IfIwishtoprovethatthesoulisarealbeing，someonestopsmebytellingmethatitisafaculty。IfIassertthatitisafaculty，andthatIhavethefacultyofthinking，IamtoldthatIammistaken。thatGod，theeternalmasterofallnature，doeseverythinginme，anddirectsallmyactionsandallmythoughts。thatifIproducedmythoughts，IshouldknowthethoughtIwillhaveinaminute。thatIneverknowit。thatI
amonlyanautomatonwithsensationsandideas，necessarilydependent，andinthehandsoftheSupremeBeing，infinitelymorecomplianttoHimthanclayistothepotter。
Iconfessmyignorance，therefore。Iavowthatfourthousandtomesofmetaphysicswillnotteachuswhatoursoulis。
Anorthodoxphilosophersaidtoaheterodoxphilosopher——Howhaveyoubeenabletocometothepointofimaginingthatthesoulismortalbynature，andeternalonlybythepurewishofGod？
Bymyownexperience，saidtheother。
How！areyoudead？
Yes，veryoften。Isufferedfromepilepsyinmyyouth，andIassureyouthatIwascompletelydeadforseveralhours。Nosensation，noremembranceevenofthemomentthatIfellill。Thesamethinghappenstomenownearlyeverynight。IneverfeeltheprecisemomentthatIgotosleep。mysleepisabsolutelydreamless。IcannotimaginebyconjecturehowlongIhaveslept。Iamdeadregularlysixhoursoutofthetwenty-four。Thatisaquarterofmylife。
Theorthodoxthenassertedthathealwaysthoughtduringhissleepwithoutknowinganythingaboutit。Theheterodoxansweredhim-IbelievethroughrevelationthatIshallalwaysthinkintheotherlife。butIassureyouIthinkrarelyinthisone。
Theorthodoxwasnotmistakeninassertingtheimmortalityofthesoul，forfaithandreasondemonstratethistruth。buthemightbemistakeninassertingthatasleepingmanalwaysthinks。
Lockeadmittedfranklythathedidnotalwaysthinkwhilehewasasleep：
anotherphilosopherhassaidThoughtischaracteristicofman。butitisnothisessence。
Letusleavetoeachmanthelibertyandconsolationofseekinghimself，andoflosinghimselfinhisideas。
Itisgood，however，toknow，thatin1730aphilosophersufferedasevereenoughpersecutionforhavingconfessed，withLocke，thathisunderstandingwasnotexercisedateverymomentofthedayandnight，justashedidnotusehisarmsandhislegsatallmoments。Notonlydidcourtignorancepersecutehim，butthemalignantinfluenceofafewso-calledmenofletterswasletlooseagainsthim。WhatinEnglandhadproducedmerelyafewphilosophicaldisputes，producedinFrancethemostcowardlyatrocities。aFrenchmansufferedbyLocke。
Therehavealwaysbeeninthemudofourliteraturemorethanoneofthesemiscreantswhohavesoldtheirpens，andintriguedagainsttheirbenefactorseven。ThisremarkisratherforeigntothearticleSOUL。butshouldonemissanopportunityofdismayingthosewhomakethemselvesunworthyofthenameofmenofletters，whoprostitutethelittlemindandconsciencetheyhavetoavileself-interest，toafantasticpolicy，whobetraytheirfriendstoflatterfools，whoinsecretpowderthehemlockwhichthepowerfulandmaliciousignoramuswantstomakeusefulcitizensdrink？
Inshort，whileweworshipGodwithalloursoul，letusconfessalwaysourprofoundignoranceofthissoul，ofthisfacultyoffeelingandthinkingwhichwepossessfromHisinfinitegoodness。Letusavowthatourfeeblereasoningscantakenothingawayfrom，oraddanythingtorevelationandfaith。Letusconcludeinfinethatweshouldusethisintelligence，thenatureofwhichisunknown，forperfectingthescienceswhicharetheobjectoftheEncyclopedia。justaswatchmakersusespringsintheirwatches，withoutknowingwhataspringis。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。4SOULSECTIONIVABOUTTHESOUL，ANDABOUTOURLITTLEKNOWLEDGE
Onthetestimonyofouracquiredknowledge，wehavedaredquestionwhetherthesouliscreatedbeforeus，whetheritcomesfromnon-existenceintoourbody？atwhatageitcametosettlebetweenabladderandtheintestinescaecumandrectum？ifitbroughtideaswithitorreceivedthemthere，andwhataretheseideas？ifafteranimatingusforafewmoments，itsessenceistoliveafterusintoeternitywithouttheinterventionofGodHimself？ifbeingspirit，andGodbeingspirit，theyarebothoflikenature？Thesequestionsseemsublime。whatarethey？questionsaboutlightbymenbornblind。
Whathaveallthephilosophers，ancientandmodern，taughtus？achildiswiserthantheyare。hedoesnotthinkaboutthingsofwhichhecanformnoconception。
Youwillsaythatitissadforourinsatiablecuriosity，forourinexhaustiblethirstforhappiness，tobethusignorantofourselves！Iagree，andtherearestillsadderthings。butIshallansweryou：Sorstuamortalis，nonestmortalequodoptas-Ovid，Met。II。56Youhaveaman’sfate，andagod’sdesires。
Onceagain，itseemsthatthenatureofeveryprincipleofthingsistheCreator’ssecret。Howdoestheaircarrysound？howareanimalsformed？
howdosomeofourlimbsconstantlyobeyourwills？whathandputsideasinourmemory，keepsthemthereasinaregister，andpullsthemoutsometimeswhenwewantthemandsometimesinspiteofourselves？Ournature，thenatureoftheuniverse，thenatureoftheleastplant，everythingforusissunkinashadowypit。
Manisanacting，feeling，thinkingbeing：thatisallweknowofhim：
itisnotgiventoustoknowwhatmakesusfeelandthink，orwhatmakesusact，orwhatmakesusexist。Theactingfacultyisasincomprehensibleforusasthethinkingfaculty。Thedifficultyislesstoconceivehowabodyofmudhasfeelingsandideas，thantoconceivehowabeing，whateveritbe，hasideasandfeelings。
HereononesidethesoulofArchimedes，ontheotherthesoulofanidiot。aretheyofthesamenature？Iftheiressenceistothink，theythinkalways，andindependentlyofthebodywhichcannotactwithoutthem。
Iftheythinkbytheirownnature，canthespeciesofasoulwhichcannotdoasuminarithmeticbethesameasthatwhichmeasuredtheheavens？
