iv DESCARTES' DISCOURSE ON METHOD 171 



And further, since no man of common sense 

 when he pulls down his house for the purpose of 

 rebuilding it, fails to provide himself with some 

 shelter while the work is in progress ; so, before 

 demolishing the spacious, if not commodious, 

 mansion of his old beliefs, Descartes thought it 

 wise to equip himself with what he calls " une 

 morale par provision," by which he resolved to 

 govern his practical life until such time as he 

 should be better instructed. The laws of this 

 " provisional self-government " are embodied in 

 four maxims, of which one binds our philosopher 

 to submit himself to the laws and religion in 

 which he was brought up ; another, to act, on all 

 those occasions which call for action, promptly 

 and according to the best of his judgment, and 

 to abide, without repining, by the result : a third 

 rule is to seek happiness in limiting his desires, 

 rather than in attempting to satisfy them ; while 

 the last is to make the search after truth the 

 business of his life. 



Thus prepared to go on living while he doubted, 

 Descartes proceeded to face his doubts like a man. 

 One thing was clear to him, he would not lie to 

 himself would, under no penalties, say, " I am 

 sure " of that of which he was not sure ; but would 

 go on digging and delving until he came to the 

 solid adamant or, at worst, made sure there was 



einer Art von bedingter Zuverliissigkeit zu gelangen. '- 

 Maximen und Reftexionen, 7 te Abtheilung. 



