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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 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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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
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；
th