,dialogues ,conc]n+ ,natural ,religion  
by  ,david ,hume     ,,pamphilus ,,to   
,,h]mippus   ,x has be5 rem>k$1 my      
,,h]mippus1 t ?\gh ! anci5t philosoph]s 
convey$ mo/ ( _! in/ruction 9 ! =m (    
dialogue1 ?is me?od ( composition has   
be5 little practis$ 9 lat] ages1 & has  
seldom succe$$ 9 ! h&s ( ^? :o h        
attempt$ x4 ,accurate & regul> argum5t1 
inde$1 su* z is n[ expect$ (            
philosophical inquir]s1 naturally ?r[s a
 man into ! me?odical & didactic mann]2 
:]e he c imm$iately1 )\t prep>ation1    
expla9 ! po9t at :i* he aims2 & !nce    
proce$1 )\t int]ruption1 to d$uce !     
pro(s on :i* x is e/abli%$4 ,to deliv] a
 ,,sy/em 9 conv]sation1 sc>cely appe>s  
natural2 & :ile ! dialogue-writ]        
desires1 by dep>t+ f ! direct /yle (    
composition1 to give a fre] air to 8    
p]=mance1 & avoid ! appe>ance ( ,au?or &
 ,read]1 he is apt to run into a worse  
inconv5i5ce1 & convey ! image (         
,p$agogue & ,pupil4 ,or1 if he c>ries on
 ! dispute 9 ! natural _s ( good        

company1 by ?r[+ 9 a v>iety ( topics1 & 
pres]v+ a prop] balance among ! speak]s1
 he (t5 loses s mu* "t 9 prep>ations &  
transitions1 t ! read] w sc>cely ?9k    
himself comp5sat$1 by all ! graces (    
dialogue1 = ! ord]1 brevity1 &          
precision1 :i* are sacrific$ to !m4     
,!re are "s subjects1 h[ev]1 to :i*     
dialogue-writ+ is peculi>ly adapt$1 &   
:]e x is /ill pref]able to ! direct &   
simple me?od ( composition4  ,any po9t (
 doctr9e1 :i* is s obvi\s t x sc>cely   
admits ( dispute1 b at ! same "t s      
important t x _c be too (t5 inculcat$1  
seems to require "s su* me?od ( h&l+ x2 
:]e ! novelty ( ! mann] may comp5sate ! 
trit5ess ( ! subject2 :]e ! vivacity (  
conv]sation may en=ce ! precept2 & :]e !
 v>iety ( lights1 pres5t$ by v>i\s      
p]sonages & *>act]s1 may appe> nei!r    
t$i\s nor r$undant4  ,any "q (          
philosophy1 on ! o!r h&1 :i* is s       
,,obscure & ,,unc]ta91 t human reason c 
rea* no fix$ det]m9ation ) reg>d to x2  
if x %\ld be treat$ at all1 seems to    

lead u naturally into ! /yle ( dialogue 
& conv]sation4 ,reasonable m5 may be    
all[$ to diff]1 :]e no "o c reasonably  
be positive4 ,opposite s5tim5ts1 ev5 )\t
 any decision1 af=d an agreeable        
amusem5t2 & if ! subject be curi\s &    
int]e/+1 ! book c>ries u1 9 a mann]1    
into company2 & unites ! two greate/ &  
pure/ pleasures ( human life1 /udy &    
society4  ,happily1 ^! circum/ances are 
all to be f\nd 9 ! subject ( ,,natural  
,,religion4 ,:at tru? s obvi\s1 s c]ta91
 z ! be+ ( a ,god1 :i* ! mo/ ignorant   
ages h ackn[l$g$1 = :i* ! mo/ ref9$     
g5iuses h ambiti\sly /riv5 to produce   
new pro(s & argum5ts8 ,:at tru? s       
important z ?is1 :i* is ! gr\nd ( all   
our hopes1 ! sure/ f\ndation ( morality1
 ! firme/ support ( society1 & ! only   
pr9ciple :i* ought nev] to be a mom5t   
abs5t f our ?\ghts & m$itations8 ,b1 9  
treat+ ( ?is obvi\s & important tru?1   
:at obscure que/ions occur conc]n+ !    
nature ( t ,div9e ,be+1 8 attributes1 8 
decrees1 8 plan ( provid5ce8 ,^! h be5  

always subject$ to ! disputations ( m52 
conc]n+ ^! human reason has n rea*$ any 
c]ta9 det]m9ation4 ,b ^! are topics s   
int]e/+1 t we _c re/ra9 our re/less     
inquiry ) reg>d to !m2 ?\gh no?+ b d\bt1
 unc]ta9ty1 & contradiction1 h z yet be5
 ! result ( our mo/ accurate rese>*es4  
,?is ,i _h lately occasion to obs]ve1   
:ile ,i pass$1 z usual1 "p ( ! summ]    
season ) ,,clean!s1 & 0 pres5t at ^?    
conv]sations ( 8 ) ,,philo & ,,demea1 ( 
:i* ,i gave y lately "s imp]fect acc\nt4
 ,y\r curiosity1 y !n told me1 0 s      
excit$1 t ,i mu/1 ( necessity1 ent] into
 a m exact detail ( _! reason+s1 &      
display ^? v>i\s sy/ems :i* !y advanc$ )
 reg>d to s delicate a subject z t (    
natural religion4 ,! rem>kable contra/ 9
 _! *>act]s /ill fur!r rais$ y\r        
expectations2 :ile y oppos$ ! accurate  
philosophical turn ( ,,clean!s to !     
c>eless scepticism ( ,,philo1 or comp>$ 
ei!r ( _! dispositions ) ! rigid        
inflexible or?odoxy ( ,,demea4 ,my y\?  
r5d]$ me a m]e auditor ( _! disputes2 & 

t curiosity1 natural to ! e>ly season ( 
life1 has s deeply impr9t$ 9 my memory !
 :ole *a9 & connection ( _! argum5ts1 t1
 ,i hope1 ,i %all n omit or conf\nd any 
consid]able "p ( !m 9 ! recital4        
,,"p #a   ,aft] ,i jo9$ ! company1 :om  
,i f\nd sitt+ 9 ,,clean!s's libr>y1     
,,demea paid ,,clean!s "s complim5ts on 
! great c>e :i* he took ( my education1 
& on 8 unwe>i$ p]sev]ance & con/ancy 9  
all 8 fri5d%ips4 ,! fa!r ( ,,pamphilus1 
said he1 0 y\r intimate fri5d3 ,! son is
 y\r pupil2 & may inde$ be reg>d$ z y\r 
adopt$ son1 7 we to judge by ! pa9s :i* 
y be/[ 9 convey+ to him e useful bran* (
 lit]ature & sci5ce4 ,y are no m want+1 
,i am p]suad$1 9 prud5ce1 ?an 9 indu/ry4
 ,i %all1 !re=e1 communicate to y a     
maxim1 :i* ,i h obs]v$ ) reg>d to my own
 *ildr51 t ,i may le>n h[ f> x agrees ) 
y\r practice4 ,! me?od ,i foll[ 9 _!    
education is f\nd$ on ! say+ ( an       
anci5t1 ,t /ud5ts ( philosophy ought    
fir/ to le>n logics1 !n e?ics1 next     
physics1 la/ ( all ! nature ( ! gods4   

,*rysippus apud ,plut3 de repug3        
,/oicorum ,?is sci5ce ( natural !ology1 
accord+ to him1 be+ ! mo/ pr(\nd &      
ab/ruse ( any1 requir$ ! mature/        
judgem5t 9 its /ud5ts2 & none b a m9d   
enri*$ ) all ! o!r sci5ces1 c safely be 
entru/$ ) x4  ,are y s late1 says       
,,philo1 9 tea*+ y\r *ildr5 ! pr9ciples 
( religion8 ,is !re no dang] ( _!       
neglect+1 or reject+ altoge!r ^? op9ions
 ( :i* !y h he>d s little dur+ ! :ole   
c\rse ( _! education8 ,x is only z a    
sci5ce1 repli$ ,,demea1 subject$ to     
human reason+ & disputation1 t ,i       
po/pone ! /udy ( ,natural ,!ology4 ,to  
season _! m9ds ) e>ly piety1 is my *ief 
c>e2 & by cont9ual precept & in/ruction1
 & ,i hope too by example1 ,i impr9t    
deeply on _! t5d] m9ds an habitual      
rev]5ce = all ! pr9ciples ( religion4   
,:ile !y pass ?r\gh e o!r sci5ce1 ,i    
/ill rem>k ! unc]ta9ty ( ea* "p2 !      
et]nal disputations ( m52 ! obscurity ( 
all philosophy2 & ! /range1 ridicul\s   
conclusions1 :i* "s ( ! greate/ g5iuses 

h d]iv$ f ! pr9ciples ( m]e human       
reason4 ,hav+ ?us tam$ _! m9d to a prop]
 submission & self-diffid5ce1 ,i h no   
long] any scruple ( op5+ to !m ! greate/
 my/]ies ( religion2 nor appreh5d any   
dang] f t assum+ arrogance ( philosophy1
 :i* may lead !m to reject ! mo/        
e/abli%$ doctr9es & op9ions4  ,y\r      
precaution1 says ,,philo1 ( season+ y\r 
*ildr5's m9ds e>ly ) piety1 is c]ta9ly v
 reasonable2 & no m ?an is requisite 9  
?is pr(ane & irreligi\s age4 ,b :at ,i  
*iefly admire 9 y\r plan ( education1 is
 y\r me?od ( draw+ advantage f ! v      
pr9ciples ( philosophy & le>n+1 :i*1 by 
inspir+ pride & self-suffici5cy1 h      
commonly1 9 all ages1 be5 f\nd s        
de/ructive to ! pr9ciples ( religion4 ,!
 vulg>1 inde$1 we may rem>k1 :o are     
unacqua9t$ ) sci5ce & pr(\nd inquiry1   
obs]v+ ! endless disputes ( ! le>n$1 h  
commonly a ?or\gh contempt = philosophy2
 & rivet !mselves ! fa/]1 by t means1 9 
! great po9ts ( !ology :i* h be5 taught 
!m4 ,^? :o ent] a little into /udy &    

inquiry1 f9d+ _m appe>ances ( evid5ce 9 
doctr9es ! newe/ & mo/ extraord9>y1 ?9k 
no?+ too difficult = human reason2 &1   
presumptu\sly break+ ?r\gh all f5ces1   
pr(ane ! inmo/ sanctu>ies ( ! temple4 ,b
 ,,clean!s w1 ,i hope1 agree ) me1 t1   
aft] we h ab&on$ ignorance1 ! sure/     
rem$y1 !re is /ill "o exp$i5t left to   
prev5t ?is pr(ane lib]ty4 ,let ,,demea's
 pr9ciples be improv$ & cultivat$3 ,let 
u become ?or\ghly s5sible ( ! weakness1 
bl9dness1 & n>r[ limits ( human reason3 
,let u duly consid] its unc]ta9ty &     
endless contr>ieties1 ev5 9 subjects (  
common life & practice3 ,let ! errors & 
deceits ( our v s5ses be set be=e u2 !  
insup]able difficulties :i* att5d fir/  
pr9ciples 9 all sy/ems2 ! contradictions
 :i* adh]e to ! v ideas ( matt]1 cause &
 effect1 ext5sion1 space1 "t1 motion2 & 
9 a ^w1 quantity ( all k9ds1 ! object ( 
! only sci5ce t c fairly pret5d to any  
c]ta9ty or evid5ce4 ,:5 ^! topics are   
display$ 9 _! full light1 z !y are by "s
 philosoph]s & almo/ all div9es2 :o c   

reta9 su* confid5ce 9 ?is frail faculty 
( reason z to pay any reg>d to its      
det]m9ations 9 po9ts s sublime1 s       
ab/ruse1 s remote f common life &       
exp]i5ce8 ,:5 ! coh]5ce ( ! p>ts ( a    
/one1 or ev5 t composition ( p>ts :i*   
r5d]s x ext5d$2 :5 ^! famili> objects1  
,i say1 are s inexplicable1 & conta9    
circum/ances s repugnant &              
contradictory2 ) :at assurance c we     
decide conc]n+ ! orig9 ( worlds1 or     
trace _! hi/ory f et]nity to et]nity8   
,:ile ,,philo pron\nc$ ^! words1 ,i c\ld
 obs]ve a smile 9 ! c\nt5ance bo? (     
,,demea & ,,clean!s4 ,t ( ,,demea seem$ 
to imply an unres]v$ satisfaction 9 !   
doctr9es deliv]$3 ,b1 9 ,,clean!s's     
features1 ,i c\ld di/+ui% an air (      
f9esse2 z if he p]ceiv$ "s raill]y or   
artificial malice 9 ! reason+s (        
,,philo4  ,y propose !n1 ,,philo1 said  
,,clean!s1 to erect religi\s fai? on    
philosophical scepticism2 & y ?9k1 t if 
c]ta9ty or evid5ce be expell$ f e o!r   
subject ( inquiry1 x w all retire to ^! 

!ological doctr9es1 & !re acquire a     
sup]ior =ce & au?ority4 ,:e!r y\r       
scepticism be z absolute & s9c]e z y    
pret5d1 we %all le>n by & by1 :5 !      
company breaks up3 ,we %all !n see1 :e!r
 y g out at ! door or ! w9d[2 & :e!r y  
really d\bt if y\r body has gravity1 or 
c be injur$ by its fall2 accord+ to     
popul> op9ion1 d]iv$ f our fallaci\s    
s5ses1 & m fallaci\s exp]i5ce4 ,& ?is   
consid]ation1 ,,demea1 may1 ,i ?9k1     
fairly s]ve to abate our ill-w to ?is   
humor\s sect ( ! sceptics4 ,if !y be    
?or\ghly 9 e>ne/1 !y w n long tr\ble !  
_w ) _! d\bts1 cavils1 & disputes3 ,if  
!y be only 9 je/1 !y are1 p]haps1 bad   
raill]s2 b c nev] be v dang]\s1 ei!r to 
! /ate1 to philosophy1 or to religion4  
,9 reality1 ,,philo1 cont9u$ he1 x seems
 c]ta91 t ?\gh a man1 9 a flu% ( hum\r1 
aft] int5se reflection on ! _m          
contradictions & imp]fections ( human   
reason1 may entirely r5\nce all belief &
 op9ion1 x is impossible = him to       
p]sev]e 9 ?is total scepticism1 or make 

x appe> 9 8 conduct = a few h\rs4       
,ext]nal objects press 9 ^u him2        
passions solicit him2 8 philosophical   
melan*oly dissipates2 & ev5 ! utmo/     
viol5ce ^u 8 own temp] w n be able1 dur+
 any "t1 to pres]ve ! poor appe>ance (  
scepticism4 ,& = :at reason impose on   
himself su* a viol5ce8 ,?is is a po9t 9 
:i* x w be impossible = him ev] to      
satisfy himself1 consi/5tly ) 8         
sceptical pr9ciples4 ,s t1 ^u ! :ole1   
no?+ c\ld be m ridicul\s ?an ! pr9ciples
 ( ! anci5t ,,pyrrhonians2 if 9 reality 
!y endeav\r$1 z is pret5d$1 to ext5d1   
?r\gh\t1 ! same scepticism :i* !y _h    
le>n$ f ! declamations ( _! s*ools1 &   
:i* !y ought to h conf9$ to !m4  ,9 ?is 
view1 !re appe>s a great resemblance    
betwe5 ! sects ( ! ,,/oics &            
,,pyrrhonians1 ?\gh p]petual antagoni/s2
 & bo? ( !m seem f\nd$ on ?is errone\s  
maxim1 ,t :at a man c p]=m sometimes1 & 
9 "s dispositions1 he c p]=m always1 & 9
 e disposition4 ,:5 ! m9d1 by ,/oical   
reflections1 is elevat$ into a sublime  

en?usiasm ( virtue1 & /rongly smit ) any
 species ( hon\r or public good1 ! utmo/
 bodily pa9 & suff]+s w n prevail ov]   
su* a high s5se ( duty2 & x is possible1
 p]haps1 by its means1 ev5 to smile &   
exult 9 ! mid/ ( tortures4 ,if ?is      
sometimes may be ! case 9 fact &        
reality1 mu* m may a philosoph]1 9 8    
s*ool1 or ev5 9 8 closet1 "w himself up 
to su* an en?usiasm1 & support 9        
imag9ation ! acute/ pa9 or mo/ calamit\s
 ev5t :i* he c possibly conceive4 ,b h[ 
%all he support ?is en?usiasm itself8 ,!
 b5t ( 8 m9d relaxes1 & _c be recall$ at
 pleasure2 avocations lead him a/ray2   
mis=tunes attack him unaw>es2 & !       
philosoph] s9ks by degrees into !       
plebeian4  ,i all[ ( y\r comp>ison      
betwe5 ! ,,/oics & ,,skeptics1 repli$   
,,philo4 ,b y may obs]ve1 at ! same "t1 
t ?\gh ! m9d _c1 9 ,/oicism1 support !  
highe/ flights ( philosophy1 yet1 ev5 :5
 x s9ks l[]1 x /ill reta9s some:at ( its
 =m] disposition2 & ! effects ( !       
,/oic's reason+ w appe> 9 8 conduct 9   

common life1 & ?r\gh ! :ole t5or ( 8    
actions4 ,! anci5t s*ools1 p>ticul>ly t 
( ,,z5o1 produc$ examples ( virtue &    
con/ancy :i* seem a/oni%+ to pres5t     
times4       ,va9 ,wisdom all & false   
,philosophy4     ,yet ) a pleas+ sorc]y 
c\ld *>m     ,pa91 = a :ile1 or angui%2 
& excite     ,fallaci\s ,hope1 or arm ! 
obdurate brea/     ,) /ubborn ,pati5ce1 
z ) triple /eel4   ,9 l mann]1 if a man 
has accu/om$ himself to sceptical       
consid]ations on ! unc]ta9ty & n>r[     
limits ( reason1 he w n entirely =get !m
 :5 he turns 8 reflection on o!r        
subjects2 b 9 all 8 philosophical       
pr9ciples & reason+1 ,i d>e n say 9 8   
common conduct1 he w be f\nd diff]5t f  
^?1 :o ei!r nev] =m$ any op9ions 9 !    
case1 or h ent]ta9$ s5tim5ts m fav\rable
 to human reason4  ,to :atev] l5g? any  
"o may pu% 8 speculative pr9ciples (    
scepticism1 he mu/ act1 ,i own1 & live1 
& conv]se1 l o!r m52 & = ?is conduct he 
is n oblig$ to give any o!r reason1 ?an 
! absolute necessity he lies "u ( s do+4

 ,if he ev] c>ries 8 speculations fur!r 
?an ?is necessity con/ra9s him1 &       
philosophises ei!r on natural or moral  
subjects1 he is allur$ by a c]ta9       
pleasure & satisfaction :i* he f9ds 9   
employ+ himself aft] t mann]4 ,he       
consid]s besides1 t e "o1 ev5 9 common  
life1 is con/ra9$ to h m or less ( ?is  
philosophy2 t f our e>lie/ infancy we   
make cont9ual advances 9 =m+ m g5]al    
pr9ciples ( conduct & reason+2 t ! l>g] 
exp]i5ce we acquire1 & ! /rong] reason  
we are endu$ )1 we always r5d] our      
pr9ciples ! m g5]al & compreh5sive2 & t 
:at we call philosophy is no?+ b a m    
regul> & me?odical op]ation ( ! same    
k9d4 ,to philosophise on su* subjects1  
is no?+ ess5tially diff]5t f reason+ on 
common life2 & we may only expect great]
 /ability1 if n great] tru?1 f our      
philosophy1 on acc\nt ( its exact] & m  
scrupul\s me?od ( proce$+4  ,b :5 we    
look beyond human affairs & ! prop]ties 
( ! surr\nd+ bodies3 :5 we c>ry our     
speculations into ! two et]nities1 be=e 

& aft] ! pres5t /ate ( ?+s2 into !      
creation & =mation ( ! univ]se2 !       
exi/5ce & prop]ties ( spirits2 ! p[]s & 
op]ations ( "o univ]sal ,_s exi/+ )\t   
beg9n+ & )\t end2 omnipot5t1 omnisci5t1 
immutable1 inf9ite1 & incompreh5sible3  
,we mu/ be f> remov$ f ! smalle/ t5d5cy 
to scepticism n to be appreh5sive1 t we 
h "h got q beyond ! rea* ( our          
faculties4 ,s long z we conf9e our      
speculations to trade1 or morals1 or    
politics1 or criticism1 we make appeals1
 e mom5t1 to common s5se & exp]i5ce1 :i*
 /r5g!n our philosophical conclusions1 &
 remove1 at lea/ 9 "p1 ! suspicion :i*  
we s ju/ly ent]ta9 ) reg>d to e reason+ 
t is v subtle & ref9$4 ,b1 9 !ological  
reason+s1 we h n ?is advantage2 :ile1 at
 ! same "t1 we are employ$ ^u objects1  
:i*1 we mu/ be s5sible1 are too l>ge =  
our grasp1 & ( all o!rs1 require mo/ to 
be famili>is$ to our appreh5sion4 ,we   
are l =eign]s 9 a /range c\ntry1 to :om 
e ?+ mu/ seem suspici\s1 & :o are 9     
dang] e mom5t ( transgress+ aga9/ ! laws

 & cu/oms ( ! p ) :om !y live & conv]se4
 ,we "k n h[ f> we ought to tru/ our    
vulg> me?ods ( reason+ 9 su* a subject2 
s9ce1 ev5 9 common life1 & 9 t prov9ce  
:i* is peculi>ly appropriat$ to !m1 we  
_c acc\nt = !m1 & are entirely guid$ by 
a k9d ( in/9ct or necessity 9 employ+   
!m4  ,all sceptics pret5d1 t1 if reason 
be consid]$ 9 an ab/ract view1 x        
furni%es inv9cible argum5ts aga9/       
itself2 & t we c\ld nev] reta9 any      
conviction or assurance1 on any subject1
 7 n ! sceptical reason+s s ref9$ &     
subtle1 t !y are n able to c\nt]poise ! 
m solid & m natural argum5ts d]iv$ f !  
s5ses & exp]i5ce4 ,b x is evid5t1 :5ev] 
our argum5ts lose ?is advantage1 & run  
wide ( common life1 t ! mo/ ref9$       
scepticism comes to be ^u a foot+ ) !m1 
& is able to oppose & c\nt]balance !m4  
,! "o has no m weight ?an ! o!r4 ,! m9d 
mu/ rema9 9 susp5se betwe5 !m2 & x is t 
v susp5se or balance1 :i* is ! triumph (
 scepticism4  ,b ,i obs]ve1 says        
,,clean!s1 ) reg>d to y1 ,,philo1 & all 

speculative sceptics1 t y\r doctr9e &   
practice are z mu* at v>iance 9 ! mo/   
ab/ruse po9ts ( !ory z 9 ! conduct (    
common life4 ,:]ev] evid5ce discov]s    
itself1 y adh]e to x1 not)/&+ y\r       
pret5d$ scepticism2 & ,i c obs]ve1 too1 
"s ( y\r sect to be z decisive z ^? :o  
make great] pr(essions ( c]ta9ty &      
assurance4 ,9 reality1 w\ld n a man be  
ridicul\s1 :o pret5d$ to reject         
,,newton's explication ( ! wond]ful     
ph5om5on ( ! ra9b[1 because t           
explication gives a m9ute anatomy ( !   
rays ( light2 a subject1 =soo?1 too     
ref9$ = human compreh5sion8 ,& :at w\ld 
y say to "o1 :o1 hav+ no?+ p>ticul> to  
object to ! argum5ts ( ,,cop]nicus &    
,,galileo = ! motion ( ! e>?1 %\ld )hold
 8 ass5t1 on t g5]al pr9ciple1 t ^!     
subjects 7 too magnific5t & remote to be
 expla9$ by ! n>r[ & fallaci\s reason ( 
mank9d8  ,!re is inde$ a k9d ( bruti% & 
ignorant scepticism1 z y well obs]v$1   
:i* gives ! vulg> a g5]al prejudice     
aga9/ :at !y d n easily und]/&1 & makes 

!m reject e pr9ciple :i* requires       
elaborate reason+ to prove & e/abli% x4 
,?is species ( scepticism is fatal to k1
 n to religion2 s9ce we f9d1 t ^? :o    
make greate/ pr(ession ( x1 give (t5 _! 
ass5t1 n only to ! great tru?s ( ,!ism &
 natural !ology1 b ev5 to ! mo/ absurd  
t5ets :i* a traditional sup]/ition has  
recomm5d$ to !m4 ,!y firmly believe 9   
wit*es1 ?\gh !y w n believe nor att5d to
 ! mo/ simple proposition ( ,euclid4 ,b 
! ref9$ & philosophical sceptics fall   
into an inconsi/5ce ( an opposite       
nature4 ,!y pu% _! rese>*es into ! mo/  
ab/ruse corn]s ( sci5ce2 & _! ass5t     
att5ds !m 9 e /ep1 proportion$ to !     
evid5ce :i* !y meet )4 ,!y are ev5      
oblig$ to ackn[l$ge1 t ! mo/ ab/ruse &  
remote objects are ^? :i* are be/       
expla9$ by philosophy4 ,light is 9      
reality anatomis$4 ,! true sy/em ( !    
heav5ly bodies is discov]$ & asc]ta9$4  
,b ! n\ri%m5t ( bodies by food is /ill  
an inexplicable my/]y4 ,! cohesion ( !  
p>ts ( matt] is /ill incompreh5sible4   

,^! sceptics1 !re=e1 are oblig$1 9 e "q1
 to consid] ea* p>ticul> evid5ce ap>t1 &
 proportion _! ass5t to ! precise degree
 ( evid5ce :i* occurs4 ,?is is _!       
practice 9 all natural1 ma!matical1     
moral1 & political sci5ce4 ,& :y n !    
same1 ,i ask1 9 ! !ological & religi\s8 
,:y mu/ conclusions ( ?is nature be     
alone reject$ on ! g5]al presumption ( !
 insuffici5cy ( human reason1 )\t any   
p>ticul> discussion ( ! evid5ce8 ,is n  
su* an unequal conduct a pla9 pro( (    
prejudice & passion8  ,our s5ses1 y say1
 are fallaci\s2 our und]/&+ errone\s2   
our ideas1 ev5 ( ! mo/ famili> objects1 
ext5sion1 duration1 motion1 full (      
absurdities & contradictions4 ,y defy me
 to solve ! difficulties1 or reconcile !
 repugnancies :i* y discov] 9 !m4 ,i h n
 capacity = s great an und]tak+3 ,i h n 
leisure = x3 ,i p]ceive x to be         
sup]flu\s4 ,y\r own conduct1 9 e        
circum/ance1 refutes y\r pr9ciples1 &   
%[s ! firme/ reliance on all ! receiv$  
maxims ( sci5ce1 morals1 prud5ce1 &     

behavi\r4  ,i %all nev] ass5t to s h>%  
an op9ion z t ( a celebrat$ writ]       
,l',arte de p5s]1 :o says1 t ! ,sceptics
 are n a sect ( philosoph]s3 ,!y are    
only a sect ( li>s4 ,i may1 h[ev]1      
affirm 7,i hope )\t (f5ce71 t !y are a  
sect ( je/]s or raill]s4 ,b = my "p1    
:5ev] ,i f9d myself dispos$ to mir? &   
amusem5t1 ,i %all c]ta9ly *oose my      
ent]ta9m5t ( a less p]plex+ & ab/ruse   
nature4 ,a com$y1 a novel1 or at mo/ a  
hi/ory1 seems a m natural recreation ?an
 su* metaphysical subtleties &          
ab/ractions4  ,9 va9 w\ld ! sceptic make
 a di/9ction betwe5 sci5ce & common     
life1 or betwe5 "o sci5ce & ano!r4 ,!   
argum5ts employ$ 9 all1 if j1 are ( a   
simil> nature1 & conta9 ! same =ce &    
evid5ce4 ,or if !re be any diff]5ce     
among !m1 ! advantage lies entirely on !
 side ( !ology & natural religion4 ,_m  
pr9ciples ( me*anics are f\nd$ on v     
ab/ruse reason+2 yet no man :o has any  
pret5sions to sci5ce1 ev5 no speculative
 sceptic1 pret5ds to ent]ta9 ! lea/ d\bt

 ) reg>d to !m4 ,! ,,cop]nican sy/em    
conta9s ! mo/ surpris+ p>adox1 & ! mo/  
contr>y to our natural conceptions1 to  
appe>ances1 & to our v s5ses3 yet ev5   
monks & inquisitors are n[ con/ra9$ to  
)draw _! opposition to x4 ,& %all       
,,philo1 a man ( s lib]al a g5ius &     
ext5sive k1 ent]ta9 any g5]al undi/+ui%$
 scruples ) reg>d to ! religi\s         
hypo!sis1 :i* is f\nd$ on ! simple/ &   
mo/ obvi\s argum5ts1 &1 unless x meets )
 artificial ob/acles1 has su* easy      
access & admission into ! m9d ( man8  ,&
 "h we may obs]ve1 cont9u$ he1 turn+    
himself t[>ds ,,demea1 a pretty curi\s  
circum/ance 9 ! hi/ory ( ! sci5ces4     
,aft] ! union ( philosophy ) ! popul>   
religion1 ^u ! fir/ e/abli%m5t (        
,*ri/ianity1 no?+ 0 m usual1 among all  
religi\s tea*]s1 ?an declamations aga9/ 
reason1 aga9/ ! s5ses1 aga9/ e pr9ciple 
d]iv$ m]ely f human rese>* & inquiry4   
,all ! topics ( ! anci5t academics 7    
adopt$ by ! fa!rs2 & !nce propagat$ =   
sev]al ages 9 e s*ool & pulpit ?r\gh\t  

,*ri/5dom4 ,! ,re=m]s embrac$ ! same    
pr9ciples ( reason+1 or r declamation2 &
 all panegyrics on ! excell5cy ( fai?1 7
 sure to be int]l>d$ ) "s sev]e /rokes (
 satire aga9/ natural reason4 ,a        
celebrat$ prelate ,monsr4 ,huet too1 ( !
 ,romi% communion1 a man ( ! mo/        
ext5sive le>n+1 :o wrote a demon/ration 
( ,*ri/ianity1 has also compos$ a       
treatise1 :i* conta9s all ! cavils ( !  
bolde/ & mo/ det]m9$ ,,pyrrhonism4      
,,locke seems to h be5 ! fir/ ,*ri/ian  
:o v5tur$ op5ly to ass]t1 t fai? 0 no?+ 
b a species ( reason2 t religion 0 only 
a bran* ( philosophy2 & t a *a9 (       
argum5ts1 simil> to t :i* e/abli%$ any  
tru? 9 morals1 politics1 or physics1 0  
always employ$ 9 discov]+ all !         
pr9ciples ( !ology1 natural & reveal$4  
,! ill use :i* ,,bayle & o!r lib]t9es   
made ( ! philosophical scepticism ( !   
fa!rs & fir/ re=m]s1 /ill fur!r         
propagat$ ! judici\s s5tim5t ( ,mr4     
,,locke3 ,& x is n[ 9 a mann] av[$1 by  
all pret5d]s to reason+ & philosophy1 t 

