Chapter 101 - Of the State of Children as Regards Knowledge

Children, in a state of innocence, would not have been perfect in knowledge; since it is natural to man to acquire knowledge through the senses. Moreover, the body is united to the soul because it is necessary to its operation, and if the soul had knowledge from the beginning it would no longer require to make use of the sensitive faculties. Children, therefore, would have acquired knowledge gradually, though without difficulty, by means of instruction and investigation.

Nor could new-born infants have had the full use of reason; because reason depends upon the organs of the sensitive faculties, which are imperfect in infancy through excess of moisture; thus perfection would only have been reached with maturity; they would, however, have possessed a fuller use of reason than now, in regard of things suitable to their age.