No dry light

Francis Bacon offered this wise caution, “The human understanding is no dry light but receives an infusion from the will and affections; whence proceed sciences which may be called ‘sciences as one would.’ For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes . . . . Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections colour and infect the understanding.” Thus, “whatever his mind seizes and dwells upon with particular satisfaction is to be held in suspicion.”