91

Spongia solis.[57]—­When we see the same effect always recur, we infer a natural necessity in it, as that there will be a to-morrow, etc.  But nature often deceives us, and does not subject herself to her own rules.

92

What are our natural principles but principles of custom?  In children they are those which they have received from the habits of their fathers, as hunting in animals.  A different custom will cause different natural principles.  This is seen in experience; and if there are some natural principles ineradicable by custom, there are also some customs opposed to nature, ineradicable by nature, or by a second custom.  This depends on disposition.

93

Parents fear lest the natural love of their children may fade away.  What kind of nature is that which is subject to decay?  Custom is a second nature which destroys the former.[58] But what is nature?  For is custom not natural?  I am much afraid that nature is itself only a first custom, as custom is a second nature.

94

The nature of man is wholly natural, omne animal.[59]

There is nothing he may not make natural; there is nothing natural he may not lose.

95

Memory, joy, are intuitions; and even mathematical propositions become intuitions, for education produces natural intuitions, and natural intuitions are erased by education.

96

When we are accustomed to use bad reasons for proving natural effects, we are not willing to receive good reasons when they are discovered.  An example may be given from the circulation of the blood as a reason why the vein swells below the ligature.

97

The most important affair in life is the choice of a calling; chance decides it.  Custom makes men masons, soldiers, slaters.  “He is a good slater,” says one, and, speaking of soldiers, remarks, “They are perfect fools.”  But others affirm, “There is nothing great but war, the rest of men are good for nothing.”  We choose our callings according as we hear this or that praised or despised in our childhood, for we naturally love truth and hate folly.  These words move us; the only error is in their application.  So great is the force of custom that out of those whom nature has only made men, are created all conditions of men.  For some districts are full of masons, others of soldiers, etc.  Certainly nature is not so uniform.  It is custom then which does this, for it constrains nature.  But sometimes nature gains the ascendancy, and preserves man’s instinct, in spite of all custom, good or bad.

98

Bias leading to error.—­It is a deplorable thing to see all men deliberating on means alone, and not on the end.  Each thinks how he will acquit himself in his condition; but as for the choice of condition, or of country, chance gives them to us.

It is a pitiable thing to see so many Turks, heretics, and infidels follow the way of their fathers for the sole reason that each has been imbued with the prejudice that it is the best.  And that fixes for each man his conditions of locksmith, soldier, etc.