What now is the cure ? No other but this, that every
man should let alone others' prejudices, and examine
his own. Nobody is convinced of his by the accusa-
tion of another; he recriminates by the same rule,
and is clear. The only way to remove this great
cause of ignorance and error out of the world is, for
every one impartially to examine himself. If others
will not deal fairly with their own minds, does that
make my errors truths ? or ought it to make me in
love with them, and willing to impose on myself? If
others love cataracts in their eyes, should that hinder
me from couching of mine as soon as I can Every
one declares against blindness, and yet who almost is
not fond of that which dims his sight, and keeps the
clear light out of his mind, which should lead him into
truth and knowledge? False or doubtful positions,
relied upon as unquestionable maxims, keep those- in
the dark from truth who build on them. Such are
usually the prejudices imbibed from education, party,
reverence, fashion, interest, &c. This is the mote
which every one sees in his brother's eye, but never



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Conduct qf the Understanding. 229

regards the beam in his own. For who is there almost
that is ever brought fairly to examine his own prin-
ciples, and see whether they are such as will bear the
-trial ? But yet this should be one of the first things
every one should set about, and be scrupulous in, who
would rightly conduct his understanding in the search
of truth and knowledge.
