The Reason supersedes the whole process, and on the first conception presented by the Understanding in consequence of the first sight of a tri-angular figure, of whatever sort it might chance to be, it affirms with an assurance incapable of future increase, with a perfect _certainty_, that in all possible triangles any two of the inclosing lines _will_ and _must_ be greater than the third. In short, Understanding in its highest form of experience remains commensurate with the experimental notices of the senses from which it is generalized. Reason, on the other hand, either predetermines Experience, or avails itself of a past Experience to supersede its necessity in all future time; and affirms truths which no sense could perceive, nor experiment verify, nor experience confirm.
Yea, this is the test and character of a truth so affirmed, that in its own proper form it is _inconceivable_. For _to conceive_ is a function of the Understanding, which can be exercised only on subjects subordinate thereto. And yet to the forms of the Understanding all truth must be reduced, that is to be fixed as an object of reflection, and to be rendered _expressible_. And here we have a second test and sign of a truth so affirmed, that it can come forth out of the moulds of the Understanding only in the disguise of two contradictory conceptions, each of which is partially true, and the conjunction of both conceptions becomes the representative or _expression_ (the _exponent_) of a truth _beyond_ conception and inexpressible. Examples: Before Abraham _was_, I _am_.--God is a Circle, the centre of which is everywhere, and circumference nowhere. The soul is all in every part.