第2章

ChapterII

NoInnatePracticalPrinciples1。Nomoralprinciplessoclearandsogenerallyreceivedastheforementionedspeculativemaxims。IfthosespeculativeMaxims，whereofwediscoursedintheforegoingchapter，havenotanactualuniversalassentfromallmankind，aswethereproved，itismuchmorevisibleconcerningpracticalPrinciples，thattheycomeshortofanuniversalreception:andIthinkitwillbehardtoinstanceanyonemoralrulewhichcanpretendtosogeneralandreadyanassentas，"Whatis，is"；ortobesomanifestatruthasthis，that"Itisimpossibleforthesamethingtobeandnottobe。"Wherebyitisevidentthattheyarefurtherremovedfromatitletobeinnate；andthedoubtoftheirbeingnativeimpressionsonthemindisstrongeragainstthosemoralprinciplesthantheother。Notthatitbringstheirtruthatallinquestion。Theyareequallytrue，thoughnotequallyevident。Thosespeculativemaximscarrytheirownevidencewiththem:butmoralprinciplesrequirereasoninganddiscourse，andsomeexerciseofthemind，todiscoverthecertaintyoftheirtruth。

Theylienotopenasnaturalcharactersengravenonthemind；which，ifanysuchwere，theymustneedsbevisiblebythemselves，andbytheirownlightbecertainandknowntoeverybody。Butthisisnoderogationtotheirtruthandcertainty；nomorethanitistothetruthorcertaintyofthethreeanglesofatrianglebeingequaltotworightones:becauseitisnotsoevidentas"thewholeisbiggerthanapart，"norsoapttobeassentedtoatfirsthearing。Itmaysufficethatthesemoralrulesarecapableofdemonstration:andthereforeitisourownfaultsifwecomenottoacertainknowledgeofthem。Buttheignorancewhereinmanymenareofthem，andtheslownessofassentwherewithothersreceivethem，aremanifestproofsthattheyarenotinnate，andsuchasofferthemselvestotheirviewwithoutsearching。

2。Faithandjusticenotownedasprinciplesbyallmen。Whethertherebeanysuchmoralprinciples，whereinallmendoagree，Iappealtoanywhohavebeenbutmoderatelyconversantinthehistoryofmankind，andlookedabroadbeyondthesmokeoftheirownchimneys。

Whereisthatpracticaltruththatisuniversallyreceived，withoutdoubtorquestion，asitmustbeifinnate？Justice，andkeepingofcontracts，isthatwhichmostmenseemtoagreein。Thisisaprinciplewhichisthoughttoextenditselftothedensofthieves，andtheconfederaciesofthegreatestvillains；andtheywhohavegonefurthesttowardstheputtingoffofhumanityitself，keepfaithandrulesofjusticeonewithanother。Igrantthatoutlawsthemselvesdothisoneamongstanother:butitiswithoutreceivingtheseastheinnatelawsofnature。Theypractisethemasrulesofconveniencewithintheirowncommunities:butitisimpossibletoconceivethatheembracesjusticeasapracticalprinciple，whoactsfairlywithhisfellow-highwayman，andatthesametimeplundersorkillsthenexthonestmanhemeetswith。Justiceandtrutharethecommontiesofsociety；andthereforeevenoutlawsandrobbers，whobreakwithalltheworldbesides，mustkeepfaithandrulesofequityamongstthemselves；orelsetheycannotholdtogether。Butwillanyonesay，thatthosethatlivebyfraudorrapinehaveinnateprinciplesoftruthandjusticewhichtheyallowandassentto？

3。Objection:"thoughmendenythemintheirpractice，yettheyadmitthemintheirthoughts，"answered。Perhapsitwillbeurged，thatthetacitassentoftheirmindsagreestowhattheirpracticecontradicts。Ianswer，first，Ihavealwaysthoughttheactionsofmenthebestinterpretersoftheirthoughts。But，sinceitiscertainthatmostmen’spractices，andsomemen’sopenprofessions，haveeitherquestionedordeniedtheseprinciples，itisimpossibletoestablishanuniversalconsent，(thoughweshouldlookforitonlyamongstgrownmen，)withoutwhichitisimpossibletoconcludetheminnate。

Secondly，itisverystrangeandunreasonabletosupposeinnatepracticalprinciples，thatterminateonlyincontemplation。

Practicalprinciples，derivedfromnature，arethereforoperation，andmustproduceconformityofaction，notbarelyspeculativeassenttotheirtruth，orelsetheyareinvaindistinguishedfromspeculativemaxims。Nature，Iconfess，hasputintomanadesireofhappinessandanaversiontomisery:theseindeedareinnatepracticalprincipleswhich(aspracticalprinciplesought)docontinueconstantlytooperateandinfluenceallouractionswithoutceasing:

thesemaybeobservedinallpersonsandallages，steadyanduniversal；buttheseareinclinationsoftheappetitetogood，notimpressionsoftruthontheunderstanding。Idenynotthattherearenaturaltendenciesimprintedonthemindsofmen；andthatfromtheveryfirstinstancesofsenseandperception，therearesomethingsthataregratefulandothersunwelcometothem；somethingsthattheyinclinetoandothersthattheyfly:butthismakesnothingforinnatecharactersonthemind，whicharetobetheprinciplesofknowledgeregulatingourpractice。Suchnaturalimpressionsontheunderstandingaresofarfrombeingconfirmedhereby，thatthisisanargumentagainstthem；since，iftherewerecertaincharactersimprintedbynatureontheunderstanding，astheprinciplesofknowledge，wecouldnotbutperceivethemconstantlyoperateinusandinfluenceourknowledge，aswedothoseothersonthewillandappetite；whichneverceasetobetheconstantspringsandmotivesofallouractions，towhichweperpetuallyfeelthemstronglyimpellingus。

4。Moralrulesneedaproof，ergonotinnate。Anotherreasonthatmakesmedoubtofanyinnatepracticalprinciplesis，thatIthinktherecannotanyonemoralrulebeproposedwhereofamanmaynotjustlydemandareason:whichwouldbeperfectlyridiculousandabsurdiftheywereinnate；orsomuchasself-evident，whicheveryinnateprinciplemustneedsbe，andnotneedanyprooftoascertainitstruth，norwantanyreasontogainitapprobation。Hewouldbethoughtvoidofcommonsensewhoaskedontheoneside，orontheothersidewenttogiveareasonwhy"itisimpossibleforthesamethingtobeandnottobe。"Itcarriesitsownlightandevidencewithit，andneedsnootherproof:hethatunderstandsthetermsassentstoitforitsownsakeorelsenothingwilleverbeabletoprevailwithhimtodoit。Butshouldthatmostunshakenruleofmoralityandfoundationofallsocialvirtue，"Thatoneshoulddoashewouldbedoneunto，"beproposedtoonewhoneverheardofitbefore，butyetisofcapacitytounderstanditsmeaning；mighthenotwithoutanyabsurdityaskareasonwhy？Andwerenothethatproposeditboundtomakeoutthetruthandreasonablenessofittohim？Whichplainlyshowsitnottobeinnate；forifitwereitcouldneitherwantnorreceiveanyproof；butmustneeds(atleastassoonasheardandunderstood)bereceivedandassentedtoasanunquestionabletruth，whichamancanbynomeansdoubtof。Sothatthetruthofallthesemoralrulesplainlydependsuponsomeotherantecedenttothem，andfromwhichtheymustbededuced；whichcouldnotbeifeithertheywereinnateorsomuchasself-evident。

5。Instanceinkeepingcompacts。Thatmenshouldkeeptheircompactsiscertainlyagreatandundeniableruleinmorality。Butyet，ifaChristian，whohastheviewofhappinessandmiseryinanotherlife，beaskedwhyamanmustkeephisword，hewillgivethisasareason:-

BecauseGod，whohasthepowerofeternallifeanddeath，requiresitofus。ButifaHobbistbeaskedwhy？hewillanswer:-Becausethepublicrequiresit，andtheLeviathanwillpunishyouifyoudonot。Andifoneoftheoldphilosophershadbeenasked，hewouldhaveanswered:-Becauseitwasdishonest，belowthedignityofaman，andoppositetovirtue，thehighestperfectionofhumannature，todootherwise。

6。Virtuegenerallyapproved，notbecauseinnate，butbecauseprofitable。Hencenaturallyflowsthegreatvarietyofopinionsconcerningmoralruleswhicharetobefoundamongmen，accordingtothedifferentsortsofhappinesstheyhaveaprospectof，orproposetothemselves；whichcouldnotbeifpracticalprincipleswereinnate，andimprintedinourmindsimmediatelybythehandofGod。IgranttheexistenceofGodissomanywaysmanifest，andtheobedienceweowehimsocongruoustothelightofreason，thatagreatpartofmankindgivetestimonytothelawofnature:butyetIthinkitmustbeallowedthatseveralmoralrulesmayreceivefrommankindaverygeneralapprobation，withouteitherknowingoradmittingthetruegroundofmorality；whichcanonlybethewillandlawofaGod，whoseesmeninthedark，hasinhishandrewardsandpunishmentsandpowerenoughtocalltoaccounttheproudestoffender。For，Godhaving，byaninseparableconnexion，joinedvirtueandpublichappinesstogether，andmadethepracticethereofnecessarytothepreservationofsociety，andvisiblybeneficialtoallwithwhomthevirtuousmanhastodo；itisnowonderthateveryoneshouldnotonlyallow，butrecommendandmagnifythoserulestoothers，fromwhoseobservanceofthemheissuretoreapadvantagetohimselfHemay，outofinterestaswellasconviction，cryupthatforsacred，which，ifoncetrampledonandprofaned，hehimselfcannotbesafenorsecure。

This，thoughittakesnothingfromthemoralandeternalobligationwhichtheserulesevidentlyhave，yetitshowsthattheoutwardacknowledgmentmenpaytothemintheirwordsprovesnotthattheyareinnateprinciples:nay，itprovesnotsomuchasthatmenassenttotheminwardlyintheirownminds，astheinviolablerulesoftheirownpractice；sincewefindthatself-interest，andtheconveniencesofthislife，makemanymenownanoutwardprofessionandapprobationofthem，whoseactionssufficientlyprovethattheyverylittleconsidertheLawgiverthatprescribedtheserules；northehellthathehasordainedforthepunishmentofthosethattransgressthem。

7。Men’sactionsconvinceusthattheruleofvirtueisnottheirinternalprinciple。For，ifwewillnotincivilityallowtoomuchsinceritytotheprofessionsofmostmen，butthinktheiractionstobetheinterpretersoftheirthoughts，weshallfindthattheyhavenosuchinternalvenerationfortheserules，norsofullapersuasionoftheircertaintyandobligation。Thegreatprincipleofmorality，"Todoasonewouldbedoneto，"ismorecommendedthanpractised。Butthebreachofthisrulecannotbeagreatervice，thantoteachothers，thatitisnomoralrule，norobligatory，wouldbethoughtmadness，andcontrarytothatinterestmensacrificeto，whentheybreakitthemselves。Perhapsconsciencewillbeurgedascheckingusforsuchbreaches，andsotheinternalobligationandestablishmentoftherulebepreserved。

