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more which it were advisable not to follow； I hope it will prove useful to
some without being hurtful to any； and that my openness will find some
favor with all。
From my childhood； I have been familiar with letters； and as I was
given to believe that by their help a clear and certain knowledge of all that
is useful in life might be acquired； I was ardently desirous of instruction。
But as soon as I had finished the entire course of study； at the close of
which it is customary to be admitted into the order of the learned； I
pletely changed my opinion。 For I found myself involved in so
many doubts and errors； that I was convinced I had advanced no farther in
all my attempts at learning； than the discovery at every turn of my own
ignorance。 And yet I was studying in one of the most celebrated schools
in Europe； in which I thought there must be learned men； if such were
anywhere to be found。 I had been taught all that others learned there； and
not contented with the sciences actually taught us； I had； in addition； read
all the books that had fallen into my hands； treating of such branches as
are esteemed the most curious and rare。 I knew the judgment which
others had formed of me； and I did not find that I was considered inferior
to my fellows； although there were among them some who were already
marked out to fill the places of our instructors。 And； in fine； our age
appeared to me as flourishing； and as fertile in powerful minds as any
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
preceding one。 I was thus led to take the liberty of judging of all other
men by myself； and of concluding that there was no science in existence
that was of such a nature as I had previously been given to believe。
I still continued； however； to hold in esteem the studies of the schools。
I was aware that the languages taught in them are necessary to the
understanding of the writings of the ancients； that the grace of fable stirs
the mind； that the memorable deeds of history elevate it； and； if read with
discretion； aid in forming the judgment； that the perusal of all excellent
books is； as it were； to interview with the noblest men of past ages； who
have written them； and even a studied interview； in which are discovered
to us only their choicest thoughts； that eloquence has inparable force
and beauty； that poesy has its ravishing graces and delights； that in the
mathematics there are many refined discoveries eminently suited to gratify
the inquisitive； as well as further all the arts an lessen the labour of man；
that numerous highly useful precepts and exhortations to virtue are
contained in treatises on morals； that theology points out the path to
heaven； that philosophy affords the means of discoursing with an
appearance of truth on all matters； and mands the admiration of the
more simple； that jurisprudence； medicine； and the other sciences； secure
for their cultivators honors and riches； and； in fine； that it is useful to
bestow some attention upon all； even upon those abounding the most in
superstition and error； that we may be in a position to determine their real
value； and guard against being deceived。
But I believed that I had already given sufficient time to languages；
and likewise to the reading of the writings of the ancients； to their histories
and fables。 For to hold converse with those of other ages and to travel；
are almost the same thing。 It is useful to know something of the manners
of different nations； that we may be enabled to form a more correct
judgment regarding our own； and be prevented from thinking that
everything contrary to our customs is ridiculous and irrational； a
conclusion usually e to by those whose experience has been limited to
their own country。 On the other hand； when too much time is occupied in
traveling； we bee strangers to our native country； and the over curious
in the customs of the past are generally ignorant of those of the present。
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
Besides； fictitious narratives lead us to imagine the possibility of many
events that are impossible； and even the most faithful histories； if they do
not wholly misrepresent matters； or exaggerate their importance to render
the account of them more worthy of perusal； omit； at least； almost always
the meanest and least striking of the attendant circumstances； hence it
happens that the remainder does not represent the truth； and that such as
regulate their conduct by examples drawn from this source； are apt to fall
into the extravagances of the knight…errants of romance； and to entertain
projects that exceed their powers。
I esteemed eloquence highly； and was in raptures with poesy； but I
thought that both were gifts of nature rather than fruits of study。 Those in
whom the faculty of reason is predominant； and who most skillfully
dispose their thoughts with a view to render them clear and intelligible； are
always the best able to persuade others of the truth of what they lay down；
though they should speak only in the language of Lower Brittany； and be
wholly ignorant of the rules of rhetoric； and those whose minds are stored
with the most agreeable fancies； and who can give expression to them with
the greatest embellishment and harmony； are still the best poets； though
unacquainted with the art of poetry。
I was especially delighted with the mathematics； on account of the
certitude and evidence of their reasonings； but I had not as yet a precise
knowledge of their true use； and thinking that they but contributed to the
advancement of the mechanical arts； I was astonished that foundations； so
strong and solid； should have had no loftier superstructure reared on them。
On the other hand； I pared the disquisitions of the ancient moralists to
very towering and magnificent palaces with no better foundation than sand
and mud： they laud the vir