Critical History of Eclecticism

place falsehood. But one hides from oneself this secret opposition to the truth, and one succeeds in not believing oneself guilty of it, because one has some affection for truths which no self-interest prevents one from seeing as they are.

What use is it, however, to render homage to truths of pure speculation speculation: theoretical or abstract reasoning that does not necessarily have a direct application to conduct or morality., if one shakes off the yoke of practical truths, which impose duties? It is from the love alone of this latter kind of truths that merit and virtue are born. Everyone applauds this saying of the famous Fontenelle Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle (1657–1757) was a prominent French man of letters and a long-time secretary of the Academy of Sciences.: It is (1) always useful to think correctly, even on useless subjects. But few people feel how great a loss it is, that

(1) Preface to the History of the Academy of Sciences, page 8.