Like a Romance

The preface to Descartes's Principles of Philosophy includesI would suggest reading it all the way through, like a romance, without greatly straining one's attention, or being held up by any difficulties one encounters, so as simply to get a general idea of the subjects discussed. Afterwards, if one decides that these are worthy of them, it can be read a second time, so as to follow the sequence of my arguments; but, again, one should not let oneself be put off, if one loses the thread now and again, or if one does not understand all the arguments; simply mark with a pen the places one has found difficult, and read on to the end without a break. Then if one goes back to the book a third time, I venture to say that one will find the solution to most of the difficulties one has noticed the previous time; and if any still remain, a final re-reading should put paid to them.(This is the preface to the French translation, taken from Michael Moriarty's translation, in The Passions of the…