8。Consciencenoproofofanyinnatemoralrule。TowhichI

answer，thatIdoubtnotbut，withoutbeingwrittenontheirhearts，manymenmay，bythesamewaythattheycometotheknowledgeofotherthings，cometoassenttoseveralmoralrules，andbeconvincedoftheirobligation。Othersalsomaycometobeofthesamemind，fromtheireducation，company，andcustomsoftheircountry；whichpersuasion，howevergot，willservetosetconscienceonwork；whichisnothingelsebutourownopinionorjudgmentofthemoralrectitudeorpravityofourownactions；andifconsciencebeaproofofinnateprinciples，contrariesmaybeinnateprinciples；sincesomemenwiththesamebentofconscienceprosecutewhatothersavoid。

9。Instancesofenormitiespractisedwithoutremorse。ButIcannotseehowanymenshouldevertransgressthosemoralrules，withconfidenceandserenity，weretheyinnate，andstampedupontheirminds。Viewbutanarmyatthesackingofatown，andseewhatobservationorsenseofmoralprinciples，orwhattouchofconscienceforalltheoutragestheydo。Robberies，murders，rapes，arethesportsofmensetatlibertyfrompunishmentandcensure。Havetherenotbeenwholenations，andthoseofthemostcivilizedpeople，amongstwhomtheexposingtheirchildren，andleavingtheminthefieldstoperishbywantorwildbeastshasbeenthepractice；aslittlecondemnedorscrupledasthebegettingthem？Dotheynotstill，insomecountries，putthemintothesamegraveswiththeirmothers，iftheydieinchildbirth；ordespatchthem，ifapretendedastrologerdeclaresthemtohaveunhappystars？Andaretherenotplaceswhere，atacertainage，theykillorexposetheirparents，withoutanyremorseatall？InapartofAsia，thesick，whentheircasecomestobethoughtdesperate，arecarriedoutandlaidontheearthbeforetheyaredead；andleftthere，exposedtowindandweather，toperishwithoutassistanceorpity。ItisfamiliaramongtheMingrelians，apeopleprofessingChristianity，toburytheirchildrenalivewithoutscruple。Thereareplaceswheretheyeattheirownchildren。TheCaribbeeswerewonttogeldtheirchildren，onpurposetofatandeatthem。AndGarcilassodelaVegatellsusofapeopleinPeruwhichwerewonttofatandeatthechildrentheygotontheirfemalecaptives，whomtheykeptasconcubinesforthatpurpose，andwhentheywerepastbreeding，themothersthemselveswerekilledtooandeaten。ThevirtueswherebytheTououpinambosbelievedtheymeritedparadise，wererevenge，andeatingabundanceoftheirenemies。TheyhavenotsomuchasanameforGod，andhavenoreligion，noworship。ThesaintswhoarecanonizedamongsttheTurks，leadliveswhichonecannotwithmodestyrelate。Aremarkablepassagetothispurpose，outofthevoyageofBaumgarten，whichisabooknoteverydaytobemetwith，Ishallsetdownatlarge，inthelanguageitispublishedin。Ibi(sc。propeBelbesinAEgypto)vidimussanctumunumSaracenicuminterarenarumcumulos，itautexuteromatrisprodiitnudumsedentem。Mosest，utdidicimus，Mahometistis，uteos，quiamentesetsinerationesunt，prosanctiscolantetvenerentur。Insupereteos，quicumdiuvitamegerintinquinatissimam，voluntariamdemumpoenitentiametpaupertatem，sanctitatevenerandosdeputant。Ejusmodiverogenushominumlibertatemquandameffrenemhabent，domosquosvoluntintrandi，edendi，bibendi，etquodmajusest，concumbendi；exquoconcubitu，siprolessecutafuerit，sanctasimiliterhabetur。Hisergohominibusdumvivunt，magnosexhibenthonores；mortuisveroveltemplavelmonumentaextruuntamplissima，eosquecontingereacsepeliremaximaefortunaeducuntloco。

AudivimushaecdictaetdicendaperinterpretemaMucrelonostro。

Insupersanctumillum，quemeolocovidimus，publicitusapprimecommendari，eumessehominemsanctum，divinumacintegritatepraecipuum；eoquod，necfoeminarumunquamesset，necpuerorum，sedtantummodoasellarumconcubitoratquemularum。(Peregr。Baumgarten，1。

ii。c。I。p。73。)MoreofthesamekindconcerningtheseprecioussaintsamongsttheTurksmaybeseeninPietrodellaValle，inhisletterofthe25thofJanuary，1616。

Wherethenarethoseinnateprinciplesofjustice，piety，gratitude，equity，chastity？Orwhereisthatuniversalconsentthatassuresustherearesuchinbredrules？Murdersinduels，whenfashionhasmadethemhonourable，arecommittedwithoutremorseofconscience:nay，inmanyplacesinnocenceinthiscaseisthegreatestignominy。Andifwelookabroadtotakeaviewofmenastheyare，weshallfindthattheyhaveremorse，inoneplace，fordoingoromittingthatwhichothers，inanotherplace，thinktheymeritby。

10。Menhavecontrarypracticalprinciples。Hethatwillcarefullyperusethehistoryofmankind，andlookabroadintotheseveraltribesofmen，andwithindifferencysurveytheiractions，willbeabletosatisfyhimself，thatthereisscarcethatprincipleofmoralitytobenamed，orruleofvirtuetobethoughton，(thoseonlyexceptedthatareabsolutelynecessarytoholdsocietytogether，whichcommonlytooareneglectedbetwixtdistinctsocieties，)whichisnot，somewhereorother，slightedandcondemnedbythegeneralfashionofwholesocietiesofmen，governedbypracticalopinionsandrulesoflivingquiteoppositetoothers。

11。Wholenationsrejectseveralmoralrules。Hereperhapsitwillbeobjected，thatitisnoargumentthattheruleisnotknown，becauseitisbroken。Igranttheobjectiongoodwheremen，thoughtheytransgress，yetdisownnotthelaw；wherefearofshame，censure，orpunishmentcarriesthemarkofsomeaweithasuponthem。Butitisimpossibletoconceivethatawholenationofmenshouldallpubliclyrejectandrenouncewhateveryoneofthemcertainlyandinfalliblyknewtobealaw；forsotheymustwhohaveitnaturallyimprintedontheirminds。Itispossiblemenmaysometimesownrulesofmoralitywhichintheirprivatethoughtstheydonotbelievetobetrue，onlytokeepthemselvesinreputationandesteemamongstthosewhoarepersuadedoftheirobligation。Butitisnottobeimaginedthatawholesocietyofmenshouldpubliclyandprofessedlydisownandcastoffarulewhichtheycouldnotintheirownmindsbutbeinfalliblycertainwasalaw；norbeignorantthatallmentheyshouldhavetodowithknewittobesuch:andthereforemusteveryoneofthemapprehendfromothersallthecontemptandabhorrenceduetoonewhoprofesseshimselfvoidofhumanity:andonewho，confoundingtheknownandnaturalmeasuresofrightandwrong，cannotbutbelookedonastheprofessedenemyoftheirpeaceandhappiness。Whateverpracticalprincipleisinnate，cannotbutbeknowntoeveryonetobejustandgood。Itisthereforelittlelessthanacontradictiontosuppose，thatwholenationsofmenshould，bothintheirprofessionsandpractice，unanimouslyanduniversallygivethelietowhat，bythemostinvincibleevidence，everyoneofthemknewtobetrue，right，andgood。Thisisenoughtosatisfyusthatnopracticalrulewhichisanywhereuniversally，andwithpublicapprobationorallowance，transgressed，canbesupposedinnate-ButI

havesomethingfurthertoaddinanswertothisobjection。

12。Thegenerallyallowedbreachofarule，proofthatitisnotinnate。Thebreakingofarule，sayyou，isnoargumentthatitisunknown。Igrantit:butthegenerallyallowedbreachofitanywhere，Isay，isaproofthatitisnotinnate。Forexample:letustakeanyoftheserules，which，beingthemostobviousdeductionsofhumanreason，andcomformabletothenaturalinclinationofthegreatestpartofmen，fewestpeoplehavehadtheimpudencetodenyorinconsiderationtodoubtof。Ifanycanbethoughttobenaturallyimprinted，none，Ithink，canhaveafairerpretencetobeinnatethanthis:"Parents，preserveandcherishyourchildren。"When，therefore，yousaythatthisisaninnaterule，whatdoyoumean？

Eitherthatitisaninnateprinciplewhichuponalloccasionsexcitesanddirectstheactionsofallmen；orelse，thatitisatruthwhichallmenhaveimprintedontheirminds，andwhichthereforetheyknowandassentto。Butinneitherofthesesensesisitinnate。First，thatitisnotaprinciplewhichinfluencesallmen’sactions，iswhatIhaveprovedbytheexamplesbeforecited:norneedweseeksofarasMingreliaorPerutofindinstancesofsuchasneglect，abuse，nay，anddestroytheirchildren；orlookonitonlyasthemorethanbrutalityofsomesavageandbarbarousnations，whenwerememberthatitwasafamiliaranduncondemnedpracticeamongsttheGreeksandRomanstoexpose，withoutpityorremorse，theirinnocentinfants。Secondly，thatitisaninnatetruth，knowntoallmen，isalsofalse。For，"Parentspreserveyourchildren，"issofarfromaninnatetruth，thatitisnotruthatall:itbeingacommand，andnotaproposition，andsonotcapableoftruthorfalsehood。Tomakeitcapableofbeingassentedtoastrue，itmustbereducedtosomesuchpropositionasthis:"Itisthedutyofparentstopreservetheirchildren。"Butwhatdutyis，cannotbeunderstoodwithoutalaw；noralawbeknownorsupposedwithoutalawmaker，orwithoutrewardandpunishment；sothatitisimpossiblethatthis，oranyother，practicalprincipleshouldbeinnate，i。e。beimprintedonthemindasaduty，withoutsupposingtheideasofGod，oflaw，ofobligation，ofpunishment，ofalifeafterthis，innate:

forthatpunishmentfollowsnotinthislifethebreachofthisrule，andconsequentlythatithasnottheforceofalawincountrieswherethegenerallyallowedpracticerunscountertoit，isinitselfevident。Buttheseideas(whichmustbealloftheminnate，ifanythingasadutybeso)aresofarfrombeinginnate，thatitisnoteverystudiousorthinkingman，muchlesseveryonethatisborn，inwhomtheyaretobefoundclearanddistinct；andthatoneofthem，whichofallothersseemsmostlikelytobeinnate，isnotso，(ImeantheideaofGod，)Ithink，inthenextchapter，willappearveryevidenttoanyconsideringman。

