Section01：IntroductionSection02：PartsSection03：ReasoningSection04：OfpracticeandhabitsSection05：IdeasSection06：PrinciplesSection07：MathematicsSection08：ReligionSection09：IdeasSection10：PrejudiceSection11：IndifferencySection12：ExamineSection13：ObservationSection14：BiasSection15：ArgumentsSection16：HasteSection17：DesultorySection18：SmatteringSection19：UniversalitySection20：ReadingSection21：IntermediatePrinciplesSection22：PartialitySection23：TheologySection24：PartialitySection25：HasteSection26：AnticipationSection27：ResignationSection28：PracticeSection29：WordsSection30：WanderingSection31：DistinctionSection32：SimilesSection33：AssentSection34：IndifferencySection35：[nosectiontitle]
Section36：QuestionSection37：PerseveranceSection38：PresumptionSection39：DespondencySection40：AnalogySection41：AssociationSection42：FallaciesSection43：FundamentalveritiesSection44：BottomingSection45：TransferringofThoughtsSection01。Introduction。Thelastresortamanhasrecoursetointheconductofhimselfishisunderstanding；forthoughwedistinguishthefacultiesofthemindandgivethesupremecommandtothewillastoanagent，yetthetruthis，themanwhichistheagentdetermineshimselftothisorthatvoluntaryactionuponsomeprecedentknowledgeorappearanceofknowledgeintheunderstanding。[001]Nomaneversetshimselfaboutanythingbutuponsomevieworotherwhichserveshimforareasonforwhathedoes；
andwhatsoeverfacultiesheemploys，theunderstanding，withsuchlightasithas，wellorillinformed，constantlyleads；andbythatlight，trueorfalse，allhisoperativepowersaredirected。Thewillitself，howabsoluteanduncontrollablehoweveritmaybethought，neverfailsinitsobediencetothedictatesoftheunderstanding。Templeshavetheirsacredimages，andweseewhatinfluencetheyhavealwayshadoveragreatpartofmankind。Butintruththeideasandimagesinmen’smindsaretheinvisiblepowersthatconstantlygovernthem，andtothesetheyalluniversallypayareadysubmission。Itisthereforeofthehighestconcernmentthatgreatcareshouldbetakenoftheunderstandingtoconductitrightinthesearchofknowledgeandinthejudgmentsitmakes。
Thelogicnoesinuse[002]hassolongpossessedthechair，astheonlyarttaughtintheschools[003]forthedirectionofthemindinthestudyoftheartsandsciences，thatitwouldperhapsbethoughtanaffectationofnoveltytosuspectthatrulesthathaveservedthelearnedworldthesetwoorthreethousandyearsandwhichwithoutanycomplaintofdefectsthelearnedhaverestedinarenotsufficienttoguidetheunderstanding。AndIshouldnotdoubtbutthisattemptwouldbecensuredasvanityorpresumptiondidnotthegreatLordVerulam’s[004]authorityjustifyit，who，notservilelythinkinglearningcouldnotbeadvancedbeyondwhatitwasbecauseformanyagesithadnotbeen，didnotrestinthelazyapprobationandapplauseofwhatwas，becauseitwas，butenlargedhismindtoChatmightbe。InhisprefacetohisNorumOrganum[005]concerninglogichepronouncesthus，Quisummasdialecticaepartestribueruntatqueindefidissimascientiispraesidiacomparariputarunt，verissimeatqueoptimevideruntintellectumSlumanumsibipermissummeritosuspectumessedebere。Seruminfirmioromninoestmalomedicinalnecipsamaliexpers。
Siquidemdialecticaquaereceptaest。licetadci—ailiaetantesquaeinsermoneetopinionepositaesuntrectissimeadhibeatur，naturaetamensubtilitatemlongointervallononattingit；etprensandoquodnoncapitadencorespotiusstabiliendosetquasifigendosqua1nadviamveritatiaperiendamvaluit。
\"They，\"sayshe，\"whoattributedsomuchtologicperceivedverywellandtrulythatitseasnotsafetotrusttheunderstandingtoitselfwithouttheguardofanyrules。Buttheremedyreachednottheevilbutbecameapartofit；forthelogicwhichtookplace，[006]thoughitmightdowellenoughincivilaffairsandtheartswhichconsistedintalkandopinion，yetcomesveryfarshortofsubtletyintherealperformancesofnature[007]and，catchingatwhatitcannotreach，hasservedtoconfirmandestablisherrorsratherthantoopenawaytotruth。\"Andthereforealittleafterhesays，\"Thatitisabsolutelynecessarythatabetterandperfecteduseandemploymentofthemindandunderstandingshouldbeintroduced。\"Necessariorequiriturutmelioretperfectiormentisetintellectushumaniususetadoperatiointroducatur。
Section02。Parts。[008]Thereis，itisvisible，greatvarietyinmen’sunderstandings，andtheirnaturalconstitutionsputsowideadifferencebetweensomemeninthisrespectthatartandindustrywouldneverbeabletomaster，andtheirverynaturesseemtowantafoundationtoraiseonitthatwhichothermeneasilyattainunto。[009]Amongstmenofequaleducationthereisgreatinequalityofparts。AndthewoodsofAmerica，aswellastheschoolsofAthens，producemenofseveralabilitiesinthesamekind。Thoughthisbeso，WhetI
imaginemostmencomeveryshortofwhattheymightattainuntointheirseveraldegreesbyaneglectoftheirunderstandings。Afewrulesoflogicarethoughtsufficientinthiscaseforthosewhopretendtothehighestimprovement，whereasIthinkthereareagreatmanynaturaldefectsintheunderstandingcapableofamendmentwhichareoverlookedandwhollyneglected。Anditiseasytoperceivethatmenareguiltyofagreatmanyfaultsintheexerciseandimprovementofthisfacultyofthemindwhichhinderthemintheirprogressandkeeptheminignoranceanderroralltheirlives。SomeofthemIshalltakenoticeofandendeavortopointoutproperremediesforinthefollowingdiscourse。
Section03。Reasoning。Besidesthewantofdeterminedideas[010]andofsagacityandexerciseinfindingoutandlayinginorderintermediateideas，[011]
therearethreemiscarriagesthatmenareguiltyofinreferencetotheirreason，wherebythisfacultyishinderedinthemfromthatserviceitmightdoandwasdesignedfor。Andhethatreflectsupontheactionsanddiscoursesofmankindwillfindtheirdefectsinthiskindveryfrequentandveryobservable。
（i）Thefirstisofthosewhoseldomreasonatall，butdoandthinkaccordingtotheexampleofothers，whetherparents，neighbors，ministersorwhoelsetheyarepleasedtomakechoiceoftohaveanimplicitfaithinforthesavingofthemselvesthepainsandtroubleofthinkingandexaminingforthemselves。
