SECT.  LXXVII.  The Epicureans take whatever they please for granted, without any Proof.

The Epicurean philosophers are so weak in their system that it is not in their power to form it, or bring it to bear, unless one admits without proofs their most fabulous postulata and positions.  In the first place they suppose eternal atoms, which is begging the question; for how can they make out that atoms have ever existed and exist by themselves?  To exist by one’s self is the supreme perfection.  Now, what authority have they to suppose, without proofs, that atoms have in themselves a perfect, eternal, and immutable being?  Do they find this perfection in the idea they have of every atom in particular?  An atom not being the same with, and being absolutely distinguished from, another atom, each of them must have in itself eternity and independence with respect to any other being.  Once more, is it in the idea these philosophers have of each atom that they find this perfection?  But let us grant them all they suppose in this question, and even what they ought to be ashamed to suppose—viz., that atoms are eternal, subsisting by themselves, independent from any other being, and consequently entirely perfect.