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4 THE FOTTBFOLD BOOT. [CHAP. I.
clearness to be attained by an accurate definition of each
single expression to be indispensable to us, as a defence
both against error and against intentional deception, and
also as a means of securing to ourselves the permanent,
unalienable possession of each newly acquired notion within
the sphere of philosophy beyond the fear of losing it
again on account of any misunderstanding or double
meaning which might hereafter be detected. The true
philosopher will indeed always seek after light and perspi
cuity, and will endeavour to resemble a Swiss lake which
through its peacefulness is enabled to unite great depth
with great clearness, the depth revealing itself precisely
by the clearness rather than a turbid, impetuous moun
"
tain torrent. La clarte est la bonne foi des philosophies"
says Vauvenargues. Pseudo-philosophers, on the con
trary, use speech, not indeed to conceal their thoughts,
as M. de Talleyrand has it, but rather to conceal the
absence of them, and are apt to make their readers
responsible for the incomprehensibility of their systems,
which really proceeds from their own confused thinking.
This explains why in certain writers Schelling, for instance
the tone of instruction so often passes into that of re
proach, and frequently the reader is even taken to task
beforehand for his assumed inability to understand.
4. Importance of the Principle of Sufficient Reason.
Its importance is indeed very great, since it may truly
be called the basis of all science. For by science we un
derstand a system of notions, i.e. a totality of connected,
as opposed to a mere aggregate of disconnected, notions.
But what is it that binds together the members of a system,
if not the Principle of Sufficient Reason? That which
distinguishes every science from a mere aggregate is pre
cisely, that its notions are derived one from another as from