（ii）Thesecondisofthosewhoputpassionintheplaceofreasonand，beingresolvedthatshallgoverntheiractionsandarguments，neitherusetheirownnorhearkentootherpeople’sreasonanyfurtherthanitsuitstheirhumour，interestorparty；andthese，onemayobserve，commonlycontentthemselveswithwordswhichhavenodistinctideastothem，thoughinothermattersthattheycomewithanunbiasedindifferencetotheywantnotabilitiestotalkandhearreason，wheretheyhavenosecretinclinationthathindersthemfrombeingtractable[0l2]toit。
（iii）Thethirdsortisofthosewhoreadilyandsincerelyfollowreasonbut，forwantofhavingthatwhichonemaycalllarge，sound，roundaboutsense，havenotafullviewofallthatrelatestothequestionandmaybeofmomenttodecideit。Weareallshortsightedandveryoftenseebutonesideofamatter；
ourviewsarenotextendedtoallthathasaconnectionwithit。FromthisdefectIthinknomanisfree。Weseebutinpartandweknowbutinpart，andthereforeitisnowonderweconcludenotrightfromourpartialviews。Thismightinstructtheproudestesteemerofhisownpartshowusefulitistotalkandconsultwithothers，evensuchascameshortofhimincapacity，quicknessandpenetration；forsincenooneseesallandwegenerallyhavedifferentprospectsofthesamethingaccordingtoourdifferent，asImaysay，positionstoit，itisnotincongruoustothinknorbeneathanymantotrywhetheranothermaynothavenotionsofthingswhichhaveescapedhimandwhichhisreasonwouldmakeuseofiftheycameintohismind。Thefacultyofreasoningseldomorneverdeceivesthosewhotrusttoit；itsconsequencesfromwhatitbuildsonareevidentandcertain；butthatwhichitoftenest，ifnotonly，misleadsusinisthattheprinciplesfromwhichweconclude，thegroundsuponwhichwebottomourreasoningarebutapart；somethingisleftoutwhichshouldgointothereckoningtomakeitjustandexact。Herewemayimagineavastandalmostinfiniteadvantagethatangelsandseparatespiritsmayhaveoverus，whointheirseveraldegreesofelevationaboveusmaybeendowedwithmorecomprehensivefacultiesandsomeofthemperhapshaveperfectandexactviewsofallfinitebeingsthatcomeundertheirconsideration，can，asitwere，inthetwinklingofaneyecollecttogetheralltheirscatteredandalmostboundlessrelations。Amindsofurnished，whatreasonhasittoacquiesceinthecertaintyofitsconclusions!
Inthiswemayseethereasonwhysomemenofstudyandthoughtthatreasonrightandareloversoftruthdomakenogreatadvancesintheirdiscoveriesofit。
Errorandtruthareuncertainlyblendedintheirminds；theirdecisionsarelameanddefective，andtheyareveryoftenmistakenintheirjudgments；
thereasonwhereofis，theyconversebutwithonesortofmen，theyreadbutonesortofbooks，theywillnotcomeinthehearingbutofonesortofnotions；
thetruthis，theycantonouttothemselvesalittleGoshen[013]intheintellectualworldwherelightshinesand，astheyconclude，dayblessesthem；buttherestofthatvastexpansiontheygiveuptonightanddarknessandsoavoidcomingnearit。
Theyhaveaprettytragicwithknowncorrespondentsinsomelittlecreek；withinthattheyconfinethemselvesandaredexterousmanagersenoughofthewaresandproductsofthatcornerwithwhichtheycontentthemselves，butwillnotventureoutintothegreatoceanofknowledgetosurveystherichesthatnaturehasstoredotherpartswith，nolessgenuine，nolesssolid，nolessusefulthanwhathasfallentotheirlotintheadmiredplentyandsufficiencyoftheirownlittlespot，whichtothemcontainswhatsoeverisgoodintheuniverse。Thosewholivethusmewedupwithintheirowncontractedterritoriesandwillnotlookabroadbeyondtheboundariesthatchance，conceitorlazinesshassettotheirenquiries，butliveseparatefromthenotions，discoursesandattainmentsoftherestofmankind，maynotamissberepresentedbytheinhabitantsoftheMarianaIslands，[014]which，beingseparatebyalargetractofseafromallcommunionwiththehabitablepartsoftheearth，thoughtthemselvestheonlypeopleoftheworld。AndthoughthestraitnessoftheconveniencesoflifeamongstthemhadneverreachedsofarastotheuseoffiretilltheSpaniards，notmanyyearssince，intheirvoyagesfromAcapulcotoManillabroughtitamongstthem，yetinthewantandignoranceofalmostallthingstheylookeduponthemselves，evenafterthattheSpaniardshadbroughtamongstthemthenoticeofvarietyofnationsaboundinginsciences，artsandconveniencesoflifeofwhichtheyknewnothing，theylookeduponthemselves，Isay，asthehappiestandwisestpeopleoftheuniverse。Butforallthat，nobody，Ithink，willimaginethemdeepnaturalistsorsolidmetaphysicians；nobodywilldeemthequickestsightedamongstthemtohaveveryenlargedviewsinethicsorpolitics；
norcananyoneallowthemostcapableamongstthemtobeadvancedsofarinhisunderstandingastohaveanyotherknowledgebutofthefewlittlethingsofhisandtheneighboringislandswithinhiscommerce，[0l5]butfarenoughfromthatcomprehensiveenlargementofmindwhichadornsasouldevotedtotruth，assistedwithlettersandafreeconsiderationoftheseveralviewsandsentimentsofthinkingmenofallsides。Letnotmenthereforethatwouldhaveasightofwhateveryonepretendstobedesiroustohaveasightof，truthinitsfullextent，narrowandblindtheirownprospect。Letnotmenthinkthereisnotruthbutinthesciencesthattheystudyorthebooksthattheyread。Toprejudgeothermen’snotionsbeforeevehavelookedintothemisnottoshowtheirdarknessbuttoputoutourowneyes。\"Tryallthings，holdfastthatwhichisgood\"[0l6]isadivinerulecomingfromtheFatheroflightandtruth；anditishardtoknowwhatotherBaymenmaycomeattruth，tolayholdofit，iftheydonotdigandsearchforitasforgoldandhidtreasure；buthethatdoessomusthavemuchearthandrubbishbeforehegetsthepuremetal；
sandandpebblesanddrossusuallylieblendedwithit，butthegoldisneverthelessgoldandwillenrichthemanthatemployshispainstoseekandseparateit。Neitheristhereanydangerheshouldbedeceivedbythemixture。Everymancarriesabouthimatouchstone，ifhewillmakeuseofit，todistinguishsubstantialgoldfromsuperficialglitterings，truthfromappearances。Andindeedtheuseandbenefitofthistouchstone，whichisnaturalreason，isspoiledandlostonlybyassumedprejudices，overweeningpresumptionandnarrowingourminds。
Thewantofexercisingitinthefullextentofthingsintelligibleisthatwhichweakensandextinguishesthisnoblefacultyinus。Traceitandseewhetheritbenotso。Thedaylaborerinacountryvillagehascommonlybutasmallpittanceofknowledgebecausehisideasandnotionshavebeenconfinedtothenarrowboundsofapoorconversationandemployment；thelowmechanicofacountrytowndoessomewhatoutdohim；portersandcobblersofgreatcitiessurpassthem。A
