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} + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76773 ***</div> + +<div class='tnotes covernote'> + +<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p class='c000'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='titlepage'> + +<div> + <h1 class='c001'><span class='small'>OF THE</span><br> IMPORTANCE<br> <span class='small'>OF</span><br> <span class='xlarge'>RELIGIOUS OPINIONS.</span></h1> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div>TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH</div> + <div class='c002'><span class='small'>OF</span></div> + <div class='c002'><span class='sc'>Mr.</span> <em class='gesperrt'>NECKER</em>.</div> + <div class='c003'>LONDON:</div> + <div class='c002'><span class='small'>PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, N<sup>o</sup> 72, ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD.</span></div> + <div class='c002'><span class='small'>M.DCC.LXXXVIII.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c004'>ADVERTISEMENT.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='c005'><em>In rendering this Work into English some +Liberties have been taken by the Translator, +which seemed necessary to preserve the Spirit +of the Original.</em></p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c004'>CONTENTS.</h2> +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. I.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>On the Connection of Religious Principles with public Order</em></td> + <td class='c008'>Page <a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. II.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The same Subject continued. A Parallel and of Laws and Opinions</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_48'>48</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. III.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>An Objection drawn from our natural Dispositions to Goodness</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_98'>98</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. IV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>An Objection drawn from the good Conduct of many irreligious Men</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. V.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The Influence of Religious Principles on our Happiness</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. VI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The same Subject continued. The Influence of Virtue on Happiness</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. VII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>On Religious Opinions, in their Relation with Sovereigns</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_169'>169</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. VIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>An Objection drawn from the Wars and from the Commotions which Religion has given Rise to</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_189'>189</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. IX.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>Another Objection examined. The Sabbath</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_196'>196</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. X.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>An Observation on a particular Circumstance of public Worship</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_206'>206</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>That the single Idea of a God is a sufficient Support of Morality</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_210'>210</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>That there is a God</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_278'>278</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The same Subject continued</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_296'>296</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XIV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The same Subject continued</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_316'>316</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XV.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>On the Respect that is due from true Philosophy to Religion</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_382'>382</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVI.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>The same Subject continued. Reflections on Intolerance</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_399'>399</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>Reflections on the Morality of the Christian Religion</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_417'>417</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'> </td> + <td class='c008'> </td> + </tr> + <tr><td class='c006' colspan='2'>CHAP. XVIII.</td></tr> + <tr> + <td class='c007'><em>Conclusion</em></td> + <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_446'>446</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_i'>i</span> + <h2 class='c004'>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>My thoughts having been detached +from the study and disquisition of +those truths which have the political good +of the state for their object; and being no +longer obliged to fix any attention on those +particular arrangements of the public interest, +which are necessarily connected with +the operations of government; I found +myself abandoned, as it were, by all the +important concerns of life. Restless and +wandering in this kind of void, my soul, +still active, felt the want of employment. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_ii'>ii</span>I sometimes formed the design of tracing +my ideas of men and characters; I imagined +that long experience in the midst of +those active scenes which discover the passions, +had taught me to know them well; +but elevating my views, my heart was filled +with a different ambition, and a desire to +reconcile the sublimest thoughts with those +meditations from which I was constrained +to withdraw myself. Guided by this sentiment, +I remarked, with satisfaction, that +there existed a natural connection between +the different truths which contribute to the +happiness of mankind. Our prejudices and +our passions frequently attempt to disunite +them; but to the eye of an attentive observer, +they have all one common origin. +From a similar affinity, the general views +of administration, the spirit of laws, morality, +and religious opinions, are closely +connected; and it is by carefully preserving +an alliance so beautiful, that we raise a +rampart round those works, which are +destined for the prosperity of states and the +tranquillity of nations.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span>One could not have taken an active part +in the administration of public affairs; or +made it the object of stedfast attention; +one could not have compared the several +relations of this great whole, with the natural +dispositions of minds and characters; +nor indeed observed men in a perpetual state +of rivalry and competition, without perceiving, +how much the wisest governments +need support from the influence of that invisible +spring which acts in secret on the +consciences of individuals. Thus whilst I +am endeavouring to form some reflections +on the importance of religious opinions, I +am not so far removed from my former habit +of thinking as may, at the first glance, +be imagined; and as in writing on the management +of finances, I omitted no argument +to prove that there is an intimate connexion +between the efficacy of governments, +and the wisdom with which they are conducted; +between the virtue of princes, and +the confidence of their subjects, I think I +am still proceeding in the same train of sentiment +and reflection, when struck with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>that spirit of indifference which is so general, +I endeavour to refer the duties of men +to those principles which afford them the +most natural support.</p> + +<p class='c010'>After having studied the interests of a +great nation, and run over the circle of our +political societies, we approach nearer perhaps +to those sublime ideas which bind +the general structure of mankind to that +infinite and Almighty Being, who is the +first grand cause of all, and universal mover +of the universe. In the rapid course of an +active administration, indeed one cannot +indulge similar reflections; but they are +forming and preparing themselves in the +midst of the tumult of business, and the +tranquillity of retirement enables us to +strengthen and extend them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The calm which succeeds hurry and +confusion, seems the reason most favourable +to meditation; and if any remembrance, or +retrospective views of what is past should +inspire you with a kind of melancholy, you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span>will be involuntarily led back to contemplations +which border on those ideas with +which you have been long conversant. It +is thus the mariner, after having renounced +the dangers of the sea, sometimes seats +himself on the beach, and there, a more +tranquil observer, considers attentively the +boundless ocean, the regular succession of +the waves, the impression of the winds, +the flux and reflux of the tide, and that +magnificent firmament, where, during the +night, among lights innumerable, he distinguishes +the lucid point, which serves as a +guide to the navigators.