwoinfinities,naturalandmoral;forweshallalwayshavethehigherandthelower,themorecleverandthelessclever,themostexaltedandthemeanest,inordertohumbleourprideandexaltourhumility.

533.Comminutumcor(SaintPaul).ThisistheChristiancharacter.Albahasnamedyou,Iknowyounomore(Corneille).Thatistheinhumancharacter.Thehumancharacteristheopposite.

534.Thereareonlytwokindsofmen:therighteouswhobelievethemselvessinners;therest,sinners,whobelievethemselvesrighteous.

535.Weoweagreatdebttothosewhopointoutfaults.Fortheymortifyus.Theyteachusthatwehavebeendespised.Theydonotpreventourbeingsointhefuture;forwehavemanyotherfaultsforwhichwemaybedespised.Theyprepareforustheexerciseofcorrectionandfreedomfromfault.

536.Manissomadethatbycontinuallytellinghimheisafoolhebelievesit,andbycontinuallytellingittohimselfhemakeshimselfbelieveit.Formanholdsaninwardtalkwithhisselfalone,whichitbehoveshimtoregulatewell:Corrumpuntbonosmorescolloquiaprava.WemustkeepsilentasmuchaspossibleandtalkwithourselvesonlyofGod,whomweknowtobetrue;andthusweconvinceourselvesofthetruth.

537.Christianityisstrange.Itbidsmanrecognisethatheisvile,evenabominable,andbidshimdesiretobelikeGod.Withoutsuchacounterpoise,thisdignitywouldmakehimhorriblyvain,orthishumiliationwouldmakehimterriblyabject.

538.WithhowlittlepridedoesaChristianbelievehimselfunitedtoGod!Withhowlittlehumiliationdoesheplacehimselfonalevelwiththewormsofearth!

Agloriousmannertowelcomelifeanddeath,goodandevil!

539.WhatdifferenceinpointofobedienceistherebetweenasoldierandaCarthusianmonk?Forbothareequallyunderobedienceanddependent,bothengagedinequallypainfulexercises.Butthesoldieralwayshopestocommandandneverattainsthis,forevencaptainsandprincesareeverslavesanddependants;stillheeverhopesandeverworkstoattainthis.WhereastheCarthusianmonkmakesavowtobealwaysdependent.Sotheydonotdifferintheirperpetualthraldom,inwhichbothofthemalwaysexist,butinthehope,whichonealwayshas,andtheothernever.

540.ThehopewhichChristianshaveofpossessinganinfinitegoodismingledwithrealenjoymentaswellaswithfear;foritisnotaswiththosewhoshouldhopeforakingdom,ofwhichthey,beingsubjects,wouldhavenothing;buttheyhopeforholiness,forfreedomfrominjustice,andtheyhavesomethingofthis.

541.NoneissohappyasatrueChristian,norsoreasonable,virtuous,oramiable.

542.TheChristianreligionalonemakesmanaltogetherlovableandhappy.Inhonesty,wecannotperhapsbealtogetherlovableandhappy.

543.Preface.—ThemetaphysicalproofsofGodaresoremotefromthereasoningofmen,andsocomplicated,thattheymakelittleimpression;andiftheyshouldbeofservicetosome,itwouldbeonlyduringthemomentthattheyseesuchdemonstration;butanhourafterwardstheyfeartheyhavebeenmistaken.

Quodcuriositatecognoveruntsuperbiaamiserunt.

ThisistheresultoftheknowledgeofGodobtainedwithoutJesusChrist;itiscommunionwithoutamediatorwiththeGodwhomtheyhaveknownwithoutamediator.WhereasthosewhohaveknownGodbyamediatorknowtheirownwretchedness.

544.TheGodoftheChristiansisaGodwhomakesthesoulfeelthatHeisheronlygood,thatheronlyrestisinHim,thatheronlydelightisinlovingHim;andwhomakesheratthesametimeabhortheobstacleswhichkeepherbackandpreventherfromlovingGodwithallherstrength.Self-loveandlust,whichhinderus,areunbearabletoher.ThusGodmakesherfeelthatshehasthisrootofself-lovewhichdestroysher,andwhichHealonecancure.