countrygentlemanwho，leavingLatinandlearningintheuniversity，removesthencetohismansionhouseandassociateswithneighborsofthesamestrain，whorelishnothingbuthuntingandabottleÑ；withthosealonehespendshistime，withthosealoneheconversesandcanawaywithnocompanywhosediscoursegoesbeyondwhatclaretanddissolutenessinspire。Suchapatriot，formedinthishappywayofimprovement，cannotfail，asyousee，togivenotabledecisionsuponthebenchatquartersessionsandeminentproofsofhisskillinpolitics，whenthestrengthofhispurseandpartyhaveadvancedhimtoamoreconspicuousstation。Tosuchaonetrulyanordinarycoffee—housecleanerofthecityisanerrant[017]statesman，andasmuchsuperiorto，asamanconversantaboutWhitehall[018]andtheCourtistoanordinaryshopkeeper。Tocarrythisalittlefurther。Hereisonemuffledupinthezealandinfallibilityofhisownsectandwillnottouchabookorenterintodebatewithapersonthatwillquestionanyofthosethingswhichtohimaresacred。Anothersurveysourdifferencesinreligionwithanequitableandfairindifference，andsofindsprobablythatnoneofthemareineverythingunexceptionable。
Thesedecisionsandsystemsweremadebymenandcarrythemarkoffallibleonthem；andinthosewhomhediffersfrom，andtillheopenedhiseyeshadageneralprejudiceagainst，hemeetswithmoretobesaidforagreatmanythingsthanbeforehewasawareoforcouldhaveimagined。Whichofthesetwonowismostlikelytojudgerightinourreligiouscontroversiesandtobemoststoredwithtruth，themarkallpretendtoaimat？AllthesementhatIhaveinstancedin，thusunequallyfurnishedwithtruthandadvancedinknowledge，Isupposeofequalnaturalparts；alltheoddsbetweenthemhasbeenthedifferentscopethathasbeengiventotheirunderstandingstorangein，forthegatheringupofinformationandfurnishingtheirheadswithideas，notionsandobservationswhereontoemploytheirmindsandformtheirunderstandings。
Itwillpossiblybeobjected，Whoissufficientforallthis？
Ianswer，morethancanbeimagined。Everyoneknotswhathisproperbusinessisandwhat，accordingtothecharacterhemakesofhimself，theworldmayjustlyexpectofhim；andtoanswerthat，hewillfindhewillhavetimeandopportunityenoughtofurnishhimself，ifhewillnotdeprivehimselfbyanarrownessofspiritofthosehelpsthatareathand。Idonotsaytobeagoodgeographerthatamanshouldvisiteverymountain，river，promontoryandcreel；uponthefaceoftheearth，viewthebuildingsandsurveythelandeverywhere，asifheweregoingtomakeapurchase。Butyeteveryonemustallowthatheshallknowacountrybetterthatmakesoftensalliesintoitandtraversesitupanddownthanhethat，likeamill—horse，goesstillroundinthesametractorkeepswithinthenarrowboundsofafieldortwothatdelighthim。Hethatwillenquireoutthebestbooksineveryscienceandinformhimselfofthemostmaterialauthorsoftheseveralsectsofphilosophyandreligion，willnotfinditaninfiniteworktoacquainthimselfwiththesentimentsofmankindconcerningthemostweightyandcomprehensivesubjects。Lethimexercisethefreedomofhisreasonandunderstandinginsuchalatitudeasthis，andhismindwillbestrengthened，hiscapacityenlarged，hisfacultiesimproved；andthelightwhichtheremoteandscatteredpartsoftruthwillgivetooneanotherstillsoassisthisjudgment，thathewillseldombewidelyoutormissgivingproofofaclearheadandacomprehensiveknowledge。Atleast，thisistheonlywayIknowtogivetheunderstandingitsdueimprovementtothefullextentofitscapacity，andtodistinguishthetwomostdifferentthingsIknowintheworld，alogicalchicaner[019]fromamanofreason。Only，hethatwouldthusgivetheminditsflightandsendabroadhisenquiriesintoallpartsaftertruthmustbesuretosettleinhisheaddeterminedideas[020]ofallthatheemployshisthoughtsabout，andneverfailtojudgehimselfandjudgeunbiasedlyofallthathereceivesfromotherseitherintheirwritingsordiscourses。Reverenceorprejudicemustnotbesufferedtogivebeautyordeformitytoanyoftheiropinions。
Section04。Ofpracticeandhabits。[021]Wearebornwithfacultiesandpowerscapablealmostofanything，suchatleastaswouldcarryusfurtherthancanbeeasilyimagined；butitisonlytheexerciseofthosepowerswhichgivesusabilityandskillinanythingandleadsustowardsperfection。
Amiddle—agedploughmanwillscarceeverbebroughttothecarriageandlanguageofagentleman，thoughhisbodybeaswellproportionedandhisjointsassuppleandhisnaturalpartsnotanywayinferior。Thelegsofadancing—masterandthefingersofamusicianfallasitwerenaturallywithoutthoughtorpainsintoregularandadmirablemotions。Bidthemchangetheirparts，andtheywillinvainendeavortoproducelikemotionsinthemembersnotusedtothem，anditwillrequirelengthoftimeandlongpracticetoattainbutsomedegreesofalikeability。Whatincredibleandastonishingactionsdowefindrope—dancersandtumblersbringtheirbodiestoÑ；notbutthatsundryinalmostallmanualartsareaswonderful，butInamethosewhichtheworldtakesnoticeofforsuch，becauseonthatveryaccounttheygivemoneytoseethem。Alltheseadmiredmotionsbeyondthereachandalmosttheconceptionofunpracticedspectatorsarenothingbutthemereeffectsofuseandindustryinmenwhosebodieshavenothingpeculiarinthemfromthoseoftheamazedlookerson。
Asitisinthebody，soitisinthemind；practicemakesitwhatitis，andmostevenofthoseexcellenceswhicharelookedonasnaturalendowmentswillbefound，whenexaminedintomorenarrowly，tobetheproductofexerciseandtoberaisedtothatpitchonlybyrepeatedactions。Somemenareremarkedforpleasantnessinraillery，othersforapologues[022]andappositedivertingstories。Thisisapttobetakenfortheeffectofpurenature，andthattherather，becauseitisnotgotbyrules，andthosewhoexcelineitherofthemneverpurposelysetthemselvestothestudyofitasanarttobelearnt。Butyetitistruethatatfirstsomeluckyhit，whichtookwithsomebodyandgainedhimcommendation，encouragedhimtotryagain，inclinedhisthoughtsandendeavoursthatway，tillatlastheinsensiblygotafacilityinitwithoutperceivinghow，andthatisattributedwhollytonaturewhichwasmuchmoretheeffectofuseandpractice。Idonotdenythatnaturaldispositionmayoftengivethefirstrisetoit；butthatnevercarriesamanfarwithoutuseandexercise，anditispracticealonethatbringsthepowersofthemindaswellasthoseofthebodytotheirperfection。Manyagoodpoeticveinisburiedunderatradeandneverproducesanythingforwantofimprovement。Weseethewaysofdiscourseandreasoningareverydifferent，evenconcerningthesamematter，atCourtandintheuniversity。AndhethatwillgobutfromWestminsterHalltotheExchange[023]willfindadifferentgeniusandturnintheirwaysoftalking，andyetonecannotthinkthatallwhoselotfellintheCitywerebornwithdifferentpartsfromthosewhowerebredattheuniversityorInnsofCourt。
