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expect the public to take a large share in my interests； I am yet unwilling
to be found so far wanting in the duty I owe to myself； as to give occasion
to those who shall survive me to make it matter of reproach against me
some day； that I might have left them many things in a much more perfect
state than I have done； had I not too much neglected to make them aware
of the ways in which they could have promoted the acplishment of my
designs。
And I thought that it was easy for me to select some matters which
should neither be obnoxious to much controversy； nor should pel me
to expound more of my principles than I desired； and which should yet be
sufficient clearly to exhibit what I can or cannot acplish in the
sciences。 Whether or not I have succeeded in this it is not for me to say；
and I do not wish to forestall the judgments of others by speaking myself
of my writings； but it will gratify me if they be examined； and； to afford
the greater inducement to this I request all who may have any objections
to make to them； to take the trouble of forwarding these to my publisher；
who will give me notice of them； that I may endeavor to subjoin at the
same time my reply； and in this way readers seeing both at once will more
easily determine where the truth lies； for I do not engage in any case to
make prolix replies； but only with perfect frankness to avow my errors if I
am convinced of them； or if I cannot perceive them； simply to state what I
think is required for defense of the matters I have written； adding thereto
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
no explication of any new matte that it may not be necessary to pass
without end from one thing to another。
If some of the matters of which I have spoken in the beginning of the
〃Dioptrics〃 and 〃Meteorics〃 should offend at first sight； because I call
them hypotheses and seem indifferent about giving proof of them； I
request a patient and attentive reading of the whole； from which I hope
those hesitating will derive satisfaction； for it appears to me that the
reasonings are so mutually connected in these treatises； that； as the last are
demonstrated by the first which are their causes； the first are in their turn
demonstrated by the last which are their effects。 Nor must it be imagined
that I here mit the fallacy which the logicians call a circle； for since
experience renders the majority of these effects most certain； the causes
from which I deduce them do not serve so much to establish their reality
as to explain their existence； but on the contrary； the reality of the causes
is established by the reality of the effects。 Nor have I called them
hypotheses with any other end in view except that it may be known that I
think I am able to deduce them from those first truths which I have already
expounded； and yet that I have expressly determined not to do so； to
prevent a certain class of minds from thence taking occasion to build some
extravagant philosophy upon what they may take to be my principles； and
my being blamed for it。 I refer to those who imagine that they can master
in a day all that another has taken twenty years to think out； as soon as he
has spoken two or three words to them on the subject； or who are the more
liable to error and the less capable of perceiving truth in very proportion as
they are more subtle and lively。 As to the opinions which are truly and
wholly mine； I offer no apology for them as new； persuaded as I am that
if their reasons be well considered they will be found to be so simple and
so conformed； to mon sense as to appear less extraordinary and less
paradoxical than any others which can be held on the same subjects； nor
do I even boast of being the earliest discoverer of any of them； but only of
having adopted them； neither because they had nor because they had not
been held by others； but solely because reason has convinced me of their
truth。
Though artisans may not be able at once to execute the invention
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DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
which is explained in the 〃Dioptrics；〃 I do not think that any one on that
account is entitled to condemn it； for since address and practice are
required in order so to make and adjust the machines described by me as
not to overlook the smallest particular； I should not be less astonished if
they succeeded on the first attempt than if a person were in one day to
bee an acplished performer on the guitar； by merely having
excellent sheets of music set up before him。 And if I write in French；
which is the language of my country； in preference to Latin； which is that
of my preceptors； it is because I expect that those who make use of their
unprejudiced natural reason will be better judges of my opinions than
those who give heed to the writings of the ancients only； and as for those
who unite good sense with habits of study； whom alone I desire for judges；
they will not； I feel assured； be so partial to Latin as to refuse to listen to
my reasonings merely because I expound them in the vulgar tongue。
In conclusion； I am unwilling here to say anything very specific of the
progress which I expect to make for the future in the sciences； or to bind
myself to the public by any promise which I am not certain of being able
to fulfill； but this only will I say； that I have resolved to devote what time I
may still have to live to no other occupation than that of endeavoring to
acquire some knowledge of Nature； which shall be of such a kind as to
enable us therefrom to deduce rules in medicine of greater certainty than
those at present in use； and that my inclination is so much opposed to all
other pursuits； especially to such as cannot be useful to some without
being hurtful to others； that if； by any circumstances； I had been
constrained to engage in such； I do not believe that I should have been
able to succeed。 Of this I here make a public declaration； though well
aware that it cannot serve to procure for me any consideration in the world；
which； however； I do not in the least affect； and I shall always hold myself
more obliged to those through whose favor I am permitted to enjoy my
retirement without interruption than to any who might offer me the highest
earthly preferments。
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