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is in vain, in those high stations under +government, to interest yourself about the +happiness of mankind in general; it is in +vain, that, penetrated with a just respect for +the important duties of office, a public +character shall dare to take in hand the +cause of the people, and incessantly apply +himself to the defence of the weak, in opposition +to the attacks of the powerful; he +soon perceives how bounded are his abilities, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>and how limited are those, even of +sovereignty itself. Pity for the distresses of +the individual is checked by the law of +civil rights; benevolence by justice; and +liberty by its own abuses: you perpetually +behold merit struggling with patronage, +honour with fortune, and patriotism with +the interest of the individual. There is no +such thing as real disinterestedness in the +passions, only by fits and starts; unless +great circumstances, or vigorous virtue in +an administration, forcibly renewed the +idea of public good, a general langour +would take place in every mind, and society +itself would appear one confused mass of +opposite interests, which the supreme authority +keeps within bounds for the maintenance +of peace, without any inquietude +about real harmony, or any revolution favourable +to the manners or happiness of +the public.</p> + +<p class='c010'>From the midst of these clashings and +contradictions, continually recurring, a minister, +possessed of a reflecting mind, is incessantly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>called back to the idea of imperfection; +he will, undoubtedly, be sorry, +when he sees the great disproportion which +exists between his duty and his powers; and +he will sometimes grieve and be discouraged, +at perceiving the obstacles he must surmount, +and the difficulties he must overcome: he +raises, with labour and care, banks on the +strand, the waters swell, their course becomes +more rapid, and the first precautions +rendered insufficient, oblige him to have recourse +to new works, which, thrown down +in their turn, hurry on a continued succession +of fruitless toil and useless attempts. +What then would be the consequence, if +once the salutary chain of religious sentiments +were broken? What would be the +event, if the action of that powerful spring +were ever entirely destroyed? You would +soon see every part of the social structure +tremble from its foundation, and the hand of +government unable to sustain the vast and +tottering edifice.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>The sovereign, and the laws which are +the interpreters of his wisdom, should have +two grand objects, the maintenance of public +order, and the increase of private happiness. +But to accomplish both, the aid of religion +is absolutely necessary. The sovereign cannot +influence the happiness of individuals, +but by a general solicitude; because the sentiments +which spring from the different +characters of men, or merely from the circumstances +of their respective situations, +are independent of him. Neither can he +ensure the preservation of public order, but +by rules and institutions, which are only applicable +to actions, and to those actions positively +proved. It is necessary also that +the laws should extend their influence to +society in a uniform manner; they should +always have a tendency to diminish the +number of distinctions, shades, and modifications, +that are to be found in the actions +of men; in short, to prevent those abuses +inseparably attendant on arbitrary decisions.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>Such are the bounds of sovereign authority, +and such the necessary developement of +its means and powers. Religion, to attain +the same ends, employs other motives essentially +different: first, it is not in a vague +and general manner, that she influences the +happiness of mankind; it is by addressing +all men individually; by penetrating the +heart of every human being, and pouring +into it consolation and hope; by presenting +to the imagination every thing that can insensibly +lead it captive; by taking possession +of men’s sentiments; by occupying their +thoughts; and by availing herself of this +dominion over them, to sustain their courage, +and to afford them comfort under their afflictions +and disappointments. In this manner +religion concurs to maintain good order, +by means absolutely distinct from those of +government; for she not only governs our +actions, but even our sentiments: it is with +the errors and inclinations of each man in +particular, that she seeks to combat. Religion, +in demonstrating the presence of the +Deity, on all occasions, however secret, exercises +<span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>an habitual authority over the consciences +of men; she seems to assist them +under the perturbations of fear, and yet attends +them in their flight; she equally notices +their intentions, projects, and repentance; +and in the method which she takes, +seems as undulating and flexible in all her +motions, as the empire of the law appears +immoveable and constrained.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I should not, at present, extend these reflections +any further; but, if religion, in +some measure, completes the imperfect work +of legislation; if it ought to supply the insufficiency +of those means which government +is under the necessity of adopting, +the subject I propose to treat of seems not +foreign to those objects of meditation, which +the study of administration ought to comprehend.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I well know, that it is impossible to explain +the importance of religion, without, +at the same time, fixing the attention on +the grand truths on which it depends; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>you must also frequently touch on many +subjects that are closely connected with the +deepest metaphysics. We are, at least, +obliged to seek for a defence against those arguments +which sap the foundation of the most +necessary opinions; by which the most impassioned +sentiments have been discouraged; +by which some would reduce man to a vegetable, +make the universe the result of +chance, and morality a state trick.</p> + +<p class='c010'>As soon as I discovered how far my subject +was likely to lead me, I felt myself intimidated; +but I could not allow this to be +a sufficient reason for relinquishing my undertaking; +and since the greater part of the +philosophers of the present age are united +in opposition to those opinions, which the +light of nature seems to have rendered sacred, +it is become indispensably necessary, +to admit to the combat all that offer; nay, +even to select a champion from the main +body of the army, when all the strong ones +are already gone over to the camp of the +enemy.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span>There is nothing which seems to engross +the attention of mankind more than metaphysical +enquiries, for it is by thinking +alone they can be fathomed; the light +gained by acquired knowledge is, in some +measure, lost in those obscure depths which +it is necessary to sound, and that immense +space which it is necessary to traverse. +Thus, it were better, perhaps, that each +should enter by chance into these labyrinths, +where the paths, already traced, lead to no +one determined point. I have, besides, +often observed, that, even for those researches, +where the helps of science are most +useful, we ought to set a certain value on +the particular excursion of each genius, +which seeks out for itself a way, and which, +indebted to nature alone for its peculiar formation, +preserves in its progress a character +of its own; it is then, and then only, that +we are not invested with the distinguishing +marks of slavishness of thinking; but when, +by devoting ourselves to reflection, we coincide +with the opinions of others, this conformity +has nothing of servility in it, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>the marks of imitation are not even recognized.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In vain would man resist the impression +of truth; in vain would he defend himself +by a ridiculous indifference for ancient opinions; +there never could be an idea more +worthy to occupy our meditations, there +never could be an idea, on which we might +be more fully permitted to expatiate, according +to our knowledge and penetration, +than that sublime one of a Supreme Being, +and the relation we bear to him: an idea, +which though far removed from us by its +immensity, every moment strikes the soul +with admiration, and inspires the heart +with hope.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It appears to me, that there are interests +which may be considered as patriotic by intelligent +and feeling beings; and while the +inhabitants of the same country, and the +subjects of the same prince, employ themselves +diligently in one common plan of +defence, the citizens of the world ought to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>be incessantly anxious to give every new +and possible support to those exalted opinions +on which the true greatness of their +existence is founded, which preserves the +imagination from that frightful spectacle +of an existence without origin, of action +without liberty, and futurity without +hope. Thus after having, as I think, +proved myself a citizen of France, by my +administration, as well as my writings, I +wish to unite myself to a fraternity still +more extended—that of the whole human +race: it is thus, without dispersing our +sentiments, we may be able nevertheless to +communicate ourselves a great way off, and +enlarge in some measure the limits of our +circle: glory be to our thinking faculties +for it! To that spiritual portion of ourselves +which can take in the past, dart into futurity, +and intimately associate itself with the +destiny of men of all countries, and of all +ages. Without doubt, a veil is thrown +over the greater part of those truths, to +which our curiosity would willingly attain; +but those which a beneficent God has +permitted us to see, are amply sufficient for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>our guide and instruction; and we cannot, +for a continuance divert our attention without +a species of slothful negligence, and a +total indifference to the superior interests of +man. How little is every thing indeed, +when put in competition with those meditations, +which give to our existence a new +extent, and which, in detaching us from +the dust of the earth, seem to unite our +souls to an infinity of space, and our duration +of a day to the eternity of time! +Above all, it is for you to determine, who +have sensibility—who feel the want of a +Supreme Being, and who seek to find in +him that support so necessary to your weakness, +that defender and that assurance, without +which painful inquietude will be perpetually +tormenting you, and troubling +those soft, tender affections which constitute +your happiness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, I must say, there never perhaps +was a period, when it was more essentially +necessary to recal to the minds of +men, the importance of religious sentiments; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvi'>xvi</span>at present they are but prejudices, +if we may credit the spirit of licentiousness +and levity; the laws dictated by fashion; +and more particularly essential since we have +had philosophical instructions, which excite +the various deviations of vanity, and rally +the wanderings of the imagination.