We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEWe seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEThe more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEKnowledge 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 MANDEVILLEThe 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 MANDEVILLEOne 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,
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEThere is no intrinsic worth in money but what is alterable with the times, and whether a guinea goes for twenty pounds or for a shilling, it is the labor of the poor and not the high and low value that is set on gold or silver, which all the comforts of life must arise from.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEFor 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 MANDEVILLEI 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 MANDEVILLEPride and vanity have built more hospitals than all the virtues together.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLENo habit or quality is more easily acquired than hypocrisy, nor any thing sooner learned than to deny the sentiments of our hearts and the principle we act from: but the seeds of every passion are innate to us, and nobody comes into the world without them.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEIf 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 MANDEVILLEI don’t believe that there is a human creature in his senses, arrived to maturity, that at some time or other has not been carried away by this passion (sc. envy) in good earnest; yet I never met with any one who dared own he was guilty of it but in jest.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEMiss 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 MANDEVILLEThe taking of Snuff and smoking of Tobacco; both which it is certain do infinitely more hurt than good to those that are addicted to them!
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEPeople of substance may sin without being exposed for their stolen pleasure; but servants and the poorer sort of women have seldom an opportunity of concealing a big belly, or at least the consequences of it.
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLEThey 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