,a!i/ & ,sceptic are almo/ synonym\s4 ,&
 z x is c]ta9 t no man is 9 e>ne/ :5 he 
pr(esses ! latt] pr9ciple1 ,i w\ld fa9  
hope t !re are z few :o s]i\sly ma9ta9 !
 =m]4  ,don't y rememb]1 said ,,philo1 !
 excell5t say+ ( ,,"l ,,bacon on ?is    
head8 ,t a little philosophy1 repli$    
,,clean!s1 makes a man an ,a!i/3 ,a     
great deal conv]ts him to religion4 ,t  
is a v judici\s rem>k too1 said ,,philo4
 ,b :at ,i h 9 my eye is ano!r passage1 
:]e1 hav+ m5tion$ ,,david's fool1 :o    
said 9 8 he>t !re is no ,god1 ?is great 
philosoph] obs]ves1 t ! ,a!i/s n[adays h
 a d\ble %>e ( folly2 = !y are n cont5t$
 to say 9 _! he>ts !re is no ,god1 b !y 
also utt] t impiety ) _! lips1 & are    
!reby guilty ( multipli$ indiscretion & 
imprud5ce4 ,su* p1 ?\gh !y 7 ev] s mu* 9
 e>ne/1 _c1 me?9ks1 be v =midable4  ,b  
?\gh y %\ld rank me 9 ?is class ( fools1
 ,i _c =be> communicat+ a rem>k t occurs
 to me1 f ! hi/ory ( ! religi\s &       
irreligi\s scepticism ) :i* y h ent]ta9$
 u4 ,x appe>s to me1 t !re are /rong    

symptoms ( prie/craft 9 ! :ole progress 
( ?is affair4 ,dur+ ignorant ages1 su* z
 ^? :i* foll[$ ! dissolution ( ! anci5t 
s*ools1 ! prie/s p]ceiv$1 t ,a!ism1     
,deism1 or h]esy ( any k9d1 c\ld only   
proce$ f ! presumptu\s que/ion+ (       
receiv$ op9ions1 & f a belief t human   
reason 0 equal to e ?+4 ,education _h !n
 a mighty influ5ce ov] ! m9ds ( m51 & 0 
almo/ equal 9 =ce to ^? sugge/ions ( !  
s5ses & common und]/&+1 by :i* ! mo/    
det]m9$ sceptic mu/ all[ himself to be  
gov]n$4 ,b at pres5t1 :5 ! influ5ce (   
education is mu* dim9i%$1 & m51 f a m   
op5 comm]ce ( ! _w1 h le>n$ to comp>e ! 
popul> pr9ciples ( diff]5t nations &    
ages1 our sagaci\s div9es h *ang$ _!    
:ole sy/em ( philosophy1 & talk !       
language ( ,,/oics1 ,,platoni/s1 &      
,,p]ipatetics1 n t ( ,,pyrrhonians &    
,,academics4 ,if we di/ru/ human reason1
 we h n[ no o!r pr9ciple to lead u into 
religion4 ,?us1 sceptics 9 "o age1      
dogmati/s 9 ano!r2 :i*ev] sy/em be/     
suits ! purpose ( ^! rev]5d g5tlem51 9  

giv+ !m an asc5dant ov] mank9d1 !y are  
sure to make x _! fav\rite pr9ciple1 &  
e/abli%$ t5et4  ,x is v natural1 said   
,,clean!s1 = m5 to embrace ^? pr9ciples1
 by :i* !y f9d !y c be/ def5d _!        
doctr9es2 nor ne$ we h any rec\rse to   
prie/craft to acc\nt = s reasonable an  
exp$i5t4 ,&1 surely no?+ c af=d a /rong]
 presumption1 t any set ( pr9ciples are 
true1 & ought to be embrac$1 ?an to     
obs]ve t !y t5d to ! confirmation ( true
 religion1 & s]ve to conf\nd ! cavils ( 
,a!i/s1 ,lib]t9es1 & ,free?9k]s ( all   
d5om9ations4     ,,"p #b   ,i mu/ own1  
,,clean!s1 said ,,demea1 t no?+ c m     
surprise me1 ?an ! light 9 :i* y h all  
along put ?is argum5t4 ,by ! :ole t5or (
 y\r disc\rse1 "o w\ld imag9e t y 7     
ma9ta9+ ! ,be+ ( a ,god1 aga9/ ! cavils 
( ,a!i/s & ,infidels2 & 7 necessitat$ to
 become a *ampion = t fundam5tal        
pr9ciple ( all religion4 ,b ?is1 ,i     
hope1 is n by any means a "q among u4   
,no man1 no man at lea/ ( common s5se1  
,i am p]suad$1 ev] ent]ta9$ a s]i\s d\bt

 ) reg>d to a tru? s c]ta9 &            
self-evid5t4 ,! "q is n conc]n+ ! be+1 b
 ! nature ( ,god4 ,?is1 ,i affirm1 f !  
infirmities ( human und]/&+1 to be      
altoge!r incompreh5sible & unkn[n to u4 
,! ess5ce ( t supreme ,m9d1 8           
attributes1 ! mann] ( 8 exi/5ce1 ! v    
nature ( 8 duration2 ^!1 & e p>ticul>   
:i* reg>ds s div9e a ,be+1 are my/]i\s  
to m54 ,f9ite1 weak1 & bl9d creatures1  
we ought to humble ourselves 9 8 augu/  
pres5ce2 &1 consci\s ( our frailties1   
adore 9 sil5ce 8 inf9ite p]fections1 :i*
 eye ha? n se51 e> ha? n he>d1 nei!r ha?
 x ent]$ into ! he>t ( man to conceive4 
,!y are cov]$ 9 a deep cl\d f human     
curiosity4 ,x is pr(an5ess to attempt   
p5etrat+ ?r\gh ^! sacr$ obscurities4 ,&1
 next to ! impiety ( d5y+ 8 exi/5ce1 is 
! tem]ity ( pry+ into 8 nature & ess5ce1
 decrees & attributes4  ,b le/ y %\ld   
?9k t my piety has "h got ! bett] ( my  
philosophy1 ,i %all support my op9ion1  
if x ne$s any support1 by a v great     
au?ority4 ,i might cite all ! div9es1   

almo/1 f ! f\ndation ( ,*ri/ianity1 :o h
 ev] treat$ ( ?is or any o!r !ological  
subject3 ,b ,i %all conf9e myself1 at   
pres5t1 to "o equally celebrat$ = piety 
& philosophy4 ,x is ,fa!r ,,malebran*e1 
:o1 ,i rememb]1 ?us expresses himself   
,re*]*e de la ,v]ite4 ,liv4 #c4 ,*ap4#i4
 ,"o ought n s mu*1 says he1 to call    
,god a _s1 9 ord] to express positively 
:at he is1 z 9 ord] to signify t he is n
 matt]4 ,he is a ,be+ inf9itely p]fect3 
,( ?is we _c d\bt4 ,b 9 ! same mann] z  
we ought n to imag9e1 ev5 suppos+ him   
corporeal1 t he is clo!d ) a human body1
 z ! ,,an?ropomorphites ass]t$1 "u col\r
 t t figure 0 ! mo/ p]fect ( any2 s1    
nei!r ought we to imag9e t ! _s ( ,god  
has human ideas1 or be>s any resemblance
 to our _s1 "u col\r t we "k no?+ m     
p]fect ?an a human m9d4 ,we ought r to  
believe1 t z he compreh5ds ! p]fections 
( matt] )\t be+ mat]ial4444 he          
compreh5ds also ! p]fections ( creat$   
spirits )\t be+ _s1 9 ! mann] we        
conceive _s3 ,t 8 true "n is1 ,he t is2 

or1 9 o!r words1 ,be+ )\t re/riction1   
,all ,be+1 ! ,be+ inf9ite & univ]sal4   
,aft] s great an au?ority1 ,,demea1     
repli$ ,,philo1 z t :i* y h produc$1 & a
 ?\s& m :i* y might produce1 x w\ld     
appe> ridicul\s 9 me to add my s5tim5t1 
or express my approbation ( y\r doctr9e4
 ,b surely1 :]e reasonable m5 treat ^!  
subjects1 ! "q c nev] be conc]n+ ! ,be+1
 b only ! ,nature1 ( ! ,deity4 ,! =m]   
tru?1 z y well obs]ve1 is unque/ionable 
& self-evid5t4 ,no?+ exi/s )\t a cause2 
& ! orig9al cause ( ?is univ]se 7:atev] 
x be7 we call ,god2 & pi\sly ascribe to 
him e species ( p]fection4 ,:oev]       
scruples ?is fundam5tal tru?1 des]ves e 
puni%m5t :i* c be inflict$ among        
philosoph]s1 to wit1 ! greate/ ridicule1
 contempt1 & disapprobation4 ,b z all   
p]fection is entirely relative1 we ought
 nev] to imag9e t we compreh5d !        
attributes ( ?is div9e ,be+1 or to      
suppose t 8 p]fections h any analogy or 
lik5ess to ! p]fections ( a human       
creature4 ,wisdom1 ,?\ght1 ,design1 ,k2 

^! we ju/ly ascribe to him2 because ^!  
words are hon\rable among m51 & we h no 
o!r language or o!r conceptions by :i*  
we c express our adoration ( him4 ,b let
 u bew>e1 le/ we ?9k t our ideas anywise
 correspond to 8 p]fections1 or t 8     
attributes h any resemblance to ^!      
qualities among m54 ,he is inf9itely    
sup]ior to our limit$ view &            
compreh5sion2 & is m ! object ( wor%ip 9
 ! temple1 ?an ( disputation 9 ! s*ools4
  ,9 reality1 ,,clean!s1 cont9u$ he1 !re
 is no ne$ ( hav+ rec\rse to t affect$  
scepticism s displeas+ to y1 9 ord] to  
come at ?is det]m9ation4 ,our ideas rea*
 no fur!r ?an our exp]i5ce4 ,we h no    
exp]i5ce ( div9e attributes & op]ations4
 ,i ne$ n conclude my syllogism4 ,y c   
draw ! inf]5ce y\rself4 ,& x is a       
pleasure to me 7& ,i hope to y too7 t j 
reason+ & s\nd piety "h concur 9 ! same 
conclusion1 & bo? ( !m e/abli% !        
adorably my/]i\s & incompreh5sible      
nature ( ! ,supreme ,be+4  ,n to lose   
any "t 9 circumlocutions1 said          

,,clean!s1 address+ himself to ,,demea1 
mu* less 9 reply+ to ! pi\s declamations
 ( ,,philo2 ,i %all briefly expla9 h[ ,i
 conceive ?is matt]4 ,look r\nd ! _w3   
contemplate ! :ole & e "p ( x3 ,y w f9d 
x to be no?+ b "o great ma*9e1 subdivid$
 into an inf9ite numb] ( less] ma*9es1  
:i* aga9 admit ( subdivisions to a      
degree beyond :at human s5ses &         
faculties c trace & expla94 ,all ^!     
v>i\s ma*9es1 & ev5 _! mo/ m9ute p>ts1  
are adju/$ to ea* o!r ) an accuracy :i* 
ravi%es into admiration all m5 :o h ev] 
contemplat$ !m4 ,! curi\s adapt+ ( means
 to ends1 ?r\gh\t all nature1 resembles 
exactly1 ?\gh x mu* exce$s1 !           
productions ( human contrivance2 ( human
 designs1 ?\ght1 wisdom1 & intellig5ce4 
,s9ce1 !re=e1 ! effects resemble ea*    
o!r1 we are l$ to inf]1 by all ! rules (
 analogy1 t ! causes also resemble2 & t 
! ,au?or ( ,nature is some:at simil> to 
! m9d ( man1 ?\gh possess$ ( mu* l>g]   
faculties1 proportion$ to ! gr&eur ( !  
"w :i* he has execut$4 ,by ?is argum5t a

 po/]iori1 & by ?is argum5t alone1 d we 
prove at once ! exi/5ce ( a ,deity1 & 8 
simil>ity to human m9d & intellig5ce4   
,i %all be s free1 ,,clean!s1 said      
,,demea1 z to tell y1 t f ! beg9n+1 ,i  
c\ld n approve ( y\r conclusion conc]n+ 
! simil>ity ( ! ,deity to m52 /ill less 
c ,i approve ( ! m$iums by :i* y        
endeav\r to e/abli% x4 ,:at6 ,no        
demon/ration ( ! ,be+ ( ,god6 ,no       
ab/ract argum5ts6 ,no pro(s a priori6   
,are ^!1 :i* h hi!rto be5 s mu* insi/$  
on by philosoph]s1 all fallacy1 all     
sophism8 ,c we rea* no fur!r 9 ?is      
subject ?an exp]i5ce & probability8 ,i w
 n say t ?is is betray+ ! cause ( a     
,deity3 ,b surely1 by ?is affect$ c&\r1 
y give advantages to ,a!i/s1 :i* !y nev]
 c\ld obta9 by ! m]e d9t ( argum5t &    
reason+4  ,:at ,i *iefly scruple 9 ?is  
subject1 said ,,philo1 is n s mu* t all 
religi\s argum5ts are by ,,clean!s r$uc$
 to exp]i5ce1 z t !y appe> n to be ev5 !
 mo/ c]ta9 & irrefragable ( t inf]ior   
k9d4 ,t a /one w fall1 t fire w burn1 t 

! e>? has solidity1 we h obs]v$ a ?\s& &
 a ?\s& times2 & :5 any new in/ance (   
?is nature is pres5t$1 we draw )\t      
hesitation ! accu/om$ inf]5ce4 ,! exact 
simil>ity ( ! cases gives u a p]fect    
assurance ( a simil> ev5t2 & a /rong]   
evid5ce is nev] desir$ nor s\ght aft]4  
,b :]ev] y dep>t1 9 ! lea/1 f !         
simil>ity ( ! cases1 y dim9i%           
proportionably ! evid5ce2 & may at la/  
br+ x to a v weak analogy1 :i* is       
confess$ly liable to error & unc]ta9ty4 
,aft] hav+ exp]i5c$ ! circulation ( !   
blood 9 human creatures1 we make no d\bt
 t x takes place 9 ,,titius & ,,maevius4
 ,b f its circulation 9 frogs & fi%es1 x
 is only a presumption1 ?\gh a /rong "o1
 f analogy1 t x takes place 9 m5 & o!r  
animals4 ,! analogical reason+ is mu*   
weak]1 :5 we inf] ! circulation ( ! sap 
9 vegetables f our exp]i5ce t ! blood   
circulates 9 animals2 & ^?1 :o ha/ily   
foll[$ t imp]fect analogy1 are f\nd1 by 
m accurate exp]im5ts1 to h be5 mi/ak54  
,if we see a h\se1 ,,clean!s1 we        

conclude1 ) ! greate/ c]ta9ty1 t x _h an
 ar*itect or build]2 because ?is is     
precisely t species ( effect :i* we h   
exp]i5c$ to proce$ f t species ( cause4 
,b surely y w n affirm1 t ! univ]se be>s
 su* a resemblance to a h\se1 t we c ) !
 same c]ta9ty inf] a simil> cause1 or t 
! analogy is "h entire & p]fect4 ,!     
dissimilitude is s /rik+1 t ! utmo/ y c 
"h pret5d to is a guess1 a conjecture1 a
 presumption conc]n+ a simil> cause2 &  
h[ t pret5sion w be receiv$ 9 ! _w1 ,i  
leave y to consid]4  ,x w\ld surely be v
 ill receiv$1 repli$ ,,clean!s2 & ,i    
%\ld be des]v$ly blam$ & dete/$1 did ,i 
all[1 t ! pro(s ( a ,deity am\nt$ to no 
m ?an a guess or conjecture4 ,b is !    
:ole adju/m5t ( means to ends 9 a h\se &
 9 ! univ]se s slight a resemblance8 ,! 
economy ( f9al causes8 ,! ord]1         
proportion1 & arrangem5t ( e "p8 ,/eps (
 a /air are pla9ly contriv$1 t human    
legs may use !m 9 m\nt+2 & ?is inf]5ce  
is c]ta9 & infallible4 ,human legs are  
also contriv$ = walk+ & m\nt+2 & ?is    

inf]5ce1 ,i all[1 is n altoge!r s c]ta91
 because ( ! dissimil>ity :i* y rem>k2 b
 does x1 !re=e1 des]ve ! "n only (      
presumption or conjecture8  ,good ,god6 
cri$ ,,demea1 int]rupt+ him1 :]e are we8
 ,zeal\s def5d]s ( religion all[1 t !   
pro(s ( a ,deity fall %ort ( p]fect     
evid5ce6 ,& y1 ,,philo1 on ^: assi/ance 
,i dep5d$ 9 prov+ ! adorable my/]i\sness
 ( ! ,div9e ,nature1 d y ass5t to all ^!
 extravagant op9ions ( ,,clean!s8 ,= :at
 o!r "n c ,i give !m8 or1 :y sp>e my    
c5sure1 :5 su* pr9ciples are advanc$1   
support$ by su* an au?ority1 be=e s "y a
 man z ,,pamphilus8  ,y seem n to       
appreh5d1 repli$ ,,philo1 t ,i argue )  
,,clean!s 9 8 own way2 &1 by %[+ him !  
dang]\s consequ5ces ( 8 t5ets1 hope at  
la/ to r$uce him to our op9ion4 ,b :at  
/icks mo/ ) y1 ,i obs]ve1 is !          
repres5tation :i* ,,clean!s has made ( !
 argum5t a po/]iori2 & f9d+ t t argum5t 
is likely to escape y\r hold & vani%    
into air1 y ?9k x s disguis$1 t y c     
sc>cely believe x to be set 9 its true  

light4 ,n[1 h[ev] mu* ,i may diss5t1 9  
o!r respects1 f ! dang]\s pr9ciples (   
,,clean!s1 ,i mu/ all[ t he has fairly  
repres5t$ t argum5t2 & ,i %all endeav\r 
s to /ate ! matt] to y1 t y w ent]ta9 no
 fur!r scruples ) reg>d to x4  ,7 a man 
to ab/ract f e ?+ :i* he kn[s or has    
se51 he w\ld be altoge!r incapable1     
m]ely f 8 own ideas1 to det]m9e :at k9d 
( sc5e ! univ]se mu/ be1 or to give !   
pref]5ce to "o /ate or situation ( ?+s  
above ano!r4 ,= z no?+ :i* he cle>ly    
conceives c\ld be e/eem$ impossible or  
imply+ a contradiction1 e *im]a ( 8     
fancy w\ld be ^u an equal foot+2 nor    
c\ld he assign any j reason :y he adh]es
 to "o idea or sy/em1 & rejects ! o!rs  
:i* are equally possible4  ,aga92 aft]  
he op5s 8 eyes1 & contemplates ! _w z x 
really is1 x w\ld be impossible = him at
 fir/ to assign ! cause ( any "o ev5t1  
mu* less ( ! :ole ( ?+s1 or ( ! univ]se4
 ,he might set 8 fancy a rambl+2 & %e   
might br+ him 9 an inf9ite v>iety (     
reports & repres5tations4 ,^! w\ld all  

be possible2 b be+ all equally possible1
 he w\ld nev] ( himself give a          
satisfactory acc\nt = 8 pref]r+ "o ( !m 
to ! re/4 ,exp]i5ce alone c po9t out to 
him ! true cause ( any ph5om5on4  ,n[1  
accord+ to ?is me?od ( reason+1 ,,demea1
 x foll[s1 7& is1 inde$1 tacitly all[$  
by ,,clean!s himself17 t ord]1          
arrangem5t1 or ! adju/m5t ( f9al causes1
 is n ( itself any pro( ( design2 b only
 s f> z x has be5 exp]i5c$ to proce$ f t
 pr9ciple4 ,= aught we c "k a priori1   
matt] may conta9 ! s\rce or spr+ ( ord] 
orig9ally )9 itself1 z well z m9d does2 
& !re is no m difficulty 9 conceiv+1 t !
 sev]al elem5ts1 f an int]nal unkn[n    
cause1 may fall into ! mo/ exquisite    
arrangem5t1 ?an to conceive t _! ideas1 
9 ! great univ]sal m9d1 f a l int]nal   
unkn[n cause1 fall into t arrangem5t4 ,!
 equal possibility ( bo? ^! suppositions
 is all[$4 ,b1 by exp]i5ce1 we f9d1     
7accord+ to ,,clean!s71 t !re is a      
diff]5ce betwe5 !m4 ,?r[ sev]al pieces (
 /eel toge!r1 )\t %ape or =m2 !y w nev] 

arrange !mselves s z to compose a wat*4 
,/one1 & mort>1 & wood1 )\t an ar*itect1
 nev] erect a h\se4 ,b ! ideas 9 a human
 m9d1 we see1 by an unkn[n1 inexplicable
 economy1 arrange !mselves s z to =m !  
plan ( a wat* or h\se4 ,exp]i5ce1 !re=e1
 proves1 t !re is an orig9al pr9ciple ( 
ord] 9 m9d1 n 9 matt]4 ,f simil> effects
 we inf] simil> causes4 ,! adju/m5t (   
means to ends is alike 9 ! univ]se1 z 9 
a ma*9e ( human contrivance4 ,! causes1 
!re=e1 mu/ be resembl+4  ,i 0 f ! beg9n+
 sc&alis$1 ,i mu/ own1 ) ?is            
resemblance1 :i* is ass]t$1 betwe5 !    
,deity & human creatures2 & mu/ conceive
 x to imply su* a degradation ( !       
,supreme ,be+ z no s\nd ,!i/ c\ld       
endure4 ,) y\r assi/ance1 !re=e1        
,,demea1 ,i %all endeav\r to def5d :at y
 ju/ly call ! adorable my/]i\sness ( !  
,div9e ,nature1 & %all refute ?is       
reason+ ( ,,clean!s1 provid$ he all[s t 
,i h made a fair repres5tation ( x4  ,:5
 ,,clean!s _h ass5t$1 ,,philo1 aft] a   
%ort pause1 proce$$ 9 ! foll[+ mann]4   

,t all inf]5ces1 ,,clean!s1 conc]n+     
fact1 are f\nd$ on exp]i5ce2 & t all    
exp]im5tal reason+s are f\nd$ on !      
supposition t simil> causes prove simil>
 effects1 & simil> effects simil>       
causes2 ,i %all n at pres5t mu* dispute 
) y4 ,b obs]ve1 ,i entreat y1 ) :at     
extreme caution all j reason]s proce$ 9 
! transf]r+ ( exp]im5ts to simil> cases4
 ,unless ! cases be exactly simil>1 !y  
repose no p]fect confid5ce 9 apply+ _!  
pa/ obs]vation to any p>ticul> ph5om5on4
 ,e alt]ation ( circum/ances occasions a
 d\bt conc]n+ ! ev5t2 & x requires new  
exp]im5ts to prove c]ta9ly1 t ! new     
circum/ances are ( no mom5t or          
importance4 ,a *ange 9 bulk1 situation1 
arrangem5t1 age1 disposition ( ! air1 or
 surr\nd+ bodies2 any ( ^! p>ticul>s may
 be att5d$ ) ! mo/ unexpect$            
consequ5ces3 ,& unless ! objects be q   
famili> to u1 x is ! highe/ tem]ity to  
expect ) assurance1 aft] any ( ^!       
*anges1 an ev5t simil> to t :i* be=e    
fell "u our obs]vation4 ,! sl[ &        

delib]ate /eps ( philosoph]s "h1 if any 
:]e1 are di/+ui%$ f ! precipitate m>* ( 
! vulg>1 :o1 hurri$ on by ! smalle/     
similitude1 are incapable ( all         
disc]nm5t or consid]ation4  ,b c y ?9k1 
,,clean!s1 t y\r usual phlegm &         
philosophy h be5 pres]v$ 9 s wide a /ep 
z y h tak51 :5 y comp>$ to ! univ]se    
h\ses1 %ips1 furniture1 ma*9es1 &1 f _! 
simil>ity 9 "s circum/ances1 inf]r$ a   
simil>ity 9 _! causes8 ,?\ght1 design1  
intellig5ce1 su* z we discov] 9 m5 & o!r
 animals1 is no m ?an "o ( ! spr+s &    
pr9ciples ( ! univ]se1 z well z heat or 
cold1 attraction or repulsion1 & a      
hundr$ o!rs1 :i* fall "u daily          
obs]vation4 ,x is an active cause1 by   
:i* "s p>ticul> p>ts ( nature1 we f9d1  
produce alt]ations on o!r p>ts4 ,b c a  
conclusion1 ) any propriety1 be         
transf]r$ f p>ts to ! :ole8 ,does n !   
great disproportion b> all comp>ison &  
inf]5ce8 ,f obs]v+ ! gr[? ( a hair1 c we
 le>n any ?+ conc]n+ ! g5]ation ( a man8
 ,w\ld ! mann] ( a leaf's bl[+1 ev5 ?\gh

 p]fectly kn[n1 af=d u any in/ruction   
conc]n+ ! vegetation ( a tree8  ,b1     
all[+ t we 7 to take ! op]ations ( "o "p
 ( nature ^u ano!r1 = ! f\ndation ( our 
judgem5t conc]n+ ! orig9 ( ! :ole1 7:i* 
nev] c be admitt$17 yet :y select s     
m9ute1 s weak1 s b\nd$ a pr9ciple1 z !  
reason & design ( animals is f\nd to be 
^u ?is planet8 ,:at peculi> privilege   
has ?is little agitation ( ! bra9 :i* we
 call ?\ght1 t we mu/ ?us make x ! model
 ( ! :ole univ]se8 ,our p>tiality 9 our 
own fav\r does inde$ pres5t x on all    
occasions2 b s\nd philosophy ought      
c>efully to gu>d aga9/ s natural an     
illusion4  ,s f> f admitt+1 cont9u$     
,,philo1 t ! op]ations ( a "p c af=d u  
any j conclusion conc]n+ ! orig9 ( !    
:ole1 ,i w n all[ any "o "p to =m a rule
 = ano!r "p1 if ! latt] be v remote f ! 
=m]4 ,is !re any reasonable gr\nd to    
conclude1 t ! inhabitants ( o!r planets 
possess ?\ght1 intellig5ce1 reason1 or  
any ?+ simil> to ^! faculties 9 m58 ,:5 
nature has s extremely div]sifi$ h]     

mann] ( op]ation 9 ?is small globe1 c we
 imag9e t %e incessantly copies h]self  
?r\gh\t s imm5se a univ]se8 ,& if ?\ght1
 z we may well suppose1 be conf9$ m]ely 
to ?is n>r[ corn]1 & has ev5 !re s      
limit$ a sph]e ( action1 ) :at propriety
 c we assign x = ! orig9al cause ( all  
?+s8 ,! n>r[ views ( a peasant1 :o makes
 8 dome/ic economy ! rule = ! gov]nm5t (
 k+doms1 is 9 comp>ison a p>donable     
sophism4  ,b 7 we ev] s mu* assur$1 t a 
?\ght & reason1 resembl+ ! human1 7 to  
be f\nd ?r\gh\t ! :ole univ]se1 & 7 its 
activity else:]e va/ly great] & m comm&+
 ?an x appe>s 9 ?is globe2 yet ,i _c    
see1 :y ! op]ations ( a _w con/itut$1   
arrang$1 adju/$1 c ) any propriety be   
ext5d$ to a _w :i* is 9 its embryo /ate1
 & is advanc+ t[>ds t con/itution &     
arrangem5t4 ,by obs]vation1 we "k       
some:at ( ! economy1 action1 & n\ri%m5t 
( a f9i%$ animal2 b we mu/ transf] )    
great caution t obs]vation to ! gr[? ( a
 foetus 9 ! womb1 & /ill m to ! =mation 
( an animalcule 9 ! lo9s ( its male     

p>5t4 ,nature1 we f9d1 ev5 f our limit$ 
exp]i5ce1 possesses an inf9ite numb] (  
spr+s & pr9ciples1 :i* incessantly      
discov] !mselves on e *ange ( h]        
position & situation4 ,& :at new &      
unkn[n pr9ciples w\ld actuate h] 9 s new
 & unkn[n a situation z t ( ! =mation ( 
a univ]se1 we _c1 )\t ! utmo/ tem]ity1  
pret5d to det]m9e4  ,a v small "p ( ?is 
great sy/em1 dur+ a v %ort "t1 is v     
imp]fectly discov]$ to u2 & d we !nce   
pron\nce decisively conc]n+ ! orig9 ( ! 
:ole8  ,admirable conclusion6 ,/one1    
wood1 brick1 iron1 brass1 h n1 at ?is   
"t1 9 ?is m9ute globe ( e>?1 an ord] or 
arrangem5t )\t human art & contrivance2 
!re=e ! univ]se c\ld n orig9ally atta9  
its ord] & arrangem5t1 )\t some?+ simil>
 to human art4 ,b is a "p ( nature a    
rule = ano!r "p v wide ( ! =m]8 ,is x a 
rule = ! :ole8 ,is a v small "p a rule =
 ! univ]se8 ,is nature 9 "o situation1 a
 c]ta9 rule = nature 9 ano!r situation  
va/ly diff]5t f ! =m]8  ,& c y blame me1
 ,,clean!s1 if ,i "h imitate ! prud5t   

res]ve ( ,,simonides1 :o1 accord+ to !  
not$ /ory1 be+ ask$ by ,,hi]o1 ,:at ,god
 08 desir$ a day to ?9k ( x1 & !n two   
days m2 & aft] t mann] cont9ually       
prolong$ ! t]m1 )\t ev] br++ 9 8        
def9ition or description8 ,c\ld y ev5   
blame me1 if ,i _h answ]$ at fir/1 t ,i 
did n "k1 & 0 s5sible t ?is subject lay 
va/ly beyond ! rea* ( my faculties8 ,y  
might cry out sceptic & raill]1 z mu* z 
y pleas$3 b hav+ f\nd1 9 s _m o!r       
subjects mu* m famili>1 ! imp]fections &
 ev5 contradictions ( human reason1 ,i  
nev] %\ld expect any success f its      
feeble conjectures1 9 a subject s       
sublime1 & s remote f ! sph]e ( our     
obs]vation4 ,:5 two species ( objects h 
always be5 obs]v$ to be conjo9$ toge!r1 
,i c inf]1 by cu/om1 ! exi/5ce ( "o     
:]ev] ,i see ! exi/5ce ( ! o!r2 & ?is ,i
 call an argum5t f exp]i5ce4 ,b h[ ?is  
argum5t c h place1 :]e ! objects1 z 9 ! 
pres5t case1 are s+le1 individual1 )\t  
p>allel1 or specific resemblance1 may be
 difficult to expla94 ,& w any man tell 

me ) a s]i\s c\nt5ance1 t an ord]ly     
univ]se mu/ arise f "s ?\ght & art l !  
human1 because we h exp]i5ce ( x8 ,to   
asc]ta9 ?is reason+1 x 7 requisite t we 
_h exp]i5ce ( ! orig9 ( worlds2 & x is n
 suffici5t1 surely1 t we h se5 %ips &   
cities arise f human art &              
contrivance444  ,,philo 0 proce$+ 9 ?is 
vehem5t mann]1 some:at betwe5 je/ &     
e>ne/1 z x appe>$ to me1 :5 he obs]v$ "s
 signs ( impati5ce 9 ,,clean!s1 & !n    
imm$iately /opp$ %ort4 ,:at ,i _h to    
sugge/1 said ,,clean!s1 is only t y w\ld
 n abuse t]ms1 or make use ( popul>     
expressions to subv]t philosophical     
reason+s4 ,y "k1 t ! vulg> (t5 di/+ui%  
reason f exp]i5ce1 ev5 :]e ! "q relates 
only to matt] ( fact & exi/5ce2 ?\gh x  
is f\nd1 :]e t reason is prop]ly        
analys$1 t x is no?+ b a species (      
exp]i5ce4 ,to prove by exp]i5ce ! orig9 
( ! univ]se f m9d1 is n m contr>y to    
common spee*1 ?an to prove ! motion ( ! 
e>? f ! same pr9ciple4 ,& a cavill]     
might raise all ! same objections to !  