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is not any form of religion, undoubtedly, +to which ideas more or less +mystical have not been annexed; and of +which the evidence has not been in +proportion to the dictatorial language, and +authoritative tone, which has been made +use of in teaching and defending it; as +such, one might at any given period have +been tempted to dispute about particular +parts of worship, which different nations +have adopted; but it is principally in the +present age, that a certain class of men has +sprung up, distinguished for their wit and +talents; and who, intoxicated by the facility +with which they have gained a victory, +have extended their ambition, and had the +daring courage to attack the reserved body +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span>of that army of which the front ranks had +already given way.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This struggle between persons, one of +whom would imperiously rule by faith +alone, whilst the other thinks he has a right +to reject with disdain every thing that has +not been demonstrated, will always be a +fruitless combat; and only serve to nourish +blind aversion and unjust contempt. Some +seek to wound their adversaries, others to +humble them; in the mean time the good +of mankind, and the true benefit of society, +are absolutely lost sight of; yes, the real +love of useful truths, the impartial search +after them, and the desire of pointing them +out, these sentiments, so amiable and so truly +laudable, seem to be entirely unknown. I +see, permit me to say it, I see at the two extremities +of the arena, the savage inquisitor, +and the inconsiderate philosopher; but neither +the faggots lighted by the one, nor +the derisions of the other, will ever diffuse +any salutary instruction; and in the eyes of +a rational man, the intolerance of monks +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span>adds no more to the dominion of true religious +sentiments, than the jests of a few +licentious wits have effected a triumph in +favour of philosophy.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is between these opposite opinions, and +in the midst of wanderings equally dangerous, +that we must attempt to mark out our +way; but as all the opinions of men are +subject to change; at present, when their +minds are more averse to the maxims of +intolerance, it is religion itself that principally +needs support; and such is the daily +diminution of it, that means supplying the +deficiency seem to be already publicly preparing. +For some time past we have heard +of nothing but the necessity of composing +a moral catechism, in which religious principles +should not be introduced, as resources +that are now out of date, and when +it is time they were discarded. Without +doubt these principles might be more effectually +attacked, could they ever be represented +as totally useless for the maintenance +of public order; and if the cold +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xix'>xix</span>lessons of a political philosophy could be +substituted for those sublime ideas, which, +by the spiritual tie of religion, binds the +heart and mind to the purest morality. Let +us now examine if we should gain any +thing by the exchange; let us see, if the +means they propose to employ can be put +in competition with those which ought to +be made use of; and, if they are more solid, +and more efficacious; let us see, if this +new doctrine, which is recommended, will +produce in the soul the same degree of consolation; +if it is calculated for those hearts +which are possessed of sensibility; and, +above all, let us attentively consider, if it +can be suitable to the measure of intelligence, +and the social situation of the greater +part of mankind. In short, in considering +the various questions, which in any manner, +relate to the important subject we have +undertaken to treat, let us not be afraid to +resist, as well as we can, the foolish ambition +of those, who, availing themselves of +the superiority of their understanding, wish +to deprive man of his dignity, to place him +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xx'>xx</span>on a level with the dust under his feet, and +make his foresight a punishment:—melancholy +and deplorable destiny! from which, +however, we are permitted to seek to defend +ourselves; cruel and disastrous opinion! +which tears up by the roots every +thing which surrounds it, which relaxes the +most necessary bands, and, in an instant, +destroys the most delightful charm of life.</p> + +<p class='c010'>O thou God unknown!——but whose +beneficent idea has ever filled my soul, +if thou ever throwest a look on those efforts +which man makes to approach thee, +sustain my resolution, enlighten my understanding, +raise my thoughts, and reject not +the desire I have to unite still more, if +possible, the order and happiness of society, +with the intimate and perfect conception of +thy divinity, and the lively idea of thy sublime +existence.</p> + +<div class='chapter ph1'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div><span class='small'>OF THE</span></div> + <div class='c002'>IMPORTANCE</div> + <div class='c002'><span class='small'>OF</span></div> + <div class='c002'><span class='xlarge'>RELIGIOUS OPINIONS.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. I.<br> <em>On the Connection of Religious Principles with public Order.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>We know not distinctly the origin of +most political societies; but as soon +as history exhibits men united in a national +body, we perceive, at the same time, the +establishment of public worship, and the +application of religious sentiments, to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>maintenance of good order and subordination. +Religious sentiments, by the sanction +of an oath, bind the people to the magistrates, +and the magistrates to their engagements; +they inspire a reverential respect for the +obligations contracted between sovereigns; +and these sentiments, still more authoritative +than discipline, attach the soldier to +his commander; in short, religious opinions, +by their influence on the manners +of individuals, have produced an infinite +number of illustrious actions and +instances of heroical disinterestedness, of +which history has transmitted us the remembrance. +But as we have seen a philosophy +spring up among nations the most +enlightened, anxiously employed in depriving +religion of all that merited respect, dissertations +on times far removed from us, +and the various systems that they would +endeavour violently to associate with religion, +would become an endless source of +controversy. It is then, by reasoning alone, +by that exercise of the mind, which belongs +<span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>equally to all countries and all ages, +that we can support the cause which we +have taken in hand to defend. There is, +perhaps, something weak and servile in our +wishing to draw assistance from ancient +opinions; reason ought not, like vanity, to +adorn herself with old parchments, and the +display of a genealogical tree; more dignified +in her proceeding, and proud of her +immortal nature, she ought to derive every +thing from herself; she should disregard +past times, and be, if I may use the phrase, +the contemporary of all ages.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It was reserved, particularly for some writers +of our age, to attack even the utility of +religion; and to seek to substitute, instead +of its active influence, the inanimate instruction +of a political philosophy. Religion, say +they, is a scaffold fallen into ruins, and it is +high time to give to morality a more solid support. +But what support will that be? we +must, in order to discover, and form a +just idea of it; distinctly consider the different +motives of action on which depend +<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>the relations that subsist between men; and +it will be necessary to estimate, afterwards, +the kind and degree of assistance which we +may reasonably expect from a like support.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It appears to me, that in renouncing the +efficacious aid of religion, we may easily +form an idea of the means that they will +endeavour to make use of to attach men to +the observance of the rules of morality, +and to restrain the dangerous excesses of +their passions. They would, undoubtedly, +place a proper value on the connection +which subsists between private and general +interest; they would avail themselves of the +authority of laws, and the fear of punishment; +and they would confide still more in +the ascendency of public opinion, and the +ambition, that every one ought to have, of +gaining the esteem and confidence of his +fellow-creatures.