IfitistheorgansofthebodywhichmadeArchimedesthink，whyisitthatmyidiot，whohasastrongerconstitutionthanArchimedes，whoismorevigorous，digestsbetterandperformsallhisfunctionsbetter，doesnotthinkatall？Itis，yousay，becausehisbrainisnotsogood。Butyouaremakingasupposition。youdonotknowatall。Nodifferencehaseverbeenfoundbetweenhealthybrainsthathavebeendissected。Itisevenveryprobablethatafool’scerebellumwillbeinbetterconditionthatArchimedes’，whichhasworkedprodigiously，andwhichmightbewornoutandshrivelled。
Letusconcludethereforewhatwehavealreadyconcluded，thatweareignoramusesaboutallfirstprinciples。Asregardsignoramuseswhopridethemselvesontheirknowledge，theyarefarinferiortomonkeys。
Nowdispute，cholericarguers：presentyourpetitionsagainsteachother。
profferyourinsults，pronounceyoursentences，youwhodonotknowonewordaboutthematter。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。5SOULSECTIONVOFWABURTON’SPARADOXONTHEIMMORTALITYOFTHESOUL
Warburton，editorandcommentatorofShakespeareandBishopofGloucestermakinguseofEnglishfreedom，andabuseofthecustomofhurlinginsultsatone’sadversaries，hascomposedfourvolumestoprovethattheimmortalityofthesoulwasneverannouncedinthePentateuch，andtoconcludefromthissameproofthatMoses’missionisdivine。Hereistheprecisofhisbook，whichhehimselfgives，pages7and8ofthefirstvolume。
I。Thedoctrineofalifetocome，ofrewardsandpunishmentsafterdeath，isnecessarytoallcivilsociety。
2。Thewholehumanraceandthisiswhereheismistaken，andespeciallythewisestandmostlearnednationsofantiquity，concurredinbelievingandteachingthisdoctrine。
3。ItcannotbefoundinanypassageofthelawofMoses。thereforethelawofMosesisofdivineorigin。WhichIamgoingtoprovebythetwofollowingsyllogisms：FirstSyllogismEveryreligion，everysocietythathasnottheimmortalityofthesoulforitsbasis，canbemaintainedonlybyanextraordinaryprovidence。
theJewishreligionhadnottheimmortalityofthesoulforbasis。thereforetheJewishreligionwasmaintainedbyanextraordinaryprovidence。SecondSyllogismAlltheancientlegislatorshavesaidthatareligionwhichdidnotteachtheimmortalityofthesoulcouldnotbemaintainedbutbyanextraordinaryprovidence。Mosesfoundedareligionwhichisnotfoundedontheimmortalityofthesoul。thereforeMosesbelievedhisreligionmaintainedbyanextraordinaryprovidence。
WhatismuchmoreextraordinaryisthisassertionofWarburton’s，whichhehasputinbiglettersatthebeginningofhisbook。Hehasoftenbeenreproachedwiththeextremerashnessandbadfaithwithwhichhedarestosaythatalltheancientlegislatorsbelievedthatareligionwhichisnotfoundedonpainsandrecompensesafterdeath，canbemaintainedonlybyanextraordinaryprovidence。notoneofthemeversaidit。Hedoesnotundertakeeventogiveanyexampleinhishugebookstuffedwithavastnumberofquotations，allofwhichareforeigntohissubject。HehasburiedhimselfbeneathapileofGreekandLatinauthors，ancientandmodern，forfearonemightseethroughhimontheothersideofahorriblemultitudeofenvelopes。Whencriticismfinallyprobedtothebottom，hewasresurrectedfromamongallthesedeadmeninordertoloadallhisadversarieswithinsults。
Itistruethattowardstheendofhisfourthvolume，afterhavingwalkedthroughahundredlabyrinths，andhavingfoughtwitheverybodyhemetontheroad，hecomesatlasttohisgreatquestionwhichhehadleftthere。
HelaysalltheblameontheBookofJobwhichpassesamongscholarsforanArabwork，andhetriestoprovethatJobdidnotbelieveintheimmortalityofthesoul。LaterheexplainsinhisownwayallthetextsofHolyWritbywhichpeoplehavetriedtocombatthisopinion。
Allonecansayaboutitisthat，ifhewasright，itwasnotforabishoptoberightinsuchaway。Heshouldhavefeltthatonemightdrawdangerousinferences。buteverythinginthisworldisamassofcontradiction。
Thisman，whobecameaccuserandpersecutor，wasnotmadebishopbyaministerofstate’spatronageuntilimmediatelyafterhehadwrittenhisbook。
AtSalamanca，CoimbreorRome，hewouldhavebeenobligedtorecantandtoaskpardon。InEnglandhebecameapeeroftherealmwithanincomeofahundredthousandlivres。itwasenotightomodifyhismethods。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。6SOULSECTIONVIOFTHENEEDOFREVELATION
ThegreatestbenefitweowetoTheNewTestamentisthatithasrevealedtoustheimmortalityofthesoul。Itisinvain，therefore，thatthisfellowWarburtontriedtocloudoverthisimportanttruth，bycontinuallyrepresentinginhislegationofMosesthattheancientJewsknewnothingofthisnecessarydogma，andthattheSadduceesdidnotadmititinthetimeofourLordJesus。
HeinterpretsinhisownwaytheverywordsthathavebeenputintoJesusChrist’smouth：……haveyenotreadthatwhichwasspokenuntoyoubyGod，saying，IamtheGodofAbraham，andtheGodofIsaac，andtheGodofJacob？GodisnottheGodofthedead，butofthelivingSt。
Matt。xxii。31，32。HegivestotheparableofthewickedrichmanasensecontrarytothatofalltheChurches。Sherlock，BishopofLondon，andtwentyotherscholarsrefutedhim。EnglishphilosophersevenreproachedhimwiththescandalofanAnglicanbishopmanifestinganopinionsocontrarytotheAnglicanChurch。andafterthat，thismantakesitintohisheadtotreatthesepersonsasimpious：likethecharacterofArlequininthecomedyoftheDevaliseurdemaisons，who，afterthrowingthefurnitureoutofthewindow，seesamancarryingsomeofitoff，andcrieswithallhismight’’Stopthief！
Oneshouldblesstherevelationoftheimmortalityofthesoul，andofrewardsandpunishmentsafterdeath，allthemorethatmankind’sVainphilosophyhasalwaysbeenscepticalofit。ThegreatCaesardidnotbelieveinitatall，hemadehimselfquiteclearinfullsenatewhen，inordertostopCatalinabeingputtodeath，herepresentedthatdeathleftmanwithoutsensation，thateverythingdiedwithhim。andnobodyrefutedthisview。
