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against these two impediments than if I were faithfully to municate to
the public all the little I might myself have found； and incite men of
superior genius to strive to proceed farther； by contributing； each
according to his inclination and ability； to the experiments which it would
be necessary to make； and also by informing the public of all they might
discover； so that； by the last beginning where those before them had left
off； and thus connecting the lives and labours of many； we might
collectively proceed much farther than each by himself could do。
I remarked； moreover； with respect to experiments； that they bee
always more necessary the more one is advanced in knowledge； for； at the
mencement； it is better to make use only of what is spontaneously
presented to our senses； and of which we cannot remain ignorant； provided
we bestow on it any reflection； however slight； than to concern ourselves
about more unmon and recondite phenomena： the reason of which is；
that the more unmon often only mislead us so long as the causes of the
more ordinary are still unknown； and the circumstances upon which they
depend are almost always so special and minute as to be highly difficult to
detect。 But in this I have adopted the following order： first； I have
essayed to find in general the principles； or first causes of all that is or can
be in the world； without taking into consideration for this end anything but
God himself who has created it； and without educing them from any other
source than from certain germs of truths naturally existing in our minds In
the second place； I examined what were the first and most ordinary effects
that could be deduced from these causes； and it appears to me that； in this
way； I have found heavens； stars； an earth； and even on the earth water； air；
fire； minerals； and some other things of this kind； which of all others are
the most mon and simple； and hence the easiest to know。 Afterwards
when I wished to descend to the more particular； so many diverse objects
presented themselves to me； that I believed it to be impossible for the
human mind to distinguish the forms or species of bodies that are upon the
earth； from an infinity of others which might have been； if it had pleased
God to place them there； or consequently to apply them to our use； unless
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
we rise to causes through their effects； and avail ourselves of many
particular experiments。 Thereupon； turning over in my mind I the objects
that had ever been presented to my senses I freely venture to state that I
have never observed any which I could not satisfactorily explain by the
principles had discovered。 But it is necessary also to confess that the
power of nature is so ample and vast； and these principles so simple and
general； that I have hardly observed a single particular effect which I
cannot at once recognize as capable of being deduced in man different
modes from the principles； and that my greatest difficulty usually is to
discover in which of these modes the effect is dependent upon them； for
out of this difficulty cannot otherwise extricate myself than by again
seeking certain experiments； which may be such that their result is not the
same； if it is in the one of these modes at we must explain it； as it would be
if it were to be explained in the other。 As to what remains； I am now in a
position to discern； as I think； with sufficient clearness what course must
be taken to make the majority those experiments which may conduce to
this end： but I perceive likewise that they are such and so numerous； that
neither my hands nor my ine； though it were a thousand times larger
than it is； would be sufficient for them all； so that according as
henceforward I shall have the means of making more or fewer
experiments； I shall in the same proportion make greater or less progress
in the knowledge of nature。 This was what I had hoped to make known by
the treatise I had written； and so clearly to exhibit the advantage that
would thence accrue to the public； as to induce all who have the mon
good of man at heart； that is； all who are virtuous in truth； and not merely
in appearance； or according to opinion； as well to municate to me the
experiments they had already made； as to assist me in those that remain to
be made。
But since that time other reasons have occurred to me； by which I have
been led to change my opinion； and to think that I ought indeed to go on
mitting to writing all the results which I deemed of any moment； as
soon as I should have tested their truth； and to bestow the same care upon
them as I would have done had it been my design to publish them。 This
course mended itself to me； as well because I thus afforded myself
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
more ample inducement to examine them thoroughly； for doubtless that is
always more narrowly scrutinized which we believe will be read by many；
than that which is written merely for our private use （and frequently what
has seemed to me true when I first conceived it； has appeared false when I
have set about mitting it to writing）； as because I thus lost no
opportunity of advancing the interests of the public； as far as in me lay；
and since thus likewise； if my writings possess any value； those into whose
hands they may fall after my death may be able to put them to what use
they deem proper。 But I resolved by no means to consent to their
publication during my lifetime； lest either the oppositions or the
controversies to which they might give rise； or even the reputation； such as
it might be； which they would acquire for me； should be any occasion of
my losing the time that I had set apart for my own improvement。 For
though it be true that every one is bound to promote to the extent of his
ability the good of others； and that to be useful to no one is really to be
worthless； yet it is likewise true that our cares ought to extend beyond the
present； and it is good to omit doing what might perhaps bring some profit
to the living； when we have in view the acplishment of other ends that
will be of much greater advantage to posterity。 And in truth； I am quite
willing it should be known that the little I have hitherto learned is almost
nothing in parison with that of which I am ignorant； and to the
knowledge of which I do not despair of being able to attain； for it is much
the same with those who gradually discover truth in the sciences； as with
those who when growing rich find less difficulty in making great
acquisitions； than they formerly experienced when poor in making
acquisitions of much smaller amount。 Or they may be pared to the
manders of armies； whose forces usually increase in proportion to
their victories； and who need greater prudence to keep together the residue
of their troops after a defeat than after a