BOOK I PART III
cession and contiguity. Again, when I consider
the influence of this constant conjunction, I per-
ceive, that such a relation can never be an ob-
ject of reasoning, and can never operate upon
the mind, but by means of custom, which de-
termines the imagination to make a transition
from the idea of one object to that of its usual
attendant, and from the impression of one to a
more lively idea of the other. However extraor-
dinary these sentiments may appear, I think it
fruitless to trouble myself with any farther en-
quiry or reasoning upon the subject, but shall
repose myself on them as on established max-
ims.
It will only be proper, before we leave this
subject, to draw some corrollaries from it,
by which we may remove several prejudices
and popular errors, that have very much pre-