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CHAP. XV. Of the Memory.
MEmory is very often mistaken by the Vulgar for Understanding and Good Sense; but in truth they are very different Things. For both Reason and Experience tell us (as hath been ob∣served formerly) that it is very possible and usual, for a Man, who is Excellent in one of these re∣spects, to be wretchedly weak and wanting in the other. This indeed is a Faculty very Serviceable and Useful to Mankind; but it comes far short of the Understanding; and is much the Tenderest, and most Feeble of all those Parts, whereof the Rational Soul is composed. To excel in it is not very necessary; except for Three Sorts of People. 1. Men of Trade, and much Business. 2. Those that are extremely Talkative, for this is the Store-house, from whence they must be furnished with Mat∣ter for Discourse; and it is naturally more full and fruitful than Invention; but he that cannot be supplied from hence, must make it up by Stuff of his own forging, and 3. Great Lyars, for* 1.1 These, indeed, ought to have good Memories. The Want of Memory hath its Conveniences too. For this will dispose Men to speak Truth, to be Mo∣dest, and talk no more than their Share, and to forget the Faults and Injuries of other People. A moderate Proportion of this Faculty, will serve ones Turn, and answer all the Ends of it very well.