descartes’ reason discourse(笛卡尔的推理)-第14章
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frequently even returns downwards when it has reached the top； for it
seems to me that they also sink； in other words； render themselves less
wise than they would be if they gave up study； who； not contented with
knowing all that is intelligibly explained in their author； desire in addition
to find in him the solution of many difficulties of which he says not a
word； and never perhaps so much as thought。 Their fashion of
philosophizing； however； is well suited to persons whose abilities fall
below mediocrity； for the obscurity of the distinctions and principles of
which they make use enables them to speak of all things with as much
confidence as if they really knew them； and to defend all that they say on
any subject against the most subtle and skillful； without its being possible
for any one to convict them of error。 In this they seem to me to be like a
blind man； who； in order to fight on equal terms with a person that sees；
should have made him descend to the bottom of an intensely dark cave：
and I may say that such persons have an interest in my refraining from
publishing the principles of the philosophy of which I make use； for； since
these are of a kind the simplest and most evident； I should； by publishing
them； do much the same as if I were to throw open the windows； and
allow the light of day to enter the cave into which the batants had
descended。 But even superior men have no reason for any great anxiety
to know these principles； for if what they desire is to be able to speak of
all things； and to acquire a reputation for learning； they will gain their end
more easily by remaining satisfied with the appearance of truth； which can
be found without much difficulty in all sorts of matters； than by seeking
the truth itself which unfolds itself but slowly and that only in some
departments； while it obliges us； when we have to speak of others； freely
to confess our ignorance。 If； however； they prefer the knowledge of
some few truths to the vanity of appearing ignorant of none； as such
knowledge is undoubtedly much to be preferred； and； if they choose to
follow a course similar to mine； they do not require for this that I should
say anything more than I have already said in this discourse。 For if they
are capable of making greater advancement than I have made； they will
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much more be able of themselves to discover all that I believe myself to
have found； since as I have never examined aught except in order； it is
certain that what yet remains to be discovered is in itself more difficult
and recondite； than that which I have already been enabled to find； and the
gratification would be much less in learning it from me than in discovering
it for themselves。 Besides this； the habit which they will acquire； by
seeking first what is easy； and then passing onward slowly and step by step
to the more difficult； will benefit them more than all my instructions。
Thus； in my own case； I am persuaded that if I had been taught from my
youth all the truths of which I have since sought out demonstrations； and
had thus learned them without labour； I should never； perhaps； have
known any beyond these； at least； I should never have acquired the habit
and the facility which I think I possess in always discovering new truths in
proportion as I give myself to the search。 And； in a single word； if there is
any work in the world which cannot be so well finished by another as by
him who has menced it； it is that at which I labour。
It is true； indeed； as regards the experiments which may conduce to
this end； that one man is not equal to the task of making them all； but yet
he can advantageously avail himself； in this work； of no hands besides his
own； unless those of artisans； or parties of the same kind； whom he could
pay； and whom the hope of gain （a means of great efficacy） might
stimulate to accuracy in the performance of what was prescribed to them。
For as to those who； through curiosity or a desire of learning； of their own
accord； perhaps； offer him their services； besides that in general their
promises exceed their performance； and that they sketch out fine designs
of which not one is ever realized； they will； without doubt； expect to be
pensated for their trouble by the explication of some difficulties； or； at
least； by pliments and useless speeches； in which he cannot spend any
portion of his time without loss to himself。 And as for the experiments
that others have already made； even although these parties should be
willing of themselves to municate them to him （which is what those
who esteem them secrets will never do）； the experiments are； for the most
part； acpanied with so many circumstances and superfluous elements；
as to make it exceedingly difficult to disentangle the truth from its
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adjuncts… besides； he will find almost all of them so ill described； or even
so false （because those who made them have wished to see in them only
such facts as they deemed conformable to their principles）； that； if in the
entire number there should be some of a nature suited to his purpose； still
their value could not pensate for the time what would be necessary to
make the selection。 So that if there existed any one whom we assuredly
knew to be capable of making discoveries of the highest kind； and of the
greatest possible utility to the public； and if all other men were therefore
eager by all means to assist him in successfully prosecuting his designs； I
do not see that they could do aught else for him beyond contributing to
defray the expenses of the experiments that might be necessary； and for
the rest； prevent his being deprived of his leisure by the unseasonable
interruptions of any one。 But besides that I neither have so high an
opinion of myself as to be willing to make promise of anything
extraordinary； nor feed on imaginations so vain as to fancy that the public
must be much interested in my designs； I do not； on the other hand； own a
soul so mean as to be capable of accepting from any one a favor of which
it could be supposed that I was unworthy。
These considerations taken together were the reason why； for the last
three years； I have been unwilling to publish the treatise I had on hand；
and why I even resolved to give publicity during my life to no other that
was so general； or by which the principles of my physics might be
understood。 But since then； two other reasons have e into operation
that have determined me here to subjoin some particular specimens； and
give the public some account of my doings and designs。 Of these
considerations； the first is； that if I failed to do so； many who were
cognizant of my previous intention to publish some writings； might have
imagined that the reasons which induced me to refrain from so doing；
were less to my credit than they really are； for although I am not
immoderately desirous of glory； or even； if I may venture so to say；
although I am averse from it in so far as I deem it hostile to repose which I
hold in greater account than aught else； yet； at the same time； I have never
sought to conceal my actions as if they were crimes； nor made use of
many precautions that I might remain unknown； and this partly because I
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should have thought such a course of conduct a wrong against myself； and
partly because it would have occasioned me some sort of uneasiness
which would again have been contrary to the perfect mental tranquillity
which I court。 And forasmuch as； while thus indifferent to the thought
alike of fame or of forgetfulness； I have yet been unable to prevent myself
from acquiring some sort of reputation； I have thought it incumbent on me
to do my best to save myself at least from being ill…spoken of。 The other
reason that has determined me to mit to writing these specimens of
philosophy is； that I am being daily more and more alive to the delay
which my design of self…instruction suffers； for want of the infinity of
experiments I require； and which it is impossible for me to make without
the assistance of others： and； without flattering myself so much as to
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 t
