| We are to admit no more
causes of natural things than such as are both true and
sufficient to explain their appearances. To this purpose
the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain, and
more is in vain when less will serve; for Nature is
pleased with simplicity, and affects not the pomp of
superfluous causes. |
| Therefore, to the same
natural effects we must, as far as possible, assign the
same causes. As to respiration in man and beast; the
descent of stones in Europe and in America; the light of
our culinary fire and of the sun;the reflection of light
in the Earth; and in the planets. |
| Yet, had we the proof of one experiment that any undivided particle, in breaking a hard and solid body, suffered a division, we might by virtue of this rule conclude that the undivided as well as the divided particles may be divided and actually separated to infinity. |