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us examine separately these different +motives; and first, attentively considering +the union of private with public interest, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>let us see if this union is real, and if we +can deduce from such a principle any moral +instruction truly efficacious.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Society is very far from being a perfect +work; we ought not to consider as an harmonious +composition the different relations +of which we are witnesses, and particularly +the habitual contrast of power and weakness, +of slavery and authority, riches and +poverty, of luxury and misery; so much +inequality; such a motly piece could not +form an edifice respectable for the justness +of its proportions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Civil and political order is not then excellent +by its nature, and we cannot perceive +its agreement, till we have deeply +studied, and formed to ourselves those reflections +which legislators had to make, and +the difficulties that they had to surmount. +It is then only, with the assistance of the +most attentive meditation, that we discover +how those particular relations, which are +established by social laws, form, nevertheless, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>that system of equilibrium, which is +most proper to bind together an immense +diversity of interests; but a great obstacle +to the influence of political morality is, the +necessity of giving, for the basis of the +love of order, an abstract and complicated +idea. What effect on vulgar minds would +the scientific harmony of the whole have, +opposed daily to the sentiment of injustice +and inequality, which arises from the aspect +of every part of the social constitution, +when we acquire the knowledge of it, in +a manner solitary and circumscribed; and +how limited is the number of those, who +can continually draw together all the scattered +links of this vast chain!</p> + +<p class='c010'>It could not be avoided, in the best regulated +societies, that some should enjoy, without +labour or difficulty, all the conveniencies of +life; and that others, and far the greater +number, should be obliged to earn, by the +sweat of their brow, a subsistence the most +scanty, and a recompense the most confined. +It is not to be prevented, that some will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>find, when oppressed by sickness, all the +assistance which officious tenderness and +skill can afford; whilst others are reduced +to partake, in public hospitals, the bare relief +that humanity has provided for the indigent. +We cannot prevent some from being +in a situation to lavish on their families +all the advantages of a complete education; +whilst others, impatient to free themselves +from a charge so heavy, are constrained to +watch eagerly for the first appearance of natural +strength, to make their children apply +to some profitable labour. In short, we +cannot avoid perpetually contrasting the +splendour of magnificence with the tatters +which misery displays. Such are the effects, +inseparable from the laws, respecting property. +These are truths, the principles of +which I have had occasion to discuss in the +work which I composed on administration +and political œconomy; but I ought to repeat +them here, since they are found closely +connected with other general views. The +eminent power of property is one of the +social institutions, the influence of which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>has the greatest extent; this consideration +was applicable to the commerce of grain; +it ought to be present to the mind, in disquisitions +on the duties of administration; +and it is still more important, when the +question is to be examined, what kind of +moral instruction may be proper for mankind?</p> + +<p class='c010'>In effect, if it appertains to the essence +of the laws of right, constantly to introduce +and maintain an immense disparity in the +distribution of property; were it an essential +part of these laws, to reduce the most numerous +class of citizens, to that which is +simply the most necessary; the inevitable +result of such a constitution would be, to +nourish, amongst men, a sentiment of habitual +envy and jealousy. Vainly would you +demonstrate, that these laws are the only +ones capable of exciting labour, animating +industry, preventing disorder, and opposing +obstacles to arbitrary acts of authority; all +these considerations sufficient, we grant, to +fix the opinion and the will of the legislator, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>would not strike in the same manner +the man thrown on the earth, without property, +without resources, and without +hopes; and he will never render free homage +to the beauty of the whole, when there is +nothing for him but deformity, abjectness, +and contempt.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men, in most of their political reasonings, +are deceived by resemblances and analogies: +the interest of society is certainly +composed of the interests of all its members; +but it does not follow from this explication, +that there is an immediate and +constant correspondence between the general +and private interest; such an approximation, +could only be applicable to an +imaginary social state; and which we +might represent as divided into many parts, +of which the rich would be the head, +and the poor the feet and hands: but +political society is not one and the same +body, except under certain relations, whilst, +relatively to other interests, it partakes in +as many ramifications of them as there are +individuals.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>Those considerations, to which we annex +an idea of general interest, would be very +often susceptible of numberless observations; +but the principles, we are accustomed to +receive and transmit, in their most common +acceptation; and we discover not the mixt +ideas which compose them, but at the moment +when we analyze the principles, in +order to draw consequences from them, in +like manner as we perceive not the variety +of colours in a ray of light, till the moment +we divide them by means of a prism.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The formation of social laws, with reason, +ought to appear one of our most admirable +conceptions; but this system is not +so united in all its parts, that a striking disorder +would always be the necessary effect +of some irregular movement: thus the man, +who violates the laws, does not quickly +discover the relation of his actions with the +interest of society; but at the instant enjoys, +or thinks to joy, the fruit of his usurpations.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>Should a theatre be on fire, it is certainly +the interest of the assembly that every one +go out with order; but if the people, most +distant from the entrance, believed they +should be able to escape sooner from the +danger, by forcing their way through the +crowd which surrounds them, they would +assuredly determine on this violence, unless +a coercive power prevented them; yet the +common utility of restricting ourselves to +order in such circumstances, would appear +an idea more simple, and more distinct, than +is the universal importance of maintaining +civil order in society.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The only natural defence of this order, +is government; its function obliges it ever +to consider the whole; but the need which +it has of power to carry its decrees into +execution, proves evidently, that it is the +adversary of many, even when acting in the +name of all.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We are then under a great illusion, if we +hope to be able to found morality on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>connection of private interest with that of +the public; and if we imagine, that the +empire of social laws can be separated from +the support of religion. The authority of +these laws has nothing decisive for those +who have not assisted to establish them; and +were we to give to the hereditary distinctions +of property an origin the most remote, it is +no less true, on this account that the poor +succeeding inhabitants of the earth, struck +with the unequal division of its rich domains, +and not perceiving the limits and +lines of separation traced by nature, would +have some right to say; these compacts, these +partitions, this diversity of lots, which procures +to some abundance and repose; to +others, poverty and labour; all this legislation, +in short, is only advantageous to a +small number of privileged men; and we +will not subscribe to it, unless compelled +by the fear of personal danger. What are +then, they would add, these ideas of right +and wrong, with which we are entertained? +What are these dissertations on the necessity +of adopting some order in society, and of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>observing rules? Our mind bends not to +those principles, which, general in theory, +become particular in practice. We find +some satisfaction and compensation, when +the idea of virtue, of submission, and of sacrifice, +are united to religious sentiments; +when we believe we shall render an account +of our actions to a Supreme Being, whose +laws and will we adore, and from whom +we have received every thing, and whose +approbation presents itself to our eyes, as a +motive of emulation, and an object of recompense: +but if the contracted bounds of +life limit the narrow circle in which all our +interest ought to confine itself, where all +our