545.JesusChristdidnothingbutteachmenthattheylovedthemselves,thattheywereslaves,blind,sick,wretched,andsinners;thatHemustdeliverthem,enlighten,bless,andhealthem;thatthiswouldbeeffectedbyhatingself,andbyfollowingHimthroughsufferingandthedeathonthecross.

546.WithoutJesusChristmanmustbeinviceandmisery;withJesusChristmanisfreefromviceandmisery;inHimisallourvirtueandallourhappiness.ApartfromHimthereisbutvice,misery,darkness,death,despair.

547.WeknowGodonlybyJesusChrist.Withoutthismediator,allcommunionwithGodistakenaway;throughJesusChristweknowGod.AllthosewhohaveclaimedtoknowGod,andtoproveHimwithoutJesusChrist,havehadonlyweakproofs.ButinproofofJesusChristwehavetheprophecies,whicharesolidandpalpableproofs.Andtheseprophecies,beingaccomplishedandprovedtruebytheevent,markthecertaintyofthesetruthsand,therefore,thedivinityofChrist.InHim,then,andthroughHim,weknowGod.ApartfromHim,andwithouttheure,withoutoriginalsin,withoutanecessarymediatorpromisedandcome,wecannotabsolutelyproveGod,norteachrightdoctrineandrightmorality.ButthroughJesusChrist,andinJesusChrist,weproveGod,andteachmoralityanddoctrine.JesusChristis,then,thetrueGodofmen.

Butweknowatthesametimeourwretchedness;forthisGodisnoneotherthantheSaviourofourwretchedness.SowecanonlyknowGodwellbyknowingouriniquities.ThereforethosewhohaveknownGod,withoutknowingtheirwretchedness,havenotglorifiedHim,buthaveglorifiedthemselves.QuianoncognovitpersapientiamplacuitDeoperstultitiampraedicationissalvosfacere.

548.NotonlydoweknowGodbyJesusChristalone,butweknowourselvesonlybyJesusChrist.WeknowlifeanddeathonlythroughJesusChrist.ApartfromJesusChrist,wedonotknowwhatisourlife,norourdeath,norGod,norourselves.

Thuswithouttheure,whichhasJesusChristaloneforitsobject,weknownothing,andseeonlydarknessandconfusioninthenatureofGodandinourownnature.

549.ItisnotonlyimpossiblebutuselesstoknowGodwithoutJesusChrist.TheyhavenotdepartedfromHim,butapproached;theyhavenothumbledthemselves,but

Quoquisqueoptimusest,pessimus,sihocipsum,quodoptimusest,adscribatsibi.

550.IlovepovertybecauseHelovedit.Iloverichesbecausetheyaffordmethemeansofhelpingtheverypoor.Ikeepfaithwitheverybody;Idonotrendereviltothosewhowrongme,butIwishthemalotlikemine,inwhichIreceiveneitherevilnorgoodfrommen.Itrytobejust,true,sincere,andfaithfultoallmen;IhaveatenderheartforthosetowhomGodhasmorecloselyunitedme;andwhetherIamalone,orseenofmen,IdoallmyactionsinthesightofGod,whomustjudgeofthem,andtowhomIhaveconsecratedthemall.

Thesearemysentiments;andeverydayofmylifeIblessmyRedeemer,whohasimplantedtheminme,andwho,ofamanfullofweakness,ofmiseries,oflust,ofpride,andofambition,hasmadeamanfreefromalltheseevilsbythepowerofHisgrace,towhichallthegloryofitisdue,asofmyselfIhaveonlymiseryanderror.

551.Digniorplagisquamosculisnontimeoquiaamo.

552.TheSepulchreofJesusChrist.—JesusChristwasdead,butseenontheCross.Hewasdead,andhiddenintheSepulchre.

JesusChristwasburiedbythesaintsalone.

JesusChristwroughtnomiracleattheSepulchre.

Onlythesaintsenteredit.

