16 quotes
The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
A good parson once said, that where mystery begins, religion ends. Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where mystery begins, justice ends?
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Power gradually extirpates from the mind every humane and gentle virtue. Pity, benevolence, friendship, are things almost unknown in high stations.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Parties in religion and politics make sufficient discoveries concerning each other, to give a sober man a proper caution against them all.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
The lawyers, as well as the theologians, have erected another reason besides natural reason; and the result has been, another justice besides natural justice.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Kings are ambitious; the nobility haughty; and the populace tumultuous and ungovernable.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Evils we have had continually calling for reformation, and reformations more grievous than any evils.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
These few have the passions of the one; and they unite to strengthen themselves, and to secure the gratification of their lawless passions at the expense of the general good.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
You are, my Lord, but just entering into the world; I am going out of it. I have played long enough to be heartily tired of the drama.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
But if we think this necessity rather imaginary than real, we should renounce their dreams of society, together with their visions of religion, and vindicate ourselves into perfect liberty.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
If you say, that natural religion is a sufficient guide without the foreign aid of revelation, on what principle should political laws become necessary? Is not the same reason available in theology and in politics?
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
In vain you tell me that artificial government is good, but that I fall out only with the abuse. The thing! the thing itself is the abuse!
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
There are few with whom I can communicate so freely as with Pope. But Pope cannot bear every truth. He has a timidity which hinders the full exertion of his faculties, almost as effectually as bigotry cramps those of the general herd of mankind.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
Consider the ravages committed in the bowels of all commonwealths by ambition, by avarice, envy, fraud, open injustice, and pretended friendship; vices which could draw little support from a state of nature, but which blossom and flourish in the rankness of political society.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
The nearer we approach to the goal of life, the better we begin to understand the true value of our existence, and the real weight of our opinions. We set out much in love with both; but we leave much behind us as we advance.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)
And these questions are constantly resolved, without any consideration of the merits of the cause, merely as the parties who uphold these jarring interests may chance to prevail; and as they prevail, the balance is overset, now upon one side, now upon the other.
A Vindication of Natural Society (1756)