,cop]nican sy/em1 :i* y h urg$ aga9/ my 
reason+s4 ,h y o!r e>?s1 might he say1  
:i* y h se5 to move8 ,h444  ,yes6 cri$  
,,philo1 int]rupt+ him1 we h o!r e>?s4  
,is n ! moon ano!r e>?1 :i* we see to   
turn r\nd its c5tre8 ,is n ,v5us ano!r  
e>?1 :]e we obs]ve ! same ph5om5on8 ,are
 n ! revolutions ( ! sun also a         
confirmation1 f analogy1 ( ! same !ory8 
,all ! planets1 are !y n e>?s1 :i*      
revolve ab\t ! sun8 ,are n ! satellites 
moons1 :i* move r\nd ,jupit] & ,saturn1 
& along ) ^! prim>y planets r\nd ! sun8 
,^! analogies & resemblances1 ) o!rs :i*
 ,i h n m5tion$1 are ! sole pro(s ( !   
,,cop]nican sy/em2 & to y x belongs to  
consid]1 :e!r y h any analogies ( ! same
 k9d to support y\r !ory4  ,9 reality1  
,,clean!s1 cont9u$ he1 ! mod]n sy/em (  
a/ronomy is n[ s mu* receiv$ by all     
inquir]s1 & has become s ess5tial a "p  
ev5 ( our e>lie/ education1 t we are n  
commonly v scrupul\s 9 exam9+ ! reasons 
^u :i* x is f\nd$4 ,x is n[ become a    
matt] ( m]e curiosity to /udy ! fir/    

writ]s on t subject1 :o _h ! full =ce ( 
prejudice to enc\nt]1 & 7 oblig$ to turn
 _! argum5ts on e side 9 ord] to r5d] !m
 popul> & conv9c+4 ,b if we p]use       
,,galileo's fam\s ,dialogues conc]n+ !  
sy/em ( ! _w1 we %all f9d1 t t great    
g5ius1 "o ( ! sublime/ t ev] exi/$1 fir/
 b5t all 8 endeav\rs to prove1 t !re 0  
no f\ndation = ! di/9ction commonly made
 betwe5 elem5t>y & cele/ial sub/ances4  
,! s*ools1 proce$+ f ! illusions ( s5se1
 _h c>ri$ ?is di/9ction v f>2 & _h      
e/abli%$ ! latt] sub/ances to be        
+5]able1 incorruptible1 unalt]able1     
impassable2 & _h assign$ all ! opposite 
qualities to ! =m]4 ,b ,,galileo1 beg9n+
 ) ! moon1 prov$ its simil>ity 9 e      
p>ticul> to ! e>?2 its convex figure1   
its natural d>kness :5 n illum9at$1 its 
d5sity1 its di/9ction into solid &      
liquid1 ! v>iations ( its phases1 !     
mutual illum9ations ( ! e>? & moon1 _!  
mutual eclipses1 ! inequalities ( ! lun>
 surface1 c4 ,aft] _m in/ances ( ?is    
k9d1 ) reg>d to all ! planets1 m5 pla9ly

 saw t ^! bodies became prop] objects ( 
exp]i5ce2 & t ! simil>ity ( _! nature   
enabl$ u to ext5d ! same argum5ts &     
ph5om5a f "o to ! o!r4  ,9 ?is cauti\s  
proce$+ ( ! a/ronom]s1 y may read y\r   
own condemnation1 ,,clean!s2 or r may   
see1 t ! subject 9 :i* y are engag$     
exce$s all human reason & inquiry4 ,c y 
pret5d to %[ any su* simil>ity betwe5 ! 
fabric ( a h\se1 & ! g5]ation ( a       
univ]se8 ,h y ev] se5 nature 9 any su*  
situation z resembles ! fir/ arrangem5t 
( ! elem5ts8 ,h worlds ev] be5 =m$ "u   
y\r eye2 & h y _h leisure to obs]ve !   
:ole progress ( ! ph5om5on1 f ! fir/    
appe>ance ( ord] to its f9al            
consummation8 ,if y h1 !n cite y\r      
exp]i5ce1 & deliv] y\r !ory4     ,,"p #c
   ,h[ ! mo/ absurd argum5t1 repli$     
,,clean!s1 9 ! h&s ( a man ( +5uity &   
inv5tion1 may acquire an air (          
probability6 ,are y n aw>e1 ,,philo1 t x
 became necess>y = ,cop]nicus & 8 fir/  
disciples to prove ! simil>ity ( !      
t]re/rial & cele/ial matt]2 because     

sev]al philosoph]s1 bl9d$ by old sy/ems1
 & support$ by "s s5sible appe>ances1 _h
 d5i$ ?is simil>ity8 b t x is by no     
means necess>y1 t ,!i/s %\ld prove !    
simil>ity ( ! works ( ,nature to ^? (   
,art2 because ?is simil>ity is          
self-evid5t & und5iable8 ,! same matt]1 
a l =m2 :at m is requisite to %[ an     
analogy betwe5 _! causes1 & to asc]ta9 !
 orig9 ( all ?+s f a div9e purpose &    
int5tion8 ,y\r objections1 ,i mu/ freely
 tell y1 are no bett] ?an ! ab/ruse     
cavils ( ^? philosoph]s :o d5i$ motion2 
& ought to be refut$ 9 ! same mann]1 by 
illu/rations1 examples1 & in/ances1 r   
?an by s]i\s argum5t & philosophy4      
,suppose1 !re=e1 t an articulate voice 7
 he>d 9 ! cl\ds1 mu* l\d] & m melodi\s  
?an any :i* human art c\ld ev] rea*3    
,suppose1 t ?is voice 7 ext5d$ 9 ! same 
in/ant ov] all nations1 & spoke to ea*  
nation 9 its own language & dialect3    
,suppose1 t ! words deliv]$ n only      
conta9 a j s5se & mean+1 b convey "s    
in/ruction altoge!r wor?y ( a b5evol5t  

,be+1 sup]ior to mank9d3 ,c\ld y        
possibly hesitate a mom5t conc]n+ !     
cause ( ?is voice8 & mu/ y n in/antly   
ascribe x to "s design or purpose8 ,yet 
,i _c see b all ! same objections 7if !y
 m]it t appellation7 :i* lie aga9/ !    
sy/em ( ,!ism1 may also be produc$ aga9/
 ?is inf]5ce4  ,might y n say1 t all    
conclusions conc]n+ fact 7 f\nd$ on     
exp]i5ce3 t :5 we he> an articulate     
voice 9 ! d>k1 & !nce inf] a man1 x is  
only ! resemblance ( ! effects :i* leads
 u to conclude t !re is a l resemblance 
9 ! cause3 b t ?is extraord9>y voice1 by
 its l\dness1 ext5t1 & flexibility to   
all languages1 be>s s little analogy to 
any human voice1 t we h no reason to    
suppose any analogy 9 _! causes3 &      
consequ5tly1 t a rational1 wise1 coh]5t 
spee* proce$$1 y "k n :5ce1 f "s        
accid5tal :i/l+ ( ! w9ds1 n f any div9e 
reason or intellig5ce8 ,y see cle>ly y\r
 own objections 9 ^! cavils1 & ,i hope  
too y see cle>ly1 t !y _c possibly h m  
=ce 9 ! "o case ?an 9 ! o!r4  ,b to br+ 

! case /ill ne>] ! pres5t "o ( !        
univ]se1 ,i %all make two suppositions1 
:i* imply n any absurdity or            
impossibility4 ,suppose t !re is a      
natural1 univ]sal1 inv>iable language1  
common to e individual ( human race2 & t
 books are natural productions1 :i*     
p]petuate !mselves 9 ! same mann] )     
animals & vegetables1 by desc5t &       
propagation4 ,sev]al expressions ( our  
passions conta9 a univ]sal language3 all
 brute animals h a natural spee*1 :i*1  
h[ev] limit$1 is v intelligible to _!   
own species4 ,& z !re are inf9itely few]
 p>ts & less contrivance 9 ! f9e/       
composition ( eloqu5ce1 ?an 9 ! co>se/  
organis$ body1 ! propagation ( an ,iliad
 or ,a5eid is an easi] supposition ?an t
 ( any plant or animal4  ,suppose1      
!re=e1 t y ent] into y\r libr>y1 ?us    
peopl$ by natural volumes1 conta9+ ! mo/
 ref9$ reason & mo/ exquisite beauty2   
c\ld y possibly op5 "o ( !m1 & d\bt1 t  
its orig9al cause bore ! /ronge/ analogy
 to m9d & intellig5ce8 ,:5 x reasons &  

disc\rses2 :5 x expo/ulates1 argues1 &  
en=ces its views & topics2 :5 x applies 
sometimes to ! pure intellect1 sometimes
 to ! affections2 :5 x collects1        
disposes1 & adorns e consid]ation suit$ 
to ! subject2 c\ld y p]si/ 9 ass]t+1 t  
all ?is1 at ! bottom1 _h really no      
mean+2 & t ! fir/ =mation ( ?is volume 9
 ! lo9s ( its orig9al p>5t proce$$ n f  
?\ght & design8 ,y\r ob/9acy1 ,i "k1    
rea*es n t degree ( firmness3 ev5 y\r   
sceptical play & wantonness w\ld be     
aba%$ at s gl>+ an absurdity4  ,b if !re
 be any diff]5ce1 ,,philo1 betwe5 ?is   
suppos$ case & ! real "o ( ! univ]se1 x 
is all to ! advantage ( ! latt]4 ,!     
anatomy ( an animal af=ds _m /rong]     
in/ances ( design ?an ! p]usal ( ,,livy 
or ,,tacitus2 & any objection :i* y />t 
9 ! =m] case1 by c>ry+ me back to s     
unusual & extraord9>y a sc5e z ! fir/   
=mation ( worlds1 ! same objection has  
place on ! supposition ( our vegetat+   
libr>y4 ,*oose1 !n1 y\r p>ty1 ,,philo1  
)\t ambiguity or evasion2 ass]t ei!r t a

 rational volume is no pro( ( a rational
 cause1 or admit ( a simil> cause to all
 ! works ( nature4  ,let me "h obs]ve   
too1 cont9u$ ,,clean!s1 t ?is religi\s  
argum5t1 in/ead ( be+ weak5$ by t       
scepticism s mu* affect$ by y1 r        
acquires =ce f x1 & becomes m firm &    
undisput$4 ,to exclude all argum5t or   
reason+ ( e k9d1 is ei!r affectation or 
madness4 ,! decl>$ pr(ession ( e        
reasonable sceptic is only to reject    
ab/ruse1 remote1 & ref9$ argum5ts2 to   
adh]e to common s5se & ! pla9 in/9cts ( 
nature2 & to ass5t1 :]ev] any reasons   
/rike him ) s full a =ce t he _c1 )\t ! 
greate/ viol5ce1 prev5t x4 ,n[ !        
argum5ts = ,natural ,religion are pla9ly
 ( ?is k9d2 & no?+ b ! mo/ p]v]se1      
ob/9ate metaphysics c reject !m4        
,consid]1 anatomise ! eye2 survey its   
/ructure & contrivance2 & tell me1 f y\r
 own feel+1 if ! idea ( a contriv] does 
n imm$iately fl[ 9 ^u y ) a =ce l t (   
s5sation4 ,! mo/ obvi\s conclusion1     
surely1 is 9 fav\r ( design2 & x        

requires "t1 reflection1 & /udy1 to     
summon up ^? frivol\s1 ?\gh ab/ruse     
objections1 :i* c support ,infidelity4  
,:o c behold ! male & female ( ea*      
species1 ! correspond5ce ( _! p>ts &    
in/9cts1 _! passions1 & :ole c\rse (    
life be=e & aft] g5]ation1 b mu/ be     
s5sible1 t ! propagation ( ! species is 
int5d$ by ,nature8 ,millions & millions 
( su* in/ances pres5t !mselves ?r\gh e  
"p ( ! univ]se2 & no language c convey a
 m intelligible irresi/ible mean+1 ?an !
 curi\s adju/m5t ( f9al causes4 ,to :at 
degree1 !re=e1 ( bl9d dogmatism mu/ "o h
 atta9$1 to reject su* natural & su*    
conv9c+ argum5ts8  ,"s beauties 9 writ+ 
we may meet )1 :i* seem contr>y to      
rules1 & :i* ga9 ! affections1 & animate
 ! imag9ation1 9 opposition to all !    
precepts ( criticism1 & to ! au?ority ( 
! e/abli%$ ma/]s ( art4 ,& if ! argum5t 
= ,!ism be1 z y pret5d1 contradictory to
 ! pr9ciples ( logic2 its univ]sal1 its 
irresi/ible influ5ce proves cle>ly1 t   
!re may be argum5ts ( a l irregul>      

nature4 ,:atev] cavils may be urg$1 an  
ord]ly _w1 z well z a coh]5t1 articulate
 spee*1 w /ill be receiv$ z an          
inconte/able pro( ( design & int5tion4  
,x sometimes happ5s1 ,i own1 t !        
religi\s argum5ts h n _! due influ5ce on
 an ignorant savage & b>b>ian2 n because
 !y are obscure & difficult1 b because  
he nev] asks himself any "q ) reg>d to  
!m4 ,:5ce arises ! curi\s /ructure ( an 
animal8 ,f ! copulation ( its p>5ts4 ,& 
^! :5ce8 ,f _! p>5ts8 ,a few removes set
 ! objects at su* a di/ance1 t to him !y
 are lo/ 9 d>kness & confusion2 nor is  
he actuat$ by any curiosity to trace !m 
fur!r4 ,b ?is is nei!r dogmatism nor    
scepticism1 b /upidity3 a /ate ( m9d v  
diff]5t f y\r sift+1 inquisitive        
disposition1 my +5i\s fri5d4 ,y c trace 
causes f effects3 ,y c comp>e ! mo/     
di/ant & remote objects3 & y\r greate/  
errors proce$ n f b>r5ness ( ?\ght &    
inv5tion1 b f too luxuriant a f]tility1 
:i* suppresses y\r natural good s5se1 by
 a pr(usion ( unnecess>y scruples &     

objections4  ,"h ,i c\ld obs]ve1        
,,h]mippus1 t ,,philo 0 a little        
emb>rass$ & conf\nd$3 ,b :ile he        
hesitat$ 9 deliv]+ an answ]1 luckily =  
him1 ,,demea broke 9 ^u ! disc\rse1 &   
sav$ 8 c\nt5ance4  ,y\r in/ance1        
,,clean!s1 said he1 drawn f books &     
language1 be+ famili>1 has1 ,i confess1 
s mu* m =ce on t acc\nt3 b is !re n "s  
dang] too 9 ?is v circum/ance2 & may x n
 r5d] u presumptu\s1 by mak+ u imag9e we
 compreh5d ! ,deity1 & h "s adequate    
idea ( 8 nature & attributes8 ,:5 ,i    
read a volume1 ,i ent] into ! m9d &     
int5tion ( ! au?or3 ,i become him1 9 a  
mann]1 = ! in/ant2 & h an imm$iate feel+
 & conception ( ^? ideas :i* revolv$ 9 8
 imag9ation :ile employ$ 9 t            
composition4 ,b s ne> an approa* we nev]
 surely c make to ! ,deity4 ,8 ways are 
n our ways4 ,8 attributes are p]fect1 b 
incompreh5sible4 ,& ?is volume ( nature 
conta9s a great & inexplicable riddle1 m
 ?an any intelligible disc\rse or       
reason+4  ,! anci5t ,,platoni/s1 y "k1 7

 ! mo/ religi\s & dev\t ( all ! ,pagan  
philosoph]s2 yet _m ( !m1 p>ticul>ly    
,,plot9us1 expressly decl>e1 t intellect
 or und]/&+ is n to be ascrib$ to !     
,deity2 & t our mo/ p]fect wor%ip ( him 
consi/s1 n 9 acts ( v5]ation1 rev]5ce1  
gratitude1 or love2 b 9 a c]ta9 my/]i\s 
self-annihilation1 or total ext9ction ( 
all our faculties4 ,^! ideas are1       
p]haps1 too f> /ret*$2 b /ill x mu/ be  
ackn[l$g$1 t1 by repres5t+ ! ,deity z s 
intelligible & compreh5sible1 & s simil>
 to a human m9d1 we are guilty ( !      
grosse/ & mo/ n>r[ p>tiality1 & make    
ourselves ! model ( ! :ole univ]se4     
,all ! s5tim5ts ( ! human m9d1          
gratitude1 res5tm5t1 love1 fri5d%ip1    
approbation1 blame1 pity1 emulation1    
envy1 h a pla9 ref]5ce to ! /ate &      
situation ( man1 & are calculat$ =      
pres]v+ ! exi/5ce & promot+ ! activity (
 su* a be+ 9 su* circum/ances4 ,x seems1
 !re=e1 unreasonable to transf] su*     
s5tim5ts to a supreme exi/5ce1 or to    
suppose him actuat$ by !m2 & ! ph5om5a  

besides ( ! univ]se w n support u 9 su* 
a !ory4 ,all our ideas1 d]iv$ f ! s5ses1
 are confess$ly false & illusive2 & _c  
!re=e be suppos$ to h place 9 a supreme 
intellig5ce3 ,& z ! ideas ( int]nal     
s5tim5t1 add$ to ^? ( ! ext]nal s5ses1  
compose ! :ole furniture ( human        
und]/&+1 we may conclude1 t none ( !    
mat]ials ( ?\ght are 9 any respect      
simil> 9 ! human & 9 ! div9e            
intellig5ce4 ,n[1 z to ! mann] ( ?9k+2  
h[ c we make any comp>ison betwe5 !m1 or
 suppose !m any wise resembl+8 ,our     
?\ght is fluctuat+1 unc]ta91 fleet+1    
successive1 & comp\nd$2 & 7 we to remove
 ^! circum/ances1 we absolutely         
annihilate its ess5ce1 & x w\ld 9 su* a 
case be an abuse ( t]ms to apply to x ! 
"n ( ?\ght or reason4 ,at lea/ if x     
appe> m pi\s & respectful 7z x really   
is7 /ill to reta9 ^! t]ms1 :5 we m5tion 
! ,supreme ,be+1 we ought to ackn[l$ge1 
t _! mean+1 9 t case1 is totally        
incompreh5sible2 & t ! infirmities ( our
 nature d n p]mit u to rea* any ideas   

:i* 9 ! lea/ correspond to ! ineffable  
sublimity ( ! ,div9e attributes4        
,,"p #d   ,x seems /range to me1 said   
,,clean!s1 t y1 ,,demea1 :o are s s9c]e 
9 ! cause ( religion1 %\ld /ill ma9ta9 !
 my/]i\s1 incompreh5sible nature ( !    
,deity1 & %\ld insi/ s /r5u\sly t he has
 no mann] ( lik5ess or resemblance to   
human creatures4 ,! ,deity1 ,i c readily
 all[1 possesses _m p[]s & attributes ( 
:i* we c h no compreh5sion3 ,b if our   
ideas1 s f> z !y g1 be n j1 & adequate1 
& correspond5t to 8 real nature1 ,i "k n
 :at !re is 9 ?is subject wor? insi/+   
on4 ,is ! "n1 )\t any mean+1 ( su*      
mighty importance8 ,or h[ d y my/ics1 :o
 ma9ta9 ! absolute incompreh5sibility ( 
! ,deity1 diff] f ,sceptics or ,a!i/s1  
:o ass]t1 t ! fir/ cause ( all is unkn[n
 & un9telligible8 ,_! tem]ity mu/ be v  
great1 if1 aft] reject+ ! production by 
a m9d1 ,i mean a m9d resembl+ ! human1  
7= ,i "k ( no o!r17 !y pret5d to assign1
 ) c]ta9ty1 any o!r specific            
intelligible cause3 ,& _! consci5ce mu/ 

be v scrupul\s inde$1 if !y refuse to   
call ! univ]sal unkn[n cause a ,god or  
,deity2 & to be/[ on him z _m sublime   
eulogies & unmean+ epi!ts z y %all      
please to require ( !m4  ,:o c\ld       
imag9e1 repli$ ,,demea1 t ,,clean!s1 !  
calm philosophical ,,clean!s1 w\ld      
attempt to refute 8 antagoni/s by affix+
 a nickname to !m2 &1 l ! common bigots 
& inquisitors ( ! age1 h rec\rse to     
invective & declamation1 in/ead (       
reason+8 ,or does he n p]ceive1 t ^!    
topics are easily retort$1 & t          
,an?ropomorphite is an appellation z    
invidi\s1 & implies z dang]\s           
consequ5ces1 z ! epi!t ( ,my/ic1 ) :i*  
he has hon\r$ u8 ,9 reality1 ,,clean!s1 
consid] :at x is y ass]t :5 y repres5t !
 ,deity z simil> to a human m9d &       
und]/&+4 ,:at is ! s\l ( man8 ,a        
composition ( v>i\s faculties1 passions1
 s5tim5ts1 ideas2 unit$1 inde$1 into "o 
self or p]son1 b /ill di/9ct f ea* o!r4 
,:5 x reasons1 ! ideas1 :i* are ! p>ts (
 its disc\rse1 arrange !mselves 9 a     

c]ta9 =m or ord]2 :i* is n pres]v$      
entire = a mom5t1 b imm$iately gives    
place to ano!r arrangem5t4 ,new op9ions1
 new passions1 new affections1 new      
feel+s arise1 :i* cont9ually div]sify ! 
m5tal sc5e1 & produce 9 x ! greate/     
v>iety & mo/ rapid succession imag9able4
 ,h[ is ?is compatible ) t p]fect       
immutability & simplicity :i* all true  
,!i/s ascribe to ! ,deity8 ,by ! same   
act1 say !y1 he sees pa/1 pres5t1 &     
future3 ,8 love & hatr$1 8 m]cy &       
ju/ice1 are "o individual op]ation3 ,he 
is entire 9 e po9t ( space2 & complete 9
 e in/ant ( duration4 ,no succession1 no
 *ange1 no acquisition1 no dim9ution4   
,:at he is implies n 9 x any %ad[ (     
di/9ction or div]sity4 ,& :at he is ?is 
mom5t he ev] has be51 & ev] w be1 )\t   
any new judgem5t1 s5tim5t1 or op]ation4 
,he /&s fix$ 9 "o simple1 p]fect /ate3  
nor c y ev] say1 ) any propriety1 t ?is 
act ( 8 is diff]5t f t o!r2 or t ?is    
judgem5t or idea has be5 lately =m$1 & w
 give place1 by succession1 to any      

diff]5t judgem5t or idea4  ,i c readily 
all[1 said ,,clean!s1 t ^? :o ma9ta9 !  
p]fect simplicity ( ! ,supreme ,be+1 to 
! ext5t 9 :i* y h expla9$ x1 are        
complete ,my/ics1 & *>geable ) all !    
consequ5ces :i* ,i h drawn f _! op9ion4 
,!y are1 9 a ^w1 ,a!i/s1 )\t kn[+ x4 ,= 
?\gh x be all[$1 t ! ,deity possesses   
attributes ( :i* we h no compreh5sion1  
yet ought we nev] to ascribe to him any 
attributes :i* are absolutely           
incompatible ) t intellig5t nature      
ess5tial to him4 ,a m9d1 ^: acts &      
s5tim5ts & ideas are n di/9ct &         
successive2 "o1 t is :olly simple1 &    
totally immutable1 is a m9d :i* has no  
?\ght1 no reason1 no w1 no s5tim5t1 no  
love1 no hatr$2 or1 9 a ^w1 is no m9d at
 all4 ,x is an abuse ( t]ms to give x t 
appellation2 & we may z well speak (    
limit$ ext5sion )\t figure1 or ( numb]  
)\t composition4  ,pray consid]1 said   
,,philo1 :om y are at pres5t inveigh+   
aga9/4 ,y are hon\r+ ) ! appellation (  
,a!i/ all ! s\nd1 or?odox div9es1 almo/1

 :o h treat$ ( ?is subject2 & y w at la/
 be1 y\rself1 f\nd1 accord+ to y\r      
reckon+1 ! only s\nd ,!i/ 9 ! _w4 ,b if 
idolat]s be ,a!i/s1 z1 ,i ?9k1 may ju/ly
 be ass]t$1 & ,*ri/ian ,!ologians !     
same1 :at becomes ( ! argum5t1 s mu*    
celebrat$1 d]iv$ f ! univ]sal cons5t (  
mank9d8  ,b because ,i "k y are n mu*   
sway$ by names & au?orities1 ,i %all    
endeav\r to %[ y1 a little m di/9ctly1 !
 inconv5i5ces ( t ,an?ropomorphism1 :i* 
y h embrac$2 & %all prove1 t !re is no  
gr\nd to suppose a plan ( ! _w to be =m$
 9 ! ,div9e m9d1 consi/+ ( di/9ct ideas1
 diff]5tly arrang$1 9 ! same mann] z an 
ar*itect =ms 9 8 head ! plan ( a h\se   
:i* he int5ds to execute4  ,x is n easy1
 ,i own1 to see :at is ga9$ by ?is      
supposition1 :e!r we judge ( ! matt] by 
,reason or by ,exp]i5ce4 ,we are /ill   
oblig$ to m\nt high]1 9 ord] to f9d !   
cause ( ?is cause1 :i* y _h assign$ z   
satisfactory & conclusive4  ,if ,reason 
7,i mean ab/ract reason1 d]iv$ f        
inquiries a priori7 be n alike mute )   

reg>d to all que/ions conc]n+ cause &   
effect1 ?is s5t5ce at lea/ x w v5ture to
 pron\nce1 ,t a m5tal _w1 or univ]se (  
ideas1 requires a cause z mu*1 z does a 
mat]ial _w1 or univ]se ( objects2 &1 if 
simil> 9 its arrangem5t1 mu/ require a  
simil> cause4 ,= :at is !re 9 ?is       
subject1 :i* %\ld occasion a diff]5t    
conclusion or inf]5ce8 ,9 an ab/ract    
view1 !y are entirely alike2 & no       
difficulty att5ds ! "o supposition1 :i* 
is n common to bo? ( !m4  ,aga91 :5 we w
 ne$s =ce ,exp]i5ce to pron\nce "s      
s5t5ce1 ev5 on ^! subjects :i* lie      
beyond h] sph]e1 nei!r c %e p]ceive any 
mat]ial diff]5ce 9 ?is p>ticul>1 betwe5 
^! two k9ds ( worlds2 b f9ds !m to be   
gov]n$ by simil> pr9ciples1 & to dep5d  
^u an equal v>iety ( causes 9 _!        
op]ations4 ,we h specim5s 9 m9iature (  
bo? ( !m4 ,our own m9d resembles ! "o2 a
 vegetable or animal body ! o!r4 ,let   
exp]i5ce1 !re=e1 judge f ^! samples4    
,no?+ seems m delicate1 ) reg>d to its  
causes1 ?an ?\ght2 & z ^! causes nev]   

op]ate 9 two p]sons aft] ! same mann]1 s
 we nev] f9d two p]sons :o ?9k exactly  
alike4 ,nor inde$ does ! same p]son ?9k 
exactly alike at any two diff]5t p]iods 
( "t4 ,a diff]5ce ( age1 ( ! disposition
 ( 8 body1 ( wea!r1 ( food1 ( company1 (
 books1 ( passions2 any ( ^! p>ticul>s1 
or o!rs m m9ute1 are suffici5t to alt] !
 curi\s ma*9]y ( ?\ght1 & communicate to
 x v diff]5t movem5ts & op]ations4 ,z f>
 z we c judge1 vegetables & animal      
bodies are n m delicate 9 _! motions1   
nor dep5d ^u a great] v>iety or m curi\s
 adju/m5t ( spr+s & pr9ciples4  ,h[1    
!re=e1 %all we satisfy ourselves conc]n+
 ! cause ( t ,be+ :om y suppose ! ,au?or
 ( ,nature1 or1 accord+ to y\r sy/em (  
,an?ropomorphism1 ! ideal _w1 into :i* y
 trace ! mat]ial8 ,h we n ! same reason 
to trace t ideal _w into ano!r ideal _w1
 or new intellig5t pr9ciple8 ,b if we   
/op1 & g no fur!r2 :y g s f>8 :y n /op  
at ! mat]ial _w8 ,h[ c we satisfy       
ourselves )\t go+ on 9 inf9itum8 ,&1    
aft] all1 :at satisfaction is !re 9 t   

inf9ite progression8 ,let u rememb] !   
/ory ( ! ,indian philosoph] & 8         
elephant4 ,x 0 nev] m applicable ?an to 
! pres5t subject4 ,if ! mat]ial _w re/s 
^u a simil> ideal _w1 ?is ideal _w mu/  
re/ ^u "s o!r2 & s on1 )\t end4 ,x 7    
bett]1 !re=e1 nev] to look beyond !     
pres5t mat]ial _w4 ,by suppos+ x to     
conta9 ! pr9ciple ( its ord] )9 itself1 
we really ass]t x to be ,god2 & ! soon] 
we arrive at t ,div9e ,be+1 s mu* !     
bett]4 ,:5 y g "o /ep beyond ! mundane  
sy/em1 y only excite an inquisitive     
hum\r :i* x is impossible ev] to        
satisfy4  ,to say1 t ! diff]5t ideas :i*
 compose ! reason ( ! ,supreme ,be+1    
fall into ord] ( !mselves1 & by _! own  
nature1 is really to talk )\t any       
precise mean+4 ,if x has a mean+1 ,i    
w\ld fa9 "k1 :y x is n z good s5se to   
say1 t ! p>ts ( ! mat]ial _w fall into  
ord] ( !mselves & by _! own nature4 ,c !
 "o op9ion be intelligible1 :ile ! o!r  
is n s8  ,we h1 inde$1 exp]i5ce ( ideas 
:i* fall into ord] ( !mselves1 & )\t any

 kn[n cause4 ,b1 ,i am sure1 we h a mu* 
l>g] exp]i5ce ( matt] :i* does ! same2  
z1 9 all in/ances ( g5]ation &          
vegetation1 :]e ! accurate analysis ( ! 
cause exce$s all human compreh5sion4 ,we
 h also exp]i5ce ( p>ticul> sy/ems (    
?\ght & ( matt] :i* h no ord]2 ( ! fir/ 
9 madness1 ( ! second 9 corruption4 ,:y1
 !n1 %\ld we ?9k1 t ord] is m ess5tial  
to "o ?an ! o!r8 ,& if x requires a     
cause 9 bo?1 :at d we ga9 by y\r sy/em1 
9 trac+ ! univ]se ( objects into a      
simil> univ]se ( ideas8 ,! fir/ /ep :i* 
we make leads u on = ev]4 ,x 71 !re=e1  
wise 9 u to limit all our inquiries to !
 pres5t _w1 )\t look+ fur!r4 ,no        
satisfaction c ev] be atta9$ by ^!      
speculations1 :i* s f> exce$ ! n>r[     
b\nds ( human und]/&+4  ,x 0 usual ) !  
,,p]ipatetics1 y "k1 ,,clean!s1 :5 !    
cause ( any ph5om5on 0 dem&$1 to h      
rec\rse to _! faculties or occult       
qualities2 & to say1 = in/ance1 t bread 
n\ri%$ by its nutritive faculty1 & s5na 
purg$ by its purgative4 ,b x has be5    

discov]$1 t ?is subt]fuge 0 no?+ b !    
disguise ( ignorance2 & t ^!            
philosoph]s1 ?\gh less +5u\s1 really    
said ! same ?+ ) ! sceptics or ! vulg>1 
:o fairly confess$ t !y knew n ! cause (
 ^! ph5om5a4 ,9 l mann]1 :5 x is ask$1  
:at cause produces ord] 9 ! ideas ( !   
,supreme ,be+2 c any o!r reason be      
assign$ by y1 ,an?ropomorphites1 ?an t x
 is a rational faculty1 & t su* is !    
nature ( ! ,deity8 ,b :y a simil> answ] 
w n be equally satisfactory 9 acc\nt+ = 
! ord] ( ! _w1 )\t hav+ rec\rse to any  
su* intellig5t creator z y insi/ on1 may
 be difficult to det]m9e4 ,x is only to 
say1 t su* is ! nature ( mat]ial        
objects1 & t !y are all orig9ally       
possess$ ( a faculty ( ord] &           
proportion4 ,^! are only m le>n$ &      
elaborate ways ( confess+ our ignorance2
 nor has ! "o hypo!sis any real         
advantage above ! o!r1 except 9 its     
great] con=mity to vulg> prejudices4  ,y
 h display$ ?is argum5t ) great         
emphasis1 repli$ ,,clean!s3 ,y seem n   

s5sible h[ easy x is to answ] x4 ,ev5 9 
common life1 if ,i assign a cause = any 
ev5t1 is x any objection1 ,,philo1 t ,i 
_c assign ! cause ( t cause1 & answ] e  
new "q :i* may incessantly be />t$8 ,&  
:at philosoph]s c\ld possibly submit to 
s rigid a rule8 philosoph]s1 :o confess 
ultimate causes to be totally unkn[n2 & 
are s5sible1 t ! mo/ ref9$ pr9ciples    
into :i* !y trace ! ph5om5a1 are /ill to
 !m z inexplicable z ^! ph5om5a !mselves
 are to ! vulg>4 ,! ord] & arrangem5t ( 
nature1 ! curi\s adju/m5t ( f9al causes1
 ! pla9 use & int5tion ( e "p & organ2  
all ^! bespeak 9 ! cle>e/ language an   
intellig5t cause or au?or4 ,! heav5s & !
 e>? jo9 9 ! same te/imony3 ,! :ole     
*orus ( ,nature raises "o hymn to !     
praises ( its ,creator4 ,y alone1 or    
almo/ alone1 di/urb ?is g5]al h>mony4 ,y
 />t ab/ruse d\bts1 cavils1 &           
objections3 ,y ask me1 :at is ! cause ( 
?is cause8 ,i "k n2 ,i c>e n2 t conc]ns 
n me4 ,i h f\nd a ,deity2 & "h ,i /op my
 inquiry4 ,let ^? g fur!r1 :o are wis]  

or m ent]pris+4  ,i pret5d to be nei!r1 
repli$ ,,philo3 ,& = t v reason1 ,i %\ld
 nev] p]haps h attempt$ to g s f>2      
especially :5 ,i am s5sible1 t ,i mu/ at
 la/ be cont5t$ to sit d[n ) ! same     
answ]1 :i*1 )\t fur!r tr\ble1 might h   
satisfi$ me f ! beg9n+4 ,if ,i am /ill  
to rema9 9 utt] ignorance ( causes1 & c 
absolutely give an explication ( no?+1  
,i %all nev] e/eem x any advantage to   
%ove (f = a mom5t a difficulty1 :i*1 y  
ackn[l$ge1 mu/ imm$iately1 9 its full   
=ce1 recur ^u me4 ,naturali/s inde$ v   
ju/ly expla9 p>ticul> effects by m g5]al
 causes1 ?\gh ^! g5]al causes !mselves  
%\ld rema9 9 ! end totally inexplicable2
 b !y nev] surely ?\ght x satisfactory  
to expla9 a p>ticul> effect by a        
p>ticul> cause1 :i* 0 no m to be acc\nt$
 = ?an ! effect itself4 ,an ideal sy/em1
 arrang$ ( itself1 )\t a prec$5t design1
 is n a :it m explicable ?an a mat]ial  
"o1 :i* atta9s its ord] 9 a l mann]2 nor
 is !re any m difficulty 9 ! latt]      
supposition ?an 9 ! =m]4     ,,"p #e    

