It is not always necessary that a thing should be proved by something else. For there are some things which are self-evident accordingto the philosophers which are not susceptible of demonstration, but are evident by their own light and are taken for granted as certain and indubitable. If perchance anyone denies them, he is not to be met with arguments, but should be committed to the custody of his kinsmen (as a madman); or to be visited with punishment, as one (according to Aristotle)either lacking sense or needing punishment. Aristotle says there are certain axioms which do not have an external reason for their truth 'which must necessarily be and appear to be such per se', Posterior Analytics 1.10 [Loeb, 70'71]); i.e., they are not only credible (autopiston) of themselves, but cannot be seriously denied by anyone of a sound mind.
Francis Turretin — Institutes of Elenctic Theology
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