John Locke on Tradition
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, ed. Alexander Fraser (New York: Dover, 1959, orig. 1689), IV, xx, 10, p. 450.The great obstinacy that is to be found in men firmly believing quite contrary opinions, though many times equally absurd, in the various religions of mankind, are as evident a proof as they are an unavoidable consequence of this way of reasoning from received traditional principles. So that men will disbelieve their own eyes, renounce the
evidence of their senses, and give their own experience the lie, rather than admit of anything disagreeing with these sacred tenets.