13。Ifmencanbeignorantofwhatisinnate，certaintyisnotdescribedbyinnateprinciples。Fromwhathasbeensaid，Ithinkwemaysafelyconclude，thatwhateverpracticalruleisinanyplacegenerallyandwithallowancebroken，cannotbesupposedinnate；itbeingimpossiblethatmenshould，withoutshameorfear，confidentlyandserenely，breakarulewhichtheycouldnotbutevidentlyknowthatGodhadsetup，andwouldcertainlypunishthebreachof，(whichtheymust，ifitwereinnate，)toadegreetomakeitaveryillbargaintothetransgressor。Withoutsuchaknowledgeasthis，amancanneverbecertainthatanythingishisduty。Ignoranceordoubtofthelaw，hopestoescapetheknowledgeorpowerofthelaw-maker，orthelike，maymakemengivewaytoapresentappetite；butletanyoneseethefault，andtherodbyit，andwiththetransgression，afirereadytopunishit；apleasuretempting，andthehandoftheAlmightyvisiblyheldupandpreparedtotakevengeance，(forthismustbethecasewhereanydutyisimprintedonthemind，)

andthentellmewhetheritbepossibleforpeoplewithsuchaprospect，suchacertainknowledgeasthis，wantonly，andwithoutscruple，tooffendagainstalawwhichtheycarryabouttheminindeliblecharacters，andthatstarestheminthefacewhilsttheyarebreakingit？Whethermen，atthesametimethattheyfeelinthemselvestheimprintededictsofanOmnipotentLaw-maker，can，withassuranceandgaiety，slightandtrampleunderfoothismostsacredinjunctions？Andlastly，whetheritbepossiblethatwhilstamanthusopenlybidsdefiancetothisinnatelawandsupremeLawgiver，allthebystanders，yea，eventhegovernorsandrulersofthepeople，fullofthesamesensebothofthelawandLaw-maker，shouldsilentlyconnive，withouttestifyingtheirdislikeorlayingtheleastblameonit？Principlesofactionsindeedtherearelodgedinmen’sappetites；butthesearesofarfrombeinginnatemoralprinciples，thatiftheywerelefttotheirfullswingtheywouldcarrymentotheoverturningofallmorality。Morallawsaresetasacurbandrestrainttotheseexorbitantdesires，whichtheycannotbebutbyrewardsandpunishmentsthatwilloverbalancethesatisfactionanyoneshallproposetohimselfinthebreachofthelaw。If，therefore，anythingbeimprintedonthemindsofallmenasalaw，allmenmusthaveacertainandunavoidableknowledgethatcertainandunavoidablepunishmentwillattendthebreachofit。Forifmencanbeignorantordoubtfulofwhatisinnate，innateprinciplesareinsistedon，andurgedtonopurpose；truthandcertainty(thethingspretended)arenotatallsecuredbythem；butmenareinthesameuncertainfloatingestatewithaswithoutthem。Anevidentindubitableknowledgeofunavoidablepunishment，greatenoughtomakethetransgressionveryuneligible，mustaccompanyaninnatelaw；unlesswithaninnatelawtheycansupposeaninnateGospeltoo。Iwouldnotherebemistaken，asif，becauseIdenyaninnatelaw，Ithoughttherewerenonebutpositivelaws。Thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenaninnatelaw，andalawofnature；betweensomethingimprintedonourmindsintheirveryoriginal，andsomethingthatwe，beingignorantof，mayattaintotheknowledgeof，bytheuseanddueapplicationofournaturalfaculties。AndIthinktheyequallyforsakethetruthwho，runningintocontraryextremes，eitheraffirmaninnatelaw，ordenythatthereisalawknowablebythelightofnature，i。e。withoutthehelpofpositiverevelation。

14。Thosewhomaintaininnatepracticalprinciplestellusnotwhattheyare。ThedifferencethereisamongstmenintheirpracticalprinciplesissoevidentthatIthinkIneedsaynomoretoevince，thatitwillbeimpossibletofindanyinnatemoralrulesbythismarkofgeneralassent；anditisenoughtomakeonesuspectthatthesuppositionofsuchinnateprinciplesisbutanopiniontakenupatpleasure；sincethosewhotalksoconfidentlyofthemaresosparingtotelluswhichtheyare。Thismightwithjusticebeexpectedfromthosemenwholaystressuponthisopinion；anditgivesoccasiontodistrusteithertheirknowledgeorcharity，who，declaringthatGodhasimprintedonthemindsofmenthefoundationsofknowledgeandtherulesofliving，areyetsolittlefavourabletotheinformationoftheirneighbours，orthequietofmankind，asnottopointouttothemwhichtheyare，inthevarietymenaredistractedwith。But，intruth，werethereanysuchinnateprinciplestherewouldbenoneedtoteachthem。Didmenfindsuchinnatepropositionsstampedontheirminds，theywouldeasilybeabletodistinguishthemfromothertruthsthattheyafterwardslearnedanddeducedfromthem；andtherewouldbenothingmoreeasythantoknowwhat，andhowmany，theywere。Therecouldbenomoredoubtabouttheirnumberthanthereisaboutthenumberofourfingers；anditisliketheneverysystemwouldbereadytogivethemusbytale。Butsincenobody，thatIknow，hasventuredyettogiveacatalogueofthem，theycannotblamethosewhodoubtoftheseinnateprinciples；sinceeventheywhorequirementobelievethattherearesuchinnatepropositions，donottelluswhattheyare。

Itiseasytoforesee，thatifdifferentmenofdifferentsectsshouldgoabouttogiveusalistofthoseinnatepracticalprinciples，theywouldsetdownonlysuchassuitedtheirdistincthypotheses，andwerefittosupportthedoctrinesoftheirparticularschoolsorchurches；aplainevidencethattherearenosuchinnatetruths。

Nay，agreatpartofmenaresofarfromfindinganysuchinnatemoralprinciplesinthemselves，that，bydenyingfreedomtomankind，andtherebymakingmennootherthanbaremachines，theytakeawaynotonlyinnate，butallmoralruleswhatsoever，andleavenotapossibilitytobelieveanysuch，tothosewhocannotconceivehowanythingcanbecapableofalawthatisnotafreeagent。Anduponthatgroundtheymustnecessarilyrejectallprinciplesofvirtue，whocannotputmoralityandmechanismtogether，whicharenotveryeasytobereconciledormadeconsistent。

15。LordHerbert’sinnateprinciplesexamined。WhenIhadwrittenthis，beinginformedthatmyLordHerberthad，inhisbookDeVeritate，assignedtheseinnateprinciples，Ipresentlyconsultedhim，hopingtofindinamanofsogreatparts，somethingthatmightsatisfymeinthispoint，andputanendtomyinquiry。InhischapterDeInstinctuNaturali，p。72，ed。1656，ImetwiththesesixmarksofhisNotitiae，Communes:-1。Prioritas。2。Independentia。3。

Universalitas。4。Certitudo。5。Necessitas，i。e。asheexplainsit，faciuntadhominisconservationem。6。Modusconformationis，i。e。

Assensusmullainterpositamora。AndatthelatterendofhislittletreatiseDeReligioneLaici，hesaysthisoftheseinnateprinciples:Adeoutnonuniuscujusvisreligionisconfinioarctenturquaeubiquevigentveritates。Sunteniminipsamentecaelitusdescriptae，nullisquetraditionibus，sivescriptis，sivenonscriptis，obnoxiae，p。3。AndVeritatesnostraecatholicae，quaetanquamindubiaDeiematainforointerioridescriptae。

Thus，havinggiventhemarksoftheinnateprinciplesorcommonnotions，andassertedtheirbeingimprintedonthemindsofmenbythehandofGod，heproceedstosetthemdown，andtheyarethese:1。Essealiquodsupremumnumen。2。Numenilludcolidebere。3。Virtutemcumpietateconjunctamoptimamesserationemcultusdivini。4。

Resipiscendumesseapeccatis。5。Daripraemiumvelpaenamposthancvitamtransactam。ThoughIallowthesetobecleartruths，andsuchas，ifrightlyexplained，arationalcreaturecanhardlyavoidgivinghisassentto，yetIthinkheisfarfromprovingtheminnateimpressionsinforointerioridescriptae。ForImusttakeleavetoobserve:-

16。Thesefiveeithernotall，ormorethanall，ifthereareany。

First，thatthesefivepropositionsareeithernotall，ormorethanall，thosecommonnotionswrittenonourmindsbythefingerofGod；

ifitwerereasonabletobelieveanyatalltobesowritten。Sincethereareotherpropositionswhich，evenbyhisownrules，haveasjustapretencetosuchanoriginal，andmaybeaswelladmittedforinnateprinciples，asatleastsomeofthesefiveheenumerates，viz。"Doasthouwouldstbedoneunto。"Andperhapssomehundredsofothers，whenwellconsidered。

17。Thesupposedmarkswanting。Secondly，thatallhismarksarenottobefoundineachofhisfivepropositions，viz。hisfirst，second，andthirdmarksagreeperfectlytoneitherofthem；andthefirst，second，third，fourth，andsixthmarksagreebutilltohisthird，fourth，andfifthpropositions。For，besidesthatweareassuredfromhistoryofmanymen，naywholenations，whodoubtordisbelievesomeorallofthem，Icannotseehowthethird，viz。"ThatvirtuejoinedwithpietyisthebestworshipofGod，"canbeaninnateprinciple，whenthenameorsoundvirtue，issohardtobeunderstood；

liabletosomuchuncertaintyinitssignification；andthethingitstandsforsomuchcontendedaboutanddifficulttobeknown。Andthereforethiscannotbebutaveryuncertainruleofhumanpractice，andservebutverylittletotheconductofourlives，andisthereforeveryunfittobeassignedasaninnatepracticalprinciple。

18。Oflittleuseiftheywereinnate。Forletusconsiderthispropositionastoitsmeaning，(foritisthesense，andnotsound，thatisandmustbetheprincipleorcommonnotion，)viz。"VirtueisthebestworshipofGod，"i。e。ismostacceptabletohim；which，ifvirtuebetaken，asmostcommonlyitis，forthoseactionswhich，accordingtothedifferentopinionsofseveralcountries，areaccountedlaudable，willbeapropositionsofarfrombeingcertain，thatitwillnotbetrue。IfvirtuebetakenforactionsconformabletoGod’swill，ortotheruleprescribedbyGod-whichisthetrueandonlymeasureofvirtuewhenvirtueisusedtosignifywhatisinitsownnaturerightandgood-thenthisproposition，"ThatvirtueisthebestworshipofGod，"willbemosttrueandcertain，butofverylittleuseinhumanlife:sinceitwillamounttonomorebutthis，viz。"ThatGodispleasedwiththedoingofwhathecommands；"-

whichamanmaycertainlyknowtobetrue，withoutknowingwhatitisthatGoddothcommand；andsobeasfarfromanyruleorprincipleofhisactionsashewasbefore。AndIthinkveryfewwilltakeapropositionwhichamountstonomorethanthis，viz。"ThatGodispleasedwiththedoingofwhathehimselfcommands，"foraninnatemoralprinciplewrittenonthemindsofallmen，(howevertrueandcertainitmaybe，)sinceitteachessolittle。Whosoeverdoessowillhavereasontothinkhundredsofpropositionsinnateprinciples；sincetherearemanywhichhaveasgoodatitleasthistobereceivedforsuch，whichnobodyyeteverputintothatrankofinnateprinciples。