Towhatpurposeallthisbuttoshowthatthedifferencesoobservableinmen’sunderstandingsandpartsdoesnotarisesomuchfromtheirnaturalfacultiesasacquiredhabits。Hewouldbelaughedatthatshouldgoabouttomakeafinedanceroutofacountryhedgeratpastfifty；andhewillnothavemuchbettersuccesswhoshallendeavoratthatagetomakeamanreasonwellorspeakhandsomelywhohasneverbeenusedtoit，thoughyoushouldlaybeforehimacollectionofallthebestpreceptsoflogicororators。Nobodyismadeanythingbyhearingofrulesorlayingthemupinhismemory；practicemustsettlethehabitofdoingwithoutreflectingontherule，andyoumayaswellhopetomakeagoodpainterormusicianextemporebyalectureandinstructionintheartsofmusicandpaintingasacoherentthinkerorstrictreasonerbeasetofrulesshowinghimwhereinrightreasoningconsists。
Thisbeingso，thatdefectsandweaknessesinmen’sunderstandings，aswellasotherfaculties，comefromwantofarightuseoftheirownminds，Iamapttothinkthefaultisgenerallymislaiduponnatureandthereisoftenacomplaintofwantofpartswhenthefaultliesinwantofadueimprovementofthem。WeseemenfrequentlydexterousandsharpenoughinmakingabargainWho，ifyoureasonwiththemaboutmattersofreligion，appearperfectlystupid。
Section05。Ideas。Iwillnothere，inwhatrelatestotherightconductandimprovementoftheunderstanding，repeatagainthegettingclearanddeterminedideasandtheemployingourthoughtsratheraboutthemthanaboutsoundsputforthem，norofsettlingthesignificationofwordswhichweusewithourselvesinthesearchoftruthorPithothersindiscoursingaboutit。ThosehindrancesofourunderstandingsinthepursuitofknowledgeIhavesufficientlyenlargeduponinanotherplace，[024]sothatnothingmoreneedsheretobesaidofthosematters。
Section06。Principles。Thereisanotherfaultthatstopsormisleadsmenintheirknowledge，WhichIhavealsospokensomethingofbutyetisnecessarytomentionhereagain，thatwemayexamineittothebottomandseetherootitspringsfrom，andthatisacustomoftakingupwithprinciples[025]thatarenotself—evidentandveryoftennotsomuchtrue。Itisnotunusualtoseemenresttheiropinionsuponfoundationsthathavenomorecertaintynorsoliditythanthepropositionsbuiltonthemandembracedfortheirsake。Suchfoundationsaretheseandthelike，viz。：thefoundersorleadersofmypartyaregoodmenandthereforetheirtenetsaretrue；itistheopinionofasectthatiserroneous，thereforeitisfalse；ithasbeenlongreceivedintheworld，thereforeitistrue；
oritisnew，andthereforefalse。
Theseandmansthelike，whicharebynomeansthemeasuresoftruthandfalsehood，thegeneralityofmenmakethestandardsbywhichtheyaccustomtheirunderstandingtojudge。Andthustheyfallingintoahabitofdeterminingoftruthandfalsehoodbysuchwrongmeasures，itisnowondertheyshouldembraceerrorforcertaintyandbeverypositiveinthingstheyhavenogroundfor。
ThereisnotanyWhopretendstotheleastreasonbut，whenanyofthesehisfalsemaximsarebroughttothetest，mustacknowledgethemtobefallibleandsuchashewillnotallowinthosethatdifferfromhim；andyetafterheisconvincedofthisyoushallseehimgoonintheuseofthemandtheverynextoccasionthatoffersargueagainuponthesamegrounds。Wouldonenotbereadytothinkthatmenarewillingtoimposeuponthemselvesandmisleadtheirownunderstandingwhoconductthembysuchwrongmeasuresevenaftertheyseetheycannotbereliedon？Butyettheywillnotappearsoblameableasmaybethoughtatfirstsight；forIthinkthereareagreatmanythatarguethusinearnestanddoitnottoimposeonthemselvesorothers。Theyarepersuadedofwhattheysayandthinkthereisweightinit，thoughinalikecasetheyhavebeenconvincedthereisnone；butmenwouldbeintolerabletothemselvesandcontemptibletoothers，iftheyshouldembraceopinionswithoutanygroundandholdwhattheycouldgivenomannerofreasonfor。Trueorfalse，solidorsandy，themindmusthavesomefoundationtorestitselfupon，and，asIhaveremarkedinanotherplace，[026]itnosoonerentertainsanypropositionbutitpresentlyhastenstosomehypothesistobottomiton；tillthenitisunquietandunsettled。
Somuchdoourownverytempersdisposeustoarightuseofourunderstandings，ifwewouldfollowasweshouldtheinclinationsofournature。
Insomemattersofconcernment，especiallythoseofreligion，menarenotpermittedtobealwayswaveringanduncertain；theymustembraceandprofesssometenetsorother；anditwouldbeashame，nayacontradiction，tooheavyforanyone’smindtolieconstantlyunder，forhimtopretendseriouslytobepersuadedofthetruthofanyreligionandyetnottobeabletogiveanyreasonofone’sbeliefortosayanythingforhispreferenceofthistoanyotheropinion。
Andthereforetheymustmakeuseofsomeprinciplesorother，andthosecanbenootherthansuchastheyhaveandcanmanage；andtosaytheyarenotinearnestpersuadedbythemanddonotrestuponthosetheymakeuseof。iscontrarytoexperienceandtoallegethattheyarenotmisledwhenwecomplaintheyare。
Ifthisbeso，itwillbeurged，whythendotheynotrathermakeuseofsureandunquestionableprinciplesratherthanrestonsuchgroundsasmaydeceivethemandwill，asisvisible，servetosupporterroraswellastruth？
TothisIanswer，thereasonwhytheydonotmakeuseofbetterandsurerprinciplesisbecausetheycannot；butthisinabilityproceedsnotfromwantofnaturalparts（forthosefewwhosecasethatisaretobeexcused）
butforwantofuseandexercise。Fewmenarefromtheiryouthaccustomedtostrictreasoningandtotracethedependenceofanytruthinalongtrainofconsequencestoitsremoteprinciplesandtoobserveitsconnection；
andhethatbyfrequentpracticehasnotbeenusedtothisemploymentofhisunderstanding，itisnomorewonderthatheshouldnot，whenheisgrownintoyears，beabletobringhismindtoit，thanthatheshouldnotbeonasuddenabletograveordesign，danceontheropes，orwriteagoodhandwhohasneverpracticedeitherofthem。