TheRomanEmpirewasdividedbetweentwoprincipalsectsthatofEpicuruswhichassertedthatdeitywasuselesstotheworld，andthatthesoulperishedwiththebody：andthatoftheStoicswhoregardedthesoulaspartoftheDeity，whichafterdeathwasjoinedagaintoitsorigin，tothegreateverythingfromwhichitemanated。Thus，whetheronebelievedthesoulmortal，orwhetheronebelieveditimmortal，allthesectswereagreedinlaughingatpainsandpunishmentsafterdeath。
WestillhaveahundredmonumentsofthisbeliefoftheRomans。Itisbyvirtueofthisopiniongravedprofoundlyintheirhearts，thatsomanysimpleRomancitizenskilledthemselveswithouttheleastscruple。theydidnotwaitforatyranttohandthemovertotheexecutioners。
Themostvirtuousmeneven，andthosemostpersuadedoftheexistenceofaGod，hopedfornoreward，andfearednopunishment。Clement，wholaterwasPopeandsaint，beganbyhimselfdoubtingwhattheearlyChristianssaidofanotherlife，andconsultedSt。PeteratCaesarea。WearefarfrombelievingthatSt。Clementwrotethehistorythatisattributedtohim。
butthishistorymakesevidenttheneedthehumanracehadofapreciserevelation。Allthatcansurpriseusisthatsorepressiveandsalutaryadoctrinehasleftapreytosomanyhorriblecrimesmenwhohavesolittletimetolive，andwhoseethemselvessqueezedbetweentwoeternities。PhilosophicalDictionary：Soul，Sect。7SOULSECTIONVIISOULSOFFOOLSANDMONSTERS
Adeformedchildisbornabsolutelyimbecile，ithasnoideasandliveswithoutideas。wehaveseenexamplesofthis。Howshallthisanimalbedefined？doctorshavesaidthatitissomethingbetweenmanandbeast。
othershavesaidthatithadasensitivesoul，butnotanintellectualsoul。Iteats，drinks，sleeps，wakes，hassensations。butitdoesnotthink。
Isthereanotherlifeforthiscreature，oristherenone？Thequestionhasbeenposed，andhasnotyetbeencompletelyanswered。
Somesaythatthiscreaturemusthaveasoul，becauseitsfatherandmotherhadone。Butbythisreasoningonewouldprovethatifitcameintotheworldwithoutanoseitwouldbedeemedtohaveone，becauseitsfatheranditsmotherhadnoses。
Awomangivesbirthtochildwithnochin，itsforeheadisrecedingandratherblack，itsnoseisslimandpointed，itseyesareround，itbearsnotabadresemblancetoaswallow。therestofitsbody，nevertheless，ismadelikeours。Theparentshaveitbaptised。byapluralityofvotesitisconsideredamanandpossessorofanimmortalsoul。Butifthisridiculouslittlefigurehaspointednailsandbeak-likemouth，itisdeclaredamonster，ithasnosoul，andisnotbaptised。
ItiswellknownthatinLondonin1726therewasawomanwhogavebirtheveryweektoarabbit。Nodifficultywasmadeaboutrefusingbaptismtothischild，despitetheepidemicmaniatherewasforthreeweeksinLondonforbelievingthatthispoorroguewasmakingwildrabbits。Thesurgeonwhoattendedher，St。Andrebyname，sworethatnothingwasmoretrue，andpeoplebelievedhim。Butwhatreasondidthecreduloushaveforrefusingasoultothiswoman’schildren？shehadasoul，herchildrenshouldbeprovidedwithsoulsalso。whethertheyhadhands，whethertheyhadpaws，whethertheywerebornwithalittlesnoutorwithaface。cannottheSupremeBeingbestowthegiftofthoughtandsensationonalittleIknownotwhat，bornofawoman，shapedlikearabbit，aswellastoalittleIknownotwhat，shapedlikeaman？Shallthesoulthatwasreadytolodgeinthiswoman’sfoetusgobackagainintospace？
Lockemakesthesoundobservation，aboutmonsters，thatonemustnotattributeimmortalitytotheexteriorofabody。thattheformhasnothingtodowithit。Thisimmortality，hesays，isnomoreattachedtotheformofhisfaceorhischest，thantothewayhisbeardisdressedorhiscoatcut。
Heaskswhatistheexactmeasureofdeformitybywhichyoucanrecognizewhetherornoachildhasasoul？Whatistheprecisedegreeatwhichitmustbedeclaredamonsteranddeprivedofasoul？
Oneasksstillfurtherwhatwouldbeasoulwhichneverhasanybutfantasticideas？therearesomewhichneverescapefromthem。Aretheyworthyorunworthy？whatistobedonewiththeirpurespirit？
Whatisonetothinkofachildwithtwoheads？withoutdeformityapartfromthis？Somesaythatithastwosoulsbecauseitisprovidedwithtwopinealglands，withtwocorpuscallosum，withtwosensoriumcommune。
Othersreplythatonecannothavetwosoulswhenonehasonlyonechestandonenavel。
Infine，somanyquestionshavebeenaskedaboutthispoorhumansoul，thatifitwerenecessarytoanswerthemall，thisexaminationofitsownpersonwouldcauseitthemostintolerableboredom。TherewouldhappentoitwhathappenedtoCardinaldePolignacataconclave。Hissteward，tiredofneverbeingabletomakehimsettlehisaccounts，madethejourneyfromRome，andcametothelittlewindowofhiscellburdenedwithanimmensebundleofpapers。Hereadfornearlytwohours。Atlast，seeingthatnoreplywasforthcoming，heputhisheadforward。Thecardinalhaddepartednearlytwohoursbefore。Oursoulswilldepartbeforetheirstewardshaveacquaintedthemwiththefacts：butletusbeexactbeforeGod，whateversortofignoramusesweare，weandourstewards。PhilosophicalDictionary：States，GovernmentsSTATES，GOVERNMENTSTHEinsandoutsofallgovernmentshavebeencloselyexaminedrecently。
Tellmethen，youwhohavetravelled，inwhatstate，underwhatsortofgovernmentyouwouldchoosetobeborn。Iimaginethatagreatland-owninglordinFrancewouldnotbevexedtobeborninGermany。hewouldbesoverigninsteadofsubject。ApeerofFrancewouldbeverygladtohavetheprivilegesoftheEnglishpeerage。hewouldbelegislator。ThelawyerandthefinancierwouldbebetteroffinFrancethanelsewhere。
Butwhatcountrywouldawise，freeman，amanwithamoderatefortune，andwithoutprejudices，choose？
AmemberofthegovernmentofPondicherry，alearnedmanenough，returnedtoEuropebylandwithaBrahminbettereducatedthantheordinaryBrahmin。
WhatdoyouthinkofthegovernmentoftheGreatMogul？askedthecouncillor。
