212 CLARKE AND SPINOZA. [CHAP. XIII. 



is the substance consisting of infinite attributes, each of which 

 expresses an eternal and infinite essence. 



Explanation. I say absolutely infinite, not infinite in its 

 own kind. For to whatever is only infinite in its own kind we 

 may deny the possession of (some) infinite attributes. But when 

 a thing is absolutely infinite, whatsoever expresses essence and 

 involves no negation belongs to its essence. 



7. That thing is termedfree, which exists by the sole neces- 

 sity of its own nature, and is determined to action by itself alone ; 

 necessary, or rather constrained, which is determined by another 

 thing to existence and action, in a certain and determinate man- 

 ner. 



8. By eternity, I understand existence itself, in so far as it is 

 conceived necessarily to follow from the sole definition of the 

 eternal thing. 



Explanation. For such existence, as an eternal truth, is con- 

 ceived as the essence of the thing, and therefore cannot be ex- 

 plained by mere duration or time, though the latter should be 

 conceived as without beginning and without end. 



AXIOMS. 



1 . All things which exist are either in themselves (in se) or 

 in another thing. 



2. That which cannot be conceived by another thing ought 

 to be conceived by itself. 



3. From a given determinate cause the effect necessarily fol- 

 lows, and, contrariwise, if no determinate cause be granted, it is 

 impossible that an effect should follow. 



4. The knowledge of the effect depends upon, and involves, 

 the knowledge of the cause. 



5. Things which have nothing in common cannot be under- 

 stood by means of each other ; or the conception of the one does 

 not involve the conception of the other. 



6. A true idea ought to agree with its own object. (Idea 

 vera debet cum suo ideato convenire.) 



7. Whatever can be conceived as non-existing does not in- 

 volve existence in its essence. 