19。ScarcepossiblethatGodshouldengraveprinciplesinwordsofuncertainmeaning。Noristhefourthproposition(viz。"Menmustrepentoftheirsins")muchmoreinstructive，tillwhatthoseactionsarethataremeantbysinsbesetdown。Forthewordpeccata，orsins，beingput，asitusuallyis，tosignifyingeneralillactionsthatwilldrawpunishmentuponthedoers，whatgreatprincipleofmoralitycanthatbetotellusweshouldbesorry，andceasetodothatwhichwillbringmischiefuponus；withoutknowingwhatthoseparticularactionsarethatwilldoso？Indeedthisisaverytrueproposition，andfittobeincatedonandreceivedbythosewhoaresupposedtohavebeentaughtwhatactionsinallkindsaresins:butneitherthisnortheformercanbeimaginedtobeinnateprinciples；

nortobeofanyuseiftheywereinnate，unlesstheparticularmeasuresandboundsofallvirtuesandviceswereengraveninmen’sminds，andwereinnateprinciplesalso，whichIthinkisverymuchtobedoubted。And，therefore，Iimagine，itwillscarcelyseempossiblethatGodshouldengraveprinciplesinmen’sminds，inwordsofuncertainsignification，suchasvirtuesandsins，whichamongstdifferentmenstandfordifferentthings:nay，itcannotbesupposedtobeinwordsatall，which，beinginmostoftheseprinciplesverygeneral，names，cannotbeunderstoodbutbyknowingtheparticularscomprehendedunderthem。Andinthepracticalinstances，themeasuresmustbetakenfromtheknowledgeoftheactionsthemselves，andtherulesofthem，-abstractedfromwords，andantecedenttotheknowledgeofnames；whichrulesamanmustknow，whatlanguagesoeverhechancetolearn，whetherEnglishorJapan，orifheshouldlearnnolanguageatall，ornevershouldunderstandtheuseofwords，ashappensinthecaseofdumbanddeafmen。Whenitshallbemadeoutthatmenignorantofwords，oruntaughtbythelawsandcustomsoftheircountry，knowthatitispartoftheworshipofGod，nottokillanotherman；nottoknowmorewomenthanone；nottoprocureabortion；

nottoexposetheirchildren；nottotakefromanotherwhatishis，thoughwewantitourselves，butonthecontrary，relieveandsupplyhiswants；andwheneverwehavedonethecontraryweoughttorepent，besorry，andresolvetodosonomore；-whenIsay，allmenshallbeprovedactuallytoknowandallowalltheseandathousandothersuchrules，allofwhichcomeunderthesetwogeneralwordsmadeuseofabove，viz。virtutesetpeccata，virtuesandsins，therewillbemorereasonforadmittingtheseandthelike，forcommonnotionsandpracticalprinciples。Yet，afterall，universalconsent(werethereanyinmoralprinciples)totruths，theknowledgewhereofmaybeattainedotherwise，wouldscarceprovethemtobeinnate；whichisallIcontendfor。

20。Objection，"innateprinciplesmaybecorrupted，"answered。Norwillitbeofmuchmomentheretoofferthatveryreadybutnotverymaterialanswer，viz。thattheinnateprinciplesofmoralitymay，byeducation，andcustom，andthegeneralopinionofthoseamongstwhomweconverse，bedarkened，andatlastquitewornoutofthemindsofmen。Whichassertionoftheirs，iftrue，quitetakesawaytheargumentofuniversalconsent，bywhichthisopinionofinnateprinciplesisendeavouredtobeproved；unlessthosemenwillthinkitreasonablethattheirprivatepersuasions，orthatoftheirparty，shouldpassforuniversalconsent；-athingnotunfrequentlydone，whenmen，presumingthemselvestobetheonlymastersofrightreason，castbythevotesandopinionsoftherestofmankindasnotworthythereckoning。Andthentheirargumentstandsthus:-"Theprincipleswhichallmankindallowfortrue，areinnate；thosethatmenofrightreasonadmit，aretheprinciplesallowedbyallmankind；we，andthoseofourmind，aremenofreason；therefore，weagreeing，ourprinciplesareinnate；"-whichisaveryprettywayofarguing，andashortcuttoinfallibility。Forotherwiseitwillbeveryhardtounderstandhowtherebesomeprincipleswhichallmendoacknowledgeandagreein；

andyettherearenoneofthoseprincipleswhicharenot，bydepravedcustomandilleducation，blottedoutofthemindsofmanymen:whichistosay，thatallmenadmit，butyetmanymendodenyanddissentfromthem。Andindeedthesuppositionofsuchfirstprincipleswillserveustoverylittlepurpose；andweshallbeasmuchatalosswithaswithoutthem，iftheymay，byanyhumanpower-suchasthewillofourteachers，oropinionsofourcompanions-bealteredorlostinus:andnotwithstandingallthisboastoffirstprinciplesandinnatelight，weshallbeasmuchinthedarkanduncertaintyasiftherewerenosuchthingatall:itbeingallonetohavenorule，andonethatwillwarpanyway；oramongstvariousandcontraryrules，nottoknowwhichistheright。Butconcerninginnateprinciples，Idesirethesementosay，whethertheycanorcannot，byeducationandcustom，beblurredandblottedout；iftheycannot，wemustfindtheminallmankindalike，andtheymustbeclearineverybody；andiftheymaysuffervariationfromadventitiousnotions，wemustthenfindthemclearestandmostperspicuousnearestthefountain，inchildrenandilliteratepeople，whohavereceivedleastimpressionfromforeignopinions。Letthemtakewhichsidetheyplease，theywillcertainlyfinditinconsistentwithvisiblematteroffactanddailyobservation。

21。Contraryprinciplesintheworld。Ieasilygrantthattherearegreatnumbersofopinionswhich，bymenofdifferentcountries，educations，andtempers，arereceivedandembracedasfirstandunquestionableprinciples；manywhereof，bothfortheirabsurdityaswellasoppositionstooneanother，itisimpossibleshouldbetrue。

Butyetallthosepropositions，howremotesoeverfromreason，aresosacredsomewhereorother，thatmenevenofgoodunderstandinginothermatters，willsoonerpartwiththeirlives，andwhateverisdearesttothem，thansufferthemselvestodoubt，orotherstoquestion，thetruthofthem。

22。Howmencommonlycomebytheirprinciples。This，howeverstrangeitmayseem，isthatwhicheveryday’sexperienceconfirms；andwillnot，perhaps，appearsowonderful，ifweconsiderthewaysandstepsbywhichitisbroughtabout；andhowreallyitmaycometopass，thatdoctrinesthathavebeenderivedfromnobetteroriginalthanthesuperstitionofanurse，ortheauthorityofanoldwoman，may，bylengthoftimeandconsentofneighbours，growuptothedignityofprinciplesinreligionormorality。Forsuch，whoarecareful(astheycallit)toprinciplechildrenwell，(andfewtherebewhohavenotasetofthoseprinciplesforthem，whichtheybelievein，)instilintotheunwary，andasyetunprejudiced，understanding，(forwhitepaperreceivesanycharacters，)thosedoctrinestheywouldhavethemretainandprofess。Thesebeingtaughtthemassoonastheyhaveanyapprehension；andstillastheygrowupconfirmedtothem，eitherbytheopenprofessionortacitconsentofalltheyhavetodowith；oratleastbythoseofwhosewisdom，knowledge，andpietytheyhaveanopinion，whoneversufferthosepropositionstobeotherwisementionedbutasthebasisandfoundationonwhichtheybuildtheirreligionandmanners，come，bythesemeans，tohavethereputationofunquestionable，self-evident，andinnatetruths。

23。Principlessupposedinnatebecausewedonotrememberwhenwebegantoholdthem。Towhichwemayadd，thatwhenmensoinstructedaregrownup，andreflectontheirownminds，theycannotfindanythingmoreancienttherethanthoseopinions，whichweretaughtthembeforetheirmemorybegantokeeparegisteroftheiractions，ordatethetimewhenanynewthingappearedtothem；andthereforemakenoscrupletoconclude，thatthosepropositionsofwhoseknowledgetheycanfindinthemselvesnooriginal，werecertainlytheimpressofGodandnatureupontheirminds，andnottaughtthembyanyoneelse。Thesetheyentertainandsubmitto，asmanydototheirparentswithveneration；notbecauseitisnatural；nordochildrendoitwheretheyarenotsotaught；butbecause，havingbeenalwayssoeducated，andhavingnoremembranceofthebeginningofthisrespect，theythinkitisnatural。

24。Howsuchprinciplescometobeheld。Thiswillappearverylikely，andalmostunavoidabletocometopass，ifweconsiderthenatureofmankindandtheconstitutionofhumanaffairs；whereinmostmencannotlivewithoutemployingtheirtimeinthedailylaboursoftheircallings；norbeatquietintheirmindswithoutsomefoundationorprincipletoresttheirthoughtson。Thereisscarcelyanyonesofloatingandsuperficialinhisunderstanding，whohathnotsomereverencedpropositions，whicharetohimtheprinciplesonwhichhebottomshisreasonings，andbywhichhejudgethoftruthandfalsehood，rightandwrong；whichsome，wantingskillandleisure，andotherstheinclination，andsomebeingtaughtthattheyoughtnottoexamine，therearefewtobefoundwhoarenotexposedbytheirignorance，laziness，education，orprecipitancy，totakethemupontrust。

25。Furtherexplained。Thisisevidentlythecaseofallchildrenandyoungfolk；andcustom，agreaterpowerthannature，seldomfailingtomakethemworshipfordivinewhatshehathinuredthemtobowtheirmindsandsubmittheirunderstandingsto，itisnowonderthatgrownmen，eitherperplexedinthenecessaryaffairsoflife，orhotinthepursuitofpleasures，shouldnotseriouslysitdowntoexaminetheirowntenets；especiallywhenoneoftheirprinciplesis，thatprinciplesoughtnottobequestioned。Andhadmenleisure，parts，andwill，whoistherealmostthatdareshakethefoundationsofallhispastthoughtsandactions，andenduretobringuponhimselftheshameofhavingbeenalongtimewhollyinmistakeanderror？

Whoistherehardyenoughtocontendwiththereproachwhichiseverywherepreparedforthosewhodareventuretodissentfromthereceivedopinionsoftheircountryorparty？Andwhereisthemantobefoundthatcanpatientlypreparehimselftobearthenameofwhimsical，sceptical，oratheist；whichheissuretomeetwith，whodoesintheleastscrupleanyofthecommonopinions？Andhewillbemuchmoreafraidtoquestionthoseprinciples，whenheshallthinkthem，asmostmendo，thestandardssetupbyGodinhismind，tobetheruleandtouchstoneofallotheropinions。Andwhatcanhinderhimfromthinkingthemsacred，whenhefindsthemtheearliestofallhisownthoughts，andthemostreverencedbyothers？

26。Aworshipofidols。Itiseasytoimaginehow，bythesemeans，itcomestopassthanmenworshiptheidolsthathavebeensetupintheirminds；growfondofthenotionstheyhavebeenlongacquaintedwiththere；andstampthecharactersofdivinityuponabsurditiesanderrors；becomezealousvotariestobullsandmonkeys，andcontendtoo，fight，anddieindefenceoftheiropinions。Dumsoloscredithabendosessedeos，quosipsecolit。For，sincethereasoningfacultiesofthesoul，whicharealmostconstantly，thoughnotalwayswarilynorwiselyemployed，wouldnotknowhowtomove，forwantofafoundationandfooting，inmostmen，whothroughlazinessoravocationdonot，orforwantoftime，ortruehelps，orforothercauses，cannotpenetrateintotheprinciplesofknowledge，andtracetruthtoitsfountainandoriginal，itisnaturalforthem，andalmostunavoidable，totakeupwithsomeborrowedprinciples；whichbeingreputedandpresumedtobetheevidentproofsofotherthings，arethoughtnottoneedanyotherproofthemselves。Whoevershallreceiveanyoftheseintohismind，andentertainthemtherewiththereverenceusuallypaidtoprinciples，neverventuringtoexaminethem，butaccustominghimselftobelievethem，becausetheyaretobebelieved，maytakeup，fromhiseducationandthefashionsofhiscountry，anyabsurdityforinnateprinciples；andbylongporingonthesameobjects，sodimhissightastotakemonsterslodgedinhisownbrainfortheimagesoftheDeity，andtheworkmanshipofhishands。

