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Pride and vanity have built more hospitals than all the virtues together.

Bernard de Mandeville

I would prefer a small peaceable Society, in which Men, neither envy’d nor esteem’d by Neighbours, should be contented to live upon the Natural Product of the Spot they inhabit.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Inhabit Modesty Natural Neighbour Prefer
The only thing of weight that can be said against modern honor is that it is directly opposite to religion. The one bids you bear injuries with patience, the other tells you if you don’t resent them, you are not fit to live.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Honor Opposite Opposites Patience Religion
Miss is scarce three years old, but she’s spoke to every day to hide her leg, and rebuked in good earnest if she shows it; whilst little Master at the same age is bid to take up his coats, and piss like a man.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Hide Leg Little Master Miss Piss Scare Shows
They that examine into the Nature of Man, abstract from Art and Education, may observe, that what renders him a Sociable Animal, consists not in his desire of Company.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Abstract Animal Art Examine Men Observe
The multitude will hardly believe the excessive force of education, and in the difference of modesty between men and women, ascribe that to nature, which is altogether owing to early instruction.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Believe Instruction Men Modesty Women Years
The more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Convinced Flatter More Offspring Political Pride
Knowledge both enlarges and multiplies our Desires, and the fewer things a Man wishes for, the more easily his Necessities may be supply’d.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Desires Fewer Men Necessities Wishes
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 DE MANDEVILLE

Constitution Depend Minister Politician Virtue Welfare
Pride and vanity have built more hospitals than all the virtues together.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Hospitals Pride Together Vanity
This laudable quality is commonly known by the name of Manners and Good-breeding, and consists in a Fashionable Habit, acquir’d by Precept and Example, of flattering the Pride and Selfishness of others, and concealing our own with Judgment and Dexterity.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Example Flatter Manner Names Pride Quality
Those who get their living by their daily labor . . . have nothing to stir them up to be serviceable but their wants which it is a prudence to relieve, but folly to cure.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Cures Prudence Serviceable Thing Want
If Courtezans and Strumpets were to be prosecuted with as much Rigour as some silly People would have it, what Locks or Bars would be sufficient to preserve the Honour of our Wives and Daughters?
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Daughter Lock Preserve Silly Sufficient Wife
We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Inferior Laziness Lazy Service
Ye children of promise who are awaiting your call to glory, take possession of the inheritance that now is yours. By faith take the promises. Live upon them, not upon emotions.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Awaiting Children Emotions Faith Feelings Inheritance Possession
Because impudence is a vice, it does not follow that modesty is a virtue; it is built upon shame, a passion in our nature, and may be either good or bad according to the actions performed from that motive.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Nature Passion Virtue
If laying aside all worldly Greatness and Vain-Glory, I should be ask’d where I thought it was most probable that Men might enjoy true Happiness,
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Ask Greatness Home Men