Observations sur le magnétisme animal

I present this writing to all those who, loving truth for its own sake, do not seek to disguise it from themselves for the vain and sad pleasure of believing or calling themselves above common notions.

I do not ask them to believe simply because I tell them that I believe; but I expect from their wisdom that they will not prefer denials that are risky, timid, or in bad faith over my positive and straightforward assertions.

I expect from their lumières intellectual insight that they will perceive that I do not speak lightly, since I will express myself with enough detail to put them in a position to judge for themselves, as much as one can judge on the word of another.

I expect from the solidity of their judgment that they will not hesitate to