BOOK III PART I
we had attained with difficulty. This is still
more conspicuous in a long chain of reason-
ing, where we must preserve to the end the ev-
idence of the first propositions, and where we
often lose sight of all the most received max-
ims, either of philosophy or common life. I am
not, however, without hopes, that the present
system of philosophy will acquire new force
as it advances; and that our reasonings con-
cerning morals will corroborate whatever has
been said concerning theunderstandingand the
passions. Morality is a subject that interests us
above all others: We fancy the peace of society
to be at stake in every decision concerning it;
and it is evident, that this concern must make
our speculations appear more real and solid,
than where the subject is, in a great measure,
indifferent to us. What affects us, we conclude
can never be a chimera; and as our passion is