27。Principlesmustbeexamined。Bythisprogress，howmanytherearewhoarriveatprincipleswhichtheybelieveinnatemaybeeasilyobserved，inthevarietyofoppositeprinciplesheldandcontendedforbyallsortsanddegreesofmen。Andhethatshalldenythistobethemethodwhereinmostmenproceedtotheassurancetheyhaveofthetruthandevidenceoftheirprinciples，willperhapsfinditahardmatteranyotherwaytoaccountforthecontrarytenets，whicharefirmlybelieved，confidentlyasserted，andwhichgreatnumbersarereadyatanytimetosealwiththeirblood。And，indeed，ifitbetheprivilegeofinnateprinciplestobereceivedupontheirownauthority，withoutexamination，Iknownotwhatmaynotbebelieved，orhowanyone’sprinciplescanbequestioned。Iftheymayandoughttobeexaminedandtried，Idesiretoknowhowfirstandinnateprinciplescanbetried；oratleastitisreasonabletodemandthemarksandcharacterswherebythegenuineinnateprinciplesmaybedistinguishedfromothers:thatso，amidstthegreatvarietyofpretenders，Imaybekeptfrommistakesinsomaterialapointasthis。Whenthisisdone，Ishallbereadytoembracesuchwelcomeandusefulpropositions；andtillthenImaywithmodestydoubt；sinceIfearuniversalconsent，whichistheonlyoneproduced，willscarcelyproveasufficientmarktodirectmychoice，andassuremeofanyinnateprinciples。

Fromwhathasbeensaid，Ithinkitpastdoubt，thattherearenopracticalprincipleswhereinallmenagree；andthereforenoneinnate。

ChapterIII

OtherconsiderationsconcerningInnatePrinciples，bothSpeculativeandPractical1。Principlesnotinnate，unlesstheirideasbeinnate。Hadthosewhowouldpersuadeusthatthereareinnateprinciplesnottakenthemtogetheringross，butconsideredseparatelythepartsoutofwhichthosepropositionsaremade，theywouldnot，perhaps，havebeensoforwardtobelievetheywereinnate。Since，iftheideaswhichmadeupthosetruthswerenot，itwasimpossiblethatthepropositionsmadeupofthemshouldbeinnate，orourknowledgeofthembebornwithus。For，iftheideasbenotinnate，therewasatimewhenthemindwaswithoutthoseprinciples；andthentheywillnotbeinnate，butbederivedfromsomeotheroriginal。For，wheretheideasthemselvesarenot，therecanbenoknowledge，noassent，nomentalorverbalpropositionsaboutthem。

2。Ideas，especiallythosebelongingtoprinciples，notbornwithchildren。Ifwewillattentivelyconsidernew-bornchildren，weshallhavelittlereasontothinkthattheybringmanyideasintotheworldwiththem。For，batingperhapssomefaintideasofhunger，andthirst，andwarmth，andsomepains，whichtheymayhavefeltinthewomb，thereisnottheleastappearanceofanysettledideasatallinthem；especiallyofideasansweringthetermswhichmakeupthoseuniversalpropositionsthatareesteemedinnateprinciples。

Onemayperceivehow，bydegrees，afterwards，ideascomeintotheirminds；andthattheygetnomore，norother，thanwhatexperience，andtheobservationofthingsthatcomeintheirway，furnishthemwith；

whichmightbeenoughtosatisfyusthattheyarenotoriginalcharactersstampedonthemind。

3。"Impossibility"and"identity"notinnateideas。"Itisimpossibleforthesamethingtobe，andnottobe，"iscertainly(iftherebeanysuch)aninnateprinciple。Butcananyonethink，orwillanyonesay，that"impossibility"and"identity"aretwoinnateideas？Aretheysuchasallmankindhave，andbringintotheworldwiththem？Andaretheythosewhicharethefirstinchildren，andantecedenttoallacquiredones？Iftheyareinnate，theymustneedsbeso。Hathachildanideaofimpossibilityandidentity，beforeithasofwhiteorblack，sweetorbitter？Andisitfromtheknowledgeofthisprinciplethatitconcludes，thatwormwoodrubbedonthenipplehathnotthesametastethatitusedtoreceivefromthence？Isittheactualknowledgeofimpossibleestidemesse，etnonesse，thatmakesachilddistinguishbetweenitsmotherandastranger；orthatmakesitfondoftheoneandfleetheother？Ordoesthemindregulateitselfanditsassentbyideasthatitneveryethad？Ortheunderstandingdrawconclusionsfromprincipleswhichitneveryetkneworunderstood？Thenamesimpossibilityandidentitystandfortwoideas，sofarfrombeinginnate，orbornwithus，thatI

thinkitrequiresgreatcareandattentiontoformthemrightinourunderstandings。Theyaresofarfrombeingbroughtintotheworldwithus，soremotefromthethoughtsofinfancyandchildhood，thatI

believe，uponexaminationitwillbefoundthatmanygrownmenwantthem。

4。"Identity，"anideanotinnate。Ifidentity(toinstancethatalone)beanativeimpression，andconsequentlysoclearandobvioustousthatwemustneedsknowitevenfromourcradles，Iwouldgladlyberesolvedbyanyoneofseven，orseventyyearsold，whetheraman，beingacreatureconsistingofsoulandbody，bethesamemanwhenhisbodyischanged？WhetherEuphorbusandPythagoras，havinghadthesamesoul，werethesamemen，thoughtheylivedseveralagesasunder？Nay，whetherthecocktoo，whichhadthesamesoul，werenotthesamewithbothofthem？Whereby，perhaps，itwillappearthatourideaofsamenessisnotsosettledandclearastodeservetobethoughtinnateinus。Forifthoseinnateideasarenotclearanddistinct，soastobeuniversallyknownandnaturallyagreedon，theycannotbesubjectsofuniversalandundoubtedtruths，butwillbetheunavoidableoccasionofperpetualuncertainty。For，Isupposeeveryone’sideaofidentitywillnotbethesamethatPythagorasandthousandsofhisfollowershave。Andwhichthenshallbetrue？

Whichinnate？Oraretheretwodifferentideasofidentity，bothinnate？

5。Whatmakesthesameman？NorletanyonethinkthatthequestionsIhavehereproposedabouttheidentityofmanarebareemptyspeculations；which，iftheywere，wouldbeenoughtoshow，thattherewasintheunderstandingsofmennoinnateideaofidentity。Hethatshallwithalittleattentionreflectontheresurrection，andconsiderthatdivinejusticewillbringtojudgment，atthelastday，theverysamepersons，tobehappyormiserableintheother，whodidwellorillinthislife，willfinditperhapsnoteasytoresolvewithhimself，whatmakesthesameman，orwhereinidentityconsists；

andwillnotbeforwardtothinkhe，andeveryone，evenchildrenthemselves，havenaturallyaclearideaofit。

6。Wholeandpart，notinnateideas。Letusexaminethatprincipleofmathematics，viz。thatthewholeisbiggerthanapart。This，I

takeit，isreckonedamongstinnateprinciples。Iamsureithasasgoodatitleasanytobethoughtso；whichyetnobodycanthinkittobe，whenheconsiders[that]theideasitcomprehendsinit，wholeandpart，areperfectlyrelative；butthepositiveideastowhichtheyproperlyandimmediatelybelongareextensionandnumber，ofwhichalonewholeandpartarerelations。Sothatifwholeandpartareinnateideas，extensionandnumbermustbesotoo；itbeingimpossibletohaveanideaofarelation，withouthavinganyatallofthethingtowhichitbelongs，andinwhichitisfounded。Now，whetherthemindsofmenhavenaturallyimprintedonthemtheideasofextensionandnumber，Ileavetobeconsideredbythesewhoarethepatronsofinnateprinciples。

7。Ideaofworshipnotinnate。ThatGodistobeworshipped，is，withoutdoubt，asgreatatruthasanythatcanenterintothemindofman，anddeservesthefirstplaceamongstallpracticalprinciples。

Butyetitcanbynomeansbethoughtinnate，unlesstheideasofGodandworshipareinnate。Thattheideathetermworshipstandsforisnotintheunderstandingofchildren，andacharacterstampedonthemindinitsfirstoriginal，Ithinkwillbeeasilygranted，byanyonethatconsidershowfewtherebeamongstgrownmenwhohaveaclearanddistinctnotionofit。And，Isuppose，therecannotbeanythingmoreridiculousthantosay，thatchildrenhavethispracticalprincipleinnate，"ThatGodistobeworshipped，"andyetthattheyknownotwhatthatworshipofGodis，whichistheirduty。

Buttopassbythis。

8。IdeaofGodnotinnate。Ifanyideacanbeimaginedinnate，theideaofGodmay，ofallothers，formanyreasons，bethoughtso；sinceitishardtoconceivehowthereshouldbeinnatemoralprinciples，withoutaninnateideaofaDeity。Withoutanotionofalaw-maker，itisimpossibletohaveanotionofalaw，andanobligationtoobserveit。Besidestheatheiststakennoticeofamongsttheancients，andleftbrandedupontherecordsofhistory，hathnotnavigationdiscovered，intheselaterages，wholenations，atthebayofSoldania，inBrazil，[inBoranday，]andintheCaribbeeislands，&c。，amongstwhomtherewastobefoundnonotionofaGod，noreligion？NicholausdelTecho，inLiterisexParaquaria，deCaiguarumConversione，hasthesewords:ReperieamgentemnullumnomenhaberequodDeum，ethominisanimamsignificet；nullasacrahabet，nullaidola。Theseareinstancesofnationswhereuncultivatednaturehasbeenlefttoitself，withoutthehelpoflettersanddiscipline，andtheimprovementsofartsandsciences。Butthereareotherstobefoundwhohaveenjoyedtheseinaverygreatmeasure，whoyet，forwantofadueapplicationoftheirthoughtsthisway，wanttheideaandknowledgeofGod。Itwill，Idoubtnot，beasurprisetoothers，asitwastome，tofindtheSiamitesofthisnumber。Butforthis，letthemconsulttheKingofFrance’slateenvoythither，whogivesnobetteraccountoftheChinesethemselves。AndifwewillnotbelieveLaLoubere，themissionariesofChina，eventheJesuitsthemselves，thegreatencomiastsoftheChinese，doalltoamanagree，andwillconvinceus，thatthesectoftheliterari，orlearned，keepingtotheoldreligionofChina，andtherulingpartythere，areallofthematheists。Vid。Navarette，intheCollectionofVoyages，vol。i。，andHistoriaCultusSinensium。Andperhaps，ifweshouldwithattentionmindthelivesanddiscoursesofpeoplenotsofaroff，weshouldhavetoomuchreasontofear，thatmany，inmorecivilizedcountries，havenoverystrongandclearimpressionsofaDeityupontheirminds，andthatthecomplaintsofatheismmadefromthepulpitarenotwithoutreason。Andthoughonlysomeprofligatewretchesownittoobarefacedlynow；yetperhapsweshouldhearmorethanwedoofitfromothers，didnotthefearofthemagistrate’ssword，ortheirneighbour’scensure，tieuppeople’stongues；which，weretheapprehensionsofpunishmentorshametakenaway，wouldasopenlyproclaimtheiratheismastheirlivesdo。