,b to %[ y /ill m inconv5i5ces1 cont9u$ 
,,philo1 9 y\r ,an?ropomorphism1 please 
to take a new survey ( y\r pr9ciples4 ,l
 effects prove l causes4 ,?is is !      
exp]im5tal argum5t2 & ?is1 y say too1 is
 ! sole !ological argum5t4 ,n[1 x is    
c]ta91 t ! lik] ! effects are :i* are   
se51 & ! lik] ! causes :i* are inf]r$1 !
 /rong] is ! argum5t4 ,e dep>ture on    
ei!r side dim9i%es ! probability1 &     
r5d]s ! exp]im5t less conclusive4 ,y _c 
d\bt ( ! pr9ciple2 nei!r ought y to     
reject its consequ5ces4  ,all ! new     
discov]ies 9 a/ronomy1 :i* prove !      
imm5se gr&eur & magnific5ce ( ! works ( 
,nature1 are s _m additional argum5ts = 
a ,deity1 accord+ to ! true sy/em (     
,!ism2 b1 accord+ to y\r hypo!sis (     
exp]im5tal ,!ism1 !y become s _m        
objections1 by remov+ ! effect /ill     
fur!r f all resemblance to ! effects (  
human art & contrivance4 ,=1 if         
,,lucretius,lib4 ,,ii4 #ajid1 ev5 foll[+
 ! old sy/em ( ! _w1 c\ld exclaim1      
,quis reg]e imm5si summam1 quis hab]e   

pr(undi     ,indu manu validas potis e/ 
mod]ant] hab5as8     ,quis p>it] coelos 
omnes conv]t]e8 et omnes     ,ignibus   
ae!riis t]ras suffire f]aces8           
,omnibus inque locis esse omni tempore  
prae/o8  ,if ,,tully ,de4 nat4 ,deor4   
,lib4 ,i e/eem$ ?is reason+ s natural1 z
 to put x into ! m\? ( 8 ,,epicurean3   
,quibus enim oculis animi intu]i potuit 
ve/] ,plato fabricam illam tanti op]is1 
qua con/rui a ,deo atque a$ific>i mundum
 facit8 quae molitio8 quae f]ram5ta8 qui
 vectes8 quae ma*9ae8 qui m9i/ri tanti  
mun]is fu]unt8 quemadmodum autem ob$ire 
et p>]e voluntati ar*itecti a]1 ignis1  
aqua1 t]ra potu]unt8  ,if ?is argum5t1  
,i say1 _h any =ce 9 =m] ages1 h[ mu*   
great] mu/ x h at pres5t1 :5 ! b\nds (  
,nature are s inf9itely enl>g$1 & su* a 
magnific5t sc5e is op5$ to u8 ,x is /ill
 m unreasonable to =m our idea ( s      
unlimit$ a cause f our exp]i5ce ( ! n>r[
 productions ( human design & inv5tion4 
,! discov]ies by microscopes1 z !y op5 a
 new univ]se 9 m9iature1 are /ill       

objections1 accord+ to y1 argum5ts1     
accord+ to me4 ,! fur!r we pu% our      
rese>*es ( ?is k9d1 we are /ill l$ to   
inf] ! univ]sal cause ( all to be va/ly 
diff]5t f mank9d1 or f any object (     
human exp]i5ce & obs]vation4  ,& :at say
 y to ! discov]ies 9 anatomy1 *emi/ry1  
botany8444 ,^! surely are no objections1
 repli$ ,,clean!s2 !y only discov] new  
in/ances ( art & contrivance4 ,x is /ill
 ! image ( m9d reflect$ on u f          
innum]able objects4 ,add1 a m9d l !     
human1 said ,,philo4 ,i "k ( no o!r1    
repli$ ,,clean!s4 ,& ! lik] ! bett]1    
insi/$ ,,philo4 ,to be sure1 said       
,,clean!s4  ,n[1 ,,clean!s1 said        
,,philo1 ) an air ( alacrity & triumph1 
m>k ! consequ5ces4 ,fir/1 ,by ?is me?od 
( reason+1 y r5\nce all claim to inf9ity
 9 any ( ! attributes ( ! ,deity4 ,=1 z 
! cause ought only to be proportion$ to 
! effect1 & ! effect1 s f> z x falls "u 
our cognisance1 is n inf9ite2 :at       
pret5sions h we1 ^u y\r suppositions1 to
 ascribe t attribute to ! ,div9e ,be+8  

,y w /ill insi/1 t1 by remov+ him s mu* 
f all simil>ity to human creatures1 we  
give 9 to ! mo/ arbitr>y hypo!sis1 & at 
! same "t weak5 all pro(s ( 8 exi/5ce4  
,secondly1 ,y h no reason1 on y\r !ory1 
= ascrib+ p]fection to ! ,deity1 ev5 9 8
 f9ite capacity1 or = suppos+ him free f
 e error1 mi/ake1 or incoh]5ce1 9 8     
und]tak+s4 ,!re are _m inexplicable     
difficulties 9 ! works ( ,nature1 :i*1  
if we all[ a p]fect au?or to be prov$ a 
priori1 are easily solv$1 & become only 
seem+ difficulties1 f ! n>r[ capacity ( 
man1 :o _c trace inf9ite relations4 ,b  
accord+ to y\r me?od ( reason+1 ^!      
difficulties become all real2 & p]haps w
 be insi/$ on1 z new in/ances ( lik5ess 
to human art & contrivance4 ,at lea/1 y 
mu/ ackn[l$ge1 t x is impossible = u to 
tell1 f our limit$ views1 :e!r ?is sy/em
 conta9s any great faults1 or des]ves   
any consid]able praise1 if comp>$ to o!r
 possible1 & ev5 real sy/ems4 ,c\ld a   
peasant1 if ! ,a5eid 7 read to him1     
pron\nce t poem to be absolutely        

faultless1 or ev5 assign to x its prop] 
rank among ! productions ( human wit1   
he1 :o _h nev] se5 any o!r production8  
,b 7 ?is _w ev] s p]fect a production1 x
 mu/ /ill rema9 unc]ta91 :e!r all !     
excell5ces ( ! "w c ju/ly be ascrib$ to 
! workman4 ,if we survey a %ip1 :at an  
exalt$ idea mu/ we =m ( ! +5uity ( !    
c>p5t] :o fram$ s complicat$1 useful1 & 
beautiful a ma*9e8 ,& :at surprise mu/  
we feel1 :5 we f9d him a /upid me*anic1 
:o imitat$ o!rs1 & copi$ an art1 :i*1   
?r\gh a long succession ( ages1 aft]    
multipli$ trials1 mi/akes1 corrections1 
delib]ations1 & controv]sies1 _h be5    
gradually improv+8 ,_m worlds might h   
be5 bot*$ & bungl$1 ?r\gh\t an et]nity1 
ere ?is sy/em 0 /ruck out2 mu* lab\r    
lo/1 _m fruitless trials made2 & a sl[1 
b cont9u$ improvem5t c>ri$ on dur+      
inf9ite ages 9 ! art ( _w-mak+4 ,9 su*  
subjects1 :o c det]m9e1 :]e ! tru?2 nay1
 :o c conjecture :]e ! probability lies1
 amid/ a great numb] ( hypo!ses :i* may 
be propos$1 & a /ill great] :i* may be  

imag9$8  ,& :at %ad[ ( an argum5t1      
cont9u$ ,,philo1 c y produce1 f y\r     
hypo!sis1 to prove ! unity ( ! ,deity8  
,a great numb] ( m5 jo9 9 build+ a h\se 
or %ip1 9 re>+ a city1 9 fram+ a        
commonweal?2 :y may n sev]al deities    
comb9e 9 contriv+ & fram+ a _w8 ,?is is 
only s mu* great] simil>ity to human    
affairs4 ,by %>+ ! "w among sev]al1 we  
may s mu* fur!r limit ! attributes (    
ea*1 & get rid ( t ext5sive p[] & k1 :i*
 mu/ be suppos$ 9 "o deity1 & :i*1      
accord+ to y1 c only s]ve to weak5 !    
pro( ( 8 exi/5ce4 ,& if su* fooli%1 su* 
vici\s creatures z man1 c yet (t5 unite 
9 fram+ & execut+ "o plan1 h[ mu* m ^?  
deities or demons1 :om we may suppose   
sev]al degrees m p]fect6  ,to multiply  
causes )\t necessity1 is inde$ contr>y  
to true philosophy3 b ?is pr9ciple      
applies n to ! pres5t case4 ,7 "o deity 
antec$5tly prov$ by y\r !ory1 :o 7      
possess$ ( e attribute requisite to !   
production ( ! univ]se2 x w\ld be       
ne$less1 ,i own1 7?\gh n absurd17 to    

suppose any o!r deity exi/5t4 ,b :ile x 
is /ill a "q1 ,:e!r all ^! attributes   
are unit$ 9 "o subject1 or disp]s$ among
 sev]al indep5d5t be+s1 by :at ph5om5a 9
 nature c we pret5d to decide !         
controv]sy8 ,:]e we see a body rais$ 9 a
 scale1 we are sure t !re is 9 !        
opposite scale1 h[ev] conceal$ f sight1 
"s c\nt]pois+ weight equal to x2 b x is 
/ill all[$ to d\bt1 :e!r t weight be an 
aggregate ( sev]al di/9ct bodies1 or "o 
uni=m unit$ mass4 ,& if ! weight        
requisite v mu* exce$s any ?+ :i* we h  
ev] se5 conjo9$ 9 any s+le body1 ! =m]  
supposition becomes /ill m probable &   
natural4 ,an intellig5t be+ ( su* va/   
p[] & capacity z is necess>y to produce 
! univ]se1 or1 to speak 9 ! language (  
anci5t philosophy1 s prodigi\s an animal
 exce$s all analogy1 & ev5 compreh5sion4
  ,b fur!r1 ,,clean!s3 m5 are mortal1 & 
r5ew _! species by g5]ation2 & ?is is   
common to all liv+ creatures4 ,! two    
great sexes ( male & female1 says       
,,milton1 animate ! _w4 ,:y mu/ ?is     

circum/ance1 s univ]sal1 s ess5tial1 be 
exclud$ f ^? num]\s & limit$ deities8   
,behold1 !n1 ! !ogony ( anci5t times    
br\ght back ^u u4  ,& :y n become a     
p]fect ,an?ropomorphite8 ,:y n ass]t !  
deity or deities to be corporeal1 & to h
 eyes1 a nose1 m\?1 e>s1 c48 ,,epicurus 
ma9ta9$1 t no man _h ev] se5 reason b 9 
a human figure2 !re=e ! gods mu/ h a    
human figure4 ,& ?is argum5t1 :i* is    
des]v$ly s mu* ridicul$ by ,,cic]o1     
becomes1 accord+ to y1 solid &          
philosophical4  ,9 a ^w1 ,,clean!s1 a   
man :o foll[s y\r hypo!sis is able      
p]haps to ass]t1 or conjecture1 t !     
univ]se1 sometime1 arose f some?+ l     
design3 b beyond t position he _c       
asc]ta9 "o s+le circum/ance2 & is left  
aft]w>ds to fix e po9t ( 8 !ology by !  
utmo/ lic5se ( fancy & hypo!sis4 ,?is   
_w1 = aught he kn[s1 is v faulty &      
imp]fect1 comp>$ to a sup]ior /&>d2 & 0 
only ! fir/ rude essay ( "s infant      
deity1 :o aft]w>ds ab&on$ x1 a%am$ ( 8  
lame p]=mance3 x is ! "w only ( "s      

dep5d5t1 inf]ior deity2 & is ! object ( 
d]ision to 8 sup]iors3 x is ! production
 ( old age & dotage 9 "s sup]annuat$    
deity2 & ev] s9ce 8 dea?1 has run on at 
adv5tures1 f ! fir/ impulse & active =ce
 :i* x receiv$ f him4 ,y ju/ly give     
signs ( horror1 ,,demea1 at ^! /range   
suppositions2 b ^!1 & a ?\s& m ( ! same 
k9d1 are ,,clean!s's suppositions1 n    
m9e4 ,f ! mom5t ! attributes ( ! ,deity 
are suppos$ f9ite1 all ^! h place4 ,& ,i
 _c1 = my "p1 ?9k t s wild & unsettl$ a 
sy/em ( !ology is1 9 any respect1       
pref]able to none at all4  ,^!          
suppositions ,i absolutely dis[n1 cri$  
,,clean!s3 !y /rike me1 h[ev]1 ) no     
horror1 especially :5 propos$ 9 t rambl+
 way 9 :i* !y drop f y4 ,on ! contr>y1  
!y give me pleasure1 :5 ,i see1 t1 by ! 
utmo/ indulg5ce ( y\r imag9ation1 y nev]
 get rid ( ! hypo!sis ( design 9 !      
univ]se1 b are oblig$ at e turn to h    
rec\rse to x4 ,to ?is concession ,i     
adh]e /eadily2 & ?is ,i reg>d z a       
suffici5t f\ndation = religion4     ,,"p

 #f   ,x mu/ be a slight fabric1 inde$1 
said ,,demea1 :i* c be erect$ on s      
tott]+ a f\ndation4 ,:ile we are unc]ta9
 :e!r !re is "o deity or _m2 :e!r !     
deity or deities1 to :om we owe our     
exi/5ce1 be p]fect or imp]fect1         
subord9ate or supreme1 dead or alive1   
:at tru/ or confid5ce c we repose 9 !m8 
,:at devotion or wor%ip address to !m8  
,:at v5]ation or ob$i5ce pay !m8 ,to all
 ! purposes ( life ! !ory ( religion    
becomes altoge!r useless3 & ev5 ) reg>d 
to speculative consequ5ces1 its         
unc]ta9ty1 accord+ to y1 mu/ r5d] x     
totally prec>i\s & unsatisfactory4  ,to 
r5d] x /ill m unsatisfactory1 said      
,,philo1 !re occurs to me ano!r         
hypo!sis1 :i* mu/ acquire an air (      
probability f ! me?od ( reason+ s mu*   
insi/$ on by ,,clean!s4 ,t l effects    
arise f l causes3 ?is pr9ciple he       
supposes ! f\ndation ( all religion4 ,b 
!re is ano!r pr9ciple ( ! same k9d1 no  
less c]ta91 & d]iv$ f ! same s\rce (    
exp]i5ce2 t :]e sev]al kn[n circum/ances

 are obs]v$ to be simil>1 ! unkn[n w    
also be f\nd simil>4 ,?us1 if we see !  
limbs ( a human body1 we conclude t x is
 also att5d$ ) a human head1 ?\gh hid f 
u4 ,?us1 if we see1 ?r\gh a *9k 9 a     
wall1 a small "p ( ! sun1 we conclude1  
t1 7 ! wall remov$1 we %\ld see ! :ole  
body4 ,9 %ort1 ?is me?od ( reason+ is s 
obvi\s & famili>1 t no scruple c ev] be 
made ) reg>d to its solidity4  ,n[1 if  
we survey ! univ]se1 s f> z x falls "u  
our k1 x be>s a great resemblance to an 
animal or organis$ body1 & seems actuat$
 ) a l pr9ciple ( life & motion4 ,a     
cont9ual circulation ( matt] 9 x        
produces no disord]3 a cont9ual wa/e 9 e
 "p is incessantly repair$3 ! close/    
sympa?y is p]ceiv$ ?r\gh\t ! entire     
sy/em3 & ea* "p or memb]1 9 p]=m+ its   
prop] (fices1 op]ates bo? to its own    
pres]vation & to t ( ! :ole4 ,! _w1     
!re=e1 ,i inf]1 is an animal2 & ! ,deity
 is ! ,,s\l ( ! _w1 actuat+ x1 & actuat$
 by x4  ,y h too mu* le>n+1 ,,clean!s1  
to be at all surpris$ at ?is op9ion1    

:i*1 y "k1 0 ma9ta9$ by almo/ all !     
,!i/s ( antiquity1 & *iefly prevails 9  
_! disc\rses & reason+s4 ,= ?\gh1       
sometimes1 ! anci5t philosoph]s reason f
 f9al causes1 z if !y ?\ght ! _w !      
workman%ip ( ,god2 yet x appe>s r _!    
fav\rite notion to consid] x z 8 body1  
^: organisation r5d]s x subs]vi5t to    
him4 ,& x mu/ be confess$1 t1 z !       
univ]se resembles m a human body ?an x  
does ! works ( human art & contrivance1 
if our limit$ analogy c\ld ev]1 ) any   
propriety1 be ext5d$ to ! :ole ( nature1
 ! inf]5ce seems ju/] 9 fav\r ( ! anci5t
 ?an ! mod]n !ory4  ,!re are _m o!r     
advantages1 too1 9 ! =m] !ory1 :i*      
recomm5d$ x to ! anci5t !ologians4 ,no?+
 m repugnant to all _! notions1 because 
no?+ m repugnant to common exp]i5ce1 ?an
 m9d )\t body2 a m]e spiritual sub/ance1
 :i* fell n "u _! s5ses nor             
compreh5sion1 & ( :i* !y _h n obs]v$ "o 
s+le in/ance ?r\gh\t all nature4 ,m9d & 
body !y knew1 because !y felt bo?3 an   
ord]1 arrangem5t1 organisation1 or      

int]nal ma*9]y1 9 bo?1 !y likewise knew1
 aft] ! same mann]3 & x c\ld n b seem   
reasonable to transf] ?is exp]i5ce to ! 
univ]se2 & to suppose ! div9e m9d & body
 to be also coeval1 & to h1 bo? ( !m1   
ord] & arrangem5t naturally inh]5t 9 !m1
 & insep>able f !m4  ,"h1 !re=e1 is a   
new species ( ,an?ropomorphism1         
,,clean!s1 on :i* y may delib]ate2 & a  
!ory :i* seems n liable to any          
consid]able difficulties4 ,y are too mu*
 sup]ior1 surely1 to sy/ematical        
prejudices1 to f9d any m difficulty 9   
suppos+ an animal body to be1 orig9ally1
 ( itself1 or f unkn[n causes1 possess$ 
( ord] & organisation1 ?an 9 suppos+ a  
simil> ord] to belong to m9d4 ,b ! vulg>
 prejudice1 t body & m9d ought always to
 accompany ea* o!r1 ought n1 "o %\ld    
?9k1 to be entirely neglect$2 s9ce x is 
f\nd$ on vulg> exp]i5ce1 ! only guide   
:i* y pr(ess to foll[ 9 all ^! !ological
 inquiries4 ,& if y ass]t1 t our limit$ 
exp]i5ce is an unequal /&>d1 by :i* to  
judge ( ! unlimit$ ext5t ( nature2 y    

entirely ab&on y\r own hypo!sis1 & mu/  
!nce=w>d adopt our ,my/icism1 z y call  
x1 & admit ( ! absolute                 
incompreh5sibility ( ! ,div9e ,nature4  
,?is !ory1 ,i own1 repli$ ,,clean!s1 has
 nev] be=e occurr$ to me1 ?\gh a pretty 
natural "o2 & ,i _c readily1 ^u s %ort  
an exam9ation & reflection1 deliv] any  
op9ion ) reg>d to x4 ,y are v scrupul\s1
 inde$1 said ,,philo3 7 ,i to exam9e any
 sy/em ( y\rs1 ,i %\ld n h act$ ) half t
 caution & res]ve1 9 />t+ objections &  
difficulties to x4 ,h[ev]1 if any ?+    
occur to y1 y w oblige u by propos+ x4  
,:y !n1 repli$ ,,clean!s1 x seems to me1
 t1 ?\gh ! _w does1 9 _m circum/ances1  
resemble an animal body2 yet is !       
analogy also defective 9 _m circum/ances
 ! mo/ mat]ial3 no organs ( s5se2 no    
seat ( ?\ght or reason2 no "o precise   
orig9 ( motion & action4 ,9 %ort1 x     
seems to be> a /rong] resemblance to a  
vegetable ?an to an animal1 & y\r       
inf]5ce w\ld be s f> inconclusive 9     
fav\r ( ! s\l ( ! _w4  ,b1 9 ! next     

place1 y\r !ory seems to imply ! et]nity
 ( ! _w2 & t is a pr9ciple1 :i*1 ,i ?9k1
 c be refut$ by ! /ronge/ reasons &     
probabilities4 ,i %all sugge/ an argum5t
 to ?is purpose1 :i*1 ,i believe1 has n 
be5 insi/$ on by any writ]4 ,^?1 :o     
reason f ! late orig9 ( arts & sci5ces1 
?\gh _! inf]5ce wants n =ce1 may p]haps 
be refut$ by consid]ations d]iv$ f !    
nature ( human society1 :i* is 9        
cont9ual revolution1 betwe5 ignorance & 
k1 lib]ty & slav]y1 ri*es & pov]ty2 s t 
x is impossible = u1 f our limit$       
exp]i5ce1 to =etell ) assurance :at     
ev5ts may or may n be expect$4 ,anci5t  
le>n+ & hi/ory seem to h be5 9 great    
dang] ( entirely p]i%+ aft] ! inundation
 ( ! b>b>\s nations2 & _h ^! convulsions
 cont9u$ a little long]1 or be5 a little
 m viol5t1 we %\ld n probably h n[ kn[n 
:at pass$ 9 ! _w a few c5turies be=e u4 
,nay1 7 x n = ! sup]/ition ( ! ,popes1  
:o pres]v$ a little j>gon ( ,lat91 9    
ord] to support ! appe>ance ( an anci5t 
& univ]sal *ur*1 t tongue mu/ h be5     

utt]ly lo/2 9 :i* case1 ! ,we/]n _w1 be+
 totally b>b>\s1 w\ld n h be5 9 a fit   
disposition = receiv+ ! ,,greek language
 & le>n+1 :i* 0 convey$ to !m aft] !    
sack+ ( ,,con/ant9ople4 ,:5 le>n+ &     
books _h be5 ext+ui%$1 ev5 ! me*anical  
arts w\ld h fall5 consid]ably to decay2 
& x is easily imag9$1 t fable or        
tradition might ascribe to !m a mu* lat]
 orig9 ?an ! true "o4 ,?is vulg>        
argum5t1 !re=e1 aga9/ ! et]nity ( ! _w1 
seems a little prec>i\s4  ,b "h appe>s  
to be ! f\ndation ( a bett] argum5t4    
,,lucullus 0 ! fir/ t br\ght *]ry-trees 
f ,,asia to ,,europe2 ?\gh t tree ?rives
 s well 9 _m ,,european climates1 t x   
gr[s 9 ! woods )\t any culture4 ,is x   
possible1 t ?r\gh\t a :ole et]nity1 no  
,,european _h ev] pass$ into ,,asia1 &  
?\ght ( transplant+ s delici\s a fruit  
into 8 own c\ntry8 ,or if ! tree 0 once 
transplant$ & propagat$1 h[ c\ld x ev]  
aft]w>ds p]i%8 ,empires may rise & fall1
 lib]ty & slav]y succe$ alt]nately1     
ignorance & k give place to ea* o!r2 b !

 *]ry-tree w /ill rema9 9 ! woods (     
,,greece1 ,,spa91 & ,,italy1 & w nev] be
 affect$ by ! revolutions ( human       
society4  ,x is n two ?\s& ye>s s9ce    
v9es 7 transplant$ into ,,france1 ?\gh  
!re is no climate 9 ! _w m fav\rable to 
!m4 ,x is n ?ree c5turies s9ce horses1  
c[s1 %eep1 sw9e1 dogs1 corn1 7 kn[n 9   
,,am]ica4 ,is x possible1 t dur+ !      
revolutions ( a :ole et]nity1 !re nev]  
arose a ,,columbus1 :o might op5 !      
communication betwe5 ,,europe & t       
cont95t8 ,we may z well imag9e1 t all m5
 w\ld we> /ock+s = t5 ?\s& ye>s1 & nev] 
h ! s5se to ?9k ( g>t]s to tie !m4 ,all 
^! seem conv9c+ pro(s ( ! y\?1 or r     
infancy1 ( ! _w2 z be+ f\nd$ on !       
op]ation ( pr9ciples m con/ant & /eady  
?an ^? by :i* human society is gov]n$ & 
direct$4 ,no?+ less ?an a total         
convulsion ( ! elem5ts w ev] de/roy all 
! ,,european animals & vegetables :i*   
are n[ to be f\nd 9 ! ,we/]n _w4  ,& :at
 argum5t h y aga9/ su* convulsions8     
repli$ ,,philo4 ,/rong & almo/          

inconte/able pro(s may be trac$ ov] !   
:ole e>?1 t e "p ( ?is globe has cont9u$
 = _m ages entirely cov]$ ) wat]4 ,&    
?\gh ord] 7 suppos$ insep>able f matt]1 
& inh]5t 9 x2 yet may matt] be          
susceptible ( _m & great revolutions1   
?r\gh ! endless p]iods ( et]nal         
duration4 ,! incessant *anges1 to :i* e 
"p ( x is subject1 seem to intimate "s  
su* g5]al trans=mations2 ?\gh1 at ! same
 "t1 x is obs]vable1 t all ! *anges &   
corruptions ( :i* we h ev] _h exp]i5ce1 
are b passages f "o /ate ( ord] to      
ano!r2 nor c matt] ev] re/ 9 total      
de=mity & confusion4 ,:at we see 9 !    
p>ts1 we may inf] 9 ! :ole2 at lea/1 t  
is ! me?od ( reason+ on :i* y re/ y\r   
:ole !ory4 ,& 7 ,i oblig$ to def5d any  
p>ticul> sy/em ( ?is nature1 :i* ,i nev]
 will+ly %\ld d1 ,i e/eem none m        
plausible ?an t :i* ascribes an et]nal  
inh]5t pr9ciple ( ord] to ! _w1 ?\gh    
att5d$ ) great & cont9ual revolutions & 
alt]ations4 ,?is at once solves all     
difficulties2 & if ! solution1 by be+ s 

g5]al1 is n entirely complete &         
satisfactory1 x is at lea/ a !ory t we  
mu/ soon] or lat] h rec\rse to1 :atev]  
sy/em we embrace4 ,h[ c\ld ?+s h be5 z  
!y are1 7 !re n an orig9al inh]5t       
pr9ciple ( ord] some:]e1 9 ?\ght or 9   
matt]8 ,& x is v indiff]5t to :i* ( ^!  
we give ! pref]5ce4 ,*ance has no place1
 on any hypo!sis1 sceptical or religi\s4
 ,e ?+ is surely gov]n$ by /eady1       
inviolable laws4 ,& 7 ! inmo/ ess5ce (  
?+s laid op5 to u1 we %\ld !n discov] a 
sc5e1 ( :i*1 at pres5t1 we c h no idea4 
,in/ead ( admir+ ! ord] ( natural be+s1 
we %\ld cle>ly see t x 0 absolutely     
impossible = !m1 9 ! smalle/ article1   
ev] to admit ( any o!r disposition4  ,7 
any "o incl9$ to revive ! anci5t ,pagan 
,!ology1 :i* ma9ta9$1 z we le>n f       
,,hesiod1 t ?is globe 0 gov]n$ by       
#cj1jjj deities1 :o arose f ! unkn[n    
p[]s ( nature3 y w\ld naturally object1 
,,clean!s1 t no?+ is ga9$ by ?is        
hypo!sis2 & t x is z easy to suppose all
 m5 animals1 be+s m num]\s1 b less      

p]fect1 to h sprung imm$iately f a l    
orig94 ,pu% ! same inf]5ce a /ep fur!r1 
& y w f9d a num]\s society ( deities z  
explicable z "o univ]sal deity1 :o      
possesses )9 himself ! p[]s & p]fections
 ( ! :ole society4 ,all ^! sy/ems1 !n1 (
 ,scepticism1 ,poly!ism1 & ,!ism1 y mu/ 
all[1 on y\r pr9ciples1 to be on a l    
foot+1 & t no "o ( !m has any advantage 
ov] ! o!rs4 ,y may !nce le>n ! fallacy (
 y\r pr9ciples4     ,,"p #g   ,b "h1    
cont9u$ ,,philo1 9 exam9+ ! anci5t sy/em
 ( ! s\l ( ! _w1 !re /rikes me1 all on a
 sudd51 a new idea1 :i*1 if j1 mu/ g ne>
 to subv]t all y\r reason+1 & de/roy ev5
 y\r fir/ inf]5ces1 on :i* y repose su* 
confid5ce4 ,if ! univ]se be>s a great]  
lik5ess to animal bodies & to           
vegetables1 ?an to ! works ( human art1 
x is m probable t its cause resembles ! 
cause ( ! =m] ?an t ( ! latt]1 & its    
orig9 ought r to be ascrib$ to g5]ation 
or vegetation1 ?an to reason or design4 
,y\r conclusion1 ev5 accord+ to y\r own 
pr9ciples1 is !re=e lame & defective4   

,pray op5 up ?is argum5t a little fur!r1
 said ,,demea1 = ,i d n rightly appreh5d
 x 9 t concise mann] 9 :i* y h express$ 
x4  ,our fri5d ,,clean!s1 repli$        
,,philo1 z y h he>d1 ass]ts1 t s9ce no  
"q ( fact c be prov$ o!rwise ?an by     
exp]i5ce1 ! exi/5ce ( a ,deity admits n 
( pro( f any o!r m$ium4 ,! _w1 says he1 
resembles ! works ( human contrivance2  
!re=e its cause mu/ also resemble t ( ! 
o!r4 ,"h we may rem>k1 t ! op]ation ( "o
 v small "p ( nature1 to wit man1 ^u    
ano!r v small "p1 to wit t inanimate    
matt] ly+ )9 8 rea*1 is ! rule by :i*   
,,clean!s judges ( ! orig9 ( ! :ole2 &  
he measures objects1 s widely           
disproportion$1 by ! same individual    
/&>d4 ,b to waive all objections drawn f
 ?is topic1 ,i affirm1 t !re are o!r    
p>ts ( ! univ]se 7besides ! ma*9es (    
human inv5tion7 :i* be> /ill a great]   
resemblance to ! fabric ( ! _w1 & :i*1  
!re=e1 af=d a bett] conjecture conc]n+ !
 univ]sal orig9 ( ?is sy/em4 ,^! p>ts   
are animals & vegetables4 ,! _w pla9ly  

resembles m an animal or a vegetable1   
?an x does a wat* or a knitt+-loom4 ,its
 cause1 !re=e1 x is m probable1         
resembles ! cause ( ! =m]4 ,! cause ( ! 
=m] is g5]ation or vegetation4 ,! cause1
 !re=e1 ( ! _w1 we may inf] to be some?+
 simil> or analog\s to g5]ation or      
vegetation4  ,b h[ is x conceivable1    
said ,,demea1 t ! _w c arise f any ?+   
simil> to vegetation or g5]ation8  ,v   
easily1 repli$ ,,philo4 ,9 l mann] z a  
tree %$s its se$ into ! neighb\r+       
fields1 & produces o!r trees2 s ! great 
vegetable1 ! _w1 or ?is planet>y sy/em1 
produces )9 itself c]ta9 se$s1 :i*1 be+ 
scatt]$ into ! surr\nd+ *aos1 vegetate  
into new worlds4 ,a comet1 = in/ance1 is
 ! se$ ( a _w2 & aft] x has be5 fully   
rip5$1 by pass+ f sun to sun1 & /> to   
/>1 x is at la/ toss$ into ! un=m$      
elem5ts :i* e :]e surr\nd ?is univ]se1 &
 imm$iately spr\ts up into a new sy/em4 
,or if1 = ! sake ( v>iety 7= ,i see no  
o!r advantage71 we %\ld suppose ?is _w  
to be an animal2 a comet is ! egg ( ?is 

animal3 & 9 l mann] z an o/ri* lays its 
egg 9 ! s&1 :i*1 )\t any fur!r c>e1     
hat*es ! egg1 & produces a new animal2  
s444  ,i und]/& y1 says ,,demea3 ,b :at 
wild1 arbitr>y suppositions are ^!6 ,:at
 data h y = su* extraord9>y conclusions8
 ,& is ! slight1 imag9>y resemblance ( !
 _w to a vegetable or an animal         
suffici5t to e/abli% ! same inf]5ce )   
reg>d to bo?8 ,objects1 :i* are 9 g5]al 
s widely diff]5t1 ought !y to be a /&>d 
= ea* o!r8  ,"r1 cries ,,philo3 ,?is is 
! topic on :i* ,i h all along insi/$4 ,i
 h /ill ass]t$1 t we h no data to       
e/abli% any sy/em ( cosmogony4 ,our     
exp]i5ce1 s imp]fect 9 itself1 & s      
limit$ bo? 9 ext5t & duration1 c af=d u 
no probable conjecture conc]n+ ! :ole ( 
?+s4 ,b if we mu/ ne$s fix on "s        
hypo!sis2 by :at rule1 pray1 ought we to
 det]m9e our *oice8 ,is !re any o!r rule
 ?an ! great] simil>ity ( ! objects     
comp>$8 ,& does n a plant or an animal1 
:i* spr+s f vegetation or g5]ation1 be> 
a /rong] resemblance to ! _w1 ?an does  

any artificial ma*9e1 :i* arises f      
reason & design8  ,b :at is ?is         
vegetation & g5]ation ( :i* y talk8 said
 ,,demea4 ,c y expla9 _! op]ations1 &   
anatomise t f9e int]nal /ructure on :i* 
!y dep5d8  ,z mu*1 at lea/1 repli$      
,,philo1 z ,,clean!s c expla9 !         
op]ations ( reason1 or anatomise t      
int]nal /ructure on :i* x dep5ds4 ,b )\t
 any su* elaborate disquisitions1 :5 ,i 
see an animal1 ,i inf]1 t x sprang f    
g5]ation2 & t ) z great c]ta9ty z y     
conclude a h\se to h be5 re>$ by design4
 ,^! words1 g5]ation1 reason1 m>k only  
c]ta9 p[]s & en]gies 9 nature1 ^:       
effects are kn[n1 b ^: ess5ce is        
incompreh5sible2 & "o ( ^! pr9ciples1 m 
?an ! o!r1 has no privilege = be+ made a
 /&>d to ! :ole ( nature4  ,9 reality1  
,,demea1 x may reasonably be expect$1 t 
! l>g] ! views are :i* we take ( ?+s1 ! 
bett] w !y conduct u 9 our conclusions  
conc]n+ su* extraord9>y & su* magnific5t
 subjects4 ,9 ?is little corn] ( ! _w   
alone1 !re are f\r pr9ciples1 reason1   

