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very towering and magnificent palaces with no better foundation than sand
and mud： they laud the virtues very highly； and exhibit them as
estimable far above anything on earth； but they give us no adequate
criterion of virtue； and frequently that which they designate with so fine a
name is but apathy； or pride； or despair； or parricide。
I revered our theology； and aspired as much as any one to reach heaven：
but being given assuredly to understand that the way is not less open to the
most ignorant than to the most learned； and that the revealed truths which
lead to heaven are above our prehension； I did not presume to subject
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
them to the impotency of my reason； and I thought that in order
petently to undertake their examination； there was need of some
special help from heaven； and of being more than man。
Of philosophy I will say nothing； except that when I saw that it had
been cultivated for many ages by the most distinguished men； and that yet
there is not a single matter within its sphere which is not still in dispute；
and nothing； therefore； which is above doubt； I did not presume to
anticipate that my success would be greater in it than that of others； and
further； when I considered the number of conflicting opinions touching a
single matter that may be upheld by learned men； while there can be but
one true； I reckoned as well…nigh false all that was only probable。
As to the other sciences； inasmuch as these borrow their principles
from philosophy； I judged that no solid superstructures could be reared on
foundations so infirm； and neither the honor nor the gain held out by them
was sufficient to determine me to their cultivation： for I was not； thank
Heaven； in a condition which pelled me to make merchandise of
science for the bettering of my fortune； and though I might not profess to
scorn glory as a cynic； I yet made very slight account of that honor which I
hoped to acquire only through fictitious titles。 And； in fine； of false
sciences I thought I knew the worth sufficiently to escape being deceived
by the professions of an alchemist； the predictions of an astrologer； the
impostures of a magician； or by the artifices and boasting of any of those
who profess to know things of which they are ignorant。
For these reasons； as soon as my age permitted me to pass from under
the control of my instructors； I entirely abandoned the study of letters； and
resolved no longer to seek any other science than the knowledge of myself；
or of the great book of the world。 I spent the remainder of my youth in
traveling； in visiting courts and armies； in holding intercourse with men of
different dispositions and ranks； in collecting varied experience； in
proving myself in the different situations into which fortune threw me； and；
above all； in making such reflection on the matter of my experience as to
secure my improvement。 For it occurred to me that I should find much
more truth in the reasonings of each individual with reference to the affairs
in which he is personally interested； and the issue of which must presently
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punish him if he has judged amiss； than in those conducted by a man of
letters in his study； regarding speculative matters that are of no practical
moment； and followed by no consequences to himself； farther； perhaps；
than that they foster his vanity the better the more remote they are from
mon sense； requiring； as they must in this case； the exercise of greater
ingenuity and art to render them probable。 In addition； I had always a
most earnest desire to know how to distinguish the true from the false； in
order that I might be able clearly to discriminate the right path in life； and
proceed in it with confidence。
It is true that； while busied only in considering the manners of other
men； I found here； too； scarce any ground for settled conviction； and
remarked hardly less contradiction among them than in the opinions of the
philosophers。 So that the greatest advantage I derived from the study
consisted in this； that； observing many things which； however extravagant
and ridiculous to our apprehension； are yet by mon consent received
and approved by other great nations； I learned to entertain too decided a
belief in regard to nothing of the truth of which I had been persuaded
merely by example and custom； and thus I gradually extricated myself
from many errors powerful enough to darken our natural intelligence； and
incapacitate us in great measure from listening to reason。 But after I had
been occupied several years in thus studying the book of the world； and in
essaying to gather some experience； I at length resolved to make myself an
object of study； and to employ all the powers of my mind in choosing the
paths I ought to follow； an undertaking which was acpanied with
greater success than it would have been had I never quitted my country or
my books。
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
PART II
I was then in Germany； attracted thither by the wars in that country；
which have not yet been brought to a termination； and as I was returning
to the army from the coronation of the emperor； the setting in of winter
arrested me in a locality where； as I found no society to interest me； and
was besides fortunately undisturbed by any cares or passions； I remained
the whole day in seclusion； with full opportunity to occupy my attention
with my own thoughts。 Of these one of the very first that occurred to me
was； that there is seldom so much perfection in works posed of many
separate parts； upon which different hands had been employed； as in those
pleted by a single master。 Thus it is observable that the buildings
which a single architect has planned and executed； are generally more
elegant and modious than those which several have a