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Posted by Gab on January 11, 2008, 1:31 am
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willed to reveal it to us. But I did not take it so, and this is where I
made a mistake; for I believed that our justice was essentially just, and
that I had that whereby to know and judge of it. But I have so often found
my right judgement at fault, that at last I have come to distrust myself and
then others. I have seen changes in all nations and men, and thus, after
many changes of judgement regarding true justice, I have recognised that our
nature was but in continual change, and I have not changed since; and if I
changed, I would confirm my opinion.
The sceptic Arcesilaus, who became a dogmatist.
376. This sect derives more strength from its enemies than from its friends;
for the weakness of man is far more evident in those who know it not than in
those who know it.
377. Discourses on humility are a source of pride in the vain and of
humility in the humble. So those on scepticism cause believers to affirm.
Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of chastity, few doubtingly of
scepticism. We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal
and disguise ourselves from ourselves.
378. Scepticism.--Excess, like defect of intellect, is accused of madness.
Nothing is good but mediocrity. The majority has settled that and finds
fault with him who escapes it at whichever end. I will not oppose it. I
quite consent to put there, and refuse to be at the lower end, not because
it is low, but because it is an end; for I would likewise refuse to be
placed at the top. To leave the mean is to abandon humanity. The greatness
of the human soul consists in knowing how to preserve the mean. So far from
greatness consisting in leaving it, it consists in not leaving it.
379. It is not good to have too much liberty. It is not good to have all one
wants.
380. All good maxims are in the world. We only need to apply them. For
instance, we do not doubt that we ought to risk our lives in defence of
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