in/9ct1 g5]ation1 vegetation1 :i* are   
simil> to ea* o!r1 & are ! causes (     
simil> effects4 ,:at a numb] ( o!r      
pr9ciples may we naturally suppose 9 !  
imm5se ext5t & v>iety ( ! univ]se1 c\ld 
we travel f planet to planet1 & f sy/em 
to sy/em1 9 ord] to exam9e ea* "p ( ?is 
mighty fabric8 ,any "o ( ^! f\r         
pr9ciples above m5tion$1 7& a hundr$    
o!rs :i* lie op5 to our conjecture17 may
 af=d u a !ory by :i* to judge ( ! orig9
 ( ! _w2 & x is a palpable & egregi\s   
p>tiality to conf9e our view entirely to
 t pr9ciple by :i* our own m9ds op]ate4 
,7 ?is pr9ciple m intelligible on t     
acc\nt1 su* a p>tiality might be some:at
 excusable3 ,b reason1 9 its int]nal    
fabric & /ructure1 is really z little   
kn[n to u z in/9ct or vegetation2 &1    
p]haps1 ev5 t vague1 indet]m9ate ^w1    
,nature1 to :i* ! vulg> ref] e ?+1 is n 
at ! bottom m inexplicable4 ,! effects (
 ^! pr9ciples are all kn[n to u f       
exp]i5ce2 b ! pr9ciples !mselves1 & _!  
mann] ( op]ation1 are totally unkn[n2   

nor is x less intelligible1 or less     
con=mable to exp]i5ce1 to say1 t ! _w   
arose by vegetation1 f a se$ %$ by ano!r
 _w1 ?an to say t x arose f a div9e     
reason or contrivance1 accord+ to ! s5se
 9 :i* ,,clean!s und]/&s x4  ,b me?9ks1 
said ,,demea1 if ! _w _h a vegetative   
quality1 & c\ld s[ ! se$s ( new worlds  
into ! inf9ite *aos1 ?is p[] w\ld be    
/ill an additional argum5t = design 9   
its au?or4 ,= :5ce c\ld arise s wond]ful
 a faculty b f design8 ,or h[ c ord]    
spr+ f any ?+ :i* p]ceives n t ord] :i* 
x be/[s8  ,y ne$ only look ar\nd y1     
repli$ ,,philo1 to satisfy y\rself )    
reg>d to ?is "q4 ,a tree be/[s ord] &   
organisation on t tree :i* spr+s f x1   
)\t kn[+ ! ord]2 an animal 9 ! same     
mann] on its (fspr+2 a bird on its ne/2 
& in/ances ( ?is k9d are ev5 m frequ5t 9
 ! _w ?an ^? ( ord]1 :i* arise f reason 
& contrivance4 ,to say1 t all ?is ord] 9
 animals & vegetables proce$s ultimately
 f design1 is begg+ ! "q2 nor c t great 
po9t be asc]ta9$ o!rwise ?an by prov+1 a

 priori1 bo? t ord] is1 f its nature1   
insep>ably atta*$ to ?\ght2 & t x c nev]
 ( itself1 or f orig9al unkn[n          
pr9ciples1 belong to matt]4  ,b fur!r1  
,,demea2 ?is objection :i* y urge c nev]
 be made use ( by ,,clean!s1 )\t r5\nc+ 
a def5ce :i* he has already made aga9/  
"o ( my objections4 ,:5 ,i inquir$      
conc]n+ ! cause ( t supreme reason &    
intellig5ce into :i* he resolves e ?+2  
he told me1 t ! impossibility ( satisfy+
 su* inquiries c\ld nev] be admitt$ z an
 objection 9 any species ( philosophy4  
,we mu/ /op some:]e1 says he2 nor is x  
ev] )9 ! rea* ( human capacity to expla9
 ultimate causes1 or %[ ! la/           
connections ( any objects4 ,x is        
suffici5t1 if any /eps1 s f> z we g1 are
 support$ by exp]i5ce & obs]vation4 ,n[1
 t vegetation & g5]ation1 z well z      
reason1 are exp]i5c$ to be pr9ciples (  
ord] 9 nature1 is und5iable4 ,if ,i re/ 
my sy/em ( cosmogony on ! =m]1 pref]ably
 to ! latt]1 x is at my *oice4 ,! matt] 
seems entirely arbitr>y4 ,& :5 ,,clean!s

 asks me :at is ! cause ( my great      
vegetative or g5]ative faculty1 ,i am   
equally entitl$ to ask him ! cause ( 8  
great reason+ pr9ciple4 ,^! que/ions we 
h agre$ to =be> on bo? sides2 & x is    
*iefly 8 int]e/ on ! pres5t occasion to 
/ick to ?is agreem5t4 ,judg+ by our     
limit$ & imp]fect exp]i5ce1 g5]ation has
 "s privileges above reason3 = we see e 
day ! latt] arise f ! =m]1 nev] ! =m] f 
! latt]4  ,comp>e1 ,i besee* y1 !       
consequ5ces on bo? sides4 ,! _w1 say ,i1
 resembles an animal2 !re=e x is an     
animal1 !re=e x arose f g5]ation4 ,!    
/eps1 ,i confess1 are wide2 yet !re is  
"s small appe>ance ( analogy 9 ea* /ep4 
,! _w1 says ,,clean!s1 resembles a      
ma*9e2 !re=e x is a ma*9e1 !re=e x arose
 f design4 ,! /eps are "h equally wide1 
& ! analogy less /rik+4 ,& if he pret5ds
 to c>ry on my hypo!sis a /ep fur!r1 &  
to inf] design or reason f ! great      
pr9ciple ( g5]ation1 on :i* ,i insi/2 ,i
 may1 ) bett] au?ority1 use ! same      
fre$om to pu% fur!r 8 hypo!sis1 & inf] a

 div9e g5]ation or !ogony f 8 pr9ciple (
 reason4 ,i h at lea/ "s fa9t %ad[ (    
exp]i5ce1 :i* is ! utmo/ t c ev] be     
atta9$ 9 ! pres5t subject4 ,reason1 9   
innum]able in/ances1 is obs]v$ to arise 
f ! pr9ciple ( g5]ation1 & nev] to arise
 f any o!r pr9ciple4  ,,hesiod1 & all ! 
anci5t my?ologi/s1 7 s /ruck ) ?is      
analogy1 t !y univ]sally expla9$ ! orig9
 ( nature f an animal bir?1 &           
copulation4 ,,plato too1 s f> z he is   
intelligible1 seems to h adopt$ "s su*  
notion 9 8 ,,timaeus4  ,! ,,brahm9s     
ass]t1 t ! _w arose f an inf9ite spid]1 
:o spun ?is :ole complicat$ mass f 8    
b[els1 & annihilates aft]w>ds ! :ole or 
any "p ( x1 by absorb+ x aga91 & resolv+
 x into 8 own ess5ce4 ,"h is a species (
 cosmogony1 :i* appe>s to u ridicul\s2  
because a spid] is a little contemptible
 animal1 ^: op]ations we are nev] likely
 to take = a model ( ! :ole univ]se4 ,b 
/ill "h is a new species ( analogy1 ev5 
9 our globe4 ,& 7 !re a planet :olly    
inhabit$ by spid]s1 7:i* is v possible17

 ?is inf]5ce w\ld !re appe> z natural & 
irrefragable z t :i* 9 our planet       
ascribes ! orig9 ( all ?+s to design &  
intellig5ce1 z expla9$ by ,,clean!s4 ,:y
 an ord]ly sy/em may n be spun f ! belly
 z well z f ! bra91 x w be difficult =  
him to give a satisfactory reason4  ,i  
mu/ confess1 ,,philo1 repli$ ,,clean!s1 
t ( all m5 liv+1 ! task :i* y h         
und]tak51 ( rais+ d\bts & objections1   
suits y be/1 & seems1 9 a mann]1 natural
 & unavoidable to y4 ,s great is y\r    
f]tility ( inv5tion1 t ,i am n a%am$ to 
ackn[l$ge myself unable1 on a sudd51 to 
solve regul>ly su* out-(-!-way          
difficulties z y incessantly />t ^u me3 
?\gh ,i cle>ly see1 9 g5]al1 _! fallacy 
& error4 ,& ,i "q n1 b y are y\rself1 at
 pres5t1 9 ! same case1 & h n ! solution
 s ready z ! objection3 :ile y mu/ be   
s5sible1 t common s5se & reason are     
entirely aga9/ y2 & t su* :imsies z y h 
deliv]$1 may puzzle1 b nev] c conv9ce u4
     ,,"p #h   ,:at y ascribe to !      
f]tility ( my inv5tion1 repli$ ,,philo1 

is entirely ow+ to ! nature ( ! subject4
 ,9 subjects adapt$ to ! n>r[ compass ( 
human reason1 !re is commonly b "o      
det]m9ation1 :i* c>ries probability or  
conviction ) x2 & to a man ( s\nd       
judgem5t1 all o!r suppositions1 b t "o1 
appe> entirely absurd & *im]ical4 ,b 9  
su* que/ions z ! pres5t1 a hundr$       
contradictory views may pres]ve a k9d ( 
imp]fect analogy2 & inv5tion has "h full
 scope to ex]t itself4 ,)\t any great   
ef=t ( ?\ght1 ,i believe t ,i c\ld1 9 an
 in/ant1 propose o!r sy/ems ( cosmogony1
 :i* w\ld h "s fa9t appe>ance ( tru?1   
?\gh x is a ?\s&1 a million to "o1 if   
ei!r y\rs or any "o ( m9e be ! true     
sy/em4  ,= in/ance1 :at if ,i %\ld      
revive ! old ,,epicurean hypo!sis8 ,?is 
is commonly1 & ,i believe ju/ly1 e/eem$ 
! mo/ absurd sy/em t has yet be5        
propos$2 yet ,i "k n :e!r1 ) a few      
alt]ations1 x might n be br\ght to be> a
 fa9t appe>ance ( probability4 ,in/ead (
 suppos+ matt] inf9ite1 z ,,epicurus    
did1 let u suppose x f9ite4 ,a f9ite    

numb] ( p>ticles is only susceptible (  
f9ite transpositions3 & x mu/ happ51 9  
an et]nal duration1 t e possible ord] or
 position mu/ be tri$ an inf9ite numb] (
 times4 ,?is _w1 !re=e1 ) all its ev5ts1
 ev5 ! mo/ m9ute1 has be=e be5 produc$ &
 de/roy$1 & w aga9 be produc$ & de/roy$1
 )\t any b\nds & limitations4 ,no "o1 :o
 has a conception ( ! p[]s ( inf9ite1 9 
comp>ison ( f9ite1 w ev] scruple ?is    
det]m9ation4  ,b ?is supposes1 said     
,,demea1 t matt] c acquire motion1 )\t  
any volunt>y ag5t or fir/ mov]4  ,& :]e 
is ! difficulty1 repli$ ,,philo1 ( t    
supposition8 ,e ev5t1 be=e exp]i5ce1 is 
equally difficult & incompreh5sible2 & e
 ev5t1 aft] exp]i5ce1 is equally easy & 
intelligible4 ,motion1 9 _m in/ances1 f 
gravity1 f ela/icity1 f electricity1    
beg9s 9 matt]1 )\t any kn[n volunt>y    
ag5t3 & to suppose always1 9 ^! cases1  
an unkn[n volunt>y ag5t1 is m]e         
hypo!sis2 & hypo!sis att5d$ ) no        
advantages4 ,! beg9n+ ( motion 9 matt]  
itself is z conceivable a priori z its  

communication f m9d & intellig5ce4      
,besides1 :y may n motion h be5         
propagat$ by impulse ?r\gh all et]nity1 
& ! same /ock ( x1 or ne>ly ! same1 be  
/ill upheld 9 ! univ]se8 ,z mu* is lo/  
by ! composition ( motion1 z mu* is ga9$
 by its resolution4 ,& :atev] ! causes  
are1 ! fact is c]ta91 t matt] is1 &     
always has be51 9 cont9ual agitation1 z 
f> z human exp]i5ce or tradition rea*es4
 ,!re is n probably1 at pres5t1 9 ! :ole
 univ]se1 "o p>ticle ( matt] at absolute
 re/4  ,& ?is v consid]ation too1       
cont9u$ ,,philo1 :i* we h /umbl$ on 9 ! 
c\rse ( ! argum5t1 sugge/s a new        
hypo!sis ( cosmogony1 t is n absolutely 
absurd & improbable4 ,is !re a sy/em1 an
 ord]1 an economy ( ?+s1 by :i* matt] c 
pres]ve t p]petual agitation :i* seems  
ess5tial to x1 & yet ma9ta9 a con/ancy 9
 ! =ms :i* x produces8 ,!re c]ta9ly is  
su* an economy2 = ?is is actually ! case
 ) ! pres5t _w4 ,! cont9ual motion (    
matt]1 !re=e1 9 less ?an inf9ite        
transpositions1 mu/ produce ?is economy 

or ord]2 & by its v nature1 t ord]1 :5  
once e/abli%$1 supports itself1 = _m    
ages1 if n to et]nity4 ,b :]ev] matt] is
 s pois$1 arrang$1 & adju/$1 z to       
cont9ue 9 p]petual motion1 & yet pres]ve
 a con/ancy 9 ! =ms1 its situation mu/1 
( necessity1 h all ! same appe>ance (   
art & contrivance :i* we obs]ve at      
pres5t4 ,all ! p>ts ( ea* =m mu/ h a    
relation to ea* o!r1 & to ! :ole2 & !   
:ole itself mu/ h a relation to ! o!r   
p>ts ( ! univ]se2 to ! elem5t 9 :i* ! =m
 subsi/s2 to ! mat]ials ) :i* x repairs 
its wa/e & decay2 & to e o!r =m :i* is  
ho/ile or fri5dly4 ,a defect 9 any ( ^! 
p>ticul>s de/roys ! =m2 & ! matt] ( :i* 
x is compos$ is aga9 set loose1 & is    
?r[n into irregul> motions &            
f]m5tations1 till x unite itself to "s  
o!r regul> =m4 ,if no su* =m be prep>$  
to receive x1 & if !re be a great       
quantity ( ?is corrupt$ matt] 9 !       
univ]se1 ! univ]se itself is entirely   
disord]$2 :e!r x be ! feeble embryo ( a 
_w 9 its fir/ beg9n+s t is ?us de/roy$1 

or ! rott5 c>cass ( "o langui%+ 9 old   
age & infirmity4 ,9 ei!r case1 a *aos   
ensues2 till f9ite1 ?\gh innum]able     
revolutions produce at la/ "s =ms1 ^:   
p>ts & organs are s adju/$ z to support 
! =ms amid/ a cont9u$ succession (      
matt]4  ,suppose 7= we %all endeav\r to 
v>y ! expression71 t matt] 7 ?r[n into  
any position1 by a bl9d1 unguid$ =ce2 x 
is evid5t t ?is fir/ position mu/1 9 all
 probability1 be ! mo/ confus$ & mo/    
disord]ly imag9able1 )\t any resemblance
 to ^? works ( human contrivance1 :i*1  
along ) a symmetry ( p>ts1 discov] an   
adju/m5t ( means to ends1 & a t5d5cy to 
self-pres]vation4 ,if ! actuat+ =ce     
cease aft] ?is op]ation1 matt] mu/ rema9
 = ev] 9 disord]1 & cont9ue an imm5se   
*aos1 )\t any proportion or activity4 ,b
 suppose t ! actuat+ =ce1 :atev] x be1  
/ill cont9ues 9 matt]1 ?is fir/ position
 w imm$iately give place to a second1   
:i* w likewise 9 all probability be z   
disord]ly z ! fir/1 & s on ?r\gh _m     
successions ( *anges & revolutions4 ,no 

p>ticul> ord] or position ev] cont9ues a
 mom5t unalt]$4 ,! orig9al =ce1 /ill    
rema9+ 9 activity1 gives a p]petual     
re/lessness to matt]4 ,e possible       
situation is produc$1 & in/antly        
de/roy$4 ,if a glimpse or dawn ( ord]   
appe>s = a mom5t1 x is in/antly hurri$  
away1 & conf\nd$1 by t nev]-ceas+ =ce   
:i* actuates e "p ( matt]4  ,?us !      
univ]se goes on = _m ages 9 a cont9u$   
succession ( *aos & disord]4 ,b is x n  
possible t x may settle at la/1 s z n to
 lose its motion & active =ce 7= t we h 
suppos$ inh]5t 9 x71 yet s z to pres]ve 
an uni=mity ( appe>ance1 amid/ !        
cont9ual motion & fluctuation ( its     
p>ts8 ,?is we f9d to be ! case ) !      
univ]se at pres5t4 ,e individual is     
p]petually *ang+1 & e "p ( e individual2
 & yet ! :ole rema9s1 9 appe>ance1 !    
same4 ,may we n hope = su* a position1  
or r be assur$ ( x1 f ! et]nal          
revolutions ( unguid$ matt]2 & may n ?is
 acc\nt = all ! appe>+ wisdom &         
contrivance :i* is 9 ! univ]se8 ,let u  

contemplate ! subject a little1 & we    
%all f9d1 t ?is adju/m5t1 if atta9$ by  
matt] ( a seem+ /ability 9 ! =ms1 ) a   
real & p]petual revolution or motion (  
p>ts1 af=ds a plausible1 if n a true    
solution ( ! difficulty4  ,x is 9 va91  
!re=e1 to insi/ ^u ! uses ( ! p>ts 9    
animals or vegetables1 & _! curi\s      
adju/m5t to ea* o!r4 ,i w\ld fa9 "k1 h[ 
an animal c\ld subsi/1 unless its p>ts 7
 s adju/$8 ,d we n f9d1 t x imm$iately  
p]i%es :5ev] ?is adju/m5t ceases1 & t   
its matt] corrupt+ tries "s new =m8 ,x  
happ5s inde$1 t ! p>ts ( ! _w are s well
 adju/$1 t "s regul> =m imm$iately lays 
claim to ?is corrupt$ matt]3 & if x 7 n 
s1 c\ld ! _w subsi/8 ,mu/ x n dissolve z
 well z ! animal1 & pass ?r\gh new      
positions & situations1 till 9 great1 b 
f9ite succession1 x falls at la/ into ! 
pres5t or "s su* ord]8  ,x is well1     
repli$ ,,clean!s1 y told u1 t ?is       
hypo!sis 0 sugge/$ on a sudd51 9 ! c\rse
 ( ! argum5t4 ,_h y _h leisure to exam9e
 x1 y w\ld soon h p]ceiv$ ! insup]able  

objections to :i* x is expos$4 ,no =m1 y
 say1 c subsi/1 unless x possess ^? p[]s
 & organs requisite = its subsi/5ce3 "s 
new ord] or economy mu/ be tri$1 & s on1
 )\t int]mission2 till at la/ "s ord]1  
:i* c support & ma9ta9 itself1 is fall5 
^u4 ,b accord+ to ?is hypo!sis1 :5ce    
arise ! _m conv5i5ces & advantages :i*  
m5 & all animals possess8 ,two eyes1 two
 e>s1 are n absolutely necess>y = !     
subsi/5ce ( ! species4 ,human race might
 h be5 propagat$ & pres]v$1 )\t horses1 
dogs1 c[s1 %eep1 & ^? innum]able fruits 
& products :i* s]ve to our satisfaction 
& enjoym5t4 ,if no camels _h be5 creat$ 
= ! use ( man 9 ! s&y des]ts ( ,,africa 
& ,,arabia1 w\ld ! _w h be5 dissolv$8   
,if no lode/one _h be5 fram$ to give t  
wond]ful & useful direction to ! ne$le1 
w\ld human society & ! human k9d h be5  
imm$iately ext+ui%$8 ,?\gh ! maxims (   
,nature be 9 g5]al v frugal1 yet        
in/ances ( ?is k9d are f> f be+ r>e2 &  
any "o ( !m is a suffici5t pro( (       
design1 & ( a b5evol5t design1 :i* gave 

rise to ! ord] & arrangem5t ( ! univ]se4
  ,at lea/1 y may safely inf]1 said     
,,philo1 t ! =ego+ hypo!sis is s f>     
incomplete & imp]fect1 :i* ,i %all n    
scruple to all[4 ,b c we ev] reasonably 
expect great] success 9 any attempts (  
?is nature8 ,or c we ev] hope to erect a
 sy/em ( cosmogony1 t w be liable to no 
exceptions1 & w conta9 no circum/ance   
repugnant to our limit$ & imp]fect      
exp]i5ce ( ! analogy ( ,nature8 ,y\r    
!ory itself _c surely pret5d to any su* 
advantage1 ev5 ?\gh y h run into        
,an?ropomorphism1 ! bett] to pres]ve a  
con=mity to common exp]i5ce4 ,let u once
 m put x to trial4 ,9 all in/ances :i*  
we h ev] se51 ideas are copi$ f real    
objects1 & are ectypal1 n ar*etypal1 to 
express myself 9 le>n$ t]ms3 ,y rev]se  
?is ord]1 & give ?\ght ! prec$5ce4 ,9   
all in/ances :i* we h ev] se51 ?\ght has
 no influ5ce ^u matt]1 except :]e t     
matt] is s conjo9$ ) x z to h an equal  
reciprocal influ5ce ^u x4 ,no animal c  
move imm$iately any ?+ b ! memb]s ( its 

own body2 & inde$1 ! equality ( action &
 reaction seems to be an univ]sal law ( 
nature3 ,b y\r !ory implies a           
contradiction to ?is exp]i5ce4 ,^!      
in/ances1 ) _m m1 :i* x 7 easy to       
collect1 7p>ticul>ly ! supposition ( a  
m9d or sy/em ( ?\ght t is et]nal1 or1 9 
o!r words1 an animal +5]able &          
immortal72 ^! in/ances1 ,i say1 may tea*
 all ( u sobriety 9 condemn+ ea* o!r1 & 
let u see1 t z no sy/em ( ?is k9d ought 
ev] to be receiv$ f a slight analogy1 s 
nei!r ought any to be reject$ on acc\nt 
( a small incongruity4 ,= t is an       
inconv5i5ce f :i* we c ju/ly pron\nce no
 "o to be exempt$4  ,all religi\s       
sy/ems1 x is confess$1 are subject to   
great & insup]able difficulties4 ,ea*   
disputant triumphs 9 8 turn2 :ile he    
c>ries on an (f5sive w>1 & exposes !    
absurdities1 b>b>ities1 & p]nici\s t5ets
 ( 8 antagoni/4 ,b all ( !m1 on ! :ole1 
prep>e a complete triumph = ! ,sceptic2 
:o tells !m1 t no sy/em ought ev] to be 
embrac$ ) reg>d to su* subjects3 ,= ?is 

pla9 reason1 t no absurdity ought ev] to
 be ass5t$ to ) reg>d to any subject4 ,a
 total susp5se ( judgem5t is "h our only
 reasonable res\rce4 ,& if e attack1 z  
is commonly obs]v$1 & no def5ce1 among  
,!ologians1 is successful2 h[ complete  
mu/ be 8 victory1 :o rema9s always1 )   
all mank9d1 on ! (f5sive1 & has himself 
no fix$ /ation or abid+ city1 :i* he is 
ev]1 on any occasion1 oblig$ to def5d8  
,,"p #i   ,b if s _m difficulties att5d 
! argum5t a po/]iori1 said ,,demea1 _h  
we n bett] adh]e to t simple & sublime  
argum5t a priori1 :i*1 by (f]+ to u     
infallible demon/ration1 cuts (f at once
 all d\bt & difficulty8 ,by ?is argum5t1
 too1 we may prove ! inf9ity ( ! ,div9e 
attributes1 :i*1 ,i am afraid1 c nev] be
 asc]ta9$ ) c]ta9ty f any o!r topic4 ,= 
h[ c an effect1 :i* ei!r is f9ite1 or1 =
 aught we "k1 may be s2 h[ c su* an     
effect1 ,i say1 prove an inf9ite cause8 
,! unity too ( ! ,div9e ,nature1 x is v 
difficult1 if n absolutely impossible1  
to d$uce m]ely f contemplat+ ! works (  

nature2 nor w ! uni=mity alone ( ! plan1
 ev5 7 x all[$1 give u any assurance ( t
 attribute4 ,:]eas ! argum5t a priori   
444  ,y seem to reason1 ,,demea1        
int]pos$ ,,clean!s1 z if ^? advantages &
 conv5i5ces 9 ! ab/ract argum5t 7 full  
pro(s ( its solidity4 ,b x is fir/      
prop]1 9 my op9ion1 to det]m9e :at      
argum5t ( ?is nature y *oose to insi/   
on2 & we %all aft]w>ds1 f itself1 bett] 
?an f its useful consequ5ces1 endeav\r  
to det]m9e :at value we ought to put ^u 
x4  ,! argum5t1 repli$ ,,demea1 :i* ,i  
w\ld insi/ on1 is ! common "o4 ,:atev]  
exi/s mu/ h a cause or reason ( its     
exi/5ce2 x be+ absolutely impossible =  
any ?+ to produce itself1 or be ! cause 
( its own exi/5ce4 ,9 m\nt+ up1 !re=e1 f
 effects to causes1 we mu/ ei!r g on 9  
trac+ an inf9ite succession1 )\t any    
ultimate cause at all2 or mu/ at la/ h  
rec\rse to "s ultimate cause1 t is      
necess>ily exi/5t3 ,n[1 t ! fir/        
supposition is absurd1 may be ?us prov$4
 ,9 ! inf9ite *a9 or succession ( causes

 & effects1 ea* s+le effect is det]m9$  
to exi/ by ! p[] & efficacy ( t cause   
:i* imm$iately prec$$2 b ! :ole et]nal  
*a9 or succession1 tak5 toge!r1 is n    
det]m9$ or caus$ by any ?+2 & yet x is  
evid5t t x requires a cause or reason1 z
 mu* z any p>ticul> object :i* beg9s to 
exi/ 9 "t4 ,! "q is /ill reasonable1 :y 
?is p>ticul> succession ( causes exi/$ f
 et]nity1 & n any o!r succession1 or no 
succession at all4 ,if !re be no        
necess>ily exi/5t be+1 any supposition  
:i* c be =m$ is equally possible2 nor is
 !re any m absurdity 9 ,no?+'s hav+     
exi/$ f et]nity1 ?an !re is 9 t         
succession ( causes :i* con/itutes !    
univ]se4 ,:at 0 x1 !n1 :i* det]m9$      
,some?+ to exi/ r ?an ,no?+1 & be/[$ be+
 on a p>ticul> possibility1 exclusive ( 
! re/8 ,ext]nal causes1 !re are suppos$ 
to be none4 ,*ance is a ^w )\t a mean+4 
,0 x ,no?+8 ,b t c nev] produce any ?+4 
,we mu/1 !re=e1 h rec\rse to a          
necess>ily exi/5t ,be+1 :o c>ries !     
,,reason ( 8 exi/5ce 9 himself1 & :o _c 

be suppos$ n to exi/1 )\t an express    
contradiction4 ,!re is1 consequ5tly1 su*
 a ,be+2 t is1 !re is a ,deity4  ,i %all
 n leave x to ,,philo1 said ,,clean!s1  
?\gh ,i "k t ! />t+ objections is 8 *ief
 delight1 to po9t out ! weakness ( ?is  
metaphysical reason+4 ,x seems to me s  
obvi\sly ill-gr\nd$1 & at ! same "t ( s 
little consequ5ce to ! cause ( true     
piety & religion1 t ,i %all myself      
v5ture to %[ ! fallacy ( x4  ,i %all    
beg9 ) obs]v+1 t !re is an evid5t       
absurdity 9 pret5d+ to demon/rate a     
matt] ( fact1 or to prove x by any      
argum5ts a priori4 ,no?+ is demon/rable1
 unless ! contr>y implies a             
contradiction4 ,no?+1 t is di/9ctly     
conceivable1 implies a contradiction4   
,:atev] we conceive z exi/5t1 we c also 
conceive z non-exi/5t4 ,!re is no be+1  
!re=e1 ^: non-exi/5ce implies a         
contradiction4 ,consequ5tly !re is no   
be+1 ^: exi/5ce is demon/rable4 ,i      
propose ?is argum5t z entirely decisive1
 & am will+ to re/ ! :ole controv]sy ^u 

x4  ,x is pret5d$ t ! ,deity is a       
necess>ily exi/5t be+2 & ?is necessity (
 8 exi/5ce is attempt$ to be expla9$ by 
ass]t+1 t if we knew 8 :ole ess5ce or   
nature1 we %\ld p]ceive x to be z       
impossible = him n to exi/1 z = twice   
two n to be f\r4 ,b x is evid5t t ?is c 
nev] happ51 :ile our faculties rema9 !  
same z at pres5t4 ,x w /ill be possible 
= u1 at any "t1 to conceive !           
non-exi/5ce ( :at we =m]ly conceiv$ to  
exi/2 nor c ! m9d ev] lie "u a necessity
 ( suppos+ any object to rema9 always 9 
be+2 9 ! same mann] z we lie "u a       
necessity ( always conceiv+ twice two to
 be f\r4 ,! words1 !re=e1 necess>y      
exi/5ce1 h no mean+2 or1 :i* is ! same  
?+1 none t is consi/5t4  ,b fur!r1 :y   
may n ! mat]ial univ]se be ! necess>ily 
exi/5t ,be+1 accord+ to ?is pret5d$     
explication ( necessity8 ,we d>e n      
affirm t we "k all ! qualities ( matt]2 
& = aught we c det]m9e1 x may conta9 "s 
qualities1 :i*1 7 !y kn[n1 w\ld make its
 non-exi/5ce appe> z great a            

contradiction z t twice two is five4 ,i 
f9d only "o argum5t employ$ to prove1 t 
! mat]ial _w is n ! necess>ily exi/5t   
,be+3 & ?is argum5t is d]iv$ f !        
cont+5cy bo? ( ! matt] & ! =m ( ! _w4   
,any p>ticle ( matt]1 x is said,dr4     
,cl>ke1 may be conceiv$ to be           
annihilat$2 & any =m may be conceiv$ to 
be alt]$4 ,su* an annihilation or       
alt]ation1 !re=e1 is n impossible4 ,b x 
seems a great p>tiality n to p]ceive1 t 
! same argum5t ext5ds equally to !      
,deity1 s f> z we h any conception (    
him2 & t ! m9d c at lea/ imag9e him to  
be non-exi/5t1 or 8 attributes to be    
alt]$4 ,x mu/ be "s unkn[n1             
inconceivable qualities1 :i* c make 8   
non-exi/5ce appe> impossible1 or 8      
attributes unalt]able3 ,& no reason c be
 assign$1 :y ^! qualities may n belong  
to matt]4 ,z !y are altoge!r unkn[n &   
inconceivable1 !y c nev] be prov$       
incompatible ) x4  ,add to ?is1 t 9     
trac+ an et]nal succession ( objects1 x 
seems absurd to inquire = a g5]al cause 

or fir/ au?or4 ,h[ c any ?+1 t exi/s f  
et]nity1 h a cause1 s9ce t relation     
implies a priority 9 "t1 & a beg9n+ (   
exi/5ce8  ,9 su* a *a91 too1 or         
succession ( objects1 ea* "p is caus$ by
 t :i* prec$$ x1 & causes t :i* succe$s 
x4 ,:]e !n is ! difficulty8 ,b ! :ole1 y
 say1 wants a cause4 ,i answ]1 t ! unit+
 ( ^! p>ts into a :ole1 l ! unit+ (     
sev]al di/9ct c\ntries into "o k+dom1 or
 sev]al di/9ct memb]s into "o body1 is  
p]=m$ m]ely by an arbitr>y act ( ! m9d1 
& has no influ5ce on ! nature ( ?+s4    
,did ,i %[ y ! p>ticul> causes ( ea*    
individual 9 a collection ( tw5ty       
p>ticles ( matt]1 ,i %\ld ?9k x v       
unreasonable1 %\ld y aft]w>ds ask me1   
:at 0 ! cause ( ! :ole tw5ty4 ,?is is   
suffici5tly expla9$ 9 expla9+ ! cause ( 
! p>ts4  ,?\gh ! reason+s :i* y h urg$1 
,,clean!s1 may well excuse me1 said     
,,philo1 f />t+ any fur!r difficulties1 
yet ,i _c =be> insi/+ /ill ^u ano!r     
topic4 ,x is obs]v$ by ari?meticians1 t 
! products ( #i1 compose always ei!r #i1

 or "s less] product ( #i1 if y add     
toge!r all ! *>act]s ( :i* any ( ! =m]  
products is compos$4 ,?us1 ( #ah1 #bg1  
#cf1 :i* are products ( #i1 y make #i by
 add+ #a to #h1 #b to #g1 #c to #f4     
,?us1 #cfi is a product also ( #i2 & if 
y add #c1 #f1 & #i1 y make #ah1 a less] 
product ( #i4 ,to a sup]ficial obs]v]1 s
 wond]ful a regul>ity may be admir$ z ! 
effect ei!r ( *ance or design3 b a      
skilful algebrai/ imm$iately concludes x
 to be ! "w ( necessity1 & demon/rates1 
t x mu/ = ev] result f ! nature ( ^!    
numb]s4 ,is x n probable1 ,i ask1 t !   
:ole economy ( ! univ]se is conduct$ by 
a l necessity1 ?\gh no human algebra c  
furni% a key :i* solves ! difficulty8 ,&
 in/ead ( admir+ ! ord] ( natural be+s1 
may x n happ51 t1 c\ld we p5etrate into 
! intimate nature ( bodies1 we %\ld     
cle>ly see :y x 0 absolutely impossible 
!y c\ld ev] admit ( any o!r disposition8
 ,s dang]\s is x to introduce ?is idea (
 necessity into ! pres5t "q6 & s        
naturally does x af=d an inf]5ce        

