Belief

Conviction of the mind, arising not from actual perception or knowledge, but by way of inference, or from evidence received or information derived from others. It differs from "knowledge" only in degree. 9 Gray (Mass.) 274. It is said to be a stronger word than "imagination." (4 Ga. 37), or "suspicion" (5 Cush. [Mass.] 374), but has been held to be substantially synonymous with "supposition" (102 111. 277). Belief may evidently be stronger or weaker, according to the weight of evidence adduced in favor of the proposition to which belief is granted or refused, and so "firm belief" in a statute means more than "belief." 4 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 137; 1 Greenl. Ev. §§ 7-13. See 1 Starkie, Ev. 41; 2 W. Bl. 881; 8 Watts (Pa.) 406.

Conviction of the mind, arising not from actual perception or knowledge, but by way of inference, or from evidence received or information derived from others. See Deceit. Belief may evidently be stronger or weaker according to the weight of evidence adduced in favor of the proposition to which belief is 1 Stark. Ev. 41; 2 Powell, Mortg. 555; 1 Ves. Ch. 95; 12 id. 80; Dy. 53; 2 W. Bla. S81; Carmalt v. Post, 8 Watts (Pa.) 406; Bennifield v. Hypres, 3S Ind. 504; Hatch v. der, 9 Gray (Mass.) 274; Humphreys v. M< all. 9 Cal. 62, 70 Am. Dec. 621; Ven-. Smith, 10 Pet. (U. S.) 171, 9 L. Ed. 382.

A persuasion of the truth of a statement, the way of inference from some other fact, or distinct from personal knowledge.

A conviction of the truth of a proposition, existing in the mind, and induced by persuasion, proof, or argument addressed to the judgment. Belief is to be distinguished from "proof," "evidence," and "testimony." See Evidence. With regard to things which make not a very deep impression on the memory, it may be called "belief." "Knowledge" is nothing more than a man's firm belief. The difference is ordinarily merely in the degree; to be judged of by the court, when addressed to the court; by the jury, when addressed to the jury. 9 Gray, 274. The distinction between the two mental conditions seems to be that knowledge is an assurance of a fact or proposition founded on perception by the senses, or intuition; while belief is an assurance gained by evidence, and from other persons. Abbott.

' 1. In feudal law, a fine or composition paid to the lord of a fee for taking up an estate which had lapsed or fallen by the death of the last tenant. It •' raised up " and re-established the inheritance in the hands of the heir. 8 2. In practice, redress provided by law for deprivation of a right; such enforcement of an alleged right as is invoked in a suit. To bar equitable relief the legal remedy must be equally effectual with the equitable remedy, as to all the rights of the complainant. Where the remedy at law is not " as practical and efficient to the ends of justice ^nd its prompt administration," the aid of equity may be invoked; but if, on the other hand, " it is plain, adequate, and complete," the legal remedy must be pursued." Under a prayer for general relief, the plaintiff is entitled to such relief as is agreeable to the ease made in the bill, though different from the specific relief prayed for.'" ' [People V. Mc Curaber, li N. Y. 821 (1858). ' Seward v. Miller, 6 How. Pr. 313-14(1852), Strong, J.; Morton v. Jackson, 2 Minn. 222(1858). 3 Woods V. Morrell, 1 Johns. Ch. *106 (1814), Kent, Ch. * 1 Whart. Ev. Ch. II. '' 1 Greenl. Ev. § 51 a. ' [Spitler V. Heeter, 42 Ohio St. 101 (1884). ' F. relever: L. re-levare, to raise up again. 8 2 Bl. Com. 06, 60; Williams, R. P. 120. » Lewis V. Cocks, 23 Wall. 470 (1874), Swayne, J.; Boyoe v. Grundy, 3 Pet. 215 (18.30). That a bill contains a prayer with a " double aspect " forms no objection to the bill. *'Tou may ask the court to come to a conclusion on the facts which you have disclosed, having stated everything that will enable the court to form a proper judgment. You may ask the judgment of the court on two alternatives." ^ The complainant, if not certain as to the specific relief to wiich he is entitled, may frame his prayer in the alternative, so that if one kind of relief is denied another may be granted; the relief, of each kind, being consistent with the case made by the bill.^ See Compensation, 4; Equity, Bill in; Injury; Prayer; Redress; Remedy.

is the conviction of the _ mind, arising from evidence received, or from information derived, not from actual perception by our senses, but from the relation or information of others who have had the means of acquiring actual knowledge of the facts, and whose qualifications for acquiring that knowledge, and retaining it, and afterwards 19 communicating it, we can place confidence. ‘“ Without recurring to the books of metaphysicians,” says Chief Justice Tilghman, 4 Serg. & Rawle, 137, “let any man of plain common sense, examine the operations of his own mind, he will assuredly find that on different subjects his belief is different. I have a firm belief that the moon revolves round the earth. I may believe, too, that there are mountains and valleys in the moon; but this belief is not so strong, because the evidence is Ves. 80; 1 P. A. Browne’s R. 258; 1 Stark. Ev. 127; Dyer, 53; 2 ‘Hawk. ec. 46, s. 167; 3 Wills. 427; Bl. R. 881; Leach, 270. a