A Treatise of Human Nature

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BOOK I PART I


occur to us, we apply the same name to all of
them, whatever differences we may observe in
the degrees of their quantity and quality, and
whatever other differences may appear among
them. After we have acquired a custom of this
kind, the hearing of that name revives the idea
of one of these objects, and makes the imagina-
tion conceive it with all its particular circum-


tastes and smells. These admit of infinite resemblances
upon the general appearance and comparison, without
having any common circumstance the same. And of this
we may be certain, even from the very abstract terms
simple idea. They comprehend all simple ideas under
them. These resemble each other in their simplicity.
And yet from their very nature, which excludes all com-
position, this circumstance, In which they resemble, Is
not distinguishable nor separable from the rest. It is the
same case with all the degrees In any quality. They are
all resembling and yet the quality, In any individual, Is
not distinct from the degree.

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