But, as I am of a disposition that makes me unwilling to be esteemed different from what I really am, I thought it necessary to endeavour by all means to render myself worthy of the reputation accorded to me; and it is now exactly eight years since this desire constrained me to remove from all those places where interruption from any of my acquaintances was possible, and betake myself to this country,[^1] in which the long duration of the war has led to the establishment of such discipline, that the armies maintained seem to be of use only in enabling the inhabitants to enjoy more securely the blessings of peace; and where, in the midst of a great crowd actively engaged in business, and more careful of their own affairs than curious about those of others, I have been enabled to live without being deprived of any of the conveniences to be had in the most populous cities, and yet as solitary and as retired as in the midst of the most remote deserts.

author

René Descartes

footnote

Holland; to which country he withdrew in 1629.—Tr.

random

Besides, I had ideas of many sensible and corporeal things; for although I might suppose that I was dreaming, and that all which I saw or imagined was false, I could not, nevertheless, deny that the ideas were in reality in my thoughts.

snippet of

Discourse on the Method (Veitch translation)

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translation (ChatGPT)

Since I dislike being seen as different from who I truly am, I felt it necessary to make myself worthy of the reputation given to me. For the past eight years, this desire has driven me to move away from places where my acquaintances might interrupt me. I came to this country, where the long-lasting war has created such discipline that the armies only seem to serve the purpose of allowing the inhabitants to enjoy peace more securely. Here, among a bustling crowd focused on their own business and not overly interested in others’ affairs, I have been able to live with all the conveniences of the most populous cities, yet as solitary and secluded as if I were in the most remote deserts.

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I am in doubt as to the propriety of making my first meditations in the place above mentioned matter of discourse; for these are so metaphysical, and so uncommon, as not, perhaps, to be acceptable to every one.

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I know not what were the grounds of this opinion; and, if my conversation contributed in any measure to its rise, this must have happened rather from my having confessed my ignorance with greater freedom than those are accustomed to do who have studied a little, and expounded, perhaps, the reasons that led me to doubt of many of those things that by others are esteemed certain, than from my having boasted of any system of Philosophy.