20. "One and one equal to Two, etc., not general nor useful," answered.
If it be said, that these propositions, viz.,
"two and two are equal to four," "red is not blue," etc., are not general maxims, nor of any great use, I answer,
that makes nothing to the argument of universal assent upon hearing and understanding. For, if that be the certain
mark of innate, whatever proposition can be found that receives general assent as soon as heard and understood,
that must be admitted for an innate proposition, as well as this maxim, "That it is impossible for the same thing to
be and not to be," they being upon this ground equal. And as to the difference of being more general, that makes
this maxim more remote from being innate; those general and abstract ideas being more strangers to our first
apprehensions than those of more particular self-evident propositions; and therefore it is longer before they are
admitted and assented to by the growing understanding. And as to the usefulness of these magnified maxims, that
perhaps will not be found so great as is generally conceived, when it comes in its due place to be more fully
considered.