9。ThenameofGodnotuniversalorobscureinmeaning。ButhadallmankindeverywhereanotionofaGod，(whereofyethistorytellsusthecontrary，)itwouldnotfromthencefollow，thattheideaofhimwasinnate。For，thoughnonationweretobefoundwithoutaname，andsomefewdarknotionsofhim，yetthatwouldnotprovethemtobenaturalimpressionsonthemind；nomorethanthenamesoffire，orthesun，heat，ornumber，doprovetheideastheystandfortobeinnate；becausethenamesofthosethings，andtheideasofthem，aresouniversallyreceivedandknownamongstmankind。Nor，onthecontrary，isthewantofsuchaname，ortheabsenceofsuchanotionoutofmen’sminds，anyargumentagainstthebeingofaGod；

anymorethanitwouldbeaproofthattherewasnoloadstoneintheworld，becauseagreatpartofmankindhadneitheranotionofanysuchthingnoranameforit；orbeanyshowofargumenttoprovethattherearenodistinctandvariousspeciesofangels，orintelligentbeingsaboveus，becausewehavenoideasofsuchdistinctspecies，ornamesforthem。For，menbeingfurnishedwithwords，bythecommonlanguageoftheirowncountries，canscarceavoidhavingsomekindofideasofthosethingswhosenamesthosetheyconversewithhaveoccasionfrequentlytomentiontothem。Andiftheycarrywithitthenotionofexcellency，greatness，orsomethingextraordinary；ifapprehensionandconcernmentaccompanyit；ifthefearofabsoluteandirresistiblepowersetitonuponthemind，-theideaislikelytosinkthedeeper，andspreadthefurther；especiallyifitbesuchanideaasisagreeabletothecommonlightofreason，andnaturallydeduciblefromeverypartofourknowledge，asthatofaGodis。Forthevisiblemarksofextraordinarywisdomandpowerappearsoplainlyinalltheworksofthecreation，thatarationalcreature，whowillbutseriouslyreflectonthem，cannotmissthediscoveryofaDeity。AndtheinfluencethatthediscoveryofsuchaBeingmustnecessarilyhaveonthemindsofallthathavebutonceheardofitissogreat，andcarriessuchaweightofthoughtandcommunicationwithit，thatitseemsstrangertomethatawholenationofmenshouldbeanywherefoundsobrutishastowantthenotionofaGod，thanthattheyshouldbewithoutanynotionofnumbers，orfire。

10。IdeasofGodandideaoffire。ThenameofGodbeingoncementionedinanypartoftheworld，toexpressasuperior，powerful，wise，invisibleBeing，thesuitablenessofsuchanotiontotheprinciplesofcommonreason，andtheinterestmenwillalwayshavetomentionitoften，mustnecessarilyspreaditfarandwide；andcontinueitdowntoallgenerations:thoughyetthegeneralreceptionofthisname，andsomeimperfectandunsteadynotionsconveyedtherebytotheunthinkingpartofmankind，provenottheideatobeinnate；butonlythattheywhomadethediscoveryhadmadearightuseoftheirreason，thoughtmaturelyofthecausesofthings，andtracedthemtotheiroriginal；fromwhomotherlessconsideringpeoplehavingoncereceivedsoimportantanotion，itcouldnoteasilybelostagain。

11。IdeaofGodnotinnate。ThisisallcouldbeinferredfromthenotionofaGod，wereittobefounduniversallyinallthetribesofmankind，andgenerallyacknowledged，bymengrowntomaturityinallcountries。ForthegeneralityoftheacknowledgingofaGod，asIimagine，isextendednofurtherthanthat；which，ifitbesufficienttoprovetheideaofGodinnate，willaswellprovetheideaoffireinnate；sinceIthinkitmaybetrulysaid，thatthereisnotapersonintheworldwhohasanotionofaGod，whohasnotalsotheideaoffire。Idoubtnotbutifacolonyofyoungchildrenshouldbeplacedinanislandwherenofirewas，theywouldcertainlyneitherhaveanynotionofsuchathing，nornameforit，howgenerallysoeveritwerereceivedandknowninalltheworldbesides；andperhapstootheirapprehensionswouldbeasfarremovedfromanyname，ornotion，ofaGod，tillsomeoneamongstthemhademployedhisthoughtstoinquireintotheconstitutionandcausesofthings，whichwouldeasilyleadhimtothenotionofaGod；whichhavingoncetaughttoothers，reason，andthenaturalpropensityoftheirownthoughts，wouldafterwardspropagate，andcontinueamongstthem。

12。SuitabletoGod’sgoodness，thatallmenshouldhaveanideaofHim，thereforenaturallyimprintedbyHim，answered。Indeeditisurged，thatitissuitabletothegoodnessofGod，toimprintuponthemindsofmencharactersandnotionsofhimself，andnottoleavetheminthedarkanddoubtinsograndaconcernment；andalso，bythatmeans，tosecuretohimselfthehomageandvenerationduefromsointelligentacreatureasman；andthereforehehasdoneit。

Thisargument，ifitbeofanyforce，willprovemuchmorethanthosewhouseitinthiscaseexpectfromit。For，ifwemayconcludethatGodhathdoneformenallthatmenshalljudgeisbestforthem，becauseitissuitabletohisgoodnesssotodo，itwillprove，notonlythatGodhasimprintedonthemindsofmenanideaofhimself，butthathehathplainlystampedthere，infaircharacters，allthatmenoughttoknoworbelieveofhim；allthattheyoughttodoinobediencetohiswill；andthathehathgiventhemawillandaffectionsconformabletoit。This，nodoubt，everyonewillthinkbetterformen，thanthattheyshould，inthedark，gropeafterknowledge，asSt。PaultellsusallnationsdidafterGod(Acts17。27)；thanthattheirwillsshouldclashwiththeirunderstandings，andtheirappetitescrosstheirduty。TheRomanistssayitisbestformen，andsosuitabletothegoodnessofGod，thatthereshouldbeaninfalliblejudgeofcontroversiesonearth；andthereforethereisone。AndI，bythesamereason，sayitisbetterformenthateverymanhimselfshouldbeinfallible。Ileavethemtoconsider，whether，bytheforceofthisargument，theyshallthinkthateverymanisso。Ithinkitaverygoodargumenttosay，-theinfinitelywiseGodhathmadeitso；andthereforeitisbest。Butitseemstomealittletoomuchconfidenceofourownwisdomtosay，-

"Ithinkitbest；andthereforeGodhathmadeitso。"Andinthematterinhand，itwillbeinvaintoarguefromsuchatopic，thatGodhathdoneso，whencertainexperienceshowsusthathehathnot。

ButthegoodnessofGodhathnotbeenwantingtomen，withoutsuchoriginalimpressionsofknowledgeorideasstampedonthemind；

sincehehathfurnishedmanwiththosefacultieswhichwillserveforthesufficientdiscoveryofallthingsrequisitetotheendofsuchabeing；andIdoubtnotbuttoshow，thataman，bytherightuseofhisnaturalabilities，may，withoutanyinnateprinciples，attainaknowledgeofaGod，andotherthingsthatconcernhim。Godhavingenduedmanwiththosefacultiesofknowledgewhichhehath，wasnomoreobligedbyhisgoodnesstoplantthoseinnatenotionsinhismind，thanthat，havinggivenhimreason，hands，andmaterials，heshouldbuildhimbridgesorhouses，-whichsomepeopleintheworld，howeverofgoodparts，doeithertotallywant，orarebutillprovidedof，aswellasothersarewhollywithoutideasofGodandprinciplesofmorality，oratleasthavebutveryillones；thereasoninbothcases，being，thattheyneveremployedtheirparts，faculties，andpowersindustriouslythatway，butcontentedthemselveswiththeopinions，fashions，andthingsoftheircountry，astheyfoundthem，withoutlookinganyfurther。HadyouorIbeenbornattheBayofSoldania，possiblyourthoughtsandnotionshadnotexceededthosebrutishonesoftheHottentotsthatinhabitthere。AndhadtheVirginiakingApochancanabeeneducatedinEngland，hehadbeenperhapsasknowingadivine，andasgoodamathematicianasanyinit；

thedifferencebetweenhimandamoreimprovedEnglishmanlyingbarelyinthis，thattheexerciseofhisfacultieswasboundedwithintheways，modes，andnotionsofhisowncountry，andneverdirectedtoanyotherorfurtherinquiries。AndifhehadnotanyideaofaGod，itwasonlybecausehepursuednotthosethoughtsthatwouldhaveledhimtoit。

13。IdeasofGodvariousindifferentmen。Igrantthatiftherewereanyideastobefoundimprintedonthemindsofmen，wehavereasontoexpectitshouldbethenotionofhisMaker，asamarkGodsetonhisownworkmanship，tomindmanofhisdependenceandduty；

andthathereinshouldappearthefirstinstancesofhumanknowledge。Buthowlateisitbeforeanysuchnotionisdiscoverableinchildren？Andwhenwefinditthere，howmuchmoredoesitresembletheopinionandnotionoftheteacher，thanrepresentthetrueGod？Hethatshallobserveinchildrentheprogresswherebytheirmindsattaintheknowledgetheyhave，willthinkthattheobjectstheydofirstandmostfamiliarlyconversewitharethosethatmakethefirstimpressionsontheirunderstandings；norwillhefindtheleastfootstepsofanyother。Itiseasytotakenoticehowtheirthoughtsenlargethemselves，onlyastheycometobeacquaintedwithagreatervarietyofsensibleobjects；toretaintheideasofthemintheirmemories；andtogettheskilltocompoundandenlargethem，andseveralwaysputthemtogether。How，bythesemeans，theycometoframeintheirmindsanideamenhaveofaDeity，Ishallhereaftershow。

14。ContraryandinconsistentideasofGodunderthesamename。

CanitbethoughtthattheideasmenhaveofGodarethecharactersandmarksofhimself，engravenintheirmindsbyhisownfinger，whenweseethat，inthesamecountry，underoneandthesamename，menhavefardifferent，nayoftencontraryandinconsistentideasandconceptionsofhim？Theiragreeinginaname，orsound，willscarceproveaninnatenotionofhim。

15。GrossideasofGod。WhattrueortolerablenotionofaDeitycouldtheyhave，whoacknowledgedandworshippedhundreds？EverydeitythattheyownedaboveonewasaninfallibleevidenceoftheirignoranceofHim，andaproofthattheyhadnotruenotionofGod，whereunity，infinity，andeternitywereexcluded。Towhich，ifweaddtheirgrossconceptionsofcorporeity，expressedintheirimagesandrepresentationsoftheirdeities；theamours，marriages，copulations，lusts，quarrels，andothermeanqualitiesattributedbythemtotheirgods；weshallhavelittlereasontothinkthattheheathenworld，i。e。thegreatestpartofmankind，hadsuchideasofGodintheirmindsashehimself，outofcarethattheyshouldnotbemistakenabouthim，wasauthorof。Andthisuniversalityofconsent，somuchargued，ifitproveanynativeimpressions，itwillbeonlythis:-thatGodimprintedonthemindsofallmenspeakingthesamelanguage，anameforhimself，butnotanyidea；sincethosepeoplewhoagreedinthename，had，atthesametime，fardifferentapprehensionsaboutthethingsignified。IftheysaythatthevarietyofdeitiesworshippedbytheheathenworldwerebutfigurativewaysofexpressingtheseveralattributesofthatincomprehensibleBeing，orseveralpartsofhisprovidence，Ianswer:whattheymightbeintheoriginalIwillnothereinquire；butthattheyweresointhethoughtsofthevulgarIthinknobodywillaffirm。AndhethatwillconsultthevoyageoftheBishopofBeryte，c。13，(nottomentionothertestimonies，)willfindthatthetheologyoftheSiamitesprofessedlyownsapluralityofgods:or，astheAbbedeChoisymorejudiciouslyremarksinhisJournalduVoyagedeSiam，107/177，itconsistsproperlyinacknowledgingnoGodatall。

