BOOK II PART III
it, merely as such, but only as endowed with
certain qualities.
The first and most considerable circum-
stance requisite to render truth agreeable, is the
genius and capacity, which is employed in its
invention and discovery. What is easy and ob-
vious is never valued; and even what is in it-
self difficult, if we come to the knowledge of
it without difficulty, and without any stretch of
thought or judgment, is but little regarded. We
love to trace the demonstrations of mathemati-
cians; but should receive small entertainment
from a person, who should barely inform us of
the proportions of lines and angles, though we
reposed the utmost confidence both in his judg-
ment and veracity. In this case it is sufficient
to have ears to learn the truth. We never are
obliged to fix our attention or exert our genius;