New Essays Concerning Human Understanding

THE Essay on the Understanding, by a distinguished English man, being one of the most beautiful and esteemed works of this period, I have resolved to make some remarks upon it, because having sufficiently meditated for a long time upon the same subject and upon the greater part of the matters therein touched upon, I have thought that it would be a favorable opportunity to publish something under the title of " New Essays on the Understanding," and to procure a favor able reception to my thoughts, by putting them in so good company. I l have thought also that I could profit from the labor of another not only to lessen my own (since in fact it is less difficult to follow the thread of a good author than to work wholly independently), but further to add something to what he has given us, which is always easier than to start from the beginning ; for I think I have cleared up some difficulties which he had left in their entirety. Thus his reputation is an advantage to me ; having for the rest a disposition to render justice, and very far from wishing to diminish the esteem in which this work is held, I would increase it, if my approval carried any weight. It is true I often differ in my views (from