4 DESCARTES 



selves to censure. But as this Tract is put forth 

 merely as a history, or, if you will, as a tale, in 

 which, amid some examples worthy of imitation, 

 there will be found, perhaps, as many more which 

 it were advisable not to follow, I hope it will prove 

 useful to some without being hurtful to any, and 

 that my openness will find some favour with all. 



From my childhood, I have been familiar with 

 letters; and as I was given to believe that by their 

 help a clear and certain knowledge of all that is use 

 ful in life might be acquired, I was ardently desirous 

 of instruction. But as soon as I had finished the 

 entire course of study, at the close of which it is 

 customary to be admitted into the order of the 

 learned, I completely changed my opinion. For I 

 found myself involved in so many doubts and 

 errors, that I was convinced I had advanced no 

 farther in all my attempts at learning, than the dis 

 covery at every turn of my own ignorance. And 

 yet I was studying in one of the most celebrated 

 Schools in Europe, in which I thought there must 

 be learned men, if such were anywhere to be found. 

 I had been taught all that others learned there ; and 

 not contented with the sciences actually taught us, 

 I had, in addition, read all the books that had fallen 

 into my hands, treating of such branches as are 

 esteemed the most curious and rare. I knew the 

 judgment which others had formed of me; and I did 

 not find that I was considered inferior to my fel 

 lows, although there were among them some who 

 were already marked out to fill the places of our 

 instructors. And, in fine, our age appeared to me 



