But in simple substances the influence of one monad over another is ideal only.

The monad, of which we shall speak here, is nothing but a simple substance which enters into compounds; simple, that is to say, without parts.

It is necessary to believe that the mixture of evil has produced the greatest possible good: otherwise the evil would not have been permitted.

And there must be simple substances, because there are compounds; for the compound is nothing but a collection or aggregatum of simples.

I hold that it is only when we can prove everything we assert that we understand perfectly the thing under consideration.

Every present state of a simple substance is the natural consequence of its preceding state, in such a way that its present is big with its future.

I agree with you that it is important to examine our presuppositions, throughly and once for all, in order to establish something solid. For I hold that it is only when we can prove all that we bring forward that we perfectly understand the thing under consideration. I know that the common herd takes little pleasure in these researches, but I know also that the common herd take little pains thoroughly to understand things.