He that embarks implicitly in any scheme, may be mistaken,
notwithstanding the number who keep him company; but he that keeps out
till he sees reason to enter, acts upon true maxims of policy; and it
is the quintessence of prudence not to be too easy of belief: for a
rash and hasty credulity has been the ruin of many. Men who habituate
themselves to think, will profit by the experience of others, as well
as their own: but commonly the multitude do not reason, but stupidly
follow each other step by step; not moving out of the sphere in which
chance has placed them: and the notions or prejudices they may have
imbibed in youth, remain with them to the last. There is no opinion,
however impious or absurd, that has not its advocates in some quarter
of the world. Whoever, therefore, takes up his creed upon trust, and
grounds his principles on no better reason than his being a native or
inhabitant of the regions wherein they prevail, becomes a disciple of
Mahomet in Turkey, and of Confucius in China; a Jew, or a Pagan, as the
accident of birth decides.
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