1291. IT IS BETTER TO HAVE FAITH APART FROM WHAT ONE UNDERSTANDS BY MEANS OF THE SCIENCES It is manifest that the blessed are those who believe and do not see rather than those who do not believe unless they see [John xi 29]. Faith apart from sight is also such that it spurns and rejects all demonstration, in the same way as one who sees an object does not want it demonstrated to him that he sees it. It is the same in regard to faith. When one sees an object, the fact of demonstrating that it is seen, calls it into doubt, for demonstration has this effect. 1748, Mar. 10. Therefore demonstrations are only for those who are unwilling to believe anything unless they see it. Lest such men should remain in their blindness and become still more blinded, things have to be demonstrated which should not have to be demonstrated, as, for example, that there is a God. Everyone ought to believe this without arguments demonstrating it. But, on the contrary, it is usual that when this is being demonstrated there is something of doubt within each argument, and this gives room for objection, thus for scandals. 1748, Mar. 10.