The vanity of dogmatizing: or confidence in opinions

The Preface.

one person likes what another ignores. And were nothing to pass the Press but what suited everyone's gusto taste; farewell to Typography the art of printing. Were I to be the Judge, and no one else were to be pleased, I think I would silence whole Libraries of Authors, and reduce the world of Books into a small bundle: whereas if another were to act as Censor an official who examines books for objectionable content, it might be that all those I had saved would be condemned to darkness, and receive no escape from those ruins. If all were suppressed which some think unworthy of light, no more would be left than existed before Moses and Trismegistus Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary source of ancient wisdom. Therefore, I seek no praise from the disgrace of others, nor will I, like a dishonest peddler original: "Huckster-like", discredit any man's goods to recommend my own. I am not angry that there are so many

The Preface.

Books already, (excepting only the Anomalies deviations from the rule of wickedness and irreligion) nor will I claim I had to publish mine because of fake requests from others. Those who are busy with other things are free to avoid the distraction of reading this: and those who do not find it annoying will not expect an apology for its publication. How the world will treat it, I cannot guess. If it is treated only decently, I am not disappointed. To print, is to run the gantlet gauntlet; a punishment where one runs between two rows of people who strike them, and to expose oneself to harsh criticism original: "tongue-strapado". If the more noble spirits favor me, let the narrow-minded pedants do their worst: there is no pain in their criticism; indeed, their very approval is a scandal.

For the purpose of this Discourse,