6. Absolute terms often stand for relations.
So likewise weak and strong are but relative denominations of power,
compared to some ideas we have at that time of greater or less power. Thus, when we say a weak man, we mean
one that has not so much strength or power to move as usually men have, or usually those of his size have; which
is a comparing his strength to the idea we have of the usual strength of men, or men of such a size. The like when
we say the creatures are all weak things; weak there is but a relative term, signifying the disproportion there is in
the power of God and the creatures. And so abundance of words, in ordinary speech, stand only for relations (and
perhaps the greatest part) which at first sight seem to have no such signification: v.g. the ship has necessary stores.
Necessary and stores are both relative words; one having a relation to the accomplishing the voyage intended, and
the other to future use. All which relations, how they are confined to, and terminate in ideas derived from
sensation or reflection, is too obvious to need any explication.
