Ne le changer point = M. F. ne point le changer

12. Tâcher à = to try. The distinction which makes 'tâcher à more emphatic than ' tâcher de ' is superficial. Both are to be found in the seventeenth century with the same sensé. 'Tâcher de' is almost exclusively used in M. F.

13. The word pensée is taken hère to signify ' ail the opérations of the will, of the intellect, of the imagination and sensés ' (Descartes, Resp. ad Sec. Objeet, p. 85, edit. 1663).

14. Faisons = faire, was often used in the seventeenth century in order to avoid répétition of the same verb in the same sentence. Cf. Descartes, I. 45.

15. Biais = lit. from this angle, means ' particular point of view.'

16. De ces : Latin illornm philosophorum qui = M. F. des philosophes qui. Cf. English construction of ' thèse philosophers who.' The philosophers in question are the Stoicsy who endeavoured to feel a stoical indifférence to the weaknesses of the flesh.