speculations and our hopes terminate, +what respect owe we then to those whom +nature has formed our equals? To those +men sprung from lifeless clay, to return to +it again with us, and to be lost for ever in +the same dust? They have only invented +these laws of justice, to be more tranquil +usurpers. Let them descend from their +exalted rank, that they may be put on our +level, or, at least, present us with a partition +<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>less unequal, and we shall then be able +to conceive, that the observance of the laws +of right is of importance to us; till then, +we shall have just motives for being the +enemies of civil order, which we find so +disadvantageous; and we do not comprehend +how, in the midst of so many gratifications +which excite our envy, it is, in +the name of our own interest, that we ought +to renounce them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Such is the secret language which men, +overwhelmed with the distress of their +situation, would not fail to use; or those +who, merely in a state of habitual inferiority, +found themselves continually hurt by the +splendid sight of luxury and magnificence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It would not be an easy task to combat +these sentiments, by endeavouring to paint +forcibly the vanity of pleasure in general, and +the illusion of most of those objects which +captivate our ambition, and the apathy +which follows in their train. These reflections, +without doubt, have their weight +<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>and efficacy; but if we attentively consider +the subject, every thing that deserves the +name of consolation in this world, cannot +be addressed with any advantage; but to +minds prepared for mild sentiments, by an +idea of religion and of piety, more or less +distinct; we cannot, in the same manner, +relieve the barren and ferocious despondency +of an unhappy and envious man, who has +thrown far behind him all hope. Concentred +in the bare interests of a life, which is +for him eternity, and the universe itself; +it is the passion of the moment which enslaves +him, and nothing can disengage him +from it; he has not the means to catch +any vague idea, nor of being content; and +as even reason has need, every instant, of +the aid of the imagination, he cannot be +encouraged, either by the discourse of his +friends, or his own reflections.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Besides, if we can maintain, in general, +that the allotments of happiness and misery +are more equal than we imagine; if we +can reasonably advance, that labour is preferable +<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>to idleness; if we can say, with +truth, that embarrassments and inquietudes +often accompany wealth, and that +contentment of mind appears to be the +portion of the middle state of life; we +ought to acknowledge, at the same time, +that these axioms are only perfectly just in +the eyes of the moralist, who considers +man in a comprehensive point of view, and +who makes his calculation upon a whole +life: but, in the recurrence of our daily desires +and hopes, it is impossible to excite to +labour by the expectation of fortune, and +detract, at the same time, this fortune, in +decrying the pleasures and conveniences that +it procures. These subtle ideas, without +excepting those which may be defended, +can never be applicable to real circumstances; +and if we sometimes use with success +such kind of reflections to alleviate unavailing +sorrow and regret, it is when we +have only shadows to cope with.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, when we have reduced to precept, +all the well known reflections, on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>apparent, but delusive advantages of rank +and fortune, we cannot prevent uncultivated +minds from being continually +struck with the extreme inequality of +the different contracts which the rich +make with the poor; it might be said, +in those moments, that one portion of +mankind was formed only for the convenience +of another; the poor man sacrifices +his time and his strength to multiply +round the rich gratifications of every +kind; and he, when he gives in exchange +the most scanty subsistence, does not deprive +himself of any thing; since the extent +of his physical wants is bounded by +the laws of nature: equality then is only +re-established by the lassitude and apathy +which the enjoyment even of pleasure produces. +But these disgusts compose the back +ground in the picture of life; the people +perceive them not; and as they have only +been acquainted with want, they cannot +form any idea of the langour attendant on +satiety.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>Will any one imprudently say, that if +the distinctions of property are an obstacle +to the establishment of a political system of +morality, we ought, therefore, to labour +to destroy them? But if in past ages, when +the different degrees of talents and knowledge +were not so unequal, men were +not able to preserve a community of possessions, +can you imagine, that these primitive +relations could be re-established at +a time when the superiority of rank and +power is enforced by the immoveable +strength of disciplined armies?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Besides, when even in the composition of +an ideal world, we should have introduced +the most exact division of the various possessions +esteemed by men, it would still be +necessary, to preserve a system of real equality, +that every one should execute faithfully +the duties imposed on him by universal +morality; since this is incumbent +on every individual, for the sacrifice that +all the members of society have made; +which society ought to recompense every +<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>citizen in particular, for the restriction to +which he submits himself.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is essential to observe still further, that +it is not only personal interest, when clearly +understood, which ought to be annexed +to the idea of public order; it is the +same interest when led astray by the passions, +then a mere guide is no longer sufficient; +a yoke must be imposed; a check +always acting, which must be used absolutely. +Nothing can be more chimerical +than to pretend to restrain a man, hurried +on by an impetuous imagination, by endeavouring +to recal to his remembrance some +principles and instructions, which, in the +terms of an academic thesis<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c012'><sup>[1]</sup></a>, ought to be +the <em>result of analysis, of methodizing, of the +art of dividing, of developing, and circumscribing +ideas</em>.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>It would be, at present, a hardy enterprize, +to attempt to conduct men by reason +alone, since the first thing that reason discovers +is its own weakness; but when we +want to rest on maxims which admit of +controversy; when we wish to oppose to +the strong motive of personal interest, a +moral consideration which cannot act but +with the concurrence of profound reflection; +we recollect the doctrine of the first +œconomists, who, in establishing the extravagant +principles respecting an exclusive +right of exporting or monopolizing grain, +put off the care of preventing popular +commotions till they should happen.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It appears to me, that false reasoning, +on the union of private with public interest, +arises from applying to the present +state of society, the principles which have +served as the base for their formation; this +very natural confusion is one grand source +of error. Let us try to render clear a proposition, +which, at first, appears difficult +to comprehend; and in this light we will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>suppose, for a moment the future generation +assembled in idea, in an imaginary +world, and ignorant before they inhabit the +earth, who those individuals are that shall +be born of parents loaded with the gifts of +fortune, and those who are beset with misery +from their cradle. They are instructed +in the principles of civil rights, +and the convenience of the laws of order, +has been represented to them, and a sketch +is drawn of the disorder, which would be +the inevitable consequence of a continual +variation in the division of property; then +all those who are to compose the new +generation, equally uncertain of the lot that +the chance of birth reserves for them, subscribe +unanimously to those events which +await them; and at the very moment in +which the relations of society exist only in +speculation, it might be truly said, that the +personal interest is lost in the public; but +this identity ceases, when each, arrived on +the earth, has taken possession of his lot; +it is then no longer possible, that the various +personal interests should concur to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>maintenance of these prodigious gradations +of rank and fortune, which are derived +from the chance of birth; and those to +whom cares and wants have fallen, will +not be resigned to the inferiority of their +condition, but by a grand religious principle +alone, which can make them perceive +an eternal justice, and place them in +imagination before time, and before the +laws.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is nothing so easy, as the establishment +of conventions, and making +rules to be observed, till the moment of +the drawing of a lottery; every one then, +at the same point of view, finds all good, +all just, and well contrived, and peace +reigns by common agreement; but as soon +as the blanks and prizes are known, the +mind changes, the temper grows sour; and +without the check of authority, it would +become unmanageable, envious, quarrelsome, +and sometimes unjust and violent.