5. And most knowing.
Again, a man finds in himself perception and knowledge. We have then got one step
further; and we are certain now that there is not only some being, but some knowing, intelligent being in the
world. There was a time, then, when there was no knowing being, and when knowledge began to be; or else there
has been also a knowing being from eternity. If it be said, there was a time when no being had any knowledge,
when that eternal being was void of all understanding; I reply, that then it was impossible there should ever have
been any knowledge: it being as impossible that things wholly void of knowledge, and operating blindly, and
without any perception, should produce a knowing being, as it is impossible that a triangle should make itself
three angles bigger than two right ones. For it is as repugnant to the idea of senseless matter, that it should put into
itself sense, perception, and knowledge, as it is repugnant to the idea of a triangle, that it should put into itself
greater angles than two right ones.
