BOOK I PART III
vacity of the impression to the related idea with
an easier and more natural movement.
No weakness of human nature is more uni-
versal and conspicuous than what we com-
monly callcredulity, or a too easy faith in the
testimony of others; and this weakness is also
very naturally accounted for from the influence
of resemblance. When we receive any mat-
ter of fact upon human testimony, our faith
arises from the very same origin as our infer-
ences from causes to effects, and from effects
to causes; nor is there anything but our experi-
ence of the governing principles of human na-
ture, which can give us any assurance of the
veracity of men. But though experience be the
true standard of this, as well as of all other
judgments, we seldom regulate ourselves en-
tirely by it; but have a remarkable propensity