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>We see, however, the consequence to be +drawn from the preceding reflections; that +political societies in contemplation, and in +reality, present to our observation two different +periods; and as these periods are not +separated by any apparent limits, they are +almost always confounded in the mind of +the political moralist. He who believes in +the union of private interest with that of +the public, and who celebrates this harmony, +has only considered society in its general +and primitive plan; he who thinks, +on the contrary, that the whole is wrong +and discordant, because there is a great difference +of power and fortune, has considered +it only under its actual vicissitudes. Both +these mistakes have received a sanction from +celebrated writers. The man hurried away +by a lively imagination, and strongly impressed +by present objects, has been struck +by the inequality of conditions; and the +philosopher, who, transported by his abstractions +beyond the circle of human society, +has only perceived those relations and +principles which led men to form the first +<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>institution of civil laws. Thus, every where +we see, that most disputes relate to mere +difference of positions, and to the various +points of view in which the same subject is +considered; there are so many stations in +the moral world, that, according to that +which we choose, the picture changes entirely.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Hitherto we have endeavoured to understand +the effect which we might expect +from a system of morality, by applying this +kind of instruction only to private interest, +when most clearly ascertained. It remains +now to show, that every species of education, +which demands time and reflection, +cannot belong, in any manner, to the class +of men most numerous; and to be sensible +of this truth, it is sufficient to turn our attention +on the social state of those who are +destitute of property, and talents which +might supply its place; obliged to have recourse +to hard labour, where nothing is required +but to employ their bodily strength, +their concurrence, and the power of riches +<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>reduce the wages of this numerous class +to what is absolutely necessary; they cannot +without difficulty support their children, +and they may well be impatient of +qualifying them for useful occupations to +relieve themselves; and this prevents their +being sent to public schools, except during +their infancy: thus, ignorance and poverty +are in the midst of our societies, and the hereditary +lot of the greater part of the citizens; +there is only to be found an alleviation +of this general law, in those countries +where the constitution of the government +encourages the high price of labour, and +gives the poor some means of resisting the +despotism of fortune. However, if such is +the inevitable effect of our civil and political +legislation, how shall we be able to bind +men without distinction, to the maintenance +of public order, by any instruction, I do not +say complicated, but to which the exercise +of long reasoning forms only a necessary introduction? +It would not be sufficient to +endow institutions; it would be still more +necessary to pay the scholars for their time; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>since, for the lower class, time is, even very +early in life, their only means of subsistence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Nevertheless, morality is not, like other +human sciences, a knowledge, that we may +be at liberty to acquire at our leisure; the +quickest instruction is still too slow, since +man has a natural power of doing evil before +his mind is in a state to apply to reflection, +and connect the most simple ideas.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not then a political catechism +which would be proper for the instruction +of the people; it is not a course of precepts +founded on the union of public and +private interest, which can suit with the +measure of their understanding; when a +doctrine of that kind would appear as just +as it seems to me liable to be disputed, they +will never be able to render the principles +of it distinct enough, to apply them to the +purposes of instructing those whose education +continues for so short a time. Morality, +founded on religion, by its active influence, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>is precisely adapted to the particular +situation of the greater number of men; +and this agreement is so perfect, that it seems +one of the remarkable features of universal +harmony. Religion alone has power to +persuade with celerity, because it excites +passion, whilst it informs the understanding, +because it alone has the means of +rendering obvious what it recommends; +because it speaks in the name of God, and +it is easy to inspire respect for him, whose +power is every where evident to the eyes of +the simple and skilful, to the eyes of children, +and men advanced to maturity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In order to attack this truth, let it not +be said, that the idea of a God is of all +others the most incomprehensible; and if +it is possible to derive useful instruction +from so metaphysical a principle, we ought +to expect more good from precepts which +depend on the common relations of life. +Such an objection is a mere subtilty; the +distinct knowledge of the essence of a God, +the creator of the world, is, undoubtedly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>above the comprehension of men of every +age, and all faculties; but it is not the +same with the vague idea of a heavenly +power, who punishes and who rewards; +parental authority, and the helplessness of +infancy, prepare us early for ideas of obedience +and command; and the world is +such a stupendous wonder, a theatre of +such continual prodigies, that it is easy to +annex, at an early period, hope and fear to +the idea of a Supreme Being. Thus, the +infinity of a God, creator and director of +the universe, is so far from having power to +divert our respect and adoration, that even +the clouds with which he invelopes himself, +lend a new force to religious sentiments. +A man often remains uninterested amidst: +the discoveries of his reason; but it is always +easy to move him, whenever we address ourselves +to his imagination; for this faculty +of our mind excites us continually to action, +by presenting to our eyes a great space, and +by keeping us always at a certain distance +from the object we have in view. Man is +so disposed to wonder at a power, of which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>he is ignorant of the springs; this sentiment +is so natural to him, that what we ought to +guard against the most in his education, is +the inconsiderate insinuation of various terrors, +of which he is susceptible. Thus, not +only the true idea of the existence of an +All-powerful God, but mere credulous faith +in superstitious opinions, will always have +more power over the common class of +men, than abstract precepts, or general considerations. +I know not even, if it might +not be said, with truth, that the future of +this short life, when we contemplate it, is +further from us than the distant perspective +offered to the mind by religion; because +our imagination is less restrained, and the +minutest description of reason can never +equal in power, the lively and impulsive +ardour of the affections of our souls.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I resume the series of my reflections, and set +down here an important observation: which +is, that the more the increase of taxes keeps +the people in despondency and misery, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>more indispensable is it to give them a religious +education; for it is in the irritation of +wretchedness, that we all have need of a +powerful restraint and of daily consolations. +The successive abuse of strength and authority, +in overturning all the relations which +originally existed between men, have raised, +in the midst of them, an edifice so artificial, +and in which there reigns so much disproportion, +that the idea of a God is become +more necessary than ever, to serve as a leveller +of this confused assemblage of disparities; +and if we can ever imagine, that a people +should exist, subject only to the laws of +a political morality, we should represent, +without doubt, a rising nation, which +would be restrained by the vigour of patriotism +in its prime; a nation which would +occupy a country where riches had not had +time to accumulate; where the distance of +the habitations from each other contributed +to the maintenance of domestic manners; +where agriculture, that simple and peaceful +occupation, would be the favourite employment; +where the work of the hands +<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>would obtain a recompense proportioned to +the scarcity of the workmen, and the extensive +usefulness of the labour; we should represent, +in short, a nation where the laws +and the form of government would favour, +during a long time, equality of rank and +property. But in our ancient kingdoms in +Europe, where the growth of riches continually +augments the difference of fortunes +and the distance of conditions;—in our +old political bodies, where we are crowded +together, and where misery and magnificence +are ever mingled, it must be a morality, +fortified by religion, that shall restrain these +numerous spectators of so many possessions +and objects of envy, and who, placed so +near every thing which they call happiness, +can yet never aspire to it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It may be asked, perhaps, in consequence +of these reflections, whether religion, which +strengthens every tie, and fortifies every obligation, +is not favourable to tyranny? Such +a conclusion would be unreasonable; but +religion, which affords comfort under every +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>affliction, would necessarily sooth also the +ills which arise from despotism; however, +it is neither the origin, nor the support of +it: religion, well understood, would not +lend its support but to order and justice; +and the instructions of political morality +proposes to itself the same end. Thus, in +both plans of education, the rights of the +sovereign, as well as those of the citizens, +constitute simply one of the elementary +parts of the general system of our duties.