Ithinkitabominable，answeredtheBrahmin。HowcanyouexpectastatetobehappilygovernedbytheTartars？Ourrajahs，ouromrahs，ournabobs，areverycontent，butthecitizensarehardlyso。andmillionsofcitizensaresomething。
Reasoning，thecouncillorandtheBrahmintraversedthewholeofUpperAsia。Imaketheobservation，saidtheBrahmin，thatthereisnotonerepublicinallthisvastpartoftheworld。’’
FormerlytherewastherepublicofTyre，saidthecouncillor，’’butitdidnotlastlong。therewasstillanotheroneinthedirectionofArabiaPetrea，inalittlecornercalledPalestine，ifonecanhonourwiththenameofrepublicahordeofthievesandusurerssometimesgovernedbyjudges，sometimesbyaspeciesofkings，sometimesbygrand-pontiffs，becomeslavesevenoreighttimes，andfinallydrivenoutofthecountrywhichithadusurped。’’
Iimagine，saidtheBrahmin，thatoneoughttofindveryfewrepublicsontheearth。Menarerarelyworthyofgoverningthemselves。Thishappinessshouldbelongonlytolittlepeopleswhohidethemselvesinislands，oramongthemountains，likerabbitswhoshuncarnivorousbeasts。butinthelongruntheyarediscoveredanddevoured。
WhenthetwotravellersreachedAsiaMinor，thecouncillorsaidtotheBrahmin：WouldyoubelievethatarepublicwasformedinacornerofItaly，whichlastedmorethanfivehundredyears，andwhichownedAsiaMinor，Asia，Africa，Greece，Gaul，SpainandthewholeofItaly？
Shesoonbecameamonarchy，then？saidtheBrahmin。
Youhaveguessedright，saidtheother。Butthismonarchyfell，andeverydaywecomposebeautifuldissertationsinordertofindthecauseofitsdecadenceanddownfall。
Youtakeadealoftrouble，saidtheIndian。Thisempirefellbecauseitexisted。Everythinghastofall。IhopeasmuchwillhappentotheGrandMogul’sempire。
Bytheway，saidtheEuropean，doyouconsiderthatthereshouldbemorehonourinadespoticstate，andmorevirtueinarepublic？
TheIndian，havinghadexplainedtohimwhatwemeanbyhonour，answeredthathonourwasmorenecessaryinarepublic，andthatonehadmoreneedofvirtueinamonarchicalstate。For，saidhe，’’amanwhoclaimstobeelectedbythepeople，willnotbeifheisdishonoured。whereasatthecourthecouldeasilyobtainaplace，inaccordancewithagreatprince’smaxim，thatinordertosucceedacourtiershouldhaveneitherhonournorcharacter。Asregardsvirtue，onemustbeprodigiouslyvirtuoustodaretosaythetruth。Thevirtuousmanismuchmoreathiseaseinarepublic。
hehasnoonetoflatter。
Doyouthink，’’saidthemanfromEurope，thatlawsandreligionsaremadeforclimates，justasonehastohavefursinMoscow，andgauzystuffsinDelhi？
Withoutadoubt，answeredtheBrahmin。Allthelawswhichconcernmaterialthingsarecalculatedforthemeridianonelivesin。AGermanneedsonlyonewife，andaPersianthreeorfour。
Theritesofreligionareofthesamenature。How，ifIwereChristian，shouldIsaymassinmyprovincewherethereisneitherbreadnorwine？
Asregardsdogmas，thatisanothermatter。theclimatehasnothingtodowiththem。DidnotyourreligionbegininAsia，whenceitwasdrivenout？
doesitnotexistneartheBalticSea，whereitwasunknown？
Inwhatstateunderwhatdomination，wouldyoulikebesttolive？
askedthecouncillor。
AnywherebutwhereIdolive，answeredhiscompanion。AndIhavemetmanySiamese，Tonkinese，PersiansandTurkswhosaidasmuch。
But，onceagain，persistedtheEuropean，whatstatewouldyouchoose？
TheBrahminanswered：Thestatewhereonlythelawsareobeyed。
Thatisanoldanswer，saidthecouncillor。
Itisnonetheworseforthat，saidtheBrahmin。
Whereisthatcountry？askedthecouncillor。
Wemustlookforit，answeredtheBrahmin。PhilosophicalDictionary：SuperstitionSUPERSTITIONTHEsuperstitiousmanistotheroguewhattheslaveistothetyrant。
Further，thesuperstitiousmanisgovernedbythefanaticandbecomesfanatic。
SuperstitionborninPaganism，adoptedbyJudaism，infestedtheChristianChurchfromtheearliesttimes。AllthefathersoftheChurch，withoutexception，believedinthepowerofmagic。TheChurchalwayscondemnedmagic，butshealwaysbelievedinit：shedidnotexcommunicatesorcerersasmadmenwhoweremistaken，butasmenwhowerereallyincommunicationwiththedevil。
To-dayonehalfofEuropethinksthattheotherhalfhaslongbeenandstillissuperstitious。TheProtestantsregardtherelics，theindulgences，themortifications，theprayersforthedead，theholywater，andalmostalltheritesoftheRomanChurch，asasuperstitiousdementia。Superstition，accordingtothem，consistsintakinguselesspracticesfornecessarypractices。
AmongtheRomanCatholicstherearesomemoreenlightenedthantheirancestors，whohaverenouncedmanyoftheseusagesformerlyconsideredsacred。andtheydefendthemselvesagainsttheotherswhohaveretainedthem，bysaying：
Theyareindifferent，andwhatismerelyindifferentcannotbeanevil。
Itisdifficulttomarkthelimitsofsuperstition。AFrenchmantravellinginItalyfindsalmosteverythingsuperstitious，andishardlymistaken。
TheArchbishopofCanterburymaintainsthattheArchbishopofParisissuperstitious。thePresbyteriansmakethesamereproachagainstHisGraceofCanterbury，andareintheirturntreatedassuperstitiousbytheQuakers，whoarethemostsuperstitiousofallintheeyesofotherChristians。
InChristiansocieties，therefore，nooneagreesastowhatsuperstitionis。Thesectwhichseemstobetheleastattackedbythismaladyoftheintelligenceisthatwhichhasthefewestrites。Butifwithfewceremoniesitisstillstronglyattachedtoanabsurdbelief，thisabsurdbeliefisequivalentalonetoallthesuperstitiouspracticesobservedfromthetimeofSimonthemagiciantothatofFatherGauffridi。
Itisthereforeclearthatitisthefundamentalsofthereligionofonesectwhichisconsideredassuperstitionbyanothersect。
TheMoslemsaccuseallChristiansocietiesofit，andarethemselvesaccused。Whowilljudgethisgreatmatter？Willitbereason？Buteachsectclaimstohavereasononitsside。Itwillthereforebeforcewhichwilljudge，whileawaitingthetimewhenreasonwillpenetrateasufficientnumberofheadstodisarmforce。
