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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,

Bernard de Mandeville

It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature,
BERNARD DE MANDEVILLE

Crossing Man Men Nature Political Pride Skillful Superstition Upon
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
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
People 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 MANDEVILLE

Consequences Opportunity People Poorer Sort Substance
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
I 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 MANDEVILLE

Away Believe Maturity Passion Senses
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
The 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 MANDEVILLE

Addicted Indefinite More Smoking Tobacco
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
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
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
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
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
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