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall only observe, that the insufficiency +of political morality would appear still more +obvious, in a country where the nation, subject +to the authority of an absolute prince, +would have no share in the government; for +personal interest no longer having an habitual +communication with the general interest, +there would be just ground to fear, that in +wishing to hold out the union of these two +interests as the essential motive of virtue, the +greater number would retain only this +idea, that personality was admitted for +the first principle; and consequently every +<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>one ought to reserve to himself the right of +judging of the times and circumstances when +self-love and patriotism are to be separated, or +united. And how many errors would not +this produce? Public good, like all abstract +ideas, has not a precise definition; it is +for the greater part of mankind a sea without +bounds, and it requires not much address +or shrewdness to confound all our analogies. +We may know how we would +form, according to our taste, the alliance of +all the moral ideas, in considering with what +facility men know how to reconcile with +one quality the habitual infirmities of their +character; he who wounds without discretion, +prides himself in his frankness and +courage; he who is cowardly and timid in +his sentiments and in his words, boasts of +his caution and circumspection; and by a +new refinement of which I have seen singular +examples, he who asks of the sovereign +pecuniary favours, endeavours to persuade +him that he is impelled to this solicitation, +only by a noble love of honourable +distinction; every one is ingenious in fixing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>the point of union which connects his passions +with some virtue: would they then be +less expert at finding some conformity between +their own interest and that of the +public?</p> + +<p class='c010'>I cannot, I avow, without disgust, and +even horror, conceive the absurd notion of +a political society, destitute of that governing +motive afforded by religion, and restrained +only by a pretended connexion of their private +interest with the general. What circumscribed +judges! What a multiplicity of opinions, +sentiments, and wills! All would be +in confusion, if we left to men the liberty +of drawing their own conclusions: they +must absolutely have a simple idea to regulate +their conduct, especially when the application +of this principle may be infinitely +diversified. God in delivering his laws on +Mount Sinai, had need but to say, <em>Thou +shalt not steal</em>; and with the awful idea of +that God, whom every thing recals to our +minds, whom every thing impresses on the +human heart, this short commandment +<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>preserves, at all times, a sufficient authority; +but when political philosophy says, +<em>Thou shalt not steal</em>, it would be necessary +to add to this precept a train of reasoning, +on the laws of right, on the inequality of +conditions, and on the various social relations; +in order to persuade us that it comprehends +every motive, that it answers all objections, +and resists all attacks. It is necessary, further, +that by the lessons of this philosophy the +most uncultivated minds should be qualified +to follow the different ramifications +which unite, disunite, and reunite afresh +the personal to the public interest: what +an enterprize! It is, perhaps, like wishing +to employ a course of anatomy, in order to +direct a child in the choice of such aliments +as are proper for it, instead of beginning +to conduct it by the counsels and +the authority of its mother.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The same remarks are applicable to all +the virtues, of which the observance is essential +to public order: what method would +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>plain reasoning take to persuade a single +man, that he ought not to deprive a husband +of the affections of his wife? Where +would you assign him a distinct recompense +for the sacrifice of his passion? What +windings should we not be obliged to run +over, to demonstrate to an ambitious man, +that he ought not, in secret, to calumniate +his rival; to the solitary miser, armed with +indifference, that he ought not to remove +himself from every occasion of doing good; +to a disposition ardent and revengeful, that +he ought not to obey those urgent impulses +which hurry him away; to a man in +want, that he ought not to have recourse to +falsehood to procure attention, or to deceive +in any other manner? And how +many other positions would offer the same +difficulties, and still greater? Abstract ideas, +the best arranged, can never conquer us +but by long arguments, since the peculiar +nature of these ideas is to disengage our +reasoning from the feelings, and consequently +from striking and sudden impressions; +besides, political morality, like every +<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>thing which the mind only produces, +would be always for us merely an opinion; +an opinion from which we should have a +right to appeal, at any time, to the tribunal +of our reason. The lessons of men +are nothing but representations of their +judgment; and the sentiments of some +draw not the will of others. There is not +any principle of morality, which, under +forms absolutely human, would not be +susceptible of exceptions, or of some modification; +and there is nothing so compounded +as the idea of the connexion of +virtue with happiness: in short, while our +understanding has a difficulty in comprehending +and clearly distinguishing that +union, the objects of our passions are every +where apparent, and all our senses are preengaged +by them. The miser beholds gold +and silver; the ambitious man, those honours +which are conferred on others; the +debauchee, the objects of his luxury; virtue +has nothing left but reasoning; and is +then in want of being sustained by religious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>sentiments, and by the enlivening hopes +which accompany them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Thus, in a government where you +would wish to substitute political morality +for a religious education, it would become, +perhaps, indispensable to guard men from +receiving any ideas calculated to exalt their +minds; it would be necessary to divert +them from the different competitions which +excite self-love and ambition; they must +withdraw themselves from the habitual society +of women; and it would be still more +incumbent on them to abolish the use of +money, that attracting and confused image +of all kinds of gratifications: in short, in +taking from men their religious hopes, and +depriving them thus of the encouragements +to virtue which the imagination gives birth +to, every exertion must be tried to prevent +this unruly imagination from seconding +vice, and all the passions contrary to public +order: it was because Telemachus was accompanied +by a Divinity, that he could, +without danger, visit the sumptuous court +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>of Sesostris, and the enchanting abodes of +Eucharis and Calypso.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is indeed an age the most pleasant, as +well as the safest of our life, which we +cannot pass without a guide; we must then, +in order to pass with security through the +tempestuous days of youth, have principles +which command us, and not reflections to +counsel us; these have not any power but +in proportion to the vigour of the mind, +and the mind is only formed by experience +and a long conflict of opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religious instructions have the peculiar +advantage of seizing the imagination, and of +interesting our sensibility, those two brilliant +faculties of our early years: thus, then +even supposing that we could establish a +course of political morality, sufficiently +propped by reasoning, for defending from +vice men enlightened by maturity, I should +still say, that a similar philosophy would not +be suitable to youth, and that this armour is +too heavy for them.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>In short, the lessons of human wisdom, +which cannot govern us during the ardour +of our passions, are equally insufficient, when +our strength being broken by disease, we are +no longer in a state to comprehend a variety +of relations; instead of which, such is the +pleasing emotions that accompany the language +of religion, that in the successive decline +of our faculties, this language still +keeps pace with them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Nevertheless, if we were ever to be persuaded, +that there was on earth a more certain +encouragement to virtue than religion, +its powers would be immediately weakened; +it would not be half so interesting, nor +could reign when divided; if its sentiments +did not overflow, as we may say, the human +heart, all its influence would vanish.