Uptowhatpointdoesstatecraftpermitsuperstitiontobedestroyed？
Thisisaverythornyquestion。itislikeaskinguptowhatpointoneshouldmakeanincisioninadropsicalperson，whomaydieundertheoperation。
Itisamatterforthedoctor’sdiscretion。
Canthereexistapeoplefreefromallsuperstitiousprejudices？Thatistoask-Canthereexistanationofphilosophers？ItissaidthatthereisnosuperstitioninthemagistratureofChina。ItisprobablethatnonewillremaininthemagistratureofafewtownsofEurope。
Thenthemagistrateswillstopthesuperstitionofthepeoplefrombeingdangerous。Thesemagistrates’examplewillnotenlightenthemob，buttheprincipalpersonsofthemiddle-classeswillholdthemobincheck。Thereisnotperhapsasingleriot，asinglereligiousoutrageinwhichthemiddle-classeswerenotformerlyimbrued，becausethesemiddle-classeswerethenthemob。
butreasonandtimewillhavechangedthem。Theirsoftenedmannerswillsoftenthoseofthelowestandmostsavagepopulace。itisathingofwhichwehavestrikingexamplesinmorethanonecountry。Inaword，lesssuperstition，lessfanaticism。andlessfanaticism，lessmisery。PhilosophicalDictionary：TearsTEARSTEARSarethemutelanguageofsorrow。Butwhy？WhatConnectionistherebetweenasadideaandthislimpid，saltliquid，filteredthroughalittleglandattheexternalcorneroftheeye，whichmoistenstheconjunctivaandthesmalllachrymalpoints，whenceitdescendsintothenoseandmouththroughthereservoircalledthelachrymalsackanditsducts？
Whyinwomenandchildren，whoseorgansarepartofafrailanddelicatenetwork，aretearsmoreeasilyexcitedbysorrowthaningrownmen，whosetissueisfirmer？
Didnaturewishcompassiontobeborninusatsightofthesetearswhichsoftenus，andleadustohelpthosewhoshedthem？Thewomanofasavageraceisasfirmlydeterminedtohelpthechildthatcriesaswouldbeawomanofthecourt，andmaybemore，becauseshehasfewerdistractionsandpassions。
Intheanimalbodyeverythinghasanobjectwithoutadoubt。Theeyesespeciallybearsuchevident，suchproven，suchadmirablerelationtotheraysoflight。thismechanismissodivine，thatIshouldbetemptedtotakeforadeliriumofburningfevertheaudacitywhichdeniesthefinalcausesofthestructureofoureyes。
Theuseoftearsdoesnotseemtohavesowelldeterminedandstrikinganobject。butitwouldbebeautifulthatnaturemadethemflowinordertostirustopity。
Therearewomenwhoareaccusedofweepingwhentheywish。Iamnotatallsurprisedattheirtalent。Alive，sensitive，tenderimaginationcanfixitselfonsomeobject，onsomesorrowfulmemory，andpictureitinsuchdominatingcoloursthattheywringtearsfromit。Itiswhathappenstomanyactors，andprincipallytoactresses，onthestage。
Thewomenwhoimitatethemintheirownhomesaddtothistalentthepettyfraudofappearingtoweepfortheirhusbands，whereasinfacttheyareweepingfortheirlovers。Theirtearsaretrue，buttheobjectofthemisfalse。
Oneaskswhythesamemanwhohaswatchedthemostatrociouseventsdry-eyed，whoevenhascommittedcold-bloodedcrimes，willweepatthetheatreattherepresentationoftheseeventsandcrimes？Itisthathedoesnotseethemwiththesameeyes，heseesthemwiththeeyesoftheauthorandtheactor。Heisnolongerthesameman。hewasabarbarian，hewasagitatedbyfuriouspassionswhenhesawaninnocentwomankilled，whenhestainedhimselfwithhisfriend’sblood。Hissoulwasfilledwithstormytumult。itistranquil，itisempty。naturereturnstoit。heshedsvirtuoustears。Thatisthetruemerit，thegreatgoodofthetheatres。
thereisachievedwhatcanneverbeachievedbythefrigiddeclamationsofanoratorpaidtoborethewholeofanaudienceforanhour。
Davidthecapitoul，who，withoutemotion，causedandsawthedeathofinnocentCalasonthewheel，wouldhaveshedtearsatthesightofhisowncrimeinawell-writtenandwell-spokentragedy。
ItisthusthatPopehassaidintheprologuetoAddison’sCato：——Tyrantsnomoretheirsavagenaturekept。Andfoestovirtuewonderedhowtheywept。PhilosophicalDictionary：TheistTHEISTTHEtheistisamanfirmlypersuadedoftheexistenceofaSupremeBeingasgoodasHeispowerful，whohasformedallbeingswithextension，vegetating，sentientandreflecting。whoperpetuatestheirspecies，whopunishescrimeswithoutcruelty，andrewardsvirtuousactionswithkindness。
ThetheistdoesnotknowhowGodpunishes，howheprotects，howhepardons，forheisnotrecklessenoughtoflatterhimselfthatheknowshowGodacts，butheknowsthatGodactsandthatHeisjust。DifficultiesagainstProvidencedonotshakehiminhisfaith，becausetheyaremerelygreatdifficulties，andnotproofs。HesubmitstothisProvidence，althoughheperceivesbutafeweffectsandafewsignsofthisProvidence：and，judgingofthethingshedoesnotseebythethingshesees，heconsidersthatthisProvidencereachesallplacesandallcenturies。
Reconciledinthisprinciplewiththerestoftheuniverse，hedoesnotembraceanyofthesects，allofwhichcontradicteachother。hisreligionisthemostancientandthemostwidespread。forthesimpleworshipofaGodhasprecededallthesystemsoftheworld。Hespeaksalanguagethatallpeoplesunderstand，whiletheydonotunderstandoneanother。HehasbrothersfromPekintoCayenne，andhecountsallwisemenashisbrethren。
Hebelievesthatreligiondoesnotconsisteitherintheopinionsofanunintelligiblemetaphysic，orinvaindisplay，butinworshipandjustice。
Thedoingofgood，thereishisservice。beingsubmissivetoGod，thereishisdoctrine。TheMahometancriestohim——HaveacareifyoudonotmakethepilgrimagetoMecca！Woeuntoyou，saysaRecollet，ifyoudonotmakeajourneytoNotre-DamedeLorette！HelaughsatLoretteandatMecca。buthesuccourstheneedyanddefendstheoppressed。PhilosophicalDictionary：ToleranceTOLERANCEWHATistolerance？itistheconsequenceofhumanity。Weareallformedoffrailtyanderror。letuspardonreciprocallyeachother’sfolly——thatisthefirstlawofnature。
