2. First cause of error, want of proofs.
First, By want of proofs, I do not mean only the want of those proofs which
are nowhere extant, and so are nowhere to be had; but the want even of those proofs which are in being, or might
be procured. And thus men want proofs, who have not the convenience or opportunity to make experiments and
observations themselves, tending to the proof of any proposition; nor likewise the convenience to inquire into and
collect the testimonies of others: and in this state are the greatest part of mankind, who are given up to labour, and
enslaved to the necessity of their mean condition, whose lives are worn out only in the provisions for living.
These men's opportunities of knowledge and inquiry are commonly as narrow as their fortunes; and their
understandings are but little instructed, when all their whole time and pains are laid out to still the croaking of
their own bellies, or the cries of their children. It is not to be expected that a man who drudges on all his life in a
laborious trade, should be more knowing in the variety of things done in the world than a packhorse, who is
driven constantly forwards and backwards in a narrow lane and dirty road, only to market, should be skilled in the
geography of the country. Nor is it at all more possible that he who wants leisure, books, and languages, and the
opportunity of conversing with variety of men, should be in a condition to collect those testimonies and
observations which are in being, and are necessary to make out many, nay most, of the propositions that, in the
societies of men, are judged of the greatest moment; or to find out grounds of assurance so great as the belief of
the points he would build on them is thought necessary. So that a great part of mankind are, by the natural and
unalterable state of things in this world, and the constitution of human affairs, unavoidably given over to
invincible ignorance of those proofs on which others build, and which are necessary to establish those opinions:
the greatest part of men, having much to do to get the means of living, are not in a condition to look after those of
learned and laborious inquiries.
