NOVUM ORGAN UM. 37 



of the ancients, since numerous other plays of a similar 

 nature can be still composed and made to agree with each 

 other, the causes of the most opposite errors being gene 

 rally the same. Nor, again, do we allude merely to general 

 systems, but also to many elements and axioms of sciences, 

 which have become inveterate by tradition, implicit cre 

 dence, and neglect. We must, however, discuss each spe 

 cies of idols more fully and distinctly in order to guard the 

 human understanding against them. 



45.* The human understanding, from its peculiar nature, 

 easily supposes a greater degree of order and equality in 

 things than it really finds ; and although many things in 

 nature be sui generis, and most irregular, will yet invent 

 parallels and conjugates, and relatives where no such thing 

 is. Hence the fiction, that all celestial bodies were in perfect 

 circles, thus rejecting entirely spiral and serpentine lines 

 (except as explanatory terms). Hence also the element of 

 fire is introduced with its peculiar orbit, to keep square 

 with those other three which are objects of our senses. The 

 relative rarity of the elements (as they are called) is arbi 

 trarily made to vary in tenfold progression, with many other 

 dreams of the like nature. Nor is this folly confined to 

 theories, but it is to be met with even in simple notions. 



46. The human understanding, when any proposition 

 has been once laid down (either from general admission and 

 belief, or from the pleasure it affords), forces every thing 

 else to add fresh support and confirmation ; and although 

 more cogent and abundant instances may exist to the con 

 trary, yet either does not observe or despises them, or gets 

 rid of and rejects them by some distinction, with violent 

 and injurious prejudice, rather than sacrifice the authority 

 of its first conclusions. It was well answered by him who 

 was shown in a temple the votive tablets suspended by such 

 as had escaped the peril of shipwreck, and was pressed as 

 to whether he would then recognise the power of the gods 

 by an inquiry ; &quot; But where are the portraits of those who 

 have perished in spite of their vows?&quot; All superstition is 

 much the same, whether it be that of astrology, dreams, 

 omens, retributive judgment, or the like; in all of which 

 the deluded believers observe events which are fulfilled, 

 but neglect and pass over their failure, though it be much 

 more common. But this evil insinuates itself still more 



* Hence to Aphorism 53 treats of the idols of the tribe. 