Itisthere,notontheCross,thatJesusChristtakesanewlife.

ItisthelastmysteryofthePassionandtheRedemption.

JesusChristhadnowheretorestonearthbutintheSepulchre.HisenemiesonlyceasedtopersecuteHimattheSepulchre.

553.TheMysteryofJesus.—JesussuffersinHispassionsthetormentswhichmeninflictuponHim;butinHisagonyHesuffersthetormentswhichHeinflictsonhimself;turbaresemetipsum.Thisisasufferingfromnohuman,butanalmightyhand,forHemustbealmightytobearit.

JesusseekssomecomfortatleastinHisthreedearestfriends,andtheyareasleep.HepraysthemtobearwithHimforalittle,andtheyleaveHimwithentireindifference,havingsolittlecompassionthatitcouldnotpreventtheirsleepingevenforamoment.AndthusJesuswasleftalonetothewrathofGod.

Jesusisaloneontheearth,withoutanyonenotonlytofeelandshareHissuffering,buteventoknowofit;HeandHeavenwerealoneinthatknowledge.

Jesusisinagarden,notofdelightasthefirstAdam,wherehelosthimselfandthewholehumanrace,butinoneofagony,whereHesavedhimselfandthewholehumanrace.

Hesuffersthisafflictionandthisdesertioninthehorrorofnight.

IbelievethatJesusnevercomplainedbutonthissingleoccasion;butthenHecomplainedasifhecouldnolongerbearHisextremesuffering."Mysoulissorrowful,evenuntodeath."

Jesusseekscompanionshipandcomfortfrommen.ThisisthesoleoccasioninallHislife,asitseemstome.ButHereceivesitnot,forHisdisciplesareasleep.Jesuswillbeinagonyeventotheendoftheworld.Wemustnotsleepduringthattime.

Jesus,inthemidstofthisuniversaldesertion,includingthatofHisownfriendschosentowatchwithHim,findingthemasleep,isvexedbecauseofthedangertowhichtheyexpose,notHim,butthemselves;Hecautionsthemfortheirownsafetyandtheirowngood,withasinceretendernessforthemduringtheiringratitude,andwarnsthemthatthespiritiswillingandthefleshweak.

Jesus,findingthemstillasleep,withoutbeingrestrainedbyanyconsiderationforthemselvesorforHim,hasthekindnessnottowakenthemandleavestheminrepose.

Jesusprays,uncertainofthewillofHisFather,andfearsdeath;but,whenHeknowsit,HegoesforwardtoofferHimselftodeath.Eamus.Processit(John).

Jesusaskedofmenandwasnotheard.

Jesus,whileHisdisciplesslept,wroughttheirsalvation.Hehaswroughtthatofeachoftherighteouswhiletheyslept,bothintheirnothingnessbeforetheirbirth,andintheirsinsaftertheirbirth.

Hepraysonlyoncethatthecuppassaway,andthenwithsubmission;andtwicethatitcomeifnecessary.

Jesusisweary.

Jesus,seeingallHisfriendsasleepandallHisenemieswakeful,commitsHimselfentirelytoHisFather.

JesusdoesnotregardinJudashisenmity,buttheorderofGod,whichHelovesandadmits,sinceHecallshimfriend.

JesustearsHimselfawayfromHisdisciplestoenterintoHisagony;wemusttearourselvesawayfromournearestanddearesttoimitateHim.

Jesusbeinginagonyandinthegreatestaffliction,letuspraylonger.

WeimplorethemercyofGod,notthatHemayleaveusatpeaceinourvices,thatHemaydeliverusfromthem.

IfGodgaveusmastersbyHisownhand,oh!hownecessaryforustoobeythemwithagoodheart!Necessityandeventsfollowinfallibly.

"Consolethyself,thouwouldstnotseekMe,ifthouhadstnotfoundMe.

"IthoughtoftheeinMineagony,Ihavesweatedsuchdropsofbloodforthee.

"ItistemptingMeratherthanprovingthyself,tothinkifthouwouldstdosuchandsuchathingonanoccasionwhichhasnothappened;Ishallactintheeifitoccur.

