Page:Kant's Prolegomena etc (1883).djvu/132

whereas the work itself was obliged to be constructed throughout on a synthetic method, in order that the science might exhibit all its articulations in their natural connection as the organisation of a special faculty of knowledge. Should, on the other hand, any one find this plan, put forward by me as a Prolegomena to any future system of metaphysics, itself obscure, he must bear in mind that it is not necessary for every one to study metaphysics; that there is much talent, perfectly adequate to the investigation of thorough and even deep sciences, lying more in the region of intuition, which is unsuccessful in a species of research based solely on abstract conceptions, and that, in such a case, mental abilities should be turned in another direction. But he who undertakes to judge a system of metaphysics or to construct one, must in every way satisfy the demands that will here be made. It may so happen, either that he accepts my solu- tion, or that he utterly refutes it and offers another in its stead evade it, he cannot; and that, finally, the so-much decried obscurity (though a frequent covering for in- dolence and stupidity) may have its uses, since those who in respect of other sciences maintain a judicious silence, in questions of metaphysies speak and decide in a dictatorial tone, because here their ignorance does not distinctly clash with the knowledge of other people, though not the less with the axioms of a sound criticism; of which one may say, ignavum fucos, pecus a prœsepibus arcent. Virg.: (they keep off, from the hives, the lazy swarm of drones).