directly opposite to ! religi\s         
hypo!sis6  ,b dropp+ all ^! ab/ractions1
 cont9u$ ,,philo1 & conf9+ ourselves to 
m famili> topics1 ,i %all v5ture to add 
an obs]vation1 t ! argum5t a priori has 
seldom be5 f\nd v conv9c+1 except to p (
 a metaphysical head1 :o h accu/om$     
!mselves to ab/ract reason+1 & :o1 f9d+ 
f ma!matics1 t ! und]/&+ frequ5tly leads
 to tru? ?r\gh obscurity1 &1 contr>y to 
fir/ appe>ances1 h transf]r$ ! same     
habit ( ?9k+ to subjects :]e x ought n  
to h place4 ,o!r p1 ev5 ( good s5se & ! 
be/ incl9$ to religion1 feel always "s  
defici5cy 9 su* argum5ts1 ?\gh !y are n 
p]haps able to expla9 di/9ctly :]e x    
lies2 a c]ta9 pro( t m5 ev] did1 & ev] w
 d]ive _! religion f o!r s\rces ?an f   
?is species ( reason+4     ,,"p #aj   ,x
 is my op9ion1 ,i own1 repli$ ,,demea1 t
 ea* man feels1 9 a mann]1 ! tru? (     
religion )9 8 own brea/1 &1 f a         
consci\sness ( 8 imbecility & mis]y1 r  
?an f any reason+1 is l$ to seek        
protection f t ,be+1 on :om he & all    

nature is dep5d5t4 ,s anxi\s or s t$i\s 
are ev5 ! be/ sc5es ( life1 t futurity  
is /ill ! object ( all our hopes & fe>s4
 ,we incessantly look =w>d1 & endeav\r1 
by pray]s1 adoration1 & sacrifice1 to   
appease ^? unkn[n p[]s1 :om we f9d1 by  
exp]i5ce1 s able to afflict & oppress u4
 ,wret*$ creatures t we are6 :at res\rce
 = u amid/ ! innum]able ills ( life1 did
 n religion sugge/ "s me?ods ( atonem5t1
 & appease ^? t]rors ) :i* we are       
incessantly agitat$ & torm5t$8  ,i am   
inde$ p]suad$1 said ,,philo1 t ! be/1 & 
inde$ ! only me?od ( br++ e "o to a due 
s5se ( religion1 is by j repres5tations 
( ! mis]y & wick$ness ( m54 ,& = t      
purpose a tal5t ( eloqu5ce & /rong      
imag]y is m requisite ?an t ( reason+ & 
argum5t4 ,= is x necess>y to prove :at e
 "o feels )9 himself8 ,x is only        
necess>y to make u feel x1 if possible1 
m intimately & s5sibly4  ,! p1 inde$1   
repli$ ,,demea1 are suffici5tly conv9c$ 
( ?is great & melan*oly tru?4 ,! mis]ies
 ( life2 ! unhapp9ess ( man2 ! g5]al    

corruptions ( our nature2 !             
unsatisfactory enjoym5t ( pleasures1    
ri*es1 hon\rs2 ^! phrases h become almo/
 prov]bial 9 all languages4 ,& :o c d\bt
 ( :at all m5 decl>e f _! own imm$iate  
feel+ & exp]i5ce8  ,9 ?is po9t1 said    
,,philo1 ! le>n$ are p]fectly agre$ ) ! 
vulg>2 & 9 all lett]s1 sacr$ & pr(ane1 !
 topic ( human mis]y has be5 insi/$ on )
 ! mo/ pa!tic eloqu5ce t sorr[ &        
melan*oly c\ld inspire4 ,! poets1 :o    
speak f s5tim5t1 )\t a sy/em1 & ^:      
te/imony has !re=e ! m au?ority1 ab\nd 9
 images ( ?is nature4 ,f ,hom] d[n to   
,dr4 ,"y1 ! :ole inspir$ tribe h ev] be5
 s5sible1 t no o!r repres5tation ( ?+s  
w\ld suit ! feel+ & obs]vation ( ea*    
individual4  ,z to au?orities1 repli$   
,,demea1 y ne$ n seek !m4 ,look r\nd ?is
 libr>y ( ,,clean!s4 ,i %all v5ture to  
affirm1 t1 except au?ors ( p>ticul>     
sci5ces1 su* z *emi/ry or botany1 :o h  
no occasion to treat ( human life1 !re  
is sc>ce "o ( ^? innum]able writ]s1 f   
:om ! s5se ( human mis]y has n1 9 "s    

passage or o!r1 extort$ a compla9t &    
confession ( x4 ,at lea/1 ! *ance is    
entirely on t side2 & no "o au?or has   
ev]1 s f> z ,i c recollect1 be5 s       
extravagant z to d5y x4  ,!re y mu/     
excuse me1 said ,,philo3 ,,leibniz has  
d5i$ x2 & is p]haps ! fir/ ,t s5tim5t _h
 be5 ma9ta9$ by ,dr4 ,k+ & "s few o!rs  
be=e ,leibniz2 ?\gh by none ( s great a 
fame z t ,g]man philosoph] :o v5tur$ ^u 
s bold & p>adoxical an op9ion2 at lea/1 
! fir/ :o made x ess5tial to 8          
philosophical sy/em4  ,& by be+ ! fir/1 
repli$ ,,demea1 might he n h be5 s5sible
 ( 8 error8 ,= is ?is a subject 9 :i*   
philosoph]s c propose to make discov]ies
 especially 9 s late an age8 ,& c any   
man hope by a simple d5ial 7= ! subject 
sc>cely admits ( reason+71 to be> d[n ! 
unit$ te/imony ( mank9d1 f\nd$ on s5se &
 consci\sness8  ,& :y %\ld man1 add$ he1
 pret5d to an exemption f ! lot ( all   
o!r animals8 ,! :ole e>?1 believe me1   
,,philo1 is curs$ & pollut$4 ,a p]petual
 w> is k9dl$ among/ all liv+ creatures4 

,necessity1 hung]1 want1 /imulate !     
/rong & c\rage\s3 ,fe>1 anxiety1 t]ror1 
agitate ! weak & infirm4 ,! fir/        
entrance into life gives angui% to !    
new-born infant & to its wret*$ p>5t3   
,weakness1 impot5ce1 di/ress1 att5d ea* 
/age ( t life3 & x is at la/ f9i%$ 9    
agony & horror4  ,obs]ve too1 says      
,,philo1 ! curi\s artifices ( ,nature1 9
 ord] to embitt] ! life ( e liv+ be+4 ,!
 /rong] prey ^u ! weak]1 & keep !m 9    
p]petual t]ror & anxiety4 ,! weak] too1 
9 _! turn1 (t5 prey ^u ! /rong]1 & vex &
 mole/ !m )\t relaxation4 ,consid] t    
innum]able race ( insects1 :i* ei!r are 
br$ on ! body ( ea* animal1 or1 fly+    
ab\t1 infix _! /+s 9 him4 ,^! insects h 
o!rs /ill less ?an !mselves1 :i* torm5t 
!m4 ,& ?us on ea* h&1 be=e & beh9d1     
above & bel[1 e animal is surr\nd$ )    
enemies1 :i* incessantly seek 8 mis]y & 
de/ruction4  ,man alone1 said ,,demea1  
seems to be1 9 "p1 an exception to ?is  
rule4 ,= by comb9ation 9 society1 he c  
easily ma/] lions1 tig]s1 & be>s1 ^:    

great] /r5g? & agility naturally enable 
!m to prey ^u him4  ,on ! contr>y1 x is 
"h *iefly1 cri$ ,,philo1 t ! uni=m &    
equal maxims ( ,nature are mo/ app>5t4  
,man1 x is true1 c1 by comb9ation1      
surm\nt all 8 real enemies1 & become    
ma/] ( ! :ole animal creation3 b does he
 n imm$iately raise up to himself       
imag9>y enemies1 ! demons ( 8 fancy1 :o 
haunt him ) sup]/iti\s t]rors1 & bla/ e 
enjoym5t ( life8 ,8 pleasure1 z he      
imag9es1 becomes1 9 _! eyes1 a crime3 8 
food & repose give !m umbrage & (f5ce3 8
 v sleep & dreams furni% new mat]ials to
 anxi\s fe>3 & ev5 dea?1 8 refuge f e   
o!r ill1 pres5ts only ! dread ( endless 
& innum]able woes4 ,nor does ! wolf     
mole/ m ! timid flock1 ?an sup]/ition   
does ! anxi\s brea/ ( wret*$ mortals4   
,besides1 consid]1 ,,demea3 ,?is v      
society1 by :i* we surm\nt ^? wild      
bea/s1 our natural enemies2 :at new     
enemies does x n raise to u8 ,:at woe & 
mis]y does x n occasion8 ,man is !      
greate/ enemy ( man4 ,oppression1       

inju/ice1 contempt1 contumely1 viol5ce1 
s$ition1 w>1 calumny1 trea*]y1 fraud2 by
 ^! !y mutually torm5t ea* o!r2 & !y    
w\ld soon dissolve t society :i* !y _h  
=m$1 7 x n = ! dread ( /ill great] ills1
 :i* mu/ att5d _! sep>ation4  ,b ?\gh ^!
 ext]nal insults1 said ,,demea1 f       
animals1 f m51 f all ! elem5ts1 :i*     
assault u1 =m a frightful catalogue (   
woes1 !y are no?+ 9 comp>ison ( ^? :i*  
arise )9 ourselves1 f ! di/emp]$        
condition ( our m9d & body4 ,h[ _m lie  
"u ! l+]+ torm5t ( diseases8 ,he> !     
pa!tic enum]ation ( ! great poet4       
,inte/9e /one & ulc]1 colic-pangs1      
,demoniac fr5zy1 mop+ melan*oly1     ,& 
moon-/ruck madness1 p9+ atrophy1        
,m>asmus1 & wide-wa/+ pe/il5ce4         
,dire 0 ! toss+1 deep ! groans3 despair 
,t5d$ ! sick1 busie/ f c\* to c\*4      
,& ov] !m triumphant dea? 8 d>t         
,%ook3 b delay'd to /rike1 ?\gh (t      
invok'd     ,) v[s1 z _! *ief good &    
f9al hope4   ,! disord]s ( ! m9d1       
cont9u$ ,,demea1 ?\gh m secret1 are n   

p]haps less dismal & vexati\s4 ,remorse1
 %ame1 angui%1 rage1 disappo9tm5t1      
anxiety1 fe>1 dejection1 despair2 :o has
 ev] pass$ ?r\gh life )\t cruel inroads 
f ^! torm5tors8 ,h[ _m h sc>cely ev]    
felt any bett] s5sations8 ,lab\r &      
pov]ty1 s abhorr$ by e "o1 are ! c]ta9  
lot ( ! f> great] numb]2 & ^? few       
privileg$ p]sons1 :o enjoy ease &       
opul5ce1 nev] rea* cont5tm5t or true    
felicity4 ,all ! goods ( life unit$ w\ld
 n make a v happy man2 b all ! ills     
unit$ w\ld make a wret* inde$2 & any "o 
( !m almo/ 7& :o c be free f e "o87 nay 
(t5 ! abs5ce ( "o good 7& :o c possess  
all87 is suffici5t to r5d] life         
ineligible4  ,7 a /rang] to drop on a   
sudd5 into ?is _w1 ,i w\ld %[ him1 z a  
specim5 ( its ills1 a hospital full (   
diseases1 a prison cr[d$ ) malefactors &
 debtors1 a field ( battle /rew$ )      
c>casses1 a fleet f\nd]+ 9 ! ocean1 a   
nation langui%+ "u tyranny1 fam9e1 or   
pe/il5ce4 ,to turn ! gay side ( life to 
him1 & give him a notion ( its          

pleasures2 :i!r %\ld ,i conduct him8 to 
a ball1 to an op]a1 to c\rt8 ,he might  
ju/ly ?9k1 t ,i 0 only %[+ him a        
div]sity ( di/ress & sorr[4  ,!re is no 
evad+ su* /rik+ in/ances1 said ,,philo1 
b by apologies1 :i* /ill fur!r aggravate
 ! *>ge4 ,:y h all m51 ,i ask1 9 all    
ages1 compla9$ incessantly ( ! mis]ies (
 life8444 ,!y h no j reason1 says "o3 ^!
 compla9ts proce$ only f _! discont5t$1 
rep9+1 anxi\s disposition444,& c !re    
possibly1 ,i reply1 be a m c]ta9        
f\ndation ( mis]y1 ?an su* a wret*$     
temp]8  ,b if !y 7 really z unhappy z !y
 pret5d1 says my antagoni/1 :y d !y     
rema9 9 life8444      ,n satisfi$ )     
life1 afraid ( dea?4  ,?is is ! secret  
*a91 say ,i1 t holds u4 ,we are t]rifi$1
 n brib$ to ! cont9uance ( our exi/5ce4 
,x is only a false delicacy1 he may     
insi/1 :i* a few ref9$ spirits indulge1 
& :i* has spread ^! compla9ts among !   
:ole race ( mank9d4 4 4 4 ,& :at is ?is 
delicacy1 ,i ask1 :i* y blame8 ,is x any
 ?+ b a great] s5sibility to all !      

pleasures & pa9s ( life8 & if ! man ( a 
delicate1 ref9$ temp]1 by be+ s mu* m   
alive ?an ! re/ ( ! _w1 is only s mu* m 
unhappy1 :at judgem5t mu/ we =m 9 g5]al 
( human life8  ,let m5 rema9 at re/1    
says our adv]s>y1 & !y w be easy4 ,!y   
are will+ artific]s ( _! own mis]y4 4 4 
4 ,no6 reply ,i3 an anxi\s languor      
foll[s _! repose2 disappo9tm5t1         
vexation1 tr\ble1 _! activity &         
ambition4  ,i c obs]ve some?+ l :at y   
m5tion 9 "s o!rs1 repli$ ,,clean!s3 b ,i
 confess ,i feel little or no?+ ( x 9   
myself1 & hope t x is n s common z y    
repres5t x4  ,if y feel n human mis]y   
y\rself1 cri$ ,,demea1 ,i congratulate y
 on s happy a s+ul>ity4 ,o!rs1 seem+ly !
 mo/ prosp]\s1 h n be5 a%am$ to v5t _!  
compla9ts 9 ! mo/ melan*oly /ra9s4 ,let 
u att5d to ! great1 ! =tunate emp]or1   
,,*>les ,v1 :51 tir$ ) human gr&eur1 he 
resign$ all 8 ext5sive dom9ions into !  
h&s ( 8 son4 ,9 ! la/ h>angue :i* he    
made on t memorable occasion1 he        
publicly av[$1 t ! greate/ prosp]ities  

:i* he _h ev] enjoy$1 _h be5 mix$ ) s _m
 adv]sities1 t he might truly say he _h 
nev] enjoy$ any satisfaction or         
cont5tm5t4 ,b did ! retir$ life1 9 :i*  
he s\ght = %elt]1 af=d him any great]   
happ9ess8 ,if we may cr$it 8 son's      
acc\nt1 8 rep5tance comm5c$ ! v day ( 8 
resignation4  ,,cic]o's =tune1 f small  
beg9n+s1 rose to ! greate/ lu/re & r5[n2
 yet :at pa!tic compla9ts ( ! ills (    
life d 8 famili> lett]s1 z well z       
philosophical disc\rses1 conta98 ,&     
suitably to 8 own exp]i5ce1 he          
introduces ,,cato1 ! great1 ! =tunate   
,,cato1 prote/+ 9 8 old age1 t _h he a  
new life 9 8 (f]1 he w\ld reject !      
pres5t4  ,ask y\rself1 ask any ( y\r    
acqua9tance1 :e!r !y w\ld live ov] aga9 
! la/ t5 or tw5ty ye>s ( _! life4 ,no6 b
 ! next tw5ty1 !y say1 w be bett]3      
,& f ! dregs ( life1 hope to receive    
,:at ! fir/ sprightly runn+ c\ld n give4
   ,?us at la/ !y f9d 7su* is !         
greatness ( human mis]y1 x reconciles   
ev5 contradictions71 t !y compla9 at    

once ( ! %ortness ( life1 & ( its vanity
 & sorr[4  ,& is x possible1 ,,clean!s1 
said ,,philo1 t aft] all ^! reflections1
 & inf9itely m1 :i* might be sugge/$1 y 
c /ill p]sev]e 9 y\r ,an?ropomorphism1 &
 ass]t ! moral attributes ( ! ,deity1 8 
ju/ice1 b5evol5ce1 m]cy1 & rectitude1 to
 be ( ! same nature ) ^! virtues 9 human
 creatures8 ,8 p[] we all[ is inf9ite3  
:atev] he wills is execut$3 b nei!r man 
nor any o!r animal is happy3 !re=e he   
does n w _! happ9ess4 ,8 wisdom is      
inf9ite3 ,he is nev] mi/ak5 9 *oos+ !   
means to any end3 ,b ! c\rse ( ,nature  
t5ds n to human or animal felicity3     
!re=e x is n e/abli%$ = t purpose4      
,?r\gh ! :ole compass ( human k1 !re are
 no inf]5ces m c]ta9 & infallible ?an   
^!4 ,9 :at respect1 !n1 d 8 b5evol5ce & 
m]cy resemble ! b5evol5ce & m]cy ( m58  
,,epicurus's old que/ions are yet       
unansw]$4 ,is he will+ to prev5t evil1 b
 n able8 !n is he impot5t4 ,is he able1 
b n will+8 !n is he malevol5t4 ,is he   
bo? able & will+8 :5ce !n is evil8  ,y  

ascribe1 ,,clean!s 7& ,i believe ju/ly71
 a purpose & int5tion to ,nature4 ,b    
:at1 ,i besee* y1 is ! object ( t curi\s
 artifice & ma*9]y1 :i* %e has display$ 
9 all animals8 ,! pres]vation alone (   
individuals1 & propagation ( ! species4 
,x seems en\gh = h] purpose1 if su* a   
rank be b>ely upheld 9 ! univ]se1 )\t   
any c>e or conc]n = ! happ9ess ( !      
memb]s t compose x4 ,no res\rce = ?is   
purpose3 no ma*9]y1 9 ord] m]ely to give
 pleasure or ease3 no fund ( pure joy & 
cont5tm5t3 no indulg5ce1 )\t "s want or 
necessity accompany+ x4 ,at lea/1 ! few 
ph5om5a ( ?is nature are ov]balanc$ by  
opposite ph5om5a ( /ill great]          
importance4  ,our s5se ( music1 h>mony1 
& inde$ beauty ( all k9ds1 gives        
satisfaction1 )\t be+ absolutely        
necess>y to ! pres]vation & propagation 
( ! species4 ,b :at rack+ pa9s1 on ! o!r
 h&1 arise f g\ts1 gravels1 megrims1    
too?a*es1 rheumatisms1 :]e ! injury to !
 animal ma*9]y is ei!r small or         
incurable8 ,mir?1 laught]1 play1 frolic1

 seem gratuit\s satisfactions1 :i* h no 
fur!r t5d5cy3 sple51 melan*oly1         
discont5t1 sup]/ition1 are pa9s ( ! same
 nature4 ,h[ !n does ! ,div9e b5evol5ce 
display itself1 9 ! s5se ( y            
,an?ropomorphites8 ,none b we ,my/ics1 z
 y 7 pleas$ to call u1 c acc\nt = ?is   
/range mixture ( ph5om5a1 by d]iv+ x f  
attributes1 inf9itely p]fect1 b         
incompreh5sible4  ,& h y at la/1 said   
,,clean!s smil+1 betray$ y\r int5tions1 
,,philo8 ,y\r long agreem5t ) ,,demea   
did inde$ a little surprise me2 b ,i f9d
 y 7 all ! :ile erect+ a conceal$ batt]y
 aga9/ me4 ,& ,i mu/ confess1 t y h n[  
fall5 ^u a subject wor?y ( y\r noble _s 
( opposition & controv]sy4 ,if y c make 
out ! pres5t po9t1 & prove mank9d to be 
unhappy or corrupt$1 !re is an end at   
once ( all religion4 ,= to :at purpose  
e/abli% ! natural attributes ( ! ,deity1
 :ile ! moral are /ill d\btful &        
unc]ta98  ,y take umbrage v easily1     
repli$ ,,demea1 at op9ions ! mo/        
innoc5t1 & ! mo/ g5]ally receiv$1 ev5   

among/ ! religi\s & dev\t !mselves3 &   
no?+ c be m surpris+ ?an to f9d a topic 
l ?is1 conc]n+ ! wick$ness & mis]y (    
man1 *>g$ ) no less ?an ,a!ism &        
pr(an5ess4 ,h n all pi\s div9es &       
prea*]s1 :o h indulg$ _! rhetoric on s  
f]tile a subject2 h !y n easily1 ,i say1
 giv5 a solution ( any difficulties :i* 
may att5d x8 ,?is _w is b a po9t 9      
comp>ison ( ! univ]se2 ?is life b a     
mom5t 9 comp>ison ( et]nity4 ,! pres5t  
evil ph5om5a1 !re=e1 are rectifi$ 9 o!r 
regions1 & 9 "s future p]iod ( exi/5ce4 
,& ! eyes ( m51 be+ !n op5$ to l>g]     
views ( ?+s1 see ! :ole connection (    
g5]al laws2 & trace ) adoration1 !      
b5evol5ce & rectitude ( ! ,deity1 ?r\gh 
all ! mazes & intricacies ( 8 provid5ce4
  ,no6 repli$ ,,clean!s1 ,no6 ,^!       
arbitr>y suppositions c nev] be admitt$1
 contr>y to matt] ( fact1 visible &     
uncontrov]t$4 ,:5ce c any cause be kn[n 
b f its kn[n effects8 ,:5ce c any       
hypo!sis be prov$ b f ! app>5t ph5om5a8 
,to e/abli% "o hypo!sis ^u ano!r1 is    

build+ entirely 9 ! air2 & ! utmo/ we   
ev] atta91 by ^! conjectures & fictions1
 is to asc]ta9 ! b>e possibility ( our  
op9ion2 b nev] c we1 ^u su* t]ms1       
e/abli% its reality4  ,! only me?od (   
support+ ,div9e b5evol5ce1 & x is :at ,i
 will+ly embrace1 is to d5y absolutely !
 mis]y & wick$ness ( man4 ,y\r          
repres5tations are exagg]at$2 y\r       
melan*oly views mo/ly fictiti\s2 y\r    
inf]5ces contr>y to fact & exp]i5ce4    
,heal? is m common ?an sickness2        
pleasure ?an pa92 happ9ess ?an mis]y4 ,&
 = "o vexation :i* we meet )1 we atta91 
^u computation1 a hundr$ enjoym5ts4     
,admitt+ y\r position1 repli$ ,,philo1  
:i* yet is extremely d\btful1 y mu/ at !
 same "t all[1 t if pa9 be less frequ5t 
?an pleasure1 x is inf9itely m viol5t & 
durable4 ,"o h\r ( x is (t5 able to     
outweigh a day1 a week1 a mon? ( our    
common insipid enjoym5ts2 & h[ _m days1 
weeks1 & mon?s1 are pass$ by sev]al 9 ! 
mo/ acute torm5ts8 ,pleasure1 sc>cely 9 
"o in/ance1 is ev] able to rea* ec/asy &

 rapture2 & 9 no "o in/ance c x cont9ue 
= any "t at its highe/ pit* & altitude4 
,! spirits evaporate1 ! n]ves relax1 !  
fabric is disord]$1 & ! enjoym5t quickly
 deg5]ates into fatigue & uneas9ess4 ,b 
pa9 (t51 good ,god1 h[ (t56 rises to    
torture & agony2 & ! long] x cont9ues1 x
 becomes /ill m g5u9e agony & torture4  
,pati5ce is exhau/$1 c\rage langui%es1  
melan*oly seizes u1 & no?+ t]m9ates our 
mis]y b ! removal ( its cause1 or ano!r 
ev5t1 :i* is ! sole cure ( all evil1 b  
:i*1 f our natural folly1 we reg>d )    
/ill great] horror & con/]nation4  ,b n 
to insi/ ^u ^! topics1 cont9u$ ,,philo1 
?\gh mo/ obvi\s1 c]ta91 & important2 ,i 
mu/ use ! fre$om to admoni% y1          
,,clean!s1 t y h put ! controv]sy ^u a  
mo/ dang]\s issue1 & are unaw>es        
introduc+ a total scepticism into ! mo/ 
ess5tial articles ( natural & reveal$   
!ology4 ,:at6 no me?od ( fix+ a j       
f\ndation = religion1 unless we all[ !  
happ9ess ( human life1 & ma9ta9 a       
cont9u$ exi/5ce ev5 9 ?is _w1 ) all our 

pres5t pa9s1 infirmities1 vexations1 &  
follies1 to be eligible & desirable6 ,b 
?is is contr>y to e "o's feel+ &        
exp]i5ce3 ,x is contr>y to an au?ority s
 e/abli%$ z no?+ c subv]t4 ,no decisive 
pro(s c ev] be produc$ aga9/ ?is        
au?ority2 nor is x possible = y to      
compute1 e/imate1 & comp>e1 all ! pa9s &
 all ! pleasures 9 ! lives ( all m5 & ( 
all animals3 ,& ?us1 by y\r re/+ ! :ole 
sy/em ( religion on a po9t1 :i*1 f its v
 nature1 mu/ = ev] be unc]ta91 y tacitly
 confess1 t t sy/em is equally unc]ta94 
,b all[+ y :at nev] w be believ$1 at    
lea/ :at y nev] possibly c prove1 t     
animal1 or at lea/ human happ9ess1 9 ?is
 life1 exce$s its mis]y1 y h yet done   
no?+3 ,= ?is is n1 by any means1 :at we 
expect f inf9ite p[]1 inf9ite wisdom1 & 
inf9ite goodness4 ,:y is !re any mis]y  
at all 9 ! _w8 ,n by *ance surely4 ,f "s
 cause !n4 ,is x f ! int5tion ( !       
,deity8 ,b he is p]fectly b5evol5t4 ,is 
x contr>y to 8 int5tion8 ,b he is       
almighty4 ,no?+ c %ake ! solidity ( ?is 

reason+1 s %ort1 s cle>1 s decisive2    
except we ass]t1 t ^! subjects exce$ all
 human capacity1 & t our common measures
 ( tru? & falsehood are n applicable to 
!m2 a topic :i* ,i h all along insi/$   
on1 b :i* y h1 f ! beg9n+1 reject$ )    
scorn & indignation4  ,b ,i w be cont5t$
 to retire /ill f ?is entr5*m5t1 = ,i   
d5y t y c ev] =ce me 9 x4 ,i w all[1 t  
pa9 or mis]y 9 man is compatible )      
inf9ite p[] & goodness 9 ! ,deity1 ev5 9
 y\r s5se ( ^! attributes3 ,:at are y   
advanc$ by all ^! concessions8 ,a m]e   
possible compatibility is n suffici5t4  
,y mu/ prove ^! pure1 unmix$1 &         
uncontrollable attributes f ! pres5t    
mix$ & confus$ ph5om5a1 & f ^! alone4 ,a
 hopeful und]tak+6 ,7 ! ph5om5a ev] s   
pure & unmix$1 yet be+ f9ite1 !y w\ld be
 insuffici5t = t purpose4 ,h[ mu* m1 :]e
 !y are also s j>r+ & discordant6  ,"h1 
,,clean!s1 ,i f9d myself at ease 9 my   
argum5t4 ,"h ,i triumph4 ,=m]ly1 :5 we  
argu$ conc]n+ ! natural attributes (    
intellig5ce & design1 ,i ne$$ all my    

sceptical & metaphysical subtlety to    
elude y\r grasp4 ,9 _m views ( !        
univ]se1 & ( its p>ts1 p>ticul>ly !     
latt]1 ! beauty & fitness ( f9al causes 
/rike u ) su* irresi/ible =ce1 t all    
objections appe> 7:at ,i believe !y     
really are7 m]e cavils & sophisms2 nor c
 we !n imag9e h[ x 0 ev] possible = u to
 repose any weight on !m4 ,b !re is no  
view ( human life1 or ( ! condition (   
mank9d1 f :i*1 )\t ! greate/ viol5ce1 we
 c inf] ! moral attributes1 or le>n t   
inf9ite b5evol5ce1 conjo9$ ) inf9ite p[]
 & inf9ite wisdom1 :i* we mu/ discov] by
 ! eyes ( fai? alone4 ,x is y\r turn n[ 
to tug ! lab\r+ o>1 & to support y\r    
philosophical subtleties aga9/ !        
dictates ( pla9 reason & exp]i5ce4      
,,"p #aa   ,i scruple n to all[1 said   
,,clean!s1 t ,i h be5 apt to suspect !  
frequ5t repetition ( ! ^w inf9ite1 :i*  
we meet ) 9 all !ological writ]s1 to    
sav\r m ( panegyric ?an ( philosophy2 & 
t any purposes ( reason+1 & ev5 (       
religion1 w\ld be bett] s]v$1 7 we to   

re/ cont5t$ ) m accurate & m mod]ate    
expressions4 ,! t]ms1 admirable1        
excell5t1 sup]latively great1 wise1 &   
holy2 ^! suffici5tly fill ! imag9ations 
( m52 & any ?+ beyond1 besides t x leads
 into absurdities1 has no influ5ce on ! 
affections or s5tim5ts4 ,?us1 9 ! pres5t
 subject1 if we ab&on all human analogy1
 z seems y\r int5tion1 ,,demea1 ,i am   
afraid we ab&on all religion1 & reta9 no
 conception ( ! great object ( our      
adoration4 ,if we pres]ve human analogy1
 we mu/ = ev] f9d x impossible to       
reconcile any mixture ( evil 9 ! univ]se
 ) inf9ite attributes2 mu* less c we ev]
 prove ! latt] f ! =m]4 ,b suppos+ !    
,au?or ( ,nature to be f9itely p]fect1  
?\gh f> exce$+ mank9d1 a satisfactory   
acc\nt may !n be giv5 ( natural & moral 
evil1 & e unt[>d ph5om5on be expla9$ &  
adju/$4 ,a less evil may !n be *os51 9  
ord] to avoid a great]2 inconv5i5ces be 
submitt$ to1 9 ord] to rea* a desirable 
end2 & 9 a ^w1 b5evol5ce1 regulat$ by   
wisdom1 & limit$ by necessity1 may      

produce j su* a _w z ! pres5t4 ,y1      
,,philo1 :o are s prompt at />t+ views1 
& reflections1 & analogies1 ,i w\ld     
gladly he>1 at l5g?1 )\t int]ruption1   
y\r op9ion ( ?is new !ory2 & if x des]ve
 our att5tion1 we may aft]w>ds1 at m    
leisure1 r$uce x into =m4  ,my s5tim5ts1
 repli$ ,,philo1 are n wor? be+ made a  
my/]y (2 & !re=e1 )\t any c]emony1 ,i   
%all deliv] :at occurs to me ) reg>d to 
! pres5t subject4 ,x mu/1 ,i ?9k1 be    
all[$1 t if a v limit$ intellig5ce1 :om 
we %all suppose utt]ly unacqua9t$ ) !   
univ]se1 7 assur$1 t x 7 ! production ( 
a v good1 wise1 & p[]ful ,be+1 h[ev]    
f9ite1 he w\ld1 f 8 conjectures1 =m     
be=eh& a diff]5t notion ( x f :at we f9d
 x to be by exp]i5ce2 nor w\ld he ev]   
imag9e1 m]ely f ^! attributes ( ! cause1
 ( :i* he is in=m$1 t ! effect c\ld be s
 full ( vice & mis]y & disord]1 z x     
appe>s 9 ?is life4 ,suppos+ n[1 t ?is   
p]son 7 br\ght into ! _w1 /ill assur$ t 
x 0 ! workman%ip ( su* a sublime &      
b5evol5t ,be+2 he might1 p]haps1 be     

surpris$ at ! disappo9tm5t2 b w\ld nev] 
retract 8 =m] belief1 if f\nd$ on any v 
solid argum5t2 s9ce su* a limit$        
intellig5ce mu/ be s5sible ( 8 own      
bl9dness & ignorance1 & mu/ all[1 t !re 
may be _m solutions ( ^? ph5om5a1 :i* w 
= ev] escape 8 compreh5sion4 ,b suppos+1
 :i* is ! real case ) reg>d to man1 t   
?is creature is n antec$5tly conv9c$ ( a
 supreme intellig5ce1 b5evol5t1 &       
p[]ful1 b is left to ga!r su* a belief f
 ! appe>ances ( ?+s2 ?is entirely alt]s 
! case1 nor w he ev] f9d any reason =   
su* a conclusion4 ,he may be fully      
conv9c$ ( ! n>r[ limits ( 8 und]/&+2 b  
?is w n help him 9 =m+ an inf]5ce       
conc]n+ ! goodness ( sup]ior p[]s1 s9ce 
he mu/ =m t inf]5ce f :at he kn[s1 n f  
:at he is ignorant (4 ,! m y exagg]ate 8
 weakness & ignorance1 ! m diffid5t y   
r5d] him1 & give him ! great] suspicion 
t su* subjects are beyond ! rea* ( 8    
faculties4 ,y are oblig$1 !re=e1 to     
reason ) him m]ely f ! kn[n ph5om5a1 &  
to drop e arbitr>y supposition or       