Nay，themostofmenaresowhollystrangerstothis，thattheydonotsomuchasperceivetheirleantofit。Theydispatchtheordinarybusinessoftheircallingsbyrote，aswesay，astheyhavelearntit，andifatanytimetheymisssuccess，theyimputeittoanythingratherthanwantofthoughtorskill；
thattheyconclude（becausetheyknownobetter）theyhaveinperfection。
Oriftherebeanysubjectthatinterestorfancyhasrecommendedtotheirthoughts，theirreasoningaboutitisstillaftertheirownfashion；beitbetterorworse，itservestheirturnsandisthebesttheyareacquaintedwith；andthereforewhentheyareledbyitintomistakesandtheirbusinesssucceedsaccordingly，theyimputeittoanycrossaccidentordefaultofothersratherthantotheirownwantofunderstanding；thatiswhatnobodydiscoversorcomplainsofinhimself。
Whatsoevermadehisbusinesstomiscarry，itleasnotwantofrightthoughtandjudgmentinhimself；heseesnosuchdefectinhimself，butissatisfiedthathecarriesonhisdesignswellenoughbyhisownreasoning，oratleastshouldhavedone，haditnotbeenforunluckytraverses[027]notinhispower。Thusbeingcontentwiththisshortandveryimperfectuseofhisunderstanding，henevertroubleshimselftoseekoutmethodsofimprovinghismind，andlivesallhislifewithoutanynotionofclosereasoninginacontinuedconnectionofalongtrainofconsequencesfromsurefoundations，suchasisrequisiteforthemakingoutandclearingmostofthespeculativetruthsmostmenowntobelieveandaremostconcernedin。NottomentionherewhatIshallhaveoccasiontoinsistonbyandbymorefully，[028]viz。，thatinmanycasesitisnotoneseriesofconsequenceswillservetheturn，butmanordifferentandoppositedeductionsmustbeexaminedandlaidtogetherbeforeamancancometomakearightjudgmentofthepointinquestion。Whatthencanbeexpectedfrommenthatneitherseethewantofanysuchkindofreasoningasthisnor，iftheydo，knowtheyhowtosetaboutitorcouldperformit？Youmayaswellsetacountrymanwhoscarceknowsthefiguresandnevercastupasumofthreeparticularstostateamerchant’slongaccountandfindthetruebalanceofit。
Whatthenshouldbedoneinthecase？Ianswer，weshouldalwaysrememberwhatIsaidabove，thatthefacultiesofoursoulsareimprovedandmadeusefultousjustafterthesamemannerasourbodiesare。Wouldyouhaveamanwriteorpaint，danceorfencewell，orperformanyothermanualoperationdexterouslyandwithease，lethimhaveneversomuchvigorandactivity，supplenessandaddressnaturally，yetnobodyexpectsthisfromhimunlesshehasbeenusedtoitandhasemployedtimeandpainsinfashioningandforminghishandoroutwardpartstothesemotions。Justsoitisinthemind；wouldyouhaveamanreasonwell，youmustusehimtoitbetimes，exercisehismindinobservingtheconnectionofideasandfollowingthemintrain。Nothingdoesthisbetterthanmathematics，whichthereforeIthinkshouldbetaughtallthosewhohavethetimeandopportunity，notsomuchtomakethemmathematiciansastomakethemreasonablecreatures；[029]forthoughweallcallourselvesso，becauseweareborntoitifweplease，yetwemaytrulysaynaturegivesusbuttheseedsofit；weareborntobe，ifiseplease，rationalcreatures，butitisuseandexerciseonlythatmakesusso，andweareindeedsonofurtherthanindustryandapplicationhascarriedus。Andthereforeinwaysofreasoningwhichmenhavenotbeenusedto，hethatwillobservetheconclusionstheytakeupmustbesatisfiedtheyarenotallrational。
Thishasbeenthelesstakennoticeof，becauseeveryoneinhisprivateaffairsusessomesortofreasoningorother，enoughtodenominatehimreasonable。Butthemistakeisthathethatisfoundreasonableinonethingisconcludedtobesoinall，andtothinkorsayotherwiseisthoughtsounjustanaffrontandsosenselessacensurethatnobodyventurestodoit。Itlookslikethedegradationofamanbelowthedignityofhisnature。Itistrue，thathethatreasonswellinanyonethinghasamindnaturallycapableofreasoningwellinothers，andtothesamedegreeofstrengthandclearness，andpossiblymuchgreater，hadhisunderstandingbeensoemployed。Butitisastruethathewhocanreasonwelltodayaboutonesortofmatterscannotatallreasontodayaboutothers，thoughperhapsayearhencehemay。Butwhereveraman’srationalfacultyfailshimandwillnotservehimtoreason，therewecannotsayheisrational，howcapablehoweverhemaybebytimeandexercisetobecomeso。
Tryinmenofholyandmeaneducation，whohaveneverelevatedtheirthoughtsabovethespadeandtheploughnorlookedbeyondtheordinarydrudgeryofaday—laborer。Takethethoughtsofsuchanone，usedformanyyearstoonetract，outofthatnarrowcompasshehasbeenallhislifeconfinedto，youwillfindhimnomorecapableofreasoningthanalmostaperfectnatural。
Someoneortworulesonwhichtheirconclusionsimmediatelydependyouwillfindinmostmenhavegovernedalltheirthoughts；these，trueorfalse，havebeenthemaximstheyhavebeenguidedby。Takethesefromthem，andtheyareperfectlyataloss，theircompassandpolestarthenaregoneandtheirunderstandingisperfectlyatanonplus；andthereforetheyeitherimmediatelyreturntotheiroldmaximsagainasthefoundationsofalltruthtothem，notwithstandingallthatcanbesaidtoshowtheirweakness，or，iftheygivethemuptotheirreasons，theywiththemgiveupalltruthandfurtherenquiryandthinkthereisnosuchthingascertainty。Forifyouwouldenlargetheirthoughtsandsettlethemuponmoreremoteandsurerprinciples，theyeithercannoteasilyapprehendthem，or，iftheycan，knownotwhatusetomakeofthem；forlongdeductionsfromremoteprinciplesiswhattheyhavenotbeenusedtoandcannotmanage。
Whatthen，cangrownmenneverbeimprovedorenlargedintheirunderstandings？Isaynotso，butthisIthinkImaysay，thatitwillnotbedonewithoutindustryandapplication，whichwillrequiremoretimeandpainsthangrownmen，settledintheircourseoflife，willallowtoit，andthereforeveryseldomisdone。AndthisverycapacityofattainingitbyuseandexerciseonlybringsusbacktothatwhichIlaiddownbefore，thatitisonlypracticethatimprovesourmindsaswellasbodies，andwemustexpectnothingfromourunderstandingsanyfurtherthantheyareperfectedbyhabits。
TheAmericansarenotallbornwithworseunderstandingsthantheEuropeans，thougheveseenoneofthemhavesuchreachesintheartsandsciences。Andamongthechildrenofapoorcountrymantheluckychanceofeducationandgettingintotheworldgivesoneinfinitelythesuperiorityinpartsovertherest，who，continuingathome，hadcontinuedalsojustofthesamesizewithhisbrethren。
