3. It is certain that the easy and obvious philosophy
will always, with
the generality of mankind, have the preference above the
accurate and
abstruse; and by many will be recommended, not only as
more agreeable,
but more useful than the other. It enters more into
common life; moulds
the heart and affections; and, by touching those
principles which
actuate men, reforms their conduct, and brings them
nearer to that model
of perfection which it describes. On the contrary, the
abstruse
philosophy, being founded on a turn of mind, which
cannot enter into
business and action, vanishes when the philosopher
leaves the shade, and
comes into open day; nor can its principles easily
retain any influence
over our conduct and behaviour. The feelings of our
heart, the agitation
of our passions, the vehemence of our affections,
dissipate all its
conclusions, and reduce the profound philosopher to a
mere plebeian.
4. This also must be confessed, that the most durable,
as well as
justest fame, has been acquired by the easy philosophy,
and that
abstract reasoners seem hitherto to have enjoyed only a
momentary
reputation, from the caprice or ignorance of their own
age, but have not
been able to support their renown with more equitable
posterity. It is
easy for a profound philosopher to commit a mistake in
his subtile
reasonings; and one mistake is the necessary parent of
another, while he
pushes on his consequences, and is not deterred from
embracing any
