4. The imperfection of

words is the doubtfulness

of their signification.

5. Causes of their imperfec-

tion.

6. The names of mixed

modes doubtful: first,

because the ideas they
stand for, are so complex.

7. Secondly, because they

have no standards.

8. Propriety not a sufficient

remedy.

9. The way of learning these

names contributes also

to their doubtfulness.

10. Hence unavoidable ob-

scurity in ancientauthors.

11. Names of substances, of

doubtful signification.

12. Names of substances re-
ferred, first, to real es-

sences, that cannot be

known.

13, 14. Secondly, to coexisting

qualities, which are

known but imperfectly.

15. With this imperfection

they may serve for civil

but not well for philoso-

phical use.

16. Instance, liquor of the

nerves.

17 Instance, gold.

18. The names of simple

ideas, the least doubtful

1. Abuse of words.

2, 3. First, words without any,

or without clear ideas.

4. Occasioned by learning

names, before the ideas

they belong to.

5. Secondly, a steady ap-

plication of them,

6. Thrdly affected obscu

rity by wrong applica

tion.

7. Logic and dispute have
much contributed to this.

8. Calling it subtilty.

9. This learning very little

benefits society.

10. But destroys the instru

ments of knowledge and

communication.

11. As useful as to confound

the sound of the letters.

12. This art has perplexed

religion and justice.

13. And ought not to pass

for learning.

14. Fourthly, taking them

for things.

15. Instance in matter.

16. This makes errours last-

ing.

17. Fifthly, setting them for

what they cannot signify.

18. V.g. putting them for the

real essences of sub-

stances.

19. Hence we think every

change of our idea in sub-

stances, not to change the
species.

20. The cause of this abuse,
a supposition of nature's
working always regular-
ly.

21. This abuse contains two
false suppositions.
22. Sixthly, a supposition
that words have a certain
and evident signification.
23 The ends of language:
first. to convey our ideas.
24. Secondly, to do it with
quickness.

25 Thirdly, therewith to
convey the knowledge of
things.

26-31. How men's words fail in

all these,

32. How in substances.

33. How in modes and rela-

tions.

34. Seventhly,

figurative

speech also an abuse of

language.

CHAP. XI.

Of the remedies of the foregoing

imperfections and abuses.

SECT.

1. They are worth seeking,

2. Are not easy.

3. But yet necessary to phi-

losophy.

4. Misuse of words, the

cause of great errours.

5. Obstinacy.

6, And wrangling.

7. Instancc, bat and bird.

8. First remedy, to use no

word without an idea.

9. Secondly, to have dis

tinct ideas annexed to

them in modes.

10. And distinct and con.

formable in substances.

11. Thirdly, propriety.

12. Fourthly to make known

their meaning.

13. And that three ways.