Hethathastodowithyoungscholars，especiallyinmathematics，mayperceivehowtheirmindsopenbydegrees，andhowitisexercisealonethatopensthem。
Sometimestheywouldstickalongtimeatapartofademonstration，notforwantofwillorapplication，butreallyforwantofperceivingtheconnectionoftwoideasthat，toonewhoseunderstandingismoreexercised，isasvisibleasanythingcanbe。Thesamewouldbewithagrownmanbeginningtostudymathematics；theunderstanding，forwantofuse，oftensticksinveryplainway，andhehimselfthatissopuzzled，whenhecomestoseetheconnection，wonderswhatitwashestuckatinacasesoplain。
Section07。Mathematics。Ihavementionedmathematicsasawaytosettleinthemindahabitofreasoningcloselyandintrain；notthatIthinkitnecessarythatallmenshouldbedeepmathematicians，butthathavinggotthewayofreasoning，whichthatstudynecessarilybringsthemindto，theymightbeabletotransferittootherpartsofknowledgeastheyshallhaveoccasion。[030]Forinallsortsofreasoningeverysingleargumentshouldbemanagedasamathematicaldemonstration；theconnectionanddependenceofideasshouldbefollowedtillthemindisbroughttothesourceonwhichitbottomsandobservesthecoherenceallalong，thoughinproofsofprobabilityonesuchtrainisnotenoughtosettlethejudgmentasindemonstrativeknowledge。
[031]
Whereatruthismadeoutbyonedemonstration，thereneedsnofurtherenquiry；butinprobabilities，wheretherewantsdemonstrationtoestablishthetruthbeyonddoubt，thereitisnotenoughtotraceoneargumenttoitssourceandobserveitsstrengthandweakness，butallthearguments，afterhavingbeensoexaminedonbothsides，mustbelaidinbalanceoneagainstanother，anduponthewholetheunderstandingdetermineitsassent。
Thisisawayofreasoningtheunderstandingshouldbeaccustomedto，whichissodifferentfromwhattheilliterateareusedtothatevenlearnedmenoftentimesseemtohaveverylittleornonotionofit。Norisittobewondered，sincethewayofdisputingintheschoolsleadsthemquiteawayfromitbyinsistingononetopicalargument，[032]bythesuccessofwhichthetruthorfalsehoodofthequestionistobedeterminedandvictoryadjudgedtotheopponentordefendant；whichisalloneasifoneshouldbalanceanaccountbyonesumchargedanddischarged，whenthereareahundredotherstobetakenintoconsideration。
Thisthereforeitwouldbewellifmen’smindswereaccustomedto，andthatearly，thattheymightnoterecttheiropinionsupononesingleview，whensomanyotherarerequisitetomakeuptheaccountandmustcomeintothereckoningbeforeamancanformarightjudgment。Thiswouldenlargetheirmindsandgiveaduefreedomtotheirunderstandings，thattheymightnotbeledintoerrorbypresumption，lazinessorprecipitancy；forIthinknobodycanapprovesuchaconductoftheunderstandingasshouldmisleaditfromtruth，thoughitbeneversomuchinfashiontomakeuseofit。
TothisperhapsitwillbeobjectedthattomanagetheunderstandingasI
proposewouldrequireeverymantobeascholarandtobefurnishedwithallthematerialsofknowledgeandexercisedinallthewaysofreasoning。
TowhichI
answerthatitisashameforthosethathavetimeandthemeanstoattainknowledgetowantanyhelpsorassistancefortheimprovementoftheirunderstandingsthataretobegot，andtosuchIwouldbethoughtherechieflytospeak。Those，methinks，whobytheindustryandpartsoftheirancestorshavebeensetfreefromaconstantdrudgerytotheirbacksandtheirbellies，shouldbestowsomeoftheirsparetimeontheirheadsandopentheirmindsbysometrialsandessaysinallthesortsandmattersofreasoning。
Ihavebeforementionedmathematics，whereinalgebragivesnewhelpsandviewstotheunderstanding。IfIproposethese，itisnot，asIsaid，tomakeeverymanathoroughmathematicianoradeepalgebraist；butyetIthinkthestudyofthemisofinfiniteuseeventogrownmen。First，byexperimentallyconvincingthemthattomakeanyonereasonwellitisnotenoughtohavepartswherewithheissatisfiedandthatservehimwellenoughinhisordinarycourse。
Amaninthosestudieswillseethat，howevergoodhemaythinkhisunderstanding，yetinmanythings，andthoseveryvisible，itmayfailhim。Thiswouldtakeoffthatpresumptionthatmostmenhaveofthemselvesinthispart；andtheywouldnotbesoapttothinktheirmindswantednohelpstoenlargethem，thattherecouldbenothingaddedtotheacutenessandpenetrationoftheirunderstandings。
Secondly，thestudyofmathematicswouldshowthemthenecessitythereisinreasoningtoseparateallthedistinctideasandseethehabitudes[033]thatallthoseconcernedinthepresentenquiryhavetooneanother，andtolaybythosewhichrelatenottothepropositioninhandandwhollytoleavethemoutofthereckoning。Thisisthatwhichinothersubjectsbesidesquantity[034]iswhatisabsolutelyrequisitetojustreasoning，thoughinthemitisnotsoeasilyobservednorsocarefullypracticed。Inthosepartsofknowledgewhereitisthoughtdemonstrationhasnothingtodo，menreasonasitwereinthelump；
andif，uponasummaryandconfusedvieworuponapartialconsideration，theycanraisetheappearanceofaprobability，theyusuallyrestcontent，especiallyifitbeinadisputewhereeverylittlestrawislaidholdonandeverythingthatcanbutbedrawninanyBaytogivecolourtotheargumentisadvancedwithostentation。Butthatmindisnotinaposturetofindthetruththatdoesnotdistinctlytallyallthepartsasunderand，omittingwhatisnotatalltothepoint，drawaconclusionfromtheresultofalltheparticularswhichanywayinfluenceit。Thereisanothernolessusefulhabittobegotbyanapplicationtomathematicaldemonstrations，andthatisofusing[035]themindtoalongtrainofconsequences；buthavingmentionedthatalready[036]Ishallnotagainhererepeatit。
Astomenwhosefortunesandtimeisnarrower，whatmaysufficethemisnotofthatvastextentasmaybeimagined，andsocomesnotwithintheobjection。
Nobodyisunderanobligationtoknoweverything。Knowledgeandscienceingeneralisthebusinessonlyofthosewhoareateaseandleisure。
Thosewhohaveparticularcallingsoughttounderstandthem；anditisnounreasonableproposal，norimpossibletobecompassed，thattheyshouldthinkandreasonrightaboutwhatistheirdailyemployment。Thisonecannotthinkthemincapableofwithoutlevelingthemwiththebrutesandchargingthemwithastupiditybelowtherankofrationalcreatures。
