The Essays of Montaigne — Volume 19

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Essays of Montaigne, Volume 19 by Michel de MontaigneThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Essays of Montaigne, Volume 19Author: Michel de MontaigneRelease Date: September 17, 2006 [EBook #3599]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESSAYS OF MONTAIGNE, VOLUME 19 ***Produced by David WidgerESSAYS OF MICHEL DE MONTAIGNETranslated by Charles CottonEdited by William Carew Hazilitt1877CONTENTS OF VOLUME 19.XIII. Of Experience.CHAPTER XIIIOF EXPERIENCEThere is no desire more natural than that of knowledge. We try all ways that can lead us to it; where reason is wanting, wetherein employ experience, "Per varios usus artem experientia fecit, Exemplo monstrante viam," ["By various trials experience created art, example shewing the way."—Manilius, i. 59.]which is a means much more weak and cheap; but truth is so great a thing that we ought not to disdain any mediationthat will guide us to it. Reason has so many forms that we know not to which to take; experience has no fewer; theconsequence we would draw from the comparison of events is unsure, by reason they are always unlike. There is noquality so universal in this image of things as diversity ...