3. Modes are all adequate.
Secondly, our complex ideas of modes, being voluntary collections of simple ideas,
which the mind puts together, without reference to any real archetypes, or standing patterns, existing anywhere,
are and cannot but be adequate ideas. Because they, not being intended for copies of things really existing, but for
archetypes made by the mind, to rank and denominate things by, cannot want anything; they having each of them
that combination of ideas, and thereby that perfection, which the mind intended they should: so that the mind
acquiesces in them, and can find nothing wanting. Thus, by having the idea of a figure with three sides meeting at
three angles, I have a complete idea, wherein I require nothing else to make it perfect. That the mind is satisfied
with the perfection of this its idea is plain, in that it does not conceive that any understanding hath, or can have, a
more complete or perfect idea of that thing it signifies by the word triangle, supposing it to exist, than itself has, in
that complex idea of three sides and three angles, in which is contained all that is or can be essential to it, or
necessary to complete it, wherever or however it exists. But in our ideas of substances it is otherwise. For there,
desiring to copy things as they really do exist, and to represent to ourselves that constitution on which all their
properties depend, we perceive our ideas attain not that perfection we intend: we find they still want something
we should be glad were in them; and so are all inadequate. But mixed modes and relations, being archetypes
without patterns, and so having nothing to represent but themselves, cannot but be adequate, everything being so
to itself. He that at first put together the idea of danger perceived, absence of disorder from fear, sedate
consideration of what was justly to be done, and executing that without disturbance, or being deterred by the
danger of it, had certainly in his mind that complex idea made up of that combination: and intending it to be
nothing else but what is, nor to have in it any other simple ideas but what it hath, it could not also but be an
adequate idea: and laying this up in his memory, with the name courage annexed to it, to signify to others, and
denominate from thence any action he should observe to agree with it, had thereby a standard to measure and
denominate actions by, as they agreed to it. This idea, thus made and laid up for a pattern, must necessarily be
adequate, being referred to nothing else but itself, nor made by any other original but the good liking and will of
him that first made this combination.
