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the method which I had prescribed to myself。 This method； from the
time I had begun to apply it； had been to me the source of satisfaction so
intense as to lead me to； believe that more perfect or more innocent could
not be enjoyed in this life； and as by its means I daily discovered truths
that appeared to me of some importance； and of which other men were
generally ignorant； the gratification thence arising so occupied my mind
that I was wholly indifferent to every other object。 Besides； the three
preceding maxims were founded singly on the design of continuing the
work of self… instruction。 For since God has endowed each of us with
some light of reason by which to distinguish truth from error； I could not
have believed that I ought for a single moment to rest satisfied with the
opinions of another； unless I had resolved to exercise my own judgment in
examining these whenever I should be duly qualified for the task。 Nor
could I have proceeded on such opinions without scruple； had I supposed
that I should thereby forfeit any advantage for attaining still more accurate；
should such exist。 And； in fine； I could not have restrained my desires；
nor remained satisfied had I not followed a path in which I thought myself
certain of attaining all the knowledge to the acquisition of which I was
petent； as well as the largest amount of what is truly good which I
could ever hope to secure Inasmuch as we neither seek nor shun any
object except in so far as our understanding represents it as good or bad；
all that is necessary to right action is right judgment； and to the best action
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the most correct judgment； that is； to the acquisition of all the virtues with
all else that is truly valuable and within our reach； and the assurance of
such an acquisition cannot fail to render us contented。
Having thus provided myself with these maxims； and having placed
them in reserve along with the truths of faith； which have ever occupied
the first place in my belief； I came to the conclusion that I might with
freedom set about ridding myself of what remained of my opinions。 And；
inasmuch as I hoped to be better able successfully to acplish this work
by holding intercourse with mankind； than by remaining longer shut up in
the retirement where these thoughts had occurred to me； I betook me again
to traveling before the winter was well ended。 And； during the nine
subsequent years； I did nothing but roam from one place to another；
desirous of being a spectator rather than an actor in the plays exhibited
on the theater of the world； and； as I made it my business in each matter to
reflect particularly upon what might fairly be doubted and prove a source
of error； I gradually rooted out from my mind all the errors which had
hitherto crept into it。 Not that in this I imitated the sceptics who doubt
only that they may doubt； and seek nothing beyond uncertainty itself； for；
on the contrary； my design was singly to find ground of assurance； and
cast aside the loose earth and sand； that I might reach the rock or the
clay。 In this； as appears to me； I was successful enough； for； since I
endeavored to discover the falsehood or incertitude of the propositions I
examined； not by feeble conjectures； but by clear and certain reasonings； I
met with nothing so doubtful as not to yield some conclusion of adequate
certainty； although this were merely the inference； that the matter in
question contained nothing certain。 And； just as in pulling down an old
house； we usually reserve the ruins to contribute towards the erection； so；
in destroying such of my opinions as I judged to be Ill…founded； I made a
variety of observations and acquired an amount of experience of which I
availed myself in the establishment of more certain。 And further； I
continued to exercise myself in the method I had prescribed； for； besides
taking care in general to conduct all my thoughts according to its rules； I
reserved some hours from time to time which I expressly devoted to the
employment of the method in the solution of mathematical difficulties； or
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even in the solution likewise of some questions belonging to other
sciences； but which； by my having detached them from such principles of
these sciences as were of inadequate certainty； were rendered almost
mathematical： the truth of this will be manifest from the numerous
examples contained in this volume。 And thus； without in appearance
living otherwise than those who； with no other occupation than that of
spending their lives agreeably and innocently； study to sever pleasure from
vice； and who； that they may enjoy their leisure without ennui； have
recourse to such pursuits as are honorable； I was nevertheless prosecuting
my design； and making greater progress in the knowledge of truth； than I
might； perhaps； have made had I been engaged in the perusal of books
merely； or in holding converse with men of letters。
These nine years passed away； however； before I had e to any
determinate judgment respecting the difficulties which form matter of
dispute among the learned； or had menced to seek the principles of
any philosophy more certain than the vulgar。 And the examples of many
men of the highest genius； who had； in former times； engaged in this
inquiry； but； as appeared to me； without success； led me to imagine it to be
a work of so much difficulty； that I would not perhaps have ventured on it
so soon had I not heard it currently rumored that I had already pleted
the inquiry。 I know not what were the grounds of this opinion； and； if my
conversation contributed in any measure to its rise； this must have
happened rather from my having confessed my Ignorance with greater
freedom than those are accustomed to do who have studied a little； and
expounded perhaps； the reasons that led me to doubt of many of those
things that by others are esteemed certain； than from my having boasted of
any system of philosophy。 But； as I am of a disposition that makes me
unwilling to be esteemed different from what I really am； I thought it
necessary to endeavor by all means to render myself worthy of the
reputation accorded to me； and it is now exactly eight years since this
desire constrained me to remove from all those places where interruption
from any of my acquaintances was possible； and betake myself to this
country； in which the long duration of the war has led to the establishment
of such discipline； that the armies maintained seem to be of use only in
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enabling the inhabitants to enjoy more securely the blessings of peace and
where； in the midst of a great crowd actively engaged in business； and
more careful of their own affairs than curious about those of others； I have
been enabled to live without being deprived of any of the conveniences to
be had in the most populous cities； and yet as solitary and as retired as in
the midst of the most remote deserts。
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PART IV
I am in doubt as to the propriety of making my first meditations in the
place above men