Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

56
ALLAN KARDEC
1. Why does it so often happen that the manifesting intelligence refuses to answer certain
questions in regard to matters that arc perfectly known to the questioner, as, for instance, his
name or age, what he has in his hand, what he did yesterday, what he intends to do on the
morrow, etc.? If the medium be only a mirror reflecting the thought of those about him,
nothing should be easier for him than to answer such questions.
If our adversaries retort by inquiring why it is that spirits, who ought to know everything, are
unable to answer questions so simple, and conclude, from this presumed inability, that the
phenomena cannot be caused by spirits, we would ask them whether, if an ignorant or foolish
person should inquire of some learned body the reason of its being light at noonday, any
answer would be returned to his question? and whether it would be reasonable to conclude,
from the derision or the silence with which such a question might be received, that its
members were merely a set of asses? It is precisely because they are at a higher point than
ourselves that spirits decline to answer idle and foolish questions; keeping silence when such
are asked, or advising us to employ ourselves with more serious subjects.
2. We have also to ask them why it is that spirits come and depart at their own pleasure, and
why, when once they have taken their departure, neither prayers nor entreaties can bring them
back ? If the medium were acted upon solely by the mental impulsion of those around him, it
is evident that the union of their wills, in such a case, ought to stimulate his clairvoyance. If,
therefore, he do not yield to the wishes of those assembled, strengthened by his own desire, it
is because he obeys an influence which is distinct from himself and from those about him,
and which thus asserts its own independence and individuality.
XVII
Incredulity in regard to spirit-communication, when not the result of systematic opposition
from selfish motives, has almost always its source in an imperfect acquaintance with the facts
of the case; which, however, does not prevent a good many persons from attempting to settle
the question as though they were perfectly familiar with it. It is possible to be very clever,
very learned, and yet to lack clearness of judgement; and a belief in one's own