16. Simple ideas can none of them be false in respect of real existence.
From what has been said concerning our
simple ideas, I think it evident that our simple ideas can none of them be false in respect of things existing without
us. For the truth of these appearances or perceptions in our minds consisting, as has been said, only in their being
answerable to the powers in external objects to produce by our senses such appearances in us, and each of them
being in the mind such as it is, suitable to the power that produced it, and which alone it represents, it cannot upon
that account, or as referred to such a pattern, be false. Blue and yellow, bitter or sweet, can never be false ideas:
these perceptions in the mind are just such as they are there, answering the powers appointed by God to produce
them; and so are truly what they are, and are intended to be. Indeed the names may be misapplied, but that in this
respect makes no falsehood in the ideas; as if a man ignorant in the English tongue should call purple scarlet.
