Note 86 — FREDERIC THE GREAT’S EULOGY ON JULIEN OFFRAY DE LA METTRIE. (continued 2)

This celebrated philosopher, it is true, was much deceived, and no one denies that. But at any rate he understood animal nature, he was the first to prove completely that animals are pure machines.86 And after a discovery of this importance demanding so much sagacity, how can we without ingratitude fail to pardon all his errors!