21 May 1805

Evidence

Introd.

Ch. Sinister Ends. Imbecillity

' Self deceit.

''. Self-Deceit.

[...?...?...?...?, ...?] est [...?] ipsi tibi

The rule is /of the point[?] is grounded/ in an enlightened observation made on human nature. It extends to all sorts of noting /holds good in noting if/. Would you persuade others, persuade yourself in the first instance: as the in the most flaming enthusiast may be found the most successful missionary[?]. The influence of reason though at the long run all prevailing is always slow: that of passion is instantaneous and Persuades yourself thoroughly, every man may be made to see or rather to feel that you are persuaded: even without being persuaded, how many are those who succeed in making others believe that they are? By example, by prejudice, all men alike are capable of being influenced; by reasoning - none, but a favoured few: and of those few again scarce any, except where interest i.e. the passion of the moment is either neuter or on that same side.

Would you then persuade others? Begin in the first place upon yourself. Here at least, you may make sure of an apt scholar, and you have the most effectual means of instruction at your command. The first and main instrument, is attention: this you have /is always/ at your command most perfectly. But with this, everything is easy: every knot you make is /it is all/ plain-sailing. Imagine the absurdity, the most outrageous you could think of, if life depended upon it, name the absurdity greater if you can, than any of the thousands of absurdities of which men have succeeded in persuading themselves by this means.

The mode of managing your attention for this purpose is as simple as it is sure. To whatever considerations tend to strengthen the [...?] for persuasion, - fasten your attention, glue it, rivet it: from /to/ whatever considerations tend to weaken that same persuasion, draw off your attention drag it off without mercy. If in spite of all exertion any such troublesome consideration should come across your mind - should present itself uncalled for, turn aside from it, suffer not your attention to fix upon it for a single moment: if it haunt[?] you fly from it as you would from hobgoblin, or as an [...?] would from a source of impure desire. Take this course, and you not only need not despair of success, but it is impossible you should miss of it. Let not any false modesty diminish the strength of your assurance. In this, No man who really wished for success was too weak, too dull, too stupid to obtain it. If there be any sort of man to shun the enterprise because any sort of difficulty, its the superior sort of man, the man who is distinguished from the herd by a superior degree of strength [...?] vigor, moral or intellectual: or both in one

21 May 1805

Evidence

Introd.

Ch. Sinister Ends. Imbecillity

' Self deceit.

''. Self-Deceit.

[...?...?...?...?, ...?] est [...?] ipsi tibi

The rule is /of the point[?] is grounded/ in an enlightened observation made on human nature. It extends to all sorts of noting /holds good in noting if/. Would you persuade others, persuade yourself in the first instance: as the in the most flaming enthusiast may be found the most successful missionary[?]. The influence of reason though at the long run all prevailing is always slow: that of passion is instantaneous and Persuades yourself thoroughly, every man may be made to see or rather to feel that you are persuaded: even without being persuaded, how many are those who succeed in making others believe that they are? By example, by prejudice, all men alike are capable of being influenced; by reasoning - none, but a favoured few: and of those few again scarce any, except where interest i.e. the passion of the moment is either neuter or on that same side.

Would you then persuade others? Begin in the first place upon yourself. Here at least, you may make sure of an apt scholar, and you have the most effectual means of instruction at your command. The first and main instrument, is attention: this you have /is always/ at your command most perfectly. But with this, everything is easy: every knot you make is /it is all/ plain-sailing. Imagine the absurdity, the most outrageous you could think of, if life depended upon it, name the absurdity greater if you can, than any of the thousands of absurdities of which men have succeeded in persuading themselves by this means.

The mode of managing your attention for this purpose is as simple as it is sure. To whatever considerations tend to strengthen the [...?] for persuasion, - fasten your attention, glue it, rivet it: from /to/ whatever considerations tend to weaken that same persuasion, draw off your attention drag it off without mercy. If in spite of all exertion any such troublesome consideration should come across your mind - should present itself uncalled for, turn aside from it, suffer not your attention to fix upon it for a single moment: if it haunt[?] you fly from it as you would from hobgoblin, or as an [...?] would from a source of impure desire. Take this course, and you not only need not despair of success, but it is impossible you should miss of it. Let not any false modesty diminish the strength of your assurance. In this, No man who really wished for success was too weak, too dull, too stupid to obtain it. If there be any sort of man to shun the enterprise because any sort of difficulty, its the superior sort of man, the man who is distinguished from the herd by a superior degree of strength [...?] vigor, moral or intellectual: or both in one