In other words, the power of man to reproduce in the shape of thought what he beholds in the form of nature depends on the depth and power of his observation, on his ability to look into causes and find out what produces effects. The more he is able to do this, the greater his ability to reason, the more substantial and lasting will be his conclusions. Nothing in this life is absolutely correct; we are incapable of tracing a perfectly straight line or doing anything that might not be improved upon, consequently it is impossible for an author to produce a book that is free from error, or one that will last for all ages. Books, like all things pertaining to man, are best suited for the era in which they were written. It has been demonstrated that books of a past generation are no more suited to the people of the present period than are
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