Section08。Religion。Besideshisparticularcallingforthesupportofhislife，everyonehasaconcerninafuturelifewhichheisboundtolookafter。Thisengageshisthoughtsinreligion；andhereitmightilyliesuponhimtounderstandandreasonright。Menthereforecannotbeexcusedfromunderstandingthewordsandframingthegeneralnotionsrelatingtoreligionright。
Theonedayofseven，besidesotherdaysofrest，allowsintheChristianworldtimeenoughforthis（hadtheynootheridlehours）iftheywouldbutmakeuseofthesevacanciesfromtheirdailylabourandapplythemselvestoanimprovementofknowledgewithasmuchdiligenceastheyoftendotoagreatmanyotherthingsthatareuseless，andhadbutthosethatwouldenterthemaccordingtotheirseveralcapacitiesinarightwaytothisknowledge。Theoriginalmakeoftheirmindsislikethatofothermen，andtheywouldbefoundnottowantunderstandingfittoreceivetheknowledgeofreligion，iftheywerealittleencouragedandhelpedinitastheyshouldbe。Forthereareinstancesofverymeanpeoplewhohaveraisedtheirmindstoagreatsenseandunderstandingofreligion。Andthoughthesehavenotbeensofrequentascouldbewished，yettheyareenoughtoclearthatconditionoflifefromanecessityofgrossignoranceandtoshowthatmoremightbebroughttoberationalcreaturesandChristians（fortheycanhardlybethoughtreallytobesowho，wearingthename，knownotsomuchastheveryprinciplesofthatreligion）
ifduecareweretakenofthem。For，ifImistakenot，thepeasantrylatelyinFrance（arankofpeopleunderamuchheavierpressureofwantandpovertythantheday—laborersinEngland）ofthereformedreligionunderstooditmuchbetterandcouldsaymoreforitthanthoseofahigherconditionamongus。[037]
Butifitshallbeconcludedthatthemeanersortofpeoplemustgivethemselvesuptoabrutishstupidityinthethingsoftheirnearestconcernment，whichIseenoreasonfor，thisexcusesnotthoseofafreerfortuneandeducation，iftheyneglecttheirunderstandingsandtakenocaretoemploythemastheyoughtandsetthemrightintheknowledgeofthosethingsforwhichprincipallytheyweregiventhem。Atleastthosewhoseplentifulfortunesallowthemtheopportunitiesandhelpsofimprovementsarenotsofewbutthatitmightbehopedgreatadvancementsmightbemadeinknowledgeofallkinds，especiallyinthatofthegreatestconcernandlargestviews，ifmenwouldmakearightuseoftheirfacultiesandstudytheirownunderstandings。
Section09。Ideas。Outwardcorporealobjectsthatconstantlyimportuneoursensesandcaptivateourappetitesfailnottofillourheadswithlivelyandlastingideasofthatkind。Herethemindneedsnotbesetupongettinggreaterstore；theyofferthemselvesfastenoughandareusuallyentertainedinsuchplentyandlodgedsocarefully，thatthemindwantsroomorattentionforothersthatithasmoreuseandneedof。TofittheunderstandingthereforeforsuchreasoningasIhavebeenabovespeakingof，careshouldbetakentofillitwithmoralandmoreabstractideas；forthesenotofferingthemselvestothesenses，butbeingtobeframedtotheunderstanding，peoplearegenerallysoneglectfulofafacultytheyareapttothinkwantsnothing，thatIfearmostmen’smindsaremoreunfurnishedwithsuchideasthanisimagined。Theyoftenusethewords，andhowcantheybesuspectedtowanttheideas？WhatIhavesaidinthethirdbookofmyessaywillexcusemefromanyotheranswertothisquestion。Buttoconvincepeopleofwhatmomentitistotheirunderstandingstobefurnishedwithsuchabstractideassteadyandsettledinit，givemeleavetoaskhowanyoneshallbeabletoknowwhetherhebeobligedtobejust，ifhehasnotestablishedideasinhismindofobligationandofjustice，sinceknowledgeconsistsinnothingbuttheperceivedagreementordisagreementofthoseideas；[038]andsoofallothersthelikewhichconcernourlivesandmanners。
Andifmendofindadifficultytoseetheagreementordisagreementoftwoangleswhichliebeforetheireyes，unalterableinadiagram，howutterlyimpossiblewillitbetoperceiveitinideasthathavenoothersensibleobjectstorepresentthemtothemindbutsounds，withwhichtheyhavenomannerofconformityandthereforehadneedtobeclearlysettledinthemindthemselvesifwewouldmakeanyclearjudgmentaboutthem。This，therefore，isoneofthefirstthingsthemindshouldbeemployedaboutintherightconductoftheunderstanding，withoutwhichitisimpossibleitshouldbecapableofreasoningrightaboutthosematters。Butintheseandallotherideascaremustbetakenthattheyharbornoinconsistencies，andthattheyhavearealexistencewhererealexistenceissupposedandarenotmerechimeraswithasupposedexistence。
Section10。Prejudice。Everyoneisforwardtocomplainoftheprejudicesthatmisleadothermenorparties，asifhewerefreeandhadnoneofhisown。Thisbeingobjectedonallsides，itisagreedthatitisafaultandahindrancetoknowledge。Whatnowisthecure？Nootherbutthis，thateverymanshouldletaloneothers’prejudicesandexaminehisown。Nobodyisconvincedofhisbytheaccusationofanother；herecriminatesbythesameruleandisclear。Theonlywaytoremovethisgreatcauseofignoranceanderroroutoftheworldisforeveryoneimpartiallytoexaminehimself。Ifotherswillnotdealfairlyfaiththeirownminds，doesthatmakemyerrorstruths，oroughtittomakemeinlovewiththemandwillingtoimposeonmyself？Ifotherslovecataractsontheireyes，shouldthathindermefromcouchingofmineassoonasIcould？
Everyonedeclaresagainstblindness，andyetwhoalmostisnotfondofthatwhichdimshissightandkeepstheclearlightoutofhismind，whichshouldleadhimintotruthandknowledge？Falseordoubtfulpositions，relieduponasunquestionablemaxims，keepthoseinthedarkfromtruthwhobuildonthem。
Suchareusuallytheprejudicesimbibedfromeducation，party，reverence，fashion，interest，etc。
Thisisthemotewhicheveryoneseesinhisbrother’seye，butneverregardsthebeaminhisown。Forwhoistherealmostthatiseverbroughtfairlytoexaminehisownprinciplesandseewhethertheyaresuchaswillbearthetrial？Butyetthisshouldbeoneofthefirstthingseveryoneshouldsetaboutandbescrupulousin，whowouldrightlyconducthisunderstandinginthesearchoftruthandknowledge。