"LetthyselfbeguidedbyMyrules;seehowwellIhaveledtheVirginandthesaintswhohaveletMeactinthem.

"TheFatherlovesallthatIdo.

"DostthouwishthatitalwayscostMethebloodofMyhumanity,withoutthysheddingtears?

"ThyconversionisMyaffair;fearnot,andpraywithconfidenceasforMe.

"IampresentwiththeebyMyWordinure,byMySpiritintheChurchandbyinspiration,byMypowerinthepriests,byMyprayerinthefaithful.

"hysicianswillnothealthee,forthouwiltdieatlast.ButitisIwhohealtheeandmakethebodyimmortal.

"Sufferbodilychainsandservitude,Idelivertheeatpresentonlyfromspiritualservitude.

"Iammoreafriendtotheethansuchandsuchanone,forIhavedonefortheemorethenthey;theywouldnothavesufferedwhatIhavesufferedfromthee,andtheywouldnothavediedfortheeasIhavedoneinthetimeofthineinfidelitiesandcruelties,andasIamreadytodo,anddo,amongMyelectandattheHolySacrament."

"Ifthouknewestthysins,thouwouldstloseheart."

Ishallloseitthen,Lord,foronThyassuranceIbelievetheirmalice.

"No,forI,bywhomthoulearnest,canhealtheeofthem,andwhatIsaytotheeisasignthatIwillhealthee.Inproportiontothyexpiationofthem,thouwiltknowthem,anditwillbesaidtothee:-Beholdthysinsareforgiventhee-Repent,then,forthyhiddensins,andforthesecretmaliceofthosewhichthouknowest."

Lord,IgiveTheeall.

"Ilovetheemoreardentlythanthouhastlovedthineabominations,utimmundusproluto.

"ToMebetheglory,nottothee,wormoftheearth.

"Askthyconfessor,whenMyownwordsaretotheeoccasionofevil,vanity,orcuriosity."

Iseeinmedepthsofpride,curiosity,andlust.ThereisnorelationbetweenmeandGod,norJesusChristtheRighteous.ButHehasbeenmadesinforme;allThyscourgesarefallenuponHim.HeismoreabominablethanI,and,farfromabhorringme,HeholdsHimselfhonouredthatIgotoHimandsuccourHim.

ButHehashealedHimself,andstillmoresowillHehealme.

ImustaddmywoundstoHis,andjoinmyselftoHim;andHewillsavemeinsavingHimself.Butthismustnotbepostponedtothefuture.

Eritissicutdiiscientesbonumetmalum.Eachonecreateshisgod,whenjudging,"Thisisgoodorbad";andmenmournorrejoicetoomuchatevents.

Dolittlethingsasthoughtheyweregreat,becauseofthemajestyofJesusChristwhodoestheminusandwholivesourlife;anddothegreatestthingsasthoughtheywerelittleandeasy,becauseofHisomnipotence.

554.ItseemstomethatJesusChristonlyallowedHiswoundstobetouchedafterHisresurrection:Nolimetangere.WemustuniteourselvesonlytoHissufferings.

AttheLastSupperHegaveHimselfincommunionasabouttodie;tothedisciplesatEmmausasrisenfromthedead;tothewholeChurchasascendedintoheaven.

555."Comparenotthyselfwithothers,butwithMe.IfthoudostnotfindMeinthosewithwhomthoucomparestthyself,thoucomparestthyselftoonewhoisabominable.IfthoufindestMeinthem,comparethyselftoMe.Butwhomwiltthoucompare?Thyself,orMeinthee?Ifitisthyself,itisonewhoisabominable.IfitisI,thoucomparestMetoMyself.NowIamGodinall.

"Ispeaktothee,andoftencounselthee,becausethydirectorcannotspeaktothee,forIdonotwanttheetolackaguide.

"AndperhapsIdosoathisprayers,andthusheleadstheewithoutthyseeingit.ThouwouldstnotseekMe,ifthoudidstnotpossessMe.

"Benotthereforetroubled."