16。IdeaofGodnotinnatealthoughwisemenofallnationscometohaveit。Ifitbesaid，thatwisemenofallnationscametohavetrueconceptionsoftheunityandinfinityoftheDeity，Igrantit。

Butthenthis，First，excludesuniversalityofconsentinanythingbutthename；

forthosewisemenbeingveryfew，perhapsoneofathousand，thisuniversalityisverynarrow。

Secondly，itseemstomeplainlytoprove，thatthetruestandbestnotionsmenhaveofGodwerenotimprinted，butacquiredbythoughtandmeditation，andarightuseoftheirfaculties:sincethewiseandconsideratemenoftheworld，byarightandcarefulemploymentoftheirthoughtsandreason，attainedtruenotionsinthisaswellasotherthings；whilstthelazyandinconsideratepartofmen，makingfarthegreaternumber，tookuptheirnotionsbychance，fromcommontraditionandvulgarconceptions，withoutmuchbeatingtheirheadsaboutthem。AndifitbeareasontothinkthenotionofGodinnate，becauseallwisemenhadit，virtuetoomustbethoughtinnate；forthatalsowisemenhavealwayshad。

17。Odd，low，andpitifulideasofGodcommonamongmen。ThiswasevidentlythecaseofallGentilism。NorhathevenamongstJews，Christians，andMahometans，whoacknowledgedbutoneGod，thisdoctrine，andthecaretakeninthosenationstoteachmentohavetruenotionsofaGod，prevailedsofarastomakementohavethesameandthetrueideasofhim。Howmanyevenamongstus，willbefounduponinquirytofancyhimintheshapeofamansittinginheaven；andtohavemanyotherabsurdandunfitconceptionsofhim？

ChristiansaswellasTurkshavehadwholesectsowningandcontendingearnestlyforit，-thattheDeitywascorporeal，andofhumanshape:

andthoughwefindfewnowamongstuswhoprofessthemselvesAnthropomorphites，(thoughsomeIhavemetwiththatownit，)yetI

believehethatwillmakeithisbusinessmayfindamongsttheignorantanduninstructedChristiansmanyofthatopinion。Talkbutwithcountrypeople，almostofanyage，oryoungpeoplealmostofanycondition，andyoushallfindthat，thoughthenameofGodbefrequentlyintheirmouths，yetthenotionstheyapplythisnametoaresoodd，low，andpitiful，thatnobodycanimaginetheyweretaughtbyarationalman；muchlessthattheywerecharacterswrittenbythefingerofGodhimself。NordoIseehowitderogatesmorefromthegoodnessofGod，thathehasgivenusmindsunfurnishedwiththeseideasofhimself，thanthathehathsentusintotheworldwithbodiesunclothed；andthatthereisnoartorskillbornwithus。For，beingfittedwithfacultiestoattainthese，itiswantofindustryandconsiderationinus，andnotofbountyinhim，ifwehavethemnot。ItisascertainthatthereisaGod，asthattheoppositeanglesmadebytheintersectionoftwostraightlinesareequal。Therewasneveranyrationalcreaturethatsethimselfsincerelytoexaminethetruthofthesepropositionsthatcouldfailtoassenttothem；

thoughyetitbepastdoubtthattherearemanymen，who，havingnotappliedtheirthoughtsthatway，areignorantbothoftheoneandtheother。Ifanyonethinkfittocallthis(whichistheutmostofitsextent)universalconsent，suchanoneIeasilyallow；butsuchanuniversalconsentasthisprovesnottheideaofGod，anymorethanitdoestheideaofsuchangles，innate。

18。IftheideaofGodbenotinnate，noothercanbesupposedinnate。SincethenthoughtheknowledgeofaGodbethemostnaturaldiscoveryofhumanreason，yettheideaofhimisnotinnate，asI

thinkisevidentfromwhathasbeensaid；Iimaginetherewillbescarceanyotherideafoundthatcanpretendtoit。SinceifGodhathsetanyimpression，anycharacter，ontheunderstandingofmen，itismostreasonabletoexpectitshouldhavebeensomeclearanduniformideaofHimself；asfarasourweakcapacitieswerecapabletoreceivesoincomprehensibleandinfiniteanobject。Butourmindsbeingatfirstvoidofthatideawhichwearemostconcernedtohave，itisastrongpresumptionagainstallotherinnatecharacters。Imustown，asfarasIcanobserve，Icanfindnone，andwouldbegladtobeinformedbyanyother。

19。Ideaofsubstancenotinnate。Iconfessthereisanotherideawhichwouldbeofgeneraluseformankindtohave，asitisofgeneraltalkasiftheyhadit；andthatistheideaofsubstance；whichweneitherhavenorcanhavebysensationorreflection。Ifnaturetookcaretoprovideusanyideas，wemightwellexpecttheyshouldbesuchasbyourownfacultieswecannotprocuretoourselves；butwesee，onthecontrary，thatsince，bythosewayswherebyotherideasarebroughtintoourminds，thisisnot，wehavenosuchclearideaatall；andthereforesignifynothingbythewordsubstancebutonlyanuncertainsuppositionofweknownotwhat，i。e。ofsomethingwhereofwehaveno[particulardistinctpositive]idea，whichwetaketobethesubstratum，orsupport，ofthoseideaswedoknow。

20。Nopropositionscanbeinnate，sincenoideasareinnate。

Whateverthenwetalkofinnate，eitherspeculativeorpractical，principles，itmaywithasmuchprobabilitybesaid，thatamanhathL100sterlinginhispocket，andyetdeniedthathehaththereeitherpenny，shilling，crown，orothercoinoutofwhichthesumistobemadeup；astothinkthatcertainpropositionsareinnatewhentheideasaboutwhichtheyarecanbynomeansbesupposedtobeso。

Thegeneralreceptionandassentthatisgivendothnotatallprove，thattheideasexpressedinthemareinnate；forinmanycases，howevertheideascamethere，theassenttowordsexpressingtheagreementordisagreementofsuchideas，willnecessarilyfollow。

EveryonethathathatrueideaofGodandworship，willassenttothisproposition，"ThatGodistobeworshipped，"whenexpressedinalanguageheunderstands；andeveryrationalmanthathathnotthoughtonitto-day，maybereadytoassenttothispropositionto-morrow；andyetmillionsofmenmaybewellsupposedtowantoneorboththoseideasto-day。For，ifwewillallowsavages，andmostcountrypeople，tohaveideasofGodandworship，(whichconversationwiththemwillnotmakeoneforwardtobelieve，)yetI

thinkfewchildrencanbesupposedtohavethoseideas，whichthereforetheymustbegintohavesometimeorother；andthentheywillalsobegintoassenttothatproposition，andmakeverylittlequestionofiteverafter。Butsuchanassentuponhearing，nomoreprovestheideastobeinnate，thanitdoesthatonebornblind(withcataractswhichwillbecouchedto-morrow)hadtheinnateideasofthesun，orlight，orsaffron，oryellow；because，whenhissightiscleared，hewillcertainlyassenttothisproposition，"Thatthesunislucid，orthatsaffronisyellow。"Andtherefore，ifsuchanassentuponhearingcannotprovetheideasinnate，itcanmuchlessthepropositionsmadeupofthoseideas。Iftheyhaveanyinnateideas，Iwouldbegladtobetoldwhat，andhowmany，theyare。

21。Noinnateideasinthememory。Towhichletmeadd:iftherebeanyinnateideas，anyideasinthemindwhichtheminddoesnotactuallythinkon，theymustbelodgedinthememory；andfromthencemustbebroughtintoviewbyremembrance；i。e。mustbeknown，whentheyareremembered，tohavebeenperceptionsinthemindbefore；

unlessremembrancecanbewithoutremembrance。For，torememberistoperceiveanythingwithmemory，orwithaconsciousnessthatitwasperceivedorknownbefore。Withoutthis，whateverideacomesintothemindisnew，andnotremembered；thisconsciousnessofitshavingbeeninthemindbefore，beingthatwhichdistinguishesrememberingfromallotherwaysofthinking。Whateverideawasneverperceivedbythemindwasneverinthemind。Whateverideaisinthemind，is，eitheranactualperception，orelse，havingbeenanactualperception，issointhemindthat，bythememory，itcanbemadeanactualperceptionagain。Wheneverthereistheactualperceptionofanyideawithoutmemory，theideaappearsperfectlynewandunknownbeforetotheunderstanding。Wheneverthememorybringsanyideaintoactualview，itiswithaconsciousnessthatithadbeentherebefore，andwasnotwhollyastrangertothemind。

Whetherthisbenotso，Iappealtoeveryone’sobservation。AndthenIdesireaninstanceofanidea，pretendedtobeinnate，which(beforeanyimpressionofitbywayshereaftertobementioned)anyonecouldreviveandremember，asanideahehadformerlyknown；

withoutwhichconsciousnessofaformerperceptionthereisnoremembrance；andwhateverideacomesintothemindwithoutthatconsciousnessisnotremembered，orcomesnotoutofthememory，norcanbesaidtobeinthemindbeforethatappearance。Forwhatisnoteitheractuallyinvieworinthememory，isinthemindnowayatall，andisalloneasifithadneverbeenthere。Supposeachildhadtheuseofhiseyestillheknowsanddistinguishescolours；butthencataractsshutthewindows，andheisfortyorfiftyyearsperfectlyinthedark；andinthattimeperfectlylosesallmemoryoftheideasofcoloursheoncehad。ThiswasthecaseofablindmanIoncetalkedwith，wholosthissightbythesmall-poxwhenhewasachild，andhadnomorenotionofcoloursthanonebornblind。

Iaskwhetheranyonecansaythismanhadthenanyideasofcoloursinhismind，anymorethanonebornblind？AndIthinknobodywillsaythateitherofthemhadinhismindanyideasofcoloursatall。Hiscataractsarecouched，andthenhehastheideas(whichheremembersnot)ofcolours，denovo，byhisrestoredsight，conveyedtohismind，andthatwithoutanyconsciousnessofaformeracquaintance。Andthesenowhecanreviveandcalltomindinthedark。Inthiscasealltheseideasofcolours，which，whenoutofview，canberevivedwithaconsciousnessofaformeracquaintance，beingthusinthememory，aresaidtobeinthemind。TheuseImakeofthisis，-thatwhateveridea，beingnotactuallyinview，isinthemind，isthereonlybybeinginthememory；andifitbenotinthememory，itisnotinthemind；andifitbeinthememory，itcannotbythememorybebroughtintoactualviewwithoutaperceptionthatitcomesoutofthememory；whichisthis，thatithadbeenknownbefore，andisnowremembered。Ifthereforetherebeanyinnateideas，theymustbeinthememory，orelsenowhereinthemind；andiftheybeinthememory，theycanberevivedwithoutanyimpressionfromwithout；andwhenevertheyarebroughtintothemindtheyareremembered，i。e。theybringwiththemaperceptionoftheirnotbeingwhollynewtoit。Thisbeingaconstantanddistinguishingdifferencebetweenwhatis，andwhatisnotinthememory，orinthemind；-thatwhatisnotinthememory，wheneveritappearsthere，appearsperfectlynewandunknownbefore；andwhatisinthememory，orinthemind，wheneveritissuggestedbythememory，appearsnottobenew，butthemindfindsitinitself，andknowsitwastherebefore。Bythisitmaybetriedwhethertherebeanyinnateideasinthemindbeforeimpressionfromsensationorreflection。Iwouldfainmeetwiththemanwho，whenhecametotheuseofreason，oratanyothertime，rememberedanyofthem；andtowhom，afterhewasborn，theywerenevernew。Ifanyonewillsay，thereareideasinthemindthatarenotinthememory，Idesirehimtoexplainhimself，andmakewhathesaysintelligible。

