70 DESCARTES. 



But since that time other reasons have occurred to 

 me, by which I have been led to change my opinion, 

 and to think that I ought indeed to go on commit 

 ting to writing all the results which I deemed of any 

 moment, as soon as I should have tested their truth, 

 and to bestow the same care upon them as I would 

 have done had it been my design to publish them. 

 This course commended itself to me, as well because 

 I thus afforded myself more ample inducement to 

 examine them thoroughly, for doubtless that is 

 always more narrowly scrutinized which we believe 

 will be read by many, than that which is written 

 merely for our private use, (and frequently what 

 has seemed to me true when I first conceived it, has 

 appeared false when I have set about committing it 

 to writing ;) as because I thus lost no opportunity of 

 advancing the interests of the public, as far as in me 

 lay, and since thus likewise, if my writings possess 

 any value, those into whose hands they may fall 

 after my death may be able to put them to what use 

 they deem proper. But I resolved by no means to 

 consent to their publication during my lifetime, lest 

 either the oppositions or the controversies to which 

 they might give rise, or even the reputation, such as 

 it might be, which they would acquire for me, 

 should be any occasion of my losing the time that I 

 had set apart for my own improvement. For 

 though it be true that every one is bound to promote 

 to the extent of his ability the good of others, and 

 that to be useful to no one is really to be worthless, 

 yet it is likewise true that our cares ought to extend 

 beyond the present; and it is good to omit doing 