conjecture4  ,did ,i %[ y a h\se or     
palace1 :]e !re 0 n "o ap>tm5t conv5i5t 
or agreeable2 :]e ! w9d[s1 doors1 fires1
 passages1 /airs1 & ! :ole economy ( !  
build+1 7 ! s\rce ( noise1 confusion1   
fatigue1 d>kness1 & ! extremes ( heat & 
cold2 y w\ld c]ta9ly blame !            
contrivance1 )\t any fur!r exam9ation4  
,! ar*itect w\ld 9 va9 display 8        
subtlety1 & prove to y1 t if ?is door or
 t w9d[ 7 alt]$1 great] ills w\ld ensue4
 ,:at he says may be /rictly true3 ,!   
alt]ation ( "o p>ticul>1 :ile ! o!r p>ts
 ( ! build+ rema91 may only augm5t !    
inconv5i5ces4 ,b /ill y w\ld ass]t 9    
g5]al1 t1 if ! ar*itect _h _h skill &   
good int5tions1 he might h =m$ su* a    
plan ( ! :ole1 & might h adju/$ ! p>ts 9
 su* a mann]1 z w\ld h rem$i$ all or mo/
 ( ^! inconv5i5ces4 ,8 ignorance1 or ev5
 y\r own ignorance ( su* a plan1 w nev] 
conv9ce y ( ! impossibility ( x4 ,if y  
f9d any inconv5i5ces & de=mities 9 !    
build+1 y w always1 )\t ent]+ into any  
detail1 condemn ! ar*itect4  ,9 %ort1 ,i

 repeat ! "q3 ,is ! _w1 consid]$ 9      
g5]al1 & z x appe>s to u 9 ?is life1    
diff]5t f :at a man1 or su* a limit$    
be+1 w\ld1 be=eh&1 expect f a v p[]ful1 
wise1 & b5evol5t ,deity8 ,x mu/ be      
/range prejudice to ass]t ! contr>y4 ,& 
f !nce ,i conclude1 t h[ev] consi/5t !  
_w may be1 all[+ c]ta9 suppositions &   
conjectures1 ) ! idea ( su* a ,deity1 x 
c nev] af=d u an inf]5ce conc]n+ 8      
exi/5ce4 ,! consi/5ce is n absolutely   
d5i$1 only ! inf]5ce4 ,conjectures1     
especially :]e inf9ity is exclud$ f !   
,div9e attributes1 may p]haps be        
suffici5t to prove a consi/5ce1 b c nev]
 be f\ndations = any inf]5ce4  ,!re seem
 to be f\r circum/ances1 on :i* dep5d   
all1 or ! greate/ "p ( ! ills1 t mole/  
s5sible creatures2 & x is n impossible b
 all ^! circum/ances may be necess>y &  
unavoidable4 ,we "k s little beyond     
common life1 or ev5 ( common life1 t1 ) 
reg>d to ! economy ( a univ]se1 !re is  
no conjecture1 h[ev] wild1 :i* may n be 
j2 nor any "o1 h[ev] plausible1 :i* may 

n be errone\s4 ,all t belongs to human  
und]/&+1 9 ?is deep ignorance &         
obscurity1 is to be sceptical1 or at    
lea/ cauti\s1 & n to admit ( any        
hypo!sis :atev]1 mu* less ( any :i* is  
support$ by no appe>ance ( probability4 
,n[1 ?is ,i ass]t to be ! case ) reg>d  
to all ! causes ( evil1 & ! circum/ances
 on :i* x dep5ds4 ,none ( !m appe> to   
human reason 9 ! lea/ degree necess>y or
 unavoidable2 nor c we suppose !m su*1  
)\t ! utmo/ lic5se ( imag9ation4  ,!    
fir/ circum/ance :i* introduces evil1 is
 t contrivance or economy ( ! animal    
creation1 by :i* pa9s1 z well z         
pleasures1 are employ$ to excite all    
creatures to action1 & make !m vigilant 
9 ! great "w ( self-pres]vation4 ,n[    
pleasure alone1 9 its v>i\s degrees1    
seems to human und]/&+ suffici5t = ?is  
purpose4 ,all animals might be con/antly
 9 a /ate ( enjoym5t3 b :5 urg$ by any (
 ! necessities ( nature1 su* z ?ir/1    
hung]1 we>9ess2 in/ead ( pa91 !y might  
feel a dim9ution ( pleasure1 by :i* !y  

might be prompt$ to seek t object :i* is
 necess>y to _! subsi/5ce4 ,m5 pursue   
pleasure z eag]ly z !y avoid pa92 at    
lea/ !y might h be5 s con/itut$4 ,x     
seems1 !re=e1 pla9ly possible to c>ry on
 ! bus9ess ( life )\t any pa94 ,:y !n is
 any animal ev] r5d]$ susceptible ( su* 
a s5sation8 ,if animals c be free f x an
 h\r1 !y might enjoy a p]petual         
exemption f x2 & x requir$ z p>ticul> a 
contrivance ( _! organs to produce t    
feel+1 z to end[ !m ) sight1 he>+1 or   
any ( ! s5ses4 ,%all we conjecture1 t   
su* a contrivance 0 necess>y1 )\t any   
appe>ance ( reason8 & %all we build on t
 conjecture z on ! mo/ c]ta9 tru?8  ,b a
 capacity ( pa9 w\ld n alone produce    
pa91 7 x n = ! second circum/ance1 viz4 
! conduct+ ( ! _w by g5]al laws2 & ?is  
seems n[ise necess>y to a v p]fect ,be+4
 ,x is true1 if ev]y?+ 7 conduct$ by    
p>ticul> volitions1 ! c\rse ( nature    
w\ld be p]petually brok51 & no man c\ld 
employ 8 reason 9 ! conduct ( life4 ,b  
might n o!r p>ticul> volitions rem$y ?is

 inconv5i5ce8 ,9 %ort1 might n ! ,deity 
ext]m9ate all ill1 :]ev] x 7 to be f\nd2
 & produce all good1 )\t any prep>ation1
 or long progress ( causes & effects8   
,besides1 we mu/ consid]1 t1 accord+ to 
! pres5t economy ( ! _w1 ! c\rse (      
nature1 ?\gh suppos$ exactly regul>1 yet
 to u appe>s n s1 & _m ev5ts are        
unc]ta91 & _m disappo9t our             
expectations4 ,heal? & sickness1 calm & 
tempe/1 ) an inf9ite numb] ( o!r        
accid5ts1 ^: causes are unkn[n &        
v>iable1 h a great influ5ce bo? on !    
=tunes ( p>ticul> p]sons & on !         
prosp]ity ( public societies2 & inde$   
all human life1 9 a mann]1 dep5ds on su*
 accid5ts4 ,a be+1 !re=e1 :o kn[s !     
secret spr+s ( ! univ]se1 might easily1 
by p>ticul> volitions1 turn all ^!      
accid5ts to ! good ( mank9d1 & r5d] !   
:ole _w happy1 )\t discov]+ himself 9   
any op]ation4 ,a fleet1 ^: purposes 7   
salut>y to society1 might always meet ) 
a fair w9d4 ,good pr9ces enjoy s\nd     
heal? & long life4 ,p]sons born to p[] &

 au?ority1 be fram$ ) good temp]s &     
virtu\s dispositions4 ,a few su* ev5ts z
 ^!1 regul>ly & wisely conduct$1 w\ld   
*ange ! face ( ! _w2 & yet w\ld no m    
seem to di/urb ! c\rse ( nature1 or     
conf\nd human conduct1 ?an ! pres5t     
economy ( ?+s1 :]e ! causes are secret1 
& v>iable1 & comp\nd$4 ,"s small t\*es  
giv5 to ,,caligula's bra9 9 8 infancy1  
might h conv]t$ him into a ,,trajan4 ,"o
 wave1 a little high] ?an ! re/1 by     
bury+ ,,caes> & 8 =tune 9 ! bottom ( !  
ocean1 might h re/or$ lib]ty to a       
consid]able "p ( mank9d4 ,!re may1 =    
aught we "k1 be good reasons :y         
,provid5ce int]poses n 9 ?is mann]2 b !y
 are unkn[n to u2 & ?\gh ! m]e          
supposition1 t su* reasons exi/1 may be 
suffici5t to save ! conclusion conc]n+ !
 ,div9e attributes1 yet surely x c nev] 
be suffici5t to e/abli% t conclusion4   
,if e ?+ 9 ! univ]se be conduct$ by     
g5]al laws1 & if animals be r5d]$       
susceptible ( pa91 x sc>cely seems      
possible b "s ill mu/ arise 9 ! v>i\s   

%ocks ( matt]1 & ! v>i\s concurr5ce &   
opposition ( g5]al laws2 b ?is ill w\ld 
be v r>e1 7 x n = ! ?ird circum/ance1   
:i* ,i propos$ to m5tion1 viz4 ! great  
frugality ) :i* all p[]s & faculties are
 di/ribut$ to e p>ticul> be+4 ,s well   
adju/$ are ! organs & capacities ( all  
animals1 & s well fitt$ to _!           
pres]vation1 t1 z f> z hi/ory or        
tradition rea*es1 !re appe>s n to be any
 s+le species :i* has yet be5 ext+ui%$ 9
 ! univ]se4 ,e animal has ! requisite   
end[m5ts2 b ^! end[m5ts are be/[$ ) s   
scrupul\s an economy1 t any consid]able 
dim9ution mu/ entirely de/roy !         
creature4 ,:]ev] "o p[] is increas$1 !re
 is a proportional abatem5t 9 ! o!rs4   
,animals :i* excel 9 swiftness are      
commonly defective 9 =ce4 ,^? :i*       
possess bo? are ei!r imp]fect 9 "s ( _! 
s5ses1 or are oppress$ ) ! mo/ crav+    
wants4 ,! human species1 ^: *ief        
excell5cy is reason & sagacity1 is ( all
 o!rs ! mo/ necessit\s1 & ! mo/ defici5t
 9 bodily advantages2 )\t clo!s1 )\t    

arms1 )\t food1 )\t lodg+1 )\t any      
conv5i5ce ( life1 except :at !y owe to  
_! own skill & indu/ry4 ,9 %ort1 nature 
seems to h =m$ an exact calculation ( ! 
necessities ( h] creatures2 &1 l a rigid
 ma/]1 has af=d$ !m little m p[]s or    
end[m5ts ?an :at are /rictly suffici5t  
to supply ^? necessities4 ,an indulg5t  
p>5t w\ld h be/[$ a l>ge /ock1 9 ord] to
 gu>d aga9/ accid5ts1 & secure !        
happ9ess & welf>e ( ! creature 9 ! mo/  
un=tunate concurr5ce ( circum/ances4 ,e 
c\rse ( life w\ld n h be5 s surr\nd$ )  
precipices1 t ! lea/ dep>ture f ! true  
pa?1 by mi/ake or necessity1 mu/ involve
 u 9 mis]y & ru94 ,"s res]ve1 "s fund1  
w\ld h be5 provid$ to ensure happ9ess2  
nor w\ld ! p[]s & ! necessities h be5   
adju/$ ) s rigid an economy4 ,! ,au?or (
 ,nature is inconceivably p[]ful3 8 =ce 
is suppos$ great1 if n altoge!r         
inexhau/ible3 nor is !re any reason1 z  
f> z we c judge1 to make him obs]ve ?is 
/rict frugality 9 8 deal+s ) 8          
creatures4 ,x w\ld h be5 bett]1 7 8 p[] 

extremely limit$1 to h creat$ few]      
animals1 & to h end[$ ^! ) m faculties =
 _! happ9ess & pres]vation4 ,a build] is
 nev] e/eem$ prud5t1 :o und]takes a plan
 beyond :at 8 /ock w enable him to f9i%4
  ,9 ord] to cure mo/ ( ! ills ( human  
life1 ,i require n t man %\ld h ! w+s ( 
! eagle1 ! swiftness ( ! /ag1 ! =ce ( ! 
ox1 ! arms ( ! lion1 ! scales ( !       
crocodile or rh9oc]os2 mu* less d ,i    
dem& ! sagacity ( an angel or *]ubim4 ,i
 am cont5t$ to take an increase 9 "o    
s+le p[] or faculty ( 8 s\l4 ,let him be
 end[$ ) a great] prop5sity to indu/ry &
 lab\r2 a m vigor\s spr+ & activity (   
m9d2 a m con/ant b5t to bus9ess &       
application4 ,let ! :ole species possess
 naturally an equal dilig5ce ) t :i* _m 
individuals are able to atta9 by habit &
 reflection2 & ! mo/ b5eficial          
consequ5ces1 )\t any allay ( ill1 is !  
imm$iate & necess>y result ( ?is        
end[m5t4 ,almo/ all ! moral1 z well z   
natural evils ( human life1 arise f     
idl5ess2 & 7 our species1 by ! orig9al  

con/itution ( _! frame1 exempt f ?is    
vice or infirmity1 ! p]fect cultivation 
( l&1 ! improvem5t ( arts &             
manufactures1 ! exact execution ( e     
(fice & duty1 imm$iately foll[2 & m5 at 
once may fully rea* t /ate ( society1   
:i* is s imp]fectly atta9$ by ! be/     
regulat$ gov]nm5t4 ,b z indu/ry is a    
p[]1 & ! mo/ valuable ( any1 ,nature    
seems det]m9$1 suitably to h] usual     
maxims1 to be/[ x on m5 ) a v sp>+ h&2 &
 r to puni% him sev]ely = 8 defici5cy 9 
x1 ?an to rew>d him = 8 atta9m5ts4 ,%e  
has s contriv$ 8 frame1 t no?+ b ! mo/  
viol5t necessity c oblige him to lab\r2 
& %e employs all 8 o!r wants to ov]come1
 at lea/ 9 "p1 ! want ( dilig5ce1 & to  
end[ him ) "s %>e ( a faculty ( :i* %e  
has ?\ght fit naturally to b]eave him4  
,"h our dem&s may be all[$ v humble1 &  
!re=e ! m reasonable4 ,if we requir$ !  
end[m5ts ( sup]ior p5etration &         
judgem5t1 ( a m delicate ta/e ( beauty1 
( a nic] s5sibility to b5evol5ce &      
fri5d%ip2 we might be told1 t we        

impi\sly pret5d to break ! ord] (       
,nature2 t we want to exalt ourselves   
into a high] rank ( be+2 t ! pres5ts :i*
 we require1 n be+ suitable to our /ate 
& condition1 w\ld only be p]nici\s to u4
 ,b x is h>d2 ,i d>e to repeat x1 x is  
h>d1 t be+ plac$ 9 a _w s full ( wants &
 necessities1 :]e almo/ e be+ & elem5t  
is ei!r our foe or refuses its assi/ance
 444 we %\ld also h our own temp] to    
/ruggle )1 & %\ld be depriv$ ( t faculty
 :i* c alone f5ce aga9/ ^! multipli$    
evils4  ,! f\r? circum/ance1 :5ce arises
 ! mis]y & ill ( ! univ]se1 is !        
inaccurate workman%ip ( all ! spr+s &   
pr9ciples ( ! great ma*9e ( nature4 ,x  
mu/ be ackn[l$g$1 t !re are few p>ts ( !
 univ]se1 :i* seem n to s]ve "s purpose1
 & ^: removal w\ld n produce a visible  
defect & disord] 9 ! :ole4 ,! p>ts hang 
all toge!r2 nor c "o be t\*$ )\t affect+
 ! re/1 9 a great] or less degree4 ,b at
 ! same "t1 x mu/ be obs]v$1 t none ( ^!
 p>ts or pr9ciples1 h[ev] useful1 are s 
accurately adju/$1 z to keep precisely  

)9 ^? b\nds 9 :i* _! utility consi/s2 b 
!y are1 all ( !m1 apt1 on e occasion1 to
 run into ! "o extreme or ! o!r4 ,"o    
w\ld imag9e1 t ?is gr& production _h n  
receiv$ ! la/ h& ( ! mak]2 s little     
f9i%$ is e "p1 & s co>se are ! /rokes ) 
:i* x is execut$4 ,?us1 ! w9ds are      
requisite to convey ! vap\rs along !    
surface ( ! globe1 & to assi/ m5 9      
navigation3 b h[ (t1 ris+ up to tempe/s 
& hurricanes1 d !y become p]nici\s8     
,ra9s are necess>y to n\ri% all ! plants
 & animals ( ! e>?3 b h[ (t5 are !y     
defective8 h[ (t5 excessive8 ,heat is   
requisite to all life & vegetation2 b is
 n always f\nd 9 ! due proportion4 ,on !
 mixture & secretion ( ! hum\rs & juices
 ( ! body dep5d ! heal? & prosp]ity ( ! 
animal3 b ! p>ts p]=m n regul>ly _!     
prop] function4 ,:at m useful ?an all ! 
passions ( ! m9d1 ambition1 vanity1     
love1 ang]8 ,b h[ (t d !y break _!      
b\nds1 & cause ! greate/ convulsions 9  
society8 ,!re is no?+ s advantage\s 9 ! 
univ]se1 b :at frequ5tly becomes        

p]nici\s1 by its excess or defect2 nor  
has ,nature gu>d$1 ) ! requisite        
accuracy1 aga9/ all disord] or          
confusion4 ,! irregul>ity is nev] p]haps
 s great z to de/roy any species2 b is  
(t5 suffici5t to involve ! individuals 9
 ru9 & mis]y4  ,on ! concurr5ce1 !n1 (  
^! f\r circum/ances1 does all or !      
greate/ "p ( natural evil dep5d4 ,7 all 
liv+ creatures incapable ( pa91 or 7 !  
_w adm9i/]$ by p>ticul> volitions1 evil 
nev] c\ld h f\nd access into ! univ]se3 
& 7 animals end[$ ) a l>ge /ock ( p[]s &
 faculties1 beyond :at /rict necessity  
requires2 or 7 ! sev]al spr+s &         
pr9ciples ( ! univ]se s accurately fram$
 z to pres]ve always ! j temp]am5t &    
m$ium2 !re mu/ h be5 v little ill 9     
comp>ison ( :at we feel at pres5t4 ,:at 
!n %all we pron\nce on ?is occasion8    
,%all we say t ^! circum/ances are n    
necess>y1 & t !y might easily h be5     
alt]$ 9 ! contrivance ( ! univ]se8 ,?is 
decision seems too presumptu\s =        
creatures s bl9d & ignorant4 ,let u be m

 mode/ 9 our conclusions4 ,let u all[1  
t1 if ! goodness ( ! ,deity 7,i mean a  
goodness l ! human7 c\ld be e/abli%$ on 
any tol]able reasons a priori1 ^!       
ph5om5a1 h[ev] unt[>d1 w\ld n be        
suffici5t to subv]t t pr9ciple2 b might 
easily1 9 "s unkn[n mann]1 be           
reconcilable to x4 ,b let u /ill ass]t1 
t z ?is goodness is n antec$5tly        
e/abli%$1 b mu/ be inf]r$ f ! ph5om5a1  
!re c be no gr\nds = su* an inf]5ce1    
:ile !re are s _m ills 9 ! univ]se1 &   
:ile ^! ills might s easily h be5       
rem$i$1 z f> z human und]/&+ c be all[$ 
to judge on su* a subject4 ,i am        
,sceptic en\gh to all[1 t ! bad         
appe>ances1 not)/&+ all my reason+s1 may
 be compatible ) su* attributes z y     
suppose2 b surely !y c nev] prove ^!    
attributes4 ,su* a conclusion _c result 
f ,scepticism1 b mu/ arise f ! ph5om5a1 
& f our confid5ce 9 ! reason+s :i* we   
d$uce f ^! ph5om5a4  ,look r\nd ?is     
univ]se4 ,:at an imm5se pr(usion ( be+s1
 animat$ & organis$1 s5sible & active6  

,y admire ?is prodigi\s v>iety &        
fecundity4 ,b inspect a little m n>r[ly 
^! liv+ exi/5ces1 ! only be+s wor?      
reg>d+4 ,h[ ho/ile & de/ructive to ea*  
o!r6 ,h[ insuffici5t all ( !m = _! own  
happ9ess6 ,h[ contemptible or odi\s to !
 spectator6 ,! :ole pres5ts no?+ b !    
idea ( a bl9d ,nature1 impregnat$ by a  
great vivify+ pr9ciple1 & p\r+ =? f h]  
lap1 )\t disc]nm5t or p>5tal c>e1 h]    
maim$ & abortive *ildr56  ,"h !         
,,mani*aean sy/em occurs z a prop]      
hypo!sis to solve ! difficulty3 & no    
d\bt1 9 "s respects1 x is v speci\s1 &  
has m probability ?an ! common hypo!sis1
 by giv+ a plausible acc\nt ( ! /range  
mixture ( good & ill :i* appe>s 9 life4 
,b if we consid]1 on ! o!r h&1 ! p]fect 
uni=mity & agreem5t ( ! p>ts ( !        
univ]se1 we %all n discov] 9 x any m>ks 
( ! combat ( a malevol5t ) a b5evol5t   
be+4 ,!re is inde$ an opposition ( pa9s 
& pleasures 9 ! feel+s ( s5sible        
creatures3 b are n all ! op]ations (    
,nature c>ri$ on by an opposition (     

pr9ciples1 ( hot & cold1 moi/ & dry1    
light & heavy8 ,! true conclusion is1 t 
! orig9al ,s\rce ( all ?+s is entirely  
indiff]5t to all ^! pr9ciples2 & has no 
m reg>d to good above ill1 ?an to heat  
above cold1 or to dr\ght above moi/ure1 
or to light above heavy4  ,!re may f\r  
hypo!ses be fram$ conc]n+ ! fir/ causes 
( ! univ]se3 t !y are end[$ ) p]fect    
goodness2 t !y h p]fect malice2 t !y are
 opposite1 & h bo? goodness & malice2 t 
!y h nei!r goodness nor malice4 ,mix$   
ph5om5a c nev] prove ! two =m] unmix$   
pr9ciples2 & ! uni=mity & /ead9ess (    
g5]al laws seem to oppose ! ?ird4 ,!    
f\r?1 !re=e1 seems by f> ! mo/ probable4
  ,:at ,i h said conc]n+ natural evil w 
apply to moral1 ) little or no v>iation2
 & we h no m reason to inf]1 t !        
rectitude ( ! ,supreme ,be+ resembles   
human rectitude1 ?an t 8 b5evol5ce      
resembles ! human4 ,nay1 x w be ?\ght1 t
 we h /ill great] cause to exclude f him
 moral s5tim5ts1 su* z we feel !m2 s9ce 
moral evil1 9 ! op9ion ( _m1 is mu* m   

pr$om9ant above moral good ?an natural  
evil above natural good4  ,b ev5 ?\gh   
?is %\ld n be all[$1 & ?\gh ! virtue :i*
 is 9 mank9d %\ld be ackn[l$g$ mu*      
sup]ior to ! vice1 yet s long z !re is  
any vice at all 9 ! univ]se1 x w v mu*  
puzzle y ,an?ropomorphites1 h[ to acc\nt
 = x4 ,y mu/ assign a cause = x1 )\t    
hav+ rec\rse to ! fir/ cause4 ,b z e    
effect mu/ h a cause1 & t cause ano!r1 y
 mu/ ei!r c>ry on ! progression 9       
inf9itum1 or re/ on t orig9al pr9ciple1 
:o is ! ultimate cause ( all ?+s444     
,hold6 hold6 cri$ ,,demea3 ,:i!r does   
y\r imag9ation hurry y8 ,i jo9$ 9       
alliance ) y1 9 ord] to prove !         
incompreh5sible nature ( ! ,div9e ,be+1 
& refute ! pr9ciples ( ,,clean!s1 :o    
w\ld measure e ?+ by human rule & /&>d4 
,b ,i n[ f9d y runn+ into all ! topics (
 ! greate/ lib]t9es & infidels1 &       
betray+ t holy cause :i* y seem+ly      
esp\s$4 ,are y secretly1 !n1 a m dang]\s
 enemy ?an ,,clean!s himself8  ,& are y 
s late 9 p]ceiv+ x8 repli$ ,,clean!s4   

,believe me1 ,,demea1 y\r fri5d ,,philo1
 f ! beg9n+1 has be5 amus+ himself at   
bo? our exp5se2 & x mu/ be confess$1 t !
 injudici\s reason+ ( our vulg> !ology  
has giv5 him b too j a h&le ( ridicule4 
,! total infirmity ( human reason1 !    
absolute incompreh5sibility ( ! ,div9e  
,nature1 ! great & univ]sal mis]y1 &    
/ill great] wick$ness ( m52 ^! are      
/range topics1 surely1 to be s fondly   
*]i%$ by or?odox div9es & doctors4 ,9   
ages ( /upidity & ignorance1 inde$1 ^!  
pr9ciples may safely be esp\s$2 & p]haps
 no views ( ?+s are m prop] to promote  
sup]/ition1 ?an su* z enc\rage ! bl9d   
amazem5t1 ! diffid5ce1 & melan*oly (    
mank9d4 ,b at pres5t444  ,blame n s mu*1
 int]pos$ ,,philo1 ! ignorance ( ^!     
rev]5d g5tlem54 ,!y "k h[ to *ange _!   
/yle ) ! times4 ,=m]ly x 0 a mo/ popul> 
!ological topic to ma9ta91 t human life 
0 vanity & mis]y1 & to exagg]ate all !  
ills & pa9s :i* are incid5t to m54 ,b ( 
late ye>s1 div9es1 we f9d1 beg9 to      
retract ?is position2 & ma9ta91 ?\gh    

/ill ) "s hesitation1 t !re are m goods 
?an evils1 m pleasures ?an pa9s1 ev5 9  
?is life4 ,:5 religion /ood entirely ^u 
temp] & education1 x 0 ?\ght prop] to   
enc\rage melan*oly2 z inde$ mank9d nev] 
h rec\rse to sup]ior p[]s s readily z 9 
t disposition4 ,b z m5 h n[ le>n$ to =m 
pr9ciples1 & to draw consequ5ces1 x is  
necess>y to *ange ! batt]ies1 & to make 
use ( su* argum5ts z w endure at lea/ "s
 scrut9y & exam9ation4 ,?is v>iation is 
! same 7& f ! same causes7 ) t :i* ,i   
=m]ly rem>k$ ) reg>d to ,scepticism4    
,?us ,,philo cont9u$ to ! la/ 8 _s (    
opposition1 & 8 c5sure ( e/abli%$       
op9ions4 ,b ,i c\ld obs]ve t ,,demea did
 n at all reli% ! latt] "p ( ! disc\rse2
 & he took occasion soon aft]1 on "s    
pret5ce or o!r1 to leave ! company4     
,,"p #ab   ,aft] ,,demea's dep>ture1    
,,clean!s & ,,philo cont9u$ !           
conv]sation 9 ! foll[+ mann]4 ,our      
fri5d1 ,i am afraid1 said ,,clean!s1 w h
 little incl9ation to revive ?is topic (
 disc\rse1 :ile y are 9 company2 & to   

tell tru?1 ,,philo1 ,i %\ld r wi% to    
reason ) ei!r ( y ap>t on a subject s   
sublime & int]e/+4 ,y\r _s ( controv]sy1
 jo9$ to y\r abhorr5ce ( vulg>          
sup]/ition1 c>ries y /range l5g?s1 :5   
engag$ 9 an argum5t2 & !re is no?+ s    
sacr$ & v5]able1 ev5 9 y\r own eyes1 :i*
 y sp>e on t occasion4  ,i mu/ confess1 
repli$ ,,philo1 t ,i am less cauti\s on 
! subject ( ,natural ,religion ?an on   
any o!r2 bo? because ,i "k t ,i c nev]1 
on t head1 corrupt ! pr9ciples ( any man
 ( common s5se2 & because no "o1 ,i am  
confid5t1 9 ^: eyes ,i appe> a man (    
common s5se1 w ev] mi/ake my int5tions4 
,y1 9 p>ticul>1 ,,clean!s1 ) :om ,i live
 9 unres]v$ intimacy2 y are s5sible1 t  
not)/&+ ! fre$om ( my conv]sation1 & my 
love ( s+ul> argum5ts1 no "o has a deep]
 s5se ( religion impress$ on 8 m9d1 or  
pays m pr(\nd adoration to ! ,div9e     
,be+1 z he discov]s himself to reason1 9
 ! inexplicable contrivance & artifice (
 nature4 ,a purpose1 an int5tion1 a     
design1 /rikes e :]e ! mo/ c>eless1 !   

mo/ /upid ?9k]2 & no man c be s h>d5$ 9 
absurd sy/ems1 z at all times to reject 
x4 ,t ,nature does no?+ 9 va91 is a     
maxim e/abli%$ 9 all ! s*ools1 m]ely f !
 contemplation ( ! works ( ,nature1 )\t 
any religi\s purpose2 &1 f a firm       
conviction ( its tru?1 an anatomi/1 :o  
_h obs]v$ a new organ or canal1 w\ld    
nev] be satisfi$ till he _h also        
discov]$ its use & int5tion4 ,"o great  
f\ndation ( ! ,cop]nican sy/em is !     
maxim1 ,t ,nature acts by ! simple/     
me?ods1 & *ooses ! mo/ prop] means to   
any end2 & a/ronom]s (t51 )\t ?9k+ ( x1 
lay ?is /rong f\ndation ( piety &       
religion4 ,! same ?+ is obs]vable 9 o!r 
p>ts ( philosophy3 ,& ?us all ! sci5ces 
almo/ lead u ins5sibly to ackn[l$ge a   
fir/ intellig5t ,au?or2 & _! au?ority is
 (t5 s mu* ! great]1 z !y d n directly  
pr(ess t int5tion4  ,x is ) pleasure ,i 
he> ,,gal5 reason conc]n+ ! /ructure ( !
 human body4 ,! anatomy ( a man1 says he
 ,de =matione foetus1 discov]s above    
#fjj diff]5t muscles2 & :oev] duly      

consid]s ^!1 w f9d1 t1 9 ea* ( !m1      
,nature mu/ h adju/$ at lea/ t5 diff]5t 
circum/ances1 9 ord] to atta9 ! end :i* 
%e propos$2 prop] figure1 j magnitude1  
"r disposition ( ! sev]al ends1 upp] &  
l[] position ( ! :ole1 ! due ins]tion ( 
! sev]al n]ves1 ve9s1 & art]ies3 ,s t1 9
 ! muscles alone1 above #fjjj sev]al    
views & int5tions mu/ h be5 =m$ &       
execut$4 ,! bones he calculates to be   
#bhd3 ,! di/9ct purposes aim$ at 9 !    
/ructure ( ea*1 above =ty4 ,:at a       
prodigi\s display ( artifice1 ev5 9 ^!  
simple & homog5e\s p>ts6 ,b if we       
consid] ! sk91 ligam5ts1 vessels1       
gl&ules1 hum\rs1 ! sev]al limbs & memb]s
 ( ! body2 h[ mu/ our a/oni%m5t rise ^u 
u1 9 proportion to ! numb] & intricacy (
 ! p>ts s artificially adju/$6 ,! fur!r 
we advance 9 ^! rese>*es1 we discov] new
 sc5es ( art & wisdom3 ,b descry /ill1  
at a di/ance1 fur!r sc5es beyond our    
rea*2 9 ! f9e int]nal /ructure ( ! p>ts1
 9 ! economy ( ! bra91 9 ! fabric ( !   
sem9al vessels4 ,all ^! artifices are   

repeat$ 9 e diff]5t species ( animal1 ) 
wond]ful v>iety1 & ) exact propriety1   
suit$ to ! diff]5t int5tions ( ,nature 9
 fram+ ea* species4 ,& if ! infidelity (
 ,,gal51 ev5 :5 ^! natural sci5ces 7    
/ill imp]fect1 c\ld n )/& su* /rik+     
appe>ances1 to :at pit* ( p]t9aci\s     
ob/9acy mu/ a philosoph] 9 ?is age h    
atta9$1 :o c n[ d\bt ( a ,supreme       
,intellig5ce6  ,c\ld ,i meet ) "o ( ?is 
species 7:o1 ,i ?ank ,god1 are v r>e71  
,i w\ld ask him3 ,suppos+ !re 7 a ,god1 
:o did n discov] himself imm$iately to  
our s5ses1 7 x possible = him to give   
/rong] pro(s ( 8 exi/5ce1 ?an :at appe> 
on ! :ole face ( ,nature8 ,:at inde$    
c\ld su* a ,div9e ,be+ d1 b copy !      
pres5t economy ( ?+s2 r5d] _m ( 8       
artifices s pla91 t no /upidity c\ld    
mi/ake !m2 af=d glimpses ( /ill great]  
artifices1 :i* demon/rate 8 prodigi\s   
sup]iority above our n>r[ appreh5sions2 
& conceal altoge!r a great _m f su*     
imp]fect creatures8 ,n[1 accord+ to all 
rules ( j reason+1 e fact mu/ pass =    

undisput$1 :5 x is support$ by all !    
argum5ts :i* its nature admits (2 ev5   
?\gh ^! argum5ts be n1 9 !mselves1 v    
num]\s or =cible3 ,h[ mu* m1 9 ! pres5t 
case1 :]e no human imag9ation c compute 
_! numb]1 & no und]/&+ e/imate _!       
cog5cy6  ,i %all fur!r add1 said        
,,clean!s1 to :at y h s well urg$1 t "o 
great advantage ( ! pr9ciple ( ,!ism1   
is1 t x is ! only sy/em ( cosmogony :i* 
c be r5d]$ intelligible & complete1 &   
yet c ?r\gh\t pres]ve a /rong analogy to
 :at we e day see & exp]i5ce 9 ! _w4 ,! 
comp>ison ( ! univ]se to a ma*9e ( human
 contrivance1 is s obvi\s & natural1 &  
is ju/ifi$ by s _m in/ances ( ord] &    
design 9 ,nature1 t x mu/ imm$iately    
/rike all unprejudic$ appreh5sions1 &   
procure univ]sal approbation4 ,:oev]    
attempts to weak5 ?is !ory1 _c pret5d to
 succe$ by e/abli%+ 9 its place any o!r 
t is precise & det]m9ate3 ,x is         
suffici5t = him if he />t d\bts &       
difficulties2 & by remote & ab/ract     
views ( ?+s1 rea* t susp5se ( judgem5t1 