Itisclearthattheindividualwhopersecutesaman，hisbrother，becauseheisnotofthesameopinion，isamonster。Thatadmitsofnodifficulty。
Butthegovernment！butthemagistrates！buttheprinces！howdotheytreatthosewhohaveanotherworshipthantheirs？Iftheyarepowerfulstrangers，itiscertainthataprincewillmakeanalliancewiththem。FranoisI。，veryChristian，willunitewithMussulmansagainstCharlesV。，veryCatholic。
FrancoisI。willgivemoneytotheLutheransofGermanytosupportthemintheirrevoltagainsttheemperor。but，inaccordancewithcustom，hewillstartbyhavingLutheransburnedathome。ForpoliticalreasonshepaystheminSaxony。forpoliticalreasonsheburnstheminParis。Butwhatwillhappen？Persecutionsmakeproselytes？SoonFrancewillbefullofnewProtestants。Atfirsttheywillletthemselvesbehanged，latertheyintheirturnwillhang。Therewillbecivilwars，thenwillcometheSt。Bartholomew。andthiscorneroftheworldwillbeworsethanallthattheancientsandmodernshaveevertoldofhell。
Madmen，whohaveneverbeenabletogiveworshiptotheGodwhomadeyou！Miscreants，whomtheexampleoftheNoachides，thelearnedChinese，theParseesandallthesages，hasneverbeenabletolead！Monsters，whoneedsuperstitionsascrows’gizzardsneedcarrion！youhavebeentolditalready，andthereisnothingelsetotellyou-ifyouhavetworeligionsinyourcountries，theywillcuteachother’sthroat。ifyouhavethirtyreligions，theywilldwellinpeace。LookatthegreatTurk，hegovernsGuebres，Banians，CreekChristians，Nestorians，Romans。Thefirstwhotriedtostiruptumultwouldbeimpaled。andeveryoneistranquil。
Ofallreligions，theChristianiswithoutdoubttheonewhichshouldinspiretolerancemost，althoughuptonowtheChristianshavebeenthemostintolerantofallmen。TheChristianChurchwasdividedinitscradle，andwasdividedeveninthepersecutionswhichunderthefirstemperorsitsometimesendured。Oftenthemartyrwasregardedasanapostatebyhisbrethren，andtheCarpocratianChristianexpiredbeneaththeswordoftheRomanexecutioners，excommunicatedbytheEbioniteChristian，thewhichEbionitewasanathematotheSabellian。
Thishorriblediscord，whichhaslastedforsomanycenturies，isaverystrikinglessonthatweshouldpardoneachother’serrors。discordisthegreatillofmankind。andtoleranceistheonlyremedyforit。
Thereisnobodywhoisnotinagreementwiththistruth，whetherhemeditatessoberlyinhisstudy，orpeaceablyexaminesthetruthwithhisfriends。Whythendothesamemenwhoadmitinprivateindulgence，kindness，justice，riseinpublicwithsomuchfuryagainstthesevirtues？Why？itisthattheirowninterestistheirgod，andthattheysacrificeeverythingtothismonsterthattheyworship。
Ipossessadignityandapowerfoundedonignoranceandcredulity。
Iwalkontheheadsofthemenwholieprostrateatmyfeet。iftheyshouldriseandlookmeintheface，Iamlost。Imustbindthemtotheground，therefore，withironchains。
Thushavereasonedthemenwhomcenturiesofbigotryhavemadepowerful。
Theyhaveotherpowerfulmenbeneaththem，andthesehavestillothers，whoallenrichthemselveswiththespoilsofthepoor，growfatontheirblood，andlaughattheirstupidity。Theyalldetesttolerance，aspartisansgrownrichatthepublicexpensefeartorendertheiraccounts，andastyrantsdreadthewordliberty。Andthen，tocrowneverything，theyhirefanaticstocryatthetopoftheirvoices：Respectmymaster’sabsurdities，tremble，pay，andkeepyourmouthsshut。
Itisthusthatagreatpartoftheworldlongwastreated。buttodaywhensomanysectsmakeabalanceofpower，whatcoursetotakewiththem？
Everysect，asoneknows，isagroundoferror。therearenosectsofgeometers，algebraists，arithmeticians，becauseallthepropositionsofgeometry，algebraandarithmeticaretrue。Ineveryotherscienceonemaybedeceived。
WhatThomistorScotisttheologianwoulddaresayseriouslythatheissureofhiscase？
Ifitwerepermittedtoreasonconsistentlyinreligiousmatters，itisclearthatwealloughttobecomeJews，becauseJesusChristourSaviourwasbornaJew，livedaJew，diedaJew，andthathesaidexpresslythathewasaccomplishing，thathewasfulfillingtheJewishreligion。Butitisclearerstillthatweoughttobetolerantofoneanother，becauseweareallweak，inconsistent，liabletoficklenessanderror。Shallareedlaidlowinthemudbythewindsaytoafellowreedfallenintheoppositedirection：CrawlasIcrawl，wretch，orIshallpetiionthatyoubetornupbytherootsandburned？PhilosophicalDictionary：TruthTRUTHPILATEthereforesaiduntohim，Artthouakingthen？Jesusanswered，ThousayestthatIamaking。TothisendwasIborn，andforthiscausecameIintotheworld，thatIshouldbearwitnessuntothetruth。Everyonethatisofthetruthhearethmyvoice。
PilatesaithuntoHim，Whatistruth？Andwhenhehadsaidthishewentout，etc。St。Johnxviii。37。
ItisasadthingforthehumanracethatPilatewentoutwithoutwaitingfortheanswer。weshouldknowwhattruthis。Pilatehadverylittlecuriosity。
Theaccusedledbeforehim，saysheisking，thathewastobeking。andPilatedoe-snotinquirehowthatcanbe。HeissupremejudgeinCaesar’sname，hehaspoweroflifeanddeath。hisdutywastoprobethesenseofthesewords。Heoughttosay——Tellmewhatyouunderstandbybeingking。
Howwereyouborntobekingandtobearwitnesstothetruth？Itismaintainedthattruthreachesbutwithdifficultytotheearofkings。Iamjudge，Ihavealwayshadgreattroubleinfindingit。Whileyourenemiesarehowlingagainstyouwithout，givemesomeinformationonthepoint。youwillbedoingmethegreatestservicethathaseverbeendoneajudge。andImuchprefertolearntorecognizetruth，thantoaccedetotheJews’clamorousdemandtohaveyouhanged。
Weshallnotdare，tobesure，seekwhattheauthorofalltruthwouldhavebeenabletoreplytoPilate。
Wouldhehavesaid：Truthisanabstractwordwhichmostmenuseindifferentlyintheirbooksandjudgments，forerrorandfalsehood？
