BOOK I PART III
energy of causes is neither placed in the causes
themselves, nor in the deity, nor in the concur-
rence of these two principles; but belongs en-
tirely to the soul, which considers the union
of two or more objects in all past instances. It
is here that the real power of causes is placed
along with their connexion and necessity.
I am sensible, that of all the paradoxes,
which I, have had, or shall hereafter have oc-
casion to advance in the course of this treatise,
the present one is the most violent, and that it
is merely by dint of solid proof and reasoning I
can ever hope it will have admission, and over-
come the inveterate prejudices of mankind. Be-
fore we are reconciled to this doctrine, how of-
ten must we repeat to ourselves, that the sim-
ple view of any two objects or actions, however
related, can never give us any idea, of power,