Tothosewhoarewillingtogetridofthisgreathindranceofknowledge（fortosuchonlyIwrite），tothosewhowouldshakeoffthisgreatanddangerousimpostor，prejudice，whodressesupfalsehoodinthelikenessoftruthandsodexterouslyhoodwinksmen’smindsastokeeptheminthedarkwithabeliefthattheyaremoreinthelightthananythatdonotseewiththeireyes，Ishallofferthisonemarkwherebyprejudicemaybeknown。Hethatisstronglyofanyopinionmustsuppose（unlesshebeself—condemned）thathispersuasionisbuiltupongoodgrounds，andthathisassentisnogreaterthanwhattheevidenceofthetruthheholdsforceshimto，andthattheyarearguments，andnotinclinationorfancy，thatmakehimsoconfidentandpositiveinhistenets。Nowif，afterallhisprofession，hecannotbearanyoppositiontohisopinion，ifhecannotsomuchasgiveapatienthearing，muchlessexamineandweightheargumentsontheotherside，doeshenotplainlyconfessitisprejudicegovernshimanditisnottheevidenceoftruth，butsomelazyanticipation，somebelovedpresumptionthathedesirestorestundisturbedin？Forifwhatheholdsbeashegiveout，wellfencedwithevidence，andheseesittobetrue，whatneedhefeartoputittotheproof？Ifhisopinionbesettleduponafirmfoundation，iftheargumentsthatsupportitandhaveobtainedhisassentbeclear，goodandconvincing，whyshouldhebeshytohaveittriedwhethertheybeproofornot？
Hewhoseassentgoesbeyondhisevidenceowesthisexcessofhisadherenceonlytoprejudiceanddoes，ineffect，ownitwhenherefusestohearwhatisofferedagainstit，declaringtherebythatitisnotevidenceheseeks，butthequietenjoymentoftheopinionheisfondof，withaforwardcondemnationofallthatmaystandinoppositiontoit，unheardandunexamined；which，whatisitbutprejudice？Quiaequumstatueritparteinauditaaltera，etiamsiaequumstatuerit，haudaequusfuerit。[039]Hethatwouldacquithimselfinthiscaseasaloveroftruth，notgivingwaytoanypreoccupationorbiasthatmaymisleadhim，mustdotwothingsthatarenotverycommonnorveryeasy。
Section11。Indifferency。First，hemustnotbeinlovewithanyopinionorwishittobetruetillheknowsittobeso，andthenhewillnotneedtowishit。Fornothingthatisfalsecandeserveourgoodwishesnoradesirethatitshouldhavetheplaceandforceoftruth；andyetnothingismorefrequentthanthis。
Oftenarefondofcertaintenetsuponnootherevidencebutrespectandcustom，andthinktheymustmaintainthemorallisgone，thoughtheyhaveneverexaminedthegroundtheystandon，norhaveevermadethemouttothemselvesorcanmakethemouttoothers。Weshouldcontendearnestlyforthetruth，butweshouldfirstbesurethatitistruth，orelsewefightagainstGod，whoistheGodoftruth，anddotheworkofthedevil，whoisthefatherandpropagatoroflies；andourzeal，thoughneversowarm，willnotexcuseus；
forthisisplainlyprejudice。
Section12。Examine。Secondly，hemustdothatwhichhewillfindhimselfveryaverseto，asjudgingthethingunnecessaryorhimselfincapableofdoingit。Hemusttrywhetherhisprinciplesbecertainlytrueornot，andhowfarhemaysafelyrelyuponthem。This，whetherfewerhavetheheartortheskilltodo，I
shallnotdetermine；butthisIamsure，thisisthatwhicheveryoneoughttodowhoprofessestolovetruthandwouldnotimposeuponhimselfwhichisasurerwaytobemadeafoolofthanbybeingexposedtothesophistryofothers。Thedispositiontoputanycheatuponourselvesworksconstantlyandwearepleasedwithit，butareimpatientofbeingbanteredormisledbyothers。TheinabilityIherespeakofisnotanynaturaldefectthatmakesmenincapableofexaminingtheirownprinciples。Tosuch，rulesofconductingtheirunderstandingsareuseless，andthatisthecaseofveryfew。Thegreatnumberisofthosewhomtheillhabitofneverexertingtheirthoughtshasdisabled；
thepowersoftheirmindsarestarvedbydisuseandhavelostthatreachandstrengthwhichnaturefittedthemtoreceivefromexercise。Thosewhoareinaconditiontolearnthefirstrulesofplainarithmeticandcouldbebroughttocastupanordinarysumarecapableofthis，iftheyhadbutaccustomedtheirmindstoreasoning；buttheythathavewhollyneglectedtheexerciseoftheirunderstandingsinthiswaywillbeveryfaratfirstfrombeingabletodoitandasunfitforitasoneunpracticedinfigurestocastupashop—book，andperhapsthinkitasstrangetobesetaboutit。Andyetitmustneverthelessbeconfessedtobeawronguseofourunderstandingstobuildourtenets（inthingswhereweareconcernedtoholdthetruth）uponprinciplesthatmayleadusintoerror。Wetakeourprinciplesathaphazardupontrustandwithouteverhavingexaminedthem，andthenbelieveawholesystemuponapresumptionthattheyaretrueandsolid。Andwhatisallthisbutchildish，shameful，senselesscredulity？
Inthesetwothings，viz。，anequalindifferenceforalltruth（Imeanthereceivingitintheloveofitastruth，butnotlovingitforanyotherreasonbeforeweknowittobetrue）andintheexaminationofourprinciplesandnotreceivinganyforsuchnorbuildingonthemtillwearefullyconvinced，asrationalcreatures，oftheirsolidity，truthandcertainty，consiststhatfreedomoftheunderstandingwhichisnecessarytoarationalcreatureandwithoutwhichitisnottrulyanunderstanding。Itisconceit，fancy，extravagance，anythingratherthanunderstanding，ifitmustbeundertheconstraintofreceivingandholdingopinionsbytheauthorityofanythingbuttheirown，notfanciedbutperceived，evidence。Thiswasrightlycalledimposition，andisofallothertheworstandmostdangeroussortofit。Forweimposeuponourselves，whichisthestrongestimpositionofallothers，andweimposeuponourselvesinthatpartwhichoughtwiththegreatestcaretobekeptfreefromallimposition。Theworldisapttocastgreatblameonthosewhohaveanindifferencyforopinions，especiallyinreligion。Ifearthisisthefoundationofgreaterrorandworseconsequences。Tobeindifferentwhichoftwoopinionsistrueistherighttemperofthemindthatpreservesitfrombeingimposedonanddisposesittoexaminewiththatindifferencetillithasdoneitsbesttofindthetruth；andthisistheonlydirectandsafewaytoit。Buttobeindifferentwhetherweembracefalsehoodfortruthornoisthegreatroadtoerror。Thosewhoarenotindifferentwhichopinionistrueareguiltyofthis；theysuppose，withoutexamining，thatwhattheyholdistrueandthenthinktheyoughttobezealousforit。Those，itisplainbytheirwarmthandeagerness，arenotindifferentfortheirownopinions，butmethinksareveryindifferentwhethertheybetrueorfalse，sincetheycannotenduretohaveanydoubtsraisedorobjectionsmadeagainstthem；anditisvisibletheyneverhavemadeanythemselves，andso，neverhavingexaminedthem，knownotnorareconcerned，astheyshouldbe，toknowwhethertheybetrueorfalse。