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One good Man may take another's Word, if they so agree, but a whole Nation ought never to trust to any Honesty, but what is built upon Necessity; for unhappy is the People, and their Constitution will be ever precarious, whose Welfare must depend upon the Virtues and Consciences of Ministers and Politicians.

— Bernard Mandeville The Fable of the Bees (1714)

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More quotes by Bernard Mandeville

Knowledge both enlarges and multiplies our Desires, and the fewer things a Man wishes for, the more easily his Necessities may be supply'd.

The Fable of the Bees (1714)

Pride and Vanity have built more Hospitals than all the Virtues together.

The Fable of the Bees (1714)

Private Vices by the dextrous Management of a skilful Politician may be turned into Publick Benefits.

The Fable of the Bees (1714)

We seldom call any body lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some Service.

The Fable of the Bees (1714)

They put off hearings wilfully,
To finger the refreshing fee.

The Fable of the Bees (1714)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Bernard Mandeville (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.