« back to search

"We are informed by Father MALEBRANCHE, that the senses were at first as honest faculties as one could desire to be endued with, till after they were debauched by original sin; an adventure, from which they contracted such an invincible propensity to cheating, that they are now continually lying in wait to deceive us. But there is in man, it seems, a certain clear-sighted, stout, old faculty, called reason, which, without being deceived by appearances, keeps an eye upon the rogues, and often proves too cunning for them."

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Author

Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Work Title

An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth; in Opposition to Sophistry and Scepticism

Place of Publication

Edinburgh

Publisher

Printed for A. Kincaid & J. Bell. Sold, at London, by E. & C. Dilly

Date

1770

Metaphor

"We are informed by Father MALEBRANCHE, that the senses were at first as honest faculties as one could desire to be endued with, till after they were debauched by original sin; an adventure, from which they contracted such an invincible propensity to cheating, that they are now continually lying in wait to deceive us. But there is in man, it seems, a certain clear-sighted, stout, old faculty, called reason, which, without being deceived by appearances, keeps an eye upon the rogues, and often proves too cunning for them."

Metaphor in Context

We are informed by Father MALEBRANCHE, that the senses were at first as honest faculties as one could desire to be endued with, till after they were debauched by original sin; an adventure, from which they contracted such an invincible propensity to cheating, that they are now continually lying in wait to deceive us. But there is in man, it seems, a certain clear-sighted, stout, old faculty, called reason, which, without being deceived by appearances, keeps an eye upon the rogues, and often proves too cunning for them. MALEBRANCHE therefore adviseth us to doubt with all our might. "If a man hath only learned to doubt," says he, " let him not imagine that he hash "made an inconsiderable progress." Progress! in what?--in science? Is it not a contradiction, or at least an inconsistency, in terms, to say that a man makes progress in science by doubting? If one were to ask the way to Dublin, and to receive for answer, that he ought first of all to sit down; for that if he had only learned to sit still, he might be assured, that he had made no inconsiderable progress in his journey; I suppose he would hardly trouble his informer with a second question.
(II.ii.1, pp. 241-2)