LECTURE II. 77 



natural result of thought, and the cause of 

 conduct. If errors of thought terminated 

 in opinions, they would be of less conse- 

 quence ; but a slight deviation from the 

 line of rectitude in thought, may lead to a 

 most distant and disastrous aberration from 

 that line in action. I own I cannot readily 

 believe any one who tells me, he has formed 

 no opinion on subjects which must have 

 engaged and interested his attention. Per- 

 sons both of sceptical and credulous cha- 

 racters form opinions, and we have in general 

 some principal opinion, to which we con- 

 nect the rest, and to which we make them 

 subservient; and this has a greater influence 

 on all our conduct. Doubt and uncertainty 

 are so fatiguing to the human mind, by 

 keeping it in continual action, that it will 

 and must rest somewhere ; and if so, our 

 enquiry ought to be where it may rest most 

 securely and comfortably to itself, and with 

 most advantage to others? In the un- 

 certainty of opinions, wisdom would coun- 

 sel us to adopt those which have a tendency 

 to produce beneficial actions. 



