BOOK I PART III
to believe whatever is reported, even concern-
ing apparitions, enchantments, and prodigies,
however contrary to daily experience and ob-
servation. The words or discourses of others
have an intimate connexion with certain ideas
in their mind; and these ideas have also a con-
nexion with the facts or objects, which they rep-
resent. This latter connexion is generally much
over-rated, and commands our assent beyond
what experience will justify; which can pro-
ceed from nothing beside the resemblance be-
twixt the ideas and the facts. Other effects only
point out their causes in an oblique manner;
but the testimony of men does it directly, and
is to be considered as an image as well as an
effect. No wonder, therefore, we are so rash
in drawing our inferences from it, and are less
guided by experience in our judgments con-
cerning it, than in those upon any other subject.