just as a man may talk in such a way as to make it seem that the sound comes from someone else, so, too, we may reflect in such a way as to make it seem as if the thought were communicated by another. Socrates’ demon belongs to this class of phenomena. What an incredible number of things might not be elaborated by dreams!
However can mankind have come by the idea of liberty? It was a grand thought!
Spinozism and theism so assuredly lead an intelligent mind to one and the same conclusion that we may make use of the latter to check our reading of the former, just as the eye is frequently called on to confirm even the most accurate measurements.
From the bottom of my heart and upon the maturest consideration I believe that Jesus Christ’s teaching, freed from clerical scribble and thoroughly understood according to the ordinary acceptation of terms, is the most perfect system conceivable (at least to me) for promoting peace and happiness in the world, and for promoting it quickly, vigorously, surely, and generally. At the same time, I am also of opinion that there is yet another system, originating in pure reason, and tending to the very same result ; but that it is one exclusively for practised thinkers, and not for all men. Moreover, were this system to gain entrance, for practical purposes the teaching of Christ