Thisdefinitionwouldhavebeenmarvellouslyappropriatetoallmakersofsystems。Similarlyisthewordwisdomtakenoftenforfolly，andwitfornonsense。
Humanlyspeaking，letusdefinetruth，whilewaitingforabetterdefinition，as——astatementofthefactsastheyare。
IsupposethatifonehadgivenonlysixmonthstoteachingPilatethetruthsoflogic，hewouldassuredlyhavemadethisconclusivesyllogism。
Onemustnottakeawaythelifeofamanwhohasonlypreachedgoodmorality：
well，themanwhohasbeenimpeachedhas，ontheshowingofhisenemieseven，oftenpreachedexcellentmorality。thereforeheshouldnotbepunishedwithdeath。
Hemighthavedrawnthisfurtherargument。
Mydutyistodispersetheriotousassemblageofaseditiouspeoplewhodemandaman’sdeath，unreasonablyandwithoutlegalform。well，thatisthepositionoftheJewsinthisinstance。thereforeImustdrivethemawayandbreakuptheirmeeting。
WesupposethatPilateknewarithmetic。hencewewillnotspeakofthoseformsoftruth。
Asregardsmathematicaltruths，Ithinkitwouldhavetakenatleastthreeyearsbeforehecouldhavelearnedhighergeometry。Thetruthsofphysicscombinedwiththoseofgeometrywouldhavedemandedmorethanfouryears。Wespendsix，ordinarily，instudyingtheolgy。IasktwelveforPilate，seeingthathewaspagan，andthatsixyearswouldnothavebeentoomuchforeradicatingallhisolderrors，andsixyearsmoreformakinghimfittoreceiveadoctor’shood。
IfPilatehadhadawell-balancedmind，Ishouldhaveaskedonlytwoyearstoteachhimmetaphysicaltruth。andasmetaphysicaltruthisnecessarilyalliedtomoraltruth，Iflattermyselfthatinlessthannineyearsbewouldhavebecomearealscholarandaperfectlyhonestman。
IshouldthenhavesaidtoPilate：——Historicaltruthsaremerelyprobabilities。
IfyouhadfoughtatthebattleofPhilippi，thatisforyouatruthwhichyouknowby’intuition，byperception。ButforuswhodwellneartheSyriandesert，itismerelyaveryprobablething，whichweknowbyhearsay。Howmuchhearsayisnecessarytoformaconvictionequaltothatofamanwho，havingseenthething，canflatterhimselfthathehasasortofcertainty？
Hewhohasheardthethingtoldbytwelvethousandeye-witnesses，hasonlytwelvethousandprobabilities，equaltoonestrongprobability，whichisnotequaltocertainty。
Ifyouhavethethingfromonlyoneofthesewitnesses，youknownothing。
youshouldbesceptical。Ifthewitnessisdead，youshouldbestillmoresceptical，foryoucannotenlightenyourself。Iffromseveralwitnesseswhoaredead，youareinthesameplight。Iffromthosetowhomthewitnesseshavespoken，yourscepticismshouldincreasestillmore。
Fromgenerationtogenerationscepticismincreases，andprobabilitydiminishes。andsoonprobabilityisreducedtozero。PhilosophicalDictionary：TyrannyTYRANNYONEgivesthenameoftyranttothesovereignwhoknowsnolawsbutthoseofhiscaprice，whotakeshissubjects’property，andwhoafterwardsenrolsthemtogototakethepropertyofhisneighbours。TherearenoneofthesetyrantsinEurope。
Onedistinguishesbetweenthetyrannyofonemanandthatofmany。Thetyrannyofmanywouldbethatofabodywhichinvadedtherightsofotherbodies，andwhichexerciseddespotisminfavourofthelawscorruptedbyit。NorarethereanytyrantsofthissortinEurope。
Underwhichtyrannywouldyouliketolive？Underneither。butifI
hadtochoose，Ishoulddetestthetyrannyofonemanlessthanthatofmany。Adespotalwayshashisgoodmoments。anassemblyofdespotsnever。
Ifatyrantdoesmeaninjustice，Icandisarmhimthroughhismistress，hisconfessororhispage。butacompanyofgravetyrantsisinaccessibletoallseductions。Whenitisnotunjust，itisattheleasthard，andneverdoesitbestowfavours。
IfIhaveonlyonedespot，IamquitofhimbydrawingmyselfupagainstawallwhenIseehimpass，orbybowinglow，orbystrikingthegroundwithmyforehead，accordingtothecustomofthecountry。butifthereisacompanyofahundreddespots，Iamexposedtorepeatingthisceremonyahundredtimesaday，whichinthelongrunisveryannoyingifone’shocksarenotsupple。IfIhaveafarmintheneighbourhoodofoneofourlords，Iamcrushed。ifIpleadagainstarelationoftherelationsofoneofourlords，Iamruined。Whatistobedone？Ifearthatinthisworldoneisreducedtobeingeitherhammeroranvil。luckythemanwhoescapesthesealternatives！PhilosophicalDictionary：VirtueVIRTUESECTIONI
ITissaidofMarcusBrutusthat，beforekilIinghimself，heutteredthesewords：’’0virtue！Ithoughtyouweresomething。butyouareonlyanemptyphantom！
Youwereright，Brutus，ifyouconsideredvirtueasbeingheadofafactionandassassinofyourbenefactor。butifyouhadconsideredvirtueasconsistingonlyofdoinggoodtothosedependentonyou，youwouldnothavecalleditaphantom，andyouwouldnothavekilledyourselfindespair。
Iamveryvirtuoussaysthisexcrementoftheology，forIhavethefourcardinalvirtues，andthethreedivine。Anhonestmanaskshim——Whatisthecardinalvirtue？Theotheranswers——Strength，prudence，temperanceandjustice。THEHONESTMAN：Ifyouarejust，youhavesaideverything。yourstrength，yourprudence，yourtemperance，areusefulqualities。Ifyouhavethem，somuchthebetterforyou。butifyouarejust，somuchthebetterfortheothers。Butitisnotenoughtobejust，youmustdogood。thatiswhatisreallycardinal。
Andyourdivinevirtues，whicharethey？THEEXCREMENT：Faith，hope，charity。THEHONESTMAN：Isitavirtuetobelieve？eitherwhatyoubelieveseemstruetoyou，andinthiscasethereisnomeritinbelieving。oritseemsfalsetoyou，andthenitisimpossibleforyoutobelieve。
Hopecannotbeavirtueanymorethanfear。onefearsandonehopes，accordingasonereceivesapromiseorathreat。Asforcharity，isitnotwhattheGreeksandtheRomansunderstoodbyhumanity，loveofone’sneighbour？thisloveisnothingifitbenotactive。doinggood，therefore，isthesoletruevirtue。THEEXCREMENT：Onewouldbeafool！Really，Iamtogivemyselfadealoftormentinordertoservemankind，andIshallgetnoreturn！allworkdeservespayment。
