Secondly, Those principles or causes, which are fitted to operate on a multitude, are always of a
grosser and more stubborn nature, less subject to accidents, and less influenced by whim and
private fancy, than those which operate on a few only. The latter are commonly so delicate and
refined, that the smallest incident in the health, education, or fortune of a particular person, is
sufficient to divert their course, and retard their operation; nor is it possible to reduce them to
any general maxims or observations. Their influence at one time will never assure us concerning
their influence at another; even though all the general circumstances should be the same in both
cases.