:i* is "h ! utmo/ b\nd>y ( 8 wi%es4 ,b1 
besides t ?is /ate ( m9d is 9 itself    
unsatisfactory1 x c nev] be /eadily     
ma9ta9$ aga9/ su* /rik+ appe>ances z    
cont9ually engage u into ! religi\s     
hypo!sis4 ,a false1 absurd sy/em1 human 
nature1 f ! =ce ( prejudice1 is capable 
( adh]+ to ) ob/9acy & p]sev]ance3 ,b no
 sy/em at all1 9 opposition to a !ory   
support$ by /rong & obvi\s reason1 by   
natural prop5sity1 & by e>ly education1 
,i ?9k x absolutely impossible to ma9ta9
 or def5d4  ,s little1 repli$ ,,philo1 d
 ,i e/eem ?is susp5se ( judgem5t 9 !    
pres5t case to be possible1 t ,i am apt 
to suspect !re ent]s some:at ( a dispute
 ( words into ?is controv]sy1 m ?an is  
usually imag9$4 ,t ! works ( ,nature be>
 a great analogy to ! productions ( art1
 is evid5t2 & accord+ to all ! rules (  
good reason+1 we ought to inf]1 if we   
argue at all conc]n+ !m1 t _! causes h a
 proportional analogy4 ,b z !re are also
 consid]able diff]5ces1 we h reason to  
suppose a proportional diff]5ce 9 !     

causes2 & 9 p>ticul>1 ought to attribute
 a mu* high] degree ( p[] & en]gy to !  
supreme cause1 ?an any we h ev] obs]v$ 9
 mank9d4 ,"h !n ! exi/5ce ( a ,,deity is
 pla9ly asc]ta9$ by reason3 & if we make
 x a "q1 :e!r1 on acc\nt ( ^! analogies1
 we c prop]ly call him a m9d or         
intellig5ce1 not)/&+ ! va/ diff]5ce :i* 
may reasonably be suppos$ betwe5 him &  
human m9ds2 :at is ?is b a m]e v]bal    
controv]sy8 ,no man c d5y ! analogies   
betwe5 ! effects3 ,to re/ra9 ourselves f
 inquir+ conc]n+ ! causes is sc>cely    
possible4 ,f ?is inquiry1 ! legitimate  
conclusion is1 t ! causes h also an     
analogy3 ,& if we are n cont5t$ ) call+ 
! fir/ & supreme cause a ,,god or       
,,deity1 b desire to v>y ! expression2  
:at c we call him b ,,m9d or ,,?\ght1 to
 :i* he is ju/ly suppos$ to be> a       
consid]able resemblance8  ,all m5 ( s\nd
 reason are disgu/$ ) v]bal disputes1   
:i* ab\nd s mu* 9 philosophical &       
!ological inquiries2 & x is f\nd1 t !   
only rem$y = ?is abuse mu/ arise f cle> 

def9itions1 f ! precision ( ^? ideas :i*
 ent] into any argum5t1 & f ! /rict &   
uni=m use ( ^? t]ms :i* are employ$4 ,b 
!re is a species ( controv]sy1 :i*1 f ! 
v nature ( language & ( human ideas1 is 
involv$ 9 p]petual ambiguity1 & c nev]1 
by any precaution or any def9itions1 be 
able to rea* a reasonable c]ta9ty or    
precision4 ,^! are ! controv]sies       
conc]n+ ! degrees ( any quality or      
circum/ance4 ,m5 may argue to all       
et]nity1 :e!r ,,hannibal be a great1 or 
a v great1 or a sup]latively great man1 
:at degree ( beauty ,,cleopatra         
possess$1 :at epi!t ( praise ,,livy or  
,,?ucydides is entitl$ to1 )\t br++ !   
controv]sy to any det]m9ation4 ,!       
disputants may "h agree 9 _! s5se1 &    
diff] 9 ! t]ms1 or vice v]sa2 yet nev]  
be able to def9e _! t]ms1 s z to ent]   
into ea* o!r's mean+3 ,because ! degrees
 ( ^! qualities are n1 l quantity or    
numb]1 susceptible ( any exact          
m5suration1 :i* may be ! /&>d 9 !       
controv]sy4 ,t ! dispute conc]n+ ,!ism  

is ( ?is nature1 & consequ5tly is m]ely 
v]bal1 or p]haps1 if possible1 /ill m   
incurably ambigu\s1 w appe> ^u !        
slighte/ inquiry4 ,i ask ! ,!i/1 if he  
does n all[1 t !re is a great &         
immeasurable1 because incompreh5sible   
diff]5ce betwe5 ! human & ! div9e m9d3  
,! m pi\s he is1 ! m readily w he ass5t 
to ! affirmative1 & ! m w he be dispos$ 
to magnify ! diff]5ce3 ,he w ev5 ass]t1 
t ! diff]5ce is ( a nature :i* _c be too
 mu* magnifi$4 ,i next turn to ! ,a!i/1 
:o1 ,i ass]t1 is only nom9ally s1 & c   
nev] possibly be 9 e>ne/2 & ,i ask him1 
:e!r1 f ! coh]5ce & app>5t sympa?y 9 all
 ! p>ts ( ?is _w1 !re be n a c]ta9      
degree ( analogy among all ! op]ations (
 ,nature1 9 e situation & 9 e age2 :e!r 
! rott+ ( a turnip1 ! g5]ation ( an     
animal1 & ! /ructure ( human ?\ght1 be n
 en]gies t probably be> "s remote       
analogy to ea* o!r3 ,x is impossible he 
c d5y x3 ,he w readily ackn[l$ge x4     
,hav+ obta9$ ?is concession1 ,i pu% him 
/ill fur!r 9 8 retreat2 & ,i ask him1 if

 x be n probable1 t ! pr9ciple :i* fir/ 
arrang$1 & /ill ma9ta9s ord] 9 ?is      
univ]se1 be>s n also "s remote          
inconceivable analogy to ! o!r op]ations
 ( nature1 &1 among ! re/1 to ! economy 
( human m9d & ?\ght4 ,h[ev] reluctant1  
he mu/ give 8 ass5t4 ,:]e !n1 cry ,i to 
bo? ^! antagoni/s1 is ! subject ( y\r   
dispute8 ,! ,!i/ all[s1 t ! orig9al     
intellig5ce is v diff]5t f human reason3
 ,! ,a!i/ all[s1 t ! orig9al pr9ciple ( 
ord] be>s "s remote analogy to x4 ,w y  
qu>rel1 ,g5tlem51 ab\t ! degrees1 & ent]
 into a controv]sy1 :i* admits n ( any  
precise mean+1 nor consequ5tly ( any    
det]m9ation8 ,if y %\ld be s ob/9ate1 ,i
 %\ld n be surpris$ to f9d y ins5sibly  
*ange sides2 :ile ! ,!i/1 on ! "o h&1   
exagg]ates ! dissimil>ity betwe5 !      
,supreme ,be+1 & frail1 imp]fect1       
v>iable1 fleet+1 & mortal creatures2 & !
 ,a!i/1 on ! o!r1 magnifies ! analogy   
among all ! op]ations ( ,nature1 9 e    
p]iod1 e situation1 & e position4       
,consid] !n1 :]e ! real po9t (          

controv]sy lies2 & if y _c lay aside y\r
 disputes1 endeav\r1 at lea/1 to cure   
y\rselves ( y\r animosity4  ,& "h ,i mu/
 also ackn[l$ge1 ,,clean!s1 t z ! works 
( ,nature h a mu* great] analogy to !   
effects ( our art & contrivance1 ?an to 
^? ( our b5evol5ce & ju/ice1 we h reason
 to inf]1 t ! natural attributes ( !    
,deity h a great] resemblance to ^? (   
m51 ?an 8 moral h to human virtues4 ,b  
:at is ! consequ5ce8 ,no?+ b ?is1 t !   
moral qualities ( man are m defective 9 
_! k9d ?an 8 natural abilities4 ,=1 z ! 
,supreme ,be+ is all[$ to be absolutely 
& entirely p]fect1 :atev] diff]s mo/ f  
him1 dep>ts ! fur!/ f ! supreme /&>d (  
rectitude & p]fection4  ,x seems evid5t 
t ! dispute betwe5 ! ,skeptics &        
,dogmati/s is entirely v]bal1 or at lea/
 reg>ds only ! degrees ( d\bt &         
assurance :i* we ought to indulge )     
reg>d to all reason+2 & su* disputes are
 commonly1 at ! bottom1 v]bal1 & admit n
 ( any precise det]m9ation4 ,no         
philosophical ,dogmati/ d5ies t !re are 

difficulties bo? ) reg>d to ! s5ses & to
 all sci5ce1 & t ^! difficulties are 9 a
 regul>1 logical me?od1 absolutely      
insolvable4 ,no ,skeptic d5ies t we lie 
"u an absolute necessity1 not)/&+ ^!    
difficulties1 ( ?9k+1 & believ+1 &      
reason+1 ) reg>d to all k9ds ( subjects1
 & ev5 ( frequ5tly ass5t+ ) confid5ce & 
security4 ,! only diff]5ce1 !n1 betwe5  
^! sects1 if !y m]it t "n1 is1 t !      
,sceptic1 f habit1 caprice1 or          
incl9ation1 insi/s mo/ on !             
difficulties2 ! ,dogmati/1 = l reasons1 
on ! necessity4  ,^!1 ,,clean!s1 are my 
unfeign$ s5tim5ts on ?is subject2 & ^!  
s5tim5ts1 y "k1 ,i h ev] *]i%$ &        
ma9ta9$4 ,b 9 proportion to my v5]ation 
= true religion1 is my abhorr5ce ( vulg>
 sup]/itions2 & ,i indulge a peculi>    
pleasure1 ,i confess1 9 pu%+ su*        
pr9ciples1 sometimes into absurdity1    
sometimes into impiety4 ,& y are        
s5sible1 t all bigots1 not)/&+ _! great 
av]sion to ! latt] above ! =m]1 are     
commonly equally guilty ( bo?4  ,my     

incl9ation1 repli$ ,,clean!s1 lies1 ,i  
own1 a contr>y way4 ,religion1 h[ev]    
corrupt$1 is /ill bett] ?an no religion 
at all4 ,! doctr9e ( a future /ate is s 
/rong & necess>y a security to morals1 t
 we nev] ought to ab&on or neglect x4 ,=
 if f9ite & tempor>y rew>ds & puni%m5ts 
h s great an effect1 z we daily f9d2 h[ 
mu* great] mu/ be expect$ f su* z are   
inf9ite & et]nal8  ,h[ happ5s x !n1 said
 ,,philo1 if vulg> sup]/ition be s      
salut>y to society1 t all hi/ory ab\nds 
s mu* ) acc\nts ( its p]nici\s          
consequ5ces on public affairs8          
,factions1 civil w>s1 p]secutions1      
subv]sions ( gov]nm5t1 oppression1      
slav]y2 ^! are ! dismal consequ5ces :i* 
always att5d its preval5cy ov] ! m9ds ( 
m54 ,if ! religi\s _s be ev] m5tion$ 9  
any hi/orical n>ration1 we are sure to  
meet aft]w>ds ) a detail ( ! mis]ies :i*
 att5d x4 ,& no p]iod ( "t c be happi]  
or m prosp]\s1 ?an ^? 9 :i* x is nev]   
reg>d$ or he>d (4  ,! reason ( ?is      
obs]vation1 repli$ ,,clean!s1 is obvi\s4

 ,! prop] (fice ( religion is to        
regulate ! he>t ( m51 humanise _!       
conduct1 infuse ! _s ( temp]ance1 ord]1 
& ob$i5ce2 & z its op]ation is sil5t1 & 
only en=ces ! motives ( morality &      
ju/ice1 x is 9 dang] ( be+ ov]look$1 &  
conf\nd$ ) ^! o!r motives4 ,:5 x        
di/+ui%es itself1 & acts z a sep>ate    
pr9ciple ov] m51 x has dep>t$ f its     
prop] sph]e1 & has become only a cov] to
 faction & ambition4  ,& s w all        
religion1 said ,,philo1 except !        
philosophical & rational k9d4 ,y\r      
reason+s are m easily elud$ ?an my      
facts4 ,! inf]5ce is n j1 because f9ite 
& tempor>y rew>ds & puni%m5ts h s great 
influ5ce1 t !re=e su* z are inf9ite &   
et]nal mu/ h s mu* great]4 ,consid]1 ,i 
besee* y1 ! atta*m5t :i* we h to pres5t 
?+s1 & ! little conc]n :i* we discov] = 
objects s remote & unc]ta94 ,:5 div9es  
are declaim+ aga9/ ! common behavi\r &  
conduct ( ! _w1 !y always repres5t ?is  
pr9ciple z ! /ronge/ imag9able 7:i*     
inde$ x is72 & describe almo/ all human 

k9d z ly+ "u ! influ5ce ( x1 & sunk into
 ! deepe/ le?>gy & unconc]n ab\t _!     
religi\s int]e/s4 ,yet ^! same div9es1  
:5 !y refute _! speculative antagoni/s1 
suppose ! motives ( religion to be s    
p[]ful1 t1 )\t !m1 x 7 impossible =     
civil society to subsi/2 nor are !y     
a%am$ ( s palpable a contradiction4 ,x  
is c]ta91 f exp]i5ce1 t ! smalle/ gra9 (
 natural hone/y & b5evol5ce has m effect
 on m5's conduct1 ?an ! mo/ pomp\s views
 sugge/$ by !ological !ories & sy/ems4  
,a man's natural incl9ation works       
incessantly ^u him2 x is = ev] pres5t to
 ! m9d1 & m+les itself ) e view &       
consid]ation3 :]eas religi\s motives1   
:]e !y act at all1 op]ate only by />ts &
 b\nds2 & x is sc>cely possible = !m to 
become altoge!r habitual to ! m9d4 ,!   
=ce ( ! greate/ gravity1 say !          
philosoph]s1 is inf9itely small1 9      
comp>ison ( t ( ! lea/ impulse3 yet x is
 c]ta91 t ! smalle/ gravity w1 9 ! end1 
prevail above a great impulse2 because  
no /rokes or bl[s c be repeat$ ) su*    

con/ancy z attraction & gravitation4    
,ano!r advantage ( incl9ation3 ,x       
engages on its side all ! wit & +5uity (
 ! m9d2 & :5 set 9 opposition to        
religi\s pr9ciples1 seeks e me?od & art 
( elud+ !m3 ,9 :i* x is almo/ always    
successful4 ,:o c expla9 ! he>t ( man1  
or acc\nt = ^? /range salvos & excuses1 
) :i* p satisfy !mselves1 :5 !y foll[ _!
 incl9ations 9 opposition to _! religi\s
 duty8 ,?is is well und]/ood 9 ! _w2 &  
none b fools ev] repose less tru/ 9 a   
man1 because !y he>1 t f /udy &         
philosophy1 he has ent]ta9$ "s          
speculative d\bts ) reg>d to !ological  
subjects4 ,& :5 we h to d ) a man1 :o   
makes a great pr(ession ( religion &    
devotion1 has ?is any o!r effect ^u     
sev]al1 :o pass = prud5t1 ?an to put !m 
on _! gu>d1 le/ !y be *eat$ & deceiv$ by
 him8  ,we mu/ fur!r consid]1 t         
philosoph]s1 :o cultivate reason &      
reflection1 /& less 9 ne$ ( su* motives 
to keep !m "u ! re/ra9t ( morals2 & t ! 
vulg>1 :o alone may ne$ !m1 are utt]ly  

incapable ( s pure a religion z         
repres5ts ! ,deity to be pleas$ ) no?+ b
 virtue 9 human behavi\r4 ,!            
recomm5dations to ! ,div9ity are g5]ally
 suppos$ to be ei!r frivol\s obs]vances1
 or raptur\s ec/asies1 or a bigot$      
cr$ulity4 ,we ne$ n run back into       
antiquity1 or w&] into remote regions1  
to f9d in/ances ( ?is deg5]acy4 ,among/ 
ourselves1 "s h be5 guilty ( t          
atroci\sness1 unkn[n to ! ,egyptian &   
,grecian sup]/itions1 ( declaim+ 9      
express t]ms1 aga9/ morality2 &         
repres5t+ x z a sure =feiture ( ! ,div9e
 fav\r1 if ! lea/ tru/ or reliance be   
laid ^u x4  ,b ev5 ?\gh sup]/ition or   
en?usiasm %\ld n put itself 9 direct    
opposition to morality2 ! v div]t+ ( !  
att5tion1 ! rais+ up a new & frivol\s   
species ( m]it1 ! prepo/]\s di/ribution 
:i* x makes ( praise & blame1 mu/ h !   
mo/ p]nici\s consequ5ces1 & weak5       
extremely m5's atta*m5t to ! natural    
motives ( ju/ice & humanity4  ,su* a    
pr9ciple ( action likewise1 n be+ any ( 

! famili> motives ( human conduct1 acts 
only by int]vals on ! temp]2 & mu/ be   
r\s$ by cont9ual ef=ts1 9 ord] to r5d] !
 pi\s zealot satisfi$ ) 8 own conduct1 &
 make him fulfil 8 devotional task4 ,_m 
religi\s ex]cises are ent]$ into ) seem+
 f]v\r1 :]e ! he>t1 at ! "t1 feels cold 
& languid3 ,a habit ( dissimulation is  
by degrees contract$2 & fraud &         
falsehood become ! pr$om9ant pr9ciple4  
,h5ce ! reason ( t vulg> obs]vation1 t !
 highe/ zeal 9 religion & ! deepe/      
hypocrisy1 s f> f be+ inconsi/5t1 are   
(t5 or commonly unit$ 9 ! same          
individual "*4  ,! bad effects ( su*    
habits1 ev5 9 common life1 are easily   
imag9$2 b :]e ! int]e/s ( religion are  
conc]n$1 no morality c be =cible en\gh  
to b9d ! en?usia/ic zealot4 ,! sacr$ness
 ( ! cause sanctifies e measure :i* c be
 made use ( to promote x4  ,! /eady     
att5tion alone to s important an int]e/ 
z t ( et]nal salvation1 is apt to       
ext+ui% ! b5evol5t affections1 & beget a
 n>r[1 contract$ selfi%ness4 ,& :5 su* a

 temp] is enc\rag$1 x easily eludes all 
! g5]al precepts ( *>ity & b5evol5ce4   
,?us1 ! motives ( vulg> sup]/ition h no 
great influ5ce on g5]al conduct2 nor is 
_! op]ation fav\rable to morality1 9 !  
in/ances :]e !y pr$om9ate4  ,is !re any 
maxim 9 politics m c]ta9 & infallible1  
?an t bo? ! numb] & au?ority ( prie/s   
%\ld be conf9$ )9 v n>r[ limits2 & t !  
civil magi/rate ought1 = ev]1 to keep 8 
fasces & axes f su* dang]\s h&s8 ,b if !
 _s ( popul> religion 7 s salut>y to    
society1 a contr>y maxim ought to       
prevail4 ,! great] numb] ( prie/s1 & _! 
great] au?ority & ri*es1 w always augm5t
 ! religi\s _s4 ,& ?\gh ! prie/s h !    
guidance ( ?is _s1 :y may we n expect a 
sup]ior sanctity ( life1 & great]       
b5evol5ce & mod]ation1 f p]sons :o are  
set ap>t = religion1 :o are cont9ually  
inculcat+ x ^u o!rs1 & :o mu/ !mselves  
imbibe a great] %>e ( x8 ,:5ce comes x  
!n1 t1 9 fact1 ! utmo/ a wise magi/rate 
c propose ) reg>d to popul> religions1  
is1 z f> z possible1 to make a sav+ game

 ( x1 & to prev5t _! p]nici\s           
consequ5ces ) reg>d to society8 ,e      
exp$i5t :i* he tries = s humble a       
purpose is surr\nd$ ) inconv5i5ces4 ,if 
he admits only "o religion among 8      
subjects1 he mu/ sacrifice1 to an       
unc]ta9 prospect ( tranquillity1 e      
consid]ation ( public lib]ty1 sci5ce1   
reason1 indu/ry1 & ev5 8 own indep5d5cy4
 ,if he gives indulg5ce to sev]al sects1
 :i* is ! wis] maxim1 he mu/ pres]ve a v
 philosophical indiff]5ce to all ( !m1 &
 c>efully re/ra9 ! pret5sions ( !       
prevail+ sect2 o!rwise he c expect no?+ 
b endless disputes1 qu>rels1 factions1  
p]secutions1 & civil commotions4  ,true 
religion1 ,i all[1 has no su* p]nici\s  
consequ5ces3 b we mu/ treat ( religion1 
z x has commonly be5 f\nd 9 ! _w2 nor h 
,i any ?+ to d ) t speculative t5et (   
,!ism1 :i*1 z x is a species (          
philosophy1 mu/ p>take ( ! b5eficial    
influ5ce ( t pr9ciple1 & at ! same "t   
mu/ lie "u a l inconv5i5ce1 ( be+ always
 conf9$ to v few p]sons4  ,oa?s are     

requisite 9 all c\rts ( judicature2 b x 
is a "q :e!r _! au?ority arises f any   
popul> religion4 ,x is ! solemnity &    
importance ( ! occasion1 ! reg>d to     
reputation1 & ! reflect+ on ! g5]al     
int]e/s ( society1 :i* are ! *ief       
re/ra9ts ^u mank9d4 ,cu/om-h\se oa?s &  
political oa?s are b little reg>d$ ev5  
by "s :o pret5d to pr9ciples ( hone/y & 
religion2 & a ,quak]'s assev]ation is ) 
u ju/ly put ^u ! same foot+ ) ! oa? (   
any o!r p]son4 ,i "k1 t ,,polybius ,lib4
 vi4 cap4 #ed4 ascribes ! infamy (      
,,greek fai? to ! preval5cy ( !         
,,epicurean philosophy3 b ,i "k also1 t 
,punic fai? _h z bad a reputation 9     
anci5t times z ,iri% evid5ce has 9      
mod]n2 ?\gh we _c acc\nt = ^! vulg>     
obs]vations by ! same reason4 ,n to     
m5tion t ,greek fai? 0 infam\s be=e !   
rise ( ! ,epicurean philosophy2 &       
,,euripides ,iphig5ia 9 ,tauride1 9 a   
passage :i* ,i %all po9t out to y1 has  
glanc$ a rem>kable /roke ( satire aga9/ 
8 nation1 ) reg>d to ?is circum/ance4   

,take c>e1 ,,philo1 repli$ ,,clean!s1   
take c>e3 pu% n matt]s too f>3 all[ n   
y\r zeal aga9/ false religion to und]m9e
 y\r v5]ation = ! true4 ,=feit n ?is    
pr9ciple1 ! *ief1 ! only great com=t 9  
life2 & our pr9cipal support amid/ all !
 attacks ( adv]se =tune4 ,! mo/         
agreeable reflection1 :i* x is possible 
= human imag9ation to sugge/1 is t (    
g5u9e ,!ism1 :i* repres5ts u z !        
workman%ip ( a ,be+ p]fectly good1 wise1
 & p[]ful2 :o creat$ u = happ9ess2 & :o1
 hav+ implant$ 9 u immeasurable desires 
( good1 w prolong our exi/5ce to all    
et]nity1 & w transf] u into an inf9ite  
v>iety ( sc5es1 9 ord] to satisfy ^?    
desires1 & r5d] our felicity complete & 
durable4 ,next to su* a ,be+ himself 7if
 ! comp>ison be all[$71 ! happie/ lot   
:i* we c imag9e1 is t ( be+ "u 8        
gu>dian%ip & protection4  ,^!           
appe>ances1 said ,,philo1 are mo/ engag+
 & allur+2 & ) reg>d to ! true          
philosoph]1 !y are m ?an appe>ances4 ,b 
x happ5s "h1 z 9 ! =m] case1 t1 ) reg>d 

to ! great] "p ( mank9d1 ! appe>ances   
are deceitful1 & t ! t]rors ( religion  
commonly prevail above its com=ts4  ,x  
is all[$1 t m5 nev] h rec\rse to        
devotion s readily z :5 deject$ ) grief 
or depress$ ) sickness4 ,is n ?is a     
pro(1 t ! religi\s _s is n s ne>ly alli$
 to joy z to sorr[8  ,b m51 :5 afflict$1
 f9d consolation 9 religion1 repli$     
,,clean!s4 ,sometimes1 said ,,philo3 b x
 is natural to imag9e1 t !y w =m a      
notion ( ^? unkn[n be+s1 suitably to !  
pres5t gloom & melan*oly ( _! temp]1 :5 
!y betake !mselves to ! contemplation ( 
!m4 ,accord+ly1 we f9d ! trem5d\s images
 to pr$om9ate 9 all religions2 & we     
ourselves1 aft] hav+ employ$ ! mo/      
exalt$ expression 9 our descriptions ( !
 ,deity1 fall into ! flatte/            
contradiction 9 affirm+ t ! damn$ are   
inf9itely sup]ior 9 numb] to ! elect4   
,i %all v5ture to affirm1 t !re nev] 0 a
 popul> religion1 :i* repres5t$ ! /ate (
 dep>t$ s\ls 9 su* a light1 z w\ld r5d] 
x eligible = human k9d t !re %\ld be su*

 a /ate4 ,^! f9e models ( religion are !
 m]e product ( philosophy4 ,= z dea?    
lies betwe5 ! eye & ! prospect (        
futurity1 t ev5t is s %ock+ to ,nature1 
t x mu/ ?r[ a gloom on all ! regions :i*
 lie beyond x2 & sugge/ to ! g5]ality ( 
mank9d ! idea ( ,,c]b]us & ,,furies2    
devils1 & torr5ts ( fire & brim/one4  ,x
 is true1 bo? fe> & hope ent] into      
religion2 because bo? ^! passions1 at   
diff]5t times1 agitate ! human m9d1 &   
ea* ( !m =ms a species ( div9ity        
suitable to itself4 ,b :5 a man is 9 a  
*e]ful disposition1 he is fit = bus9ess1
 or company1 or ent]ta9m5t ( any k9d2 & 
he naturally applies himself to ^!1 &   
?9ks n ( religion4 ,:5 melan*oly &      
deject$1 he has no?+ to d b brood ^u !  
t]rors ( ! invisible _w1 & to plunge    
himself /ill deep] 9 affliction4 ,x may 
inde$ happ51 t aft] he has1 9 ?is mann]1
 engrav$ ! religi\s op9ions deep into 8 
?\ght & imag9ation1 !re may arrive a    
*ange ( heal? or circum/ances1 :i* may  
re/ore 8 good hum\r1 & rais+ *e]ful     

prospects ( futurity1 make him run into 
! o!r extreme ( joy & triumph4 ,b /ill x
 mu/ be ackn[l$g$1 t1 z t]ror is !      
prim>y pr9ciple ( religion1 x is !      
passion :i* always pr$om9ates 9 x1 &    
admits b ( %ort int]vals ( pleasure4  ,n
 to m5tion1 t ^! fits ( excessive1      
en?usia/ic joy1 by exhau/+ ! spirits1   
always prep>e ! way = equal fits (      
sup]/iti\s t]ror & dejection2 nor is !re
 any /ate ( m9d s happy z ! calm &      
equable4 ,b ?is /ate x is impossible to 
support1 :]e a man ?9ks t he lies 9 su* 
pr(\nd d>kness & unc]ta9ty1 betwe5 an   
et]nity ( happ9ess & an et]nity ( mis]y4
 ,no wond] t su* an op9ion disjo9ts !   
ord9>y frame ( ! m9d1 & ?r[s x into !   
utmo/ confusion4 ,& ?\gh t op9ion is    
seldom s /eady 9 its op]ation z to      
influ5ce all ! actions2 yet x is apt to 
make a consid]able brea* 9 ! temp]1 & to
 produce t gloom & melan*oly s rem>kable
 9 all dev\t p4  ,x is contr>y to common
 s5se to ent]ta9 appreh5sions or t]rors 
^u acc\nt ( any op9ion :atsoev]1 or to  

imag9e t we run any risk h]eaft]1 by !  
free/ use ( our reason4 ,su* a s5tim5t  
implies bo? an absurdity & an           
inconsi/5cy4 ,x is an absurdity to      
believe t ! ,deity has human passions1 &
 "o ( ! l[e/ ( human passions1 a re/less
 appetite = applause4 ,x is an          
inconsi/5cy to believe1 t1 s9ce ! ,deity
 has ?is human passion1 he has n o!rs   
also2 &1 9 p>ticul>1 a disreg>d to !    
op9ions ( creatures s mu* inf]ior4  ,to 
"k ,god1 says ,,s5eca1 is to wor%ip him4
 ,all o!r wor%ip is inde$ absurd1       
sup]/iti\s1 & ev5 impi\s4 ,x degrades   
him to ! l[ condition ( mank9d1 :o are  
delight$ ) entreaty1 solicitation1      
pres5ts1 & flatt]y4 ,yet is ?is impiety 
! smalle/ ( :i* sup]/ition is guilty4   
,commonly1 x depresses ! ,deity f> bel[ 
! condition ( mank9d2 & repres5ts him z 
a caprici\s ,,demon1 :o ex]cises 8 p[]  
)\t reason & )\t humanity6 ,& 7 t ,div9e
 ,be+ dispos$ to be (f5d$ at ! vices &  
follies ( silly mortals1 :o are 8 own   
workman%ip1 ill w\ld x surely f>e ) !   

vot>ies ( mo/ popul> sup]/itions4 ,nor  
w\ld any ( human race m]it 8 fav\r1 b a 
v few1 ! philosophical ,!i/s1 :o        
ent]ta91 or r inde$ endeav\r to ent]ta91
 suitable notions ( 8 ,div9e p]fections3
 ,z ! only p]sons entitl$ to 8          
compassion & indulg5ce w\ld be !        
philosophical ,sceptics1 a sect almo/   
equally r>e1 :o1 f a natural diffid5ce (
 _! own capacity1 susp5d1 or endeav\r to
 susp5d1 all judgem5t ) reg>d to su*    
sublime & su* extraord9>y subjects4  ,if
 ! :ole ( ,natural ,!ology1 z "s p seem 
to ma9ta91 resolves itself into "o      
simple1 ?\gh some:at ambigu\s1 at lea/  
undef9$ proposition1 ,t ! cause or      
causes ( ord] 9 ! univ]se probably be>  
"s remote analogy to human intellig5ce3 
,if ?is proposition be n capable (      
ext5sion1 v>iation1 or m p>ticul>       
explication3 ,if x af=ds no inf]5ce t   
affects human life1 or c be ! s\rce (   
any action or =be>ance3 ,& if ! analogy1
 imp]fect z x is1 c be c>ri$ no fur!r   
?an to ! human intellig5ce1 & _c be     

transf]r$1 ) any appe>ance (            
probability1 to ! o!r qualities ( ! m9d2
 if ?is really be ! case1 :at c ! mo/   
inquisitive1 contemplative1 & religi\s  
man d m ?an give a pla91 philosophical  
ass5t to ! proposition1 z (t5 z x       
occurs1 & believe t ! argum5ts on :i* x 
is e/abli%$ exce$ ! objections :i* lie  
aga9/ x8 ,"s a/oni%m5t1 inde$1 w        
naturally arise f ! greatness ( !       
object2 "s melan*oly f its obscurity2 "s
 contempt ( human reason1 t x c give no 
solution m satisfactory ) reg>d to s    
extraord9>y & magnific5t a "q4 ,b       
believe me1 ,,clean!s1 ! mo/ natural    
s5tim5t :i* a well-dispos$ m9d w feel on
 ?is occasion1 is a long+ desire &      
expectation t ,heav5 w\ld be pleas$ to  
dissipate1 at lea/ alleviate1 ?is pr(\nd
 ignorance1 by af=d+ "s m p>ticul>      
revelation to mank9d1 & mak+ discov]ies 
( ! nature1 attributes1 & op]ations ( ! 
,div9e object ( our fai?4 ,a p]son1     
season$ ) a j s5se ( ! imp]fections (   
natural reason1 w fly to reveal$ tru? ) 

! greate/ avidity3 ,:ile ! haughty      
,dogmati/1 p]suad$ t he c erect a       
complete sy/em ( ,!ology by ! m]e help (
 philosophy1 disda9s any fur!r aid1 &   
rejects ?is adv5titi\s in/ructor4 ,to be
 a philosophical ,sceptic is1 9 a man ( 
lett]s1 ! fir/ & mo/ ess5tial /ep t[>ds 
be+ a s\nd1 believ+ ,*ri/ian2 a         
proposition :i* ,i w\ld will+ly recomm5d
 to ! att5tion ( ,,pamphilus3 ,& ,i hope
 ,,clean!s w =give me = int]pos+ s f> 9 
! education & in/ruction ( 8 pupil4     
,,clean!s & ,,philo pursu$ n ?is        
conv]sation mu* fur!r3 & z no?+ ev] made
 great] impression on me1 ?an all !     
reason+s ( t day1 s ,i confess1 t1 ^u a 
s]i\s review ( ! :ole1 ,i _c b ?9k1 t   
,,philo's pr9ciples are m probable ?an  
,,demea's2 b t ^? ( ,,clean!s approa*   
/ill ne>] to ! tru?4