Idonotmeantodotheleasthonestaction，unlessIamcertainofparadise。THEHONESTMAN：Ah，master！thatistosaythat，ifyoudidnothopeforparadise，andifyoudidnotfearhell，youwouldneverdoanygoodaction。Believeme，master，therearetwothingsworthyofbeinglovedforthemselves，Godandvirtue。THEEXCREMENT：Isee，sir，youareadiscipleofFenelon。THEHONESTMAN：Yes，master。THEEXCREMENT：IshalldenounceyoutothejudgeoftheecclesiasticalcourtatMeaux。THEHONESTMAN：Goalong，denounce！SECTIONII
Whatisvirtue？Beneficencetowardsthefellow-creature。CanIcallvirtuethingsotherthanthosewhichdomegood？Iamneedy，youaregenerous。
Iamindanger，youhelpme。Iamdeceived，youtellmethetruth。Iamneglected，youconsoleme。Iamignorant，youteachme。WithoutdifficultyIshallcallyouvirtuous。Butwhatwillbecomeofthecardinalanddivinevirtues？Someofthemwillremainintheschools。
Whatdoesitmattertomethatyouaretemperate？youobserveapreceptofhealth。youwillhavebetterhealth，andIamhappytohearit。Youhavefaithandhope，andIamhappystill。theywillprocureyoueternallife。Yourdivinevirtuesarecelestialgifts。yourcardinalvirtuesareexcellentqualitieswhichservetoguideyou：buttheyarenotvirtuesasregardsyourfellow-creature。Theprudentmandoesgoodtohimself，thevirtuousmandoesgoodtomankind。St。Paulwasrighttotellyouthatcharityprevailsoverfaithandhope。
Butshallonlythosethatareusefultoone’sfellow-creaturebeadmittedasvirtues？HowcanIadmitanyothers？Weliveinsociety。really，therefore，theonlythingsthataregoodforusarethosethataregoodforsociety。
Areclusewillbesober，pious。hewillbecladinhair-cloth。hewillbeasaint：butIshallnotcallhimvirtuousuntilhehasdonesomeactofvirtuebywhichothermenhaveprofited。Solongasheisalone，heisdoingneithergoodnorevil。forusheisnothing。IfSt。Brunobroughtpeacetofamilies，ifhesuccouredwant，hewasvirtuous。ifhefasted，prayedinsolitude，hewasasaint。Virtueamongmenisaninterchangeofkindness。hewhohasnopartinthisinterchangeshouldnotbecounted。
Ifthissaintwereintheworld，hewoulddoubtlessdogood。butsolongasheisnotintheworld，theworldwillberightinrefusinghimthetitleofvirtuous。hewillbegoodforhimselfandnotforus。
But，yousaytome，ifarecluseisaglutton，adrunkard，giventosecretdebaucheswithhimself，heisvicious。heisvirtuous，therefore，ifhehastheOppositequalities。ThatiswhatIcannotagree：heisaverydisagreeablefellowifhehasthefaultsyoumention。butheisnotvicious，wicked，punishableasregardssocietytowhomtheseinfamiesdonoharm。Itistobepresumedthatwerehetoreturntosocietyhewoulddoharmthere，thathewouldbeveryvicious。anditisevenmoreprobablethathewouldbeawickedman，thanitissurethattheothertemperateandchastereclusewouldbeavirtuousman，forinsocietyfaultsincrease，andgoodqualitiesdiminish。
Amuchstrongerobjectionismade。Nero，PopeAlexanderVI。，andothermonstersofthisspecies，havebestowedkindnesses。Ianswerhardilythatonthatdaytheywerevirtuous。
AfewtheologianssaythatthedivineemperorAntoninewasnotvirtuous。
thathewasastubbornStoicwho，notcontentwithcommandingmen，wishedfurthertobeesteemedbythem。thatheattributedtohimselfthegoodhedidtothehumanrace。thatallhislifehewasjust，laborious，beneficentthroughvanity，andthatlieonlydeceivedmenthroughhisvirtues。MyGod！Iexclaim。Giveusoftenrogueslikehim！PhilosophicalDictionary：Why？WHY？WHYdoesonehardlyeverdothetenthpartofthegoodonemightdo？
WhyinhalfEuropedogirlspraytoGodinLatin，whichtheydonotunderstand？
Whyinantiquitywasthereneveratheologicalquarrel，andwhywerenopeopleeverdistinguishedbythenameofasect？TheEgyptianswerenotcalledIsiacsorOsiriacs。thepeoplesofSyriadidnothavethenameofCybelians。TheCretanshadaparticulardevotiontoJupiter，andwereneverentitledJupiterians。TheancientLatinswereveryattachedtoSaturn。
therewasnotavillageinLatiumcalledSaturnian：onthecontrary，thedisciplesoftheGodoftruthtakingtheirmaster’stitle，andcallingthemselvesanointedlikeHim，declared，assoonastheycould，aneternalwaronallthepeopleswhowerenotanointed，andmadewaramongthemselvesforfourteenhundredyears，takingthenamesofArians，Manicheans，Donatists，Hussites，Papists，Lutherans，Calvinists。Andlastly，theJansenistsandtheMolinistshavehadnomorepoignantmortificationthanthatofnothavingbeenabletoslaughtereachotherinpitchedbattle。Whencedoesthiscome？
Whyisthegreatnumberofhard-working，innocentmenwhotillthelandeverydayoftheyearthatyoumayeatallitsfruits，scorned，vilified，oppressed，robbed。andwhyisitthattheuselessandoftenverywickedmanwholivesonlyhytheirwork，andwhoisrichonlythroughtheirpoverty，isonthecontraryrespected，courted，considered？
Whyisitthat，thefruitsoftheearthbeingsonecessaryfortheconservationofmenandanimals，oneyetseessomanyyearsandsomanycountrieswherethereisentirelackofthesefruits？
WhyisthehalfofAfricaandAmericacoveredwithpoisons？
Whyistherenolandwhereinsectsarenotfarinexcessofmen？
Whydoesalittlewhitish，evil-smellingsecretionformabeingwhichhashardbones，desiresandthoughts？andwhydothesebeingsalwayspersecuteeachother？
Whydoessomuchevilexist，seeingthateverytlingisformedbyaGodwhomalltheistsareagreedinnaminggood？
Why，sincewecomplainceaselesslyofourills，dowespendallourtimeinincreasingthem？
Why，aswearesomiserable，haveweimaginedthatnottobeisagreatill，whenitisclearthatitwasnotanillnottobebeforewewereborn？
Whyandhowdoesonehavedreamsduringsleep，ifonehasnosoul。andhowisitthatthesedreamsarealwayssoincoherent，soextravagant，ifonehasasoul？
Whydothestarsmovefromwesttoeastratherthanfromeasttowest？
Whydoweexist？whyisthereanything？