22。Principlesnotinnate，becauseoflittleuseorlittlecertainty。BesideswhatIhavealreadysaid，thereisanotherreasonwhyIdoubtthatneitherthesenoranyotherprinciplesareinnate。

IthatamfullypersuadedthattheinfinitelywiseGodmadeallthingsinperfectwisdom，cannotsatisfymyselfwhyheshouldbesupposedtoprintuponthemindsofmensomeuniversalprinciples；whereofthosethatarepretendedinnate，andconcernspeculation，areofnogreatuse；andthosethatconcernpractice，notself-evident；andneitherofthemdistinguishablefromsomeothertruthsnotallowedtobeinnate。For，towhatpurposeshouldcharactersbegravenonthemindbythefingerofGod，whicharenotclearertherethanthosewhichareafterwardsintroduced，orcannotbedistinguishedfromthem？Ifanyonethinkstherearesuchinnateideasandpropositions，whichbytheirclearnessandusefulnessaredistinguishablefromallthatisadventitiousinthemindandacquired，itwillnotbeahardmatterforhimtotelluswhichtheyare；andtheneveryonewillbeafitjudgewhethertheybesoorno。Sinceiftherebesuchinnateideasandimpressions，plainlydifferentfromallotherperceptionsandknowledge，everyonewillfindittrueinhimselfoftheevidenceofthesesupposedinnatemaxims，Ihavespokenalready:oftheirusefulnessIshallhaveoccasiontospeakmorehereafter。

23。Differenceofmen’sdiscoveriesdependsuponthedifferentapplicationoftheirfaculties。Toconclude:someideasforwardlyofferthemselvestoallmen’sunderstanding；andsomesortsoftruthsresultfromanyideas，assoonasthemindputsthemintopropositions:othertruthsrequireatrainofideasplacedinorder，aduecomparingofthem，anddeductionsmadewithattention，beforetheycanbediscoveredandassentedto。Someofthefirstsort，becauseoftheirgeneralandeasyreception，havebeenmistakenforinnate:

butthetruthis，ideasandnotionsarenomorebornwithusthanartsandsciences；thoughsomeofthemindeedofferthemselvestoourfacultiesmorereadilythanothers；andthereforearemoregenerallyreceived:thoughthattoobeaccordingastheorgansofourbodiesandpowersofourmindshappentobeemployed；Godhavingfittedmenwithfacultiesandmeanstodiscover，receive，andretaintruths，accordingastheyareemployed。Thegreatdifferencethatistobefoundinthenotionsofmankindis，fromthedifferentusetheyputtheirfacultiesto。Whilstsome(andthosethemost)takingthingsupontrust，misemploytheirpowerofassent，bylazilyenslavingtheirmindstothedictatesanddominionofothers，indoctrineswhichitistheirdutycarefullytoexamine，andnotblindly，withanimplicitfaith，toswallow；others，employingtheirthoughtsonlyaboutsomefewthings，growacquaintedsufficientlywiththem，attaingreatdegreesofknowledgeinthem，andareignorantofallother，havingneverlettheirthoughtslooseinthesearchofotherinquiries。Thus，thatthethreeanglesofatrianglearequiteequaltotworightonesisatruthascertainasanythingcanbe，andIthinkmoreevidentthanmanyofthosepropositionsthatgoforprinciples；andyettherearemillions，howeverexpertinotherthings，whoknownotthisatall，becausetheyneversettheirthoughtsonworkaboutsuchangles。Andhethatcertainlyknowsthispropositionmayyetbeutterlyignorantofthetruthofotherpropositions，inmathematicsitself，whichareasclearandevidentasthis；because，inhissearchofthosemathematicaltruths，hestoppedhisthoughtsshortandwentnotsofar。ThesamemayhappenconcerningthenotionswehaveofthebeingofaDeity。For，thoughtherebenotruthwhichamanmaymoreevidentlymakeouttohimselfthantheexistenceofaGod，yethethatshallcontenthimselfwiththingsashefindstheminthisworld，astheyministertohispleasuresandpassions，andnotmakeinquiryalittlefurtherintotheircauses，ends，andadmirablecontrivances，andpursuethethoughtsthereofwithdiligenceandattention，maylivelongwithoutanynotionofsuchaBeing。Andifanypersonhathbytalkputsuchanotionintohishead，hemayperhapsbelieveit；butifhehathneverexaminedit，hisknowledgeofitwillbenoperfecterthanhis，whohavingbeentold，thatthethreeanglesofatriangleareequaltotworightones，takesitupontrust，withoutexaminingthedemonstration；andmayyieldhisassentasaprobableopinion，buthathnoknowledgeofthetruthofit；whichyethisfaculties，ifcarefullyemployed，wereabletomakeclearandevidenttohim。Butthisonly，bytheby，toshowhowmuchourknowledgedependsupontherightuseofthosepowersnaturehathbestoweduponus，andhowlittleuponsuchinnateprinciplesasareinvainsupposedtobeinallmankindfortheirdirection；whichallmencouldnotbutknowiftheywerethere，orelsetheywouldbetheretonopurpose。Andwhichsinceallmendonotknow，norcandistinguishfromotheradventitioustruths，wemaywellconcludetherearenosuch。

24。Menmustthinkandknowforthemselves。Whatcensuredoubtingthusofinnateprinciplesmaydeservefrommen，whowillbeapttocallitpullinguptheoldfoundationsofknowledgeandcertainty，I

cannottell；-IpersuademyselfatleastthatthewayIhavepursued，beingconformabletotruth，laysthosefoundationssurer。

ThisIamcertain，IhavenotmadeitmybusinesseithertoquitorfollowanyauthorityintheensuingDiscourse。Truthhasbeenmyonlyaim；andwhereverthathasappearedtolead，mythoughtshaveimpartiallyfollowed，withoutmindingwhetherthefootstepsofanyotherlaythatwayornot。NotthatIwantaduerespecttoothermen’sopinions；but，afterall，thegreatestreverenceisduetotruth:andIhopeitwillnotbethoughtarrogancetosay，thatperhapsweshouldmakegreaterprogressinthediscoveryofrationalandcontemplativeknowledge，ifwesoughtitinthefountain，intheconsiderationofthingsthemselves；andmadeuseratherofourownthoughtsthanothermen’stofindit。ForIthinkwemayasrationallyhopetoseewithothermen’seyes，astoknowbyothermen’sunderstandings。Somuchasweourselvesconsiderandcomprehendoftruthandreason，somuchwepossessofrealandtrueknowledge。Thefloatingofothermen’sopinionsinourbrains，makesusnotonejotthemoreknowing，thoughtheyhappentobetrue。Whatinthemwasscience，isinusbutopiniatrety；whilstwegiveupourassentonlytoreverendnames，anddonot，astheydid，employourownreasontounderstandthosetruthswhichgavethemreputation。Aristotlewascertainlyaknowingman，butnobodyeverthoughthimsobecauseheblindlyembraced，andconfidentlyventedtheopinionsofanother。

Andifthetakingupofanother’sprinciples，withoutexaminingthem，madenothimaphilosopher，Isupposeitwillhardlymakeanybodyelseso。Inthesciences，everyonehassomuchashereallyknowsandcomprehends。Whathebelievesonly，andtakesupontrust，arebutshreds；which，howeverwellinthewholepiece，makenoconsiderableadditiontohisstockwhogathersthem。Suchborrowedwealth，likefairymoney，thoughitweregoldinthehandfromwhichhereceivedit，willbebutleavesanddustwhenitcomestouse。

25。Whencetheopinionofinnateprinciples。Whenmenhavefoundsomegeneralpropositionsthatcouldnotbedoubtedofassoonasunderstood，itwas，Iknow，ashortandeasywaytoconcludetheminnate。Thisbeingoncereceived，iteasedthelazyfromthepainsofsearch，andstoppedtheinquiryofthedoubtfulconcerningallthatwasoncestyledinnate。Anditwasofnosmalladvantagetothosewhoaffectedtobemastersandteachers，tomakethistheprincipleofprinciples，-thatprinciplesmustnothequestioned。For，havingonceestablishedthistenet，-thatthereareinnateprinciples，itputtheirfollowersuponanecessityofreceivingsomedoctrinesassuch；whichwastotakethemofffromtheuseoftheirownreasonandjudgment，andputthemonbelievingandtakingthemupontrustwithoutfurtherexamination:inwhichpostureofblindcredulity，theymightbemoreeasilygovernedby，andmadeusefultosomesortofmen，whohadtheskillandofficetoprincipleandguidethem。Norisitasmallpoweritgivesonemanoveranother，tohavetheauthoritytobethedictatorofprinciples，andteacherofunquestionabletruths；andtomakeamanswallowthatforaninnateprinciplewhichmayservetohispurposewhoteacheththem。Whereashadtheyexaminedthewayswherebymencametotheknowledgeofmanyuniversaltruths，theywouldhavefoundthemtoresultinthemindsofmenfromthebeingofthingsthemselves，whendulyconsidered；andthattheywerediscoveredbytheapplicationofthosefacultiesthatwerefittedbynaturetoreceiveandjudgeofthem，whendulyemployedaboutthem。

26。Conclusion。ToshowhowtheunderstandingproceedshereinisthedesignofthefollowingDiscourse；whichIshallproceedtowhenI

havefirstpremised，thathitherto，-toclearmywaytothosefoundationswhichIconceivearetheonlytrueones，whereontoestablishthosenotionswecanhaveofourownknowledge，-ithathbeennecessaryformetogiveanaccountofthereasonsIhadtodoubtofinnateprinciples。Andsincetheargumentswhichareagainstthemdo，someofthem，risefromcommonreceivedopinions，Ihavebeenforcedtotakeseveralthingsforgranted；whichishardlyavoidabletoanyone，whosetaskistoshowthefalsehoodorimprobabilityofanytenet；-ithappeningincontroversialdiscoursesasitdoesinassaultingoftowns；where，ifthegroundbebutfirmwhereonthebatteriesareerected，thereisnofurtherinquiryofwhomitisborrowed，norwhomitbelongsto，soitaffordsbutafitriseforthepresentpurpose。ButinthefuturepartofthisDiscourse，designingtoraiseanedificeuniformandconsistentwithitself，asfarasmyownexperienceandobservationwillassistme，IhopetoerectitonsuchabasisthatIshallnotneedtoshoreitupwithpropsandbuttresses，leaningonborrowedorbeggedfoundations:oratleast，ifmineproveacastleintheair，Iwillendeavouritshallbeallofapieceandhangtogether。WhereinIwarnthereadernottoexpectundeniablecogentdemonstrations，unlessImaybeallowedtheprivilege，notseldomassumedbyothers，totakemyprinciplesforgranted；andthen，Idoubtnot，butIcandemonstratetoo。AllthatIshallsayfortheprinciplesIproceedonis，thatIcanonlyappealtomen’sownunprejudicedexperienceandobservationwhethertheybetrueornot；andthisisenoughforamanwhoprofessesnomorethantolaydowncandidlyandfreelyhisownconjectures，concerningasubjectlyingsomewhatinthedark，withoutanyotherdesignthananunbiasedinquiryaftertruth。