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religious instruction, in assembling all +the means proper to excite men to virtue, +neglects not, it is true, to point out the relations, +which exist between the observance +of the laws of morality and the happiness of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>life; but it is as an accessary motive, that +these considerations are presented; and it is +not necessary to support them by the same +proofs as a fundamental principle requires. +Also, when people are taught early that +vices and crimes lead to misery on earth, +these doctrines make not a lasting impression +on them, but in proportion as we succeed +at the same time, in convincing them of the +constant influence of a Providence over all +the events of this world.</p> + +<p class='c010'>One important reason still exempts religious +professors, from attaching themselves +to demonstrate, that the principal advantages +which excite the envy of men, are +an absolute consequence of the observance +of the laws of order: it is, that sacrifices, +supported by an idea of duty, are +changed into real satisfactions; and the +sentiments, which the virtuous enjoy from +piety, compose an essential part of their +happiness. But what consolation can a +man have by way of return; what +secret approbation can we grant him, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>when we know not any other authority +than that of political morality, and when +virtue is nothing but an opposition between +private and public interest?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religion certainly proposes to man his +own happiness, as an object and ultimate +end; but as this happiness is placed at a +distance, religion conducts us to it by +wholesome restrictions and temporary sacrifices; +it regards only the sublimest part of +us, that which disunites us from the present +moment, in order to connect us with +futurity; it offers us hopes, which withdraw +us from worldly interest, so far as is +necessary to prevent us from being immoderately +devoted to the disorderly impressions +of our senses, and the tyranny of our +passions. Irreligion, on the contrary, whose +lessons teach us, that we are only masters +of the present moment, concentres us more +and more within ourselves, and there is +nothing beautiful or good in this condition; +for grandeur, of every kind, relates +to the extent of those relations which we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>comprehend; and, in a like acceptation, +our sentiments submit to the same laws.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Those who represent the obligations of +religion as indifferent, assure us, that we +may repose safely the maintenance of morality +on some general sentiments, which we +have adopted; but do not consider that these +sentiments derive their origin, and almost all +their force, from that spirit of religion which +they wish to weaken. Yes, even humanity, +this emotion of a noble soul, is animated +and fortified by the idea of a Supreme Being; +the alliance between men holds but +feebly from the conformity of their organization; +nor can it be attributed to the similitude +of their passions, that continual source +of so much hatred; it depends essentially on +our connexion with the same author, the +same superintendant, the same judge; it is +founded on the equality of our right to the +same hopes, and on that train of duties inculcated +by education, and rendered respectable +by the habitual dominion of religious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>opinions. Alas! it is a melancholy +avowal, that men have so many infirmities, +so much injustice, selfishness, and ingratitude, +at least, in the eyes of those who +have observed them collectively, that we +never can keep them in harmony by the mere +lessons of wisdom: it is not always because +they are amiable that we love them; +it is sometimes, and very often indeed, because +we ought to love them, that we find them +amiable. Yes, goodness and forbearance, these +qualities the most simple, still require to be +compared, from time to time, with an idea +general and predominate, the band of all our +virtues. The passions of others wound us +in so many ways, and there is often so +much depth and energy in our self-love, +that we have need of some succour to be +constantly generous in our sentiments, and +to be really interested for all our fellow-creatures, +in the midst of whom we are placed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, not to dissemble, if a man once +came to consider himself as a being that is +the child of chance, or of blind necessity, +and tending only to the dust from whence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>he sprung, and to which he must return, +he would despise himself; and far from +seeking to rise to noble and virtuous reflections, +he would consider this species of +ambition as a fantastic idea, which consumes +in a vain and illusory manner, a part of those +fleeting minutes which he has to pass on +earth; and all his attention being fixed on +the shortness of life, and on the eternal +silence which must close the scene, he would +only think <em>how to devour this reign of a +moment</em>.</p> + +<p class='c010'>How dangerous then would it be, on +this supposition, to show to men the extremity +of the chain which unites them +together! It is in worldly affairs this +knowledge of having received the last favour, +which renders them ungrateful towards +those from whom they no longer expect +any thing; and the same sentiment +would weaken the power of morality if our +lease was manifestly only for this world. It +is then religion which ought to strengthen +those ties, and defend the entire system of +our duty against the stratagems of reasoning +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>and the artifices of our minds; it is necessary, +in order to oblige all men, to consider +with respect the laws of morality, to teach +them early that the social virtues are an +homage rendered to the perfections and to +the beneficent intentions of the Sovereign +Author of Nature, of that Infinite Being +who is pleased with the preservation of order, +and the private sacrifices which the accomplishment +of this grand design requires. +And when I see modern philosophers tracing, +with an able hand, the general plan of +our duties; when I see them fix with judgment +the reciprocal obligations of citizens, +and giving, at last, for the basis to this legislation, +personal interest and the love of +praise: I recollect the system of those Indian +philosophers, who, after having studied +the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, being +perplexed to determine the power which +sustained the vaulted firmament, thought +they had freed it from difficulty, by placing +the universe on the back of an elephant, and +this elephant on a tortoise. We shall imitate +these philosophers, and, like them, shall +never proceed but by degradation, whenever, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>by endeavouring to form a chain of +duties and moral principles, we do not place +the last link above worldly considerations, +and beyond the limits of our social conventions.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. II.<br> <em>The same Subject continued. A Parallel between the Influence of Religious Principles, and of Laws and Opinions.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>After having examined, as I have +just done, in the preceding chapter, +if it were possible to found morality on the +connexion of private with public interest, +it remains for me to consider, if the punishments +inflicted by the sovereign, if the +sceptre, which public opinion sways, have +sufficient power to restrain men, and bind +them to the observance of their duty.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is necessary to proceed by common +ideas, in order to advance one degree in the +research of truth: thus I ought at first, in +this place, to recollect, that the penal laws +cannot be applied but to offences known +and proved; this consideration contracts +their power within a very narrow circle; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>however, crimes secretly committed, are +not the only ones which are beyond the +cognizance of laws; we must place in this +rank every reprehensible action, which, for +want of a distinct character, can never be +pointed out; the number of them is prodigious: +the rigour of parents, ingratitude +of children, the inhumanity of abandoning +their nurses, treachery in friendship, the +violation of domestic comfort, disunion +sown in the bosoms of families, levity of +principles in every social connexion, perfidious +counsels, artful and slanderous insinuations, +rigorous exercise of authority, +favour and partiality of judges, their inattention, +their idleness and severity, endeavours +to obtain places of importance, +with a consciousness of incapacity, corrupt +flatteries addressed to sovereigns or +ministers, statesmen indifferent to public +good, their vile and pernicious jealousies, +and their political dissensions, excited in +order to render themselves necessary, wars +instigated by ambition, intolerance under +the cover of zeal; in short, many other fatal +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>evils which the laws cannot either +follow or describe, and which often do +much mischief, before they give any opportunity +for public censure. We ought +not even to desire that this censure pass +certain bounds, because authority, applied +to obscure faults, or those susceptible +of various interpretations, easily degenerates +into tyranny; and as there is nothing so +transitory as thought, nothing so secret as +our sentiments; none but an invisible power, +whose authority seems to participate of +the divine, has a right to enter into the secrets +of our hearts.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is then only, at the tribunal of his +own conscience, that a man can be interrogated +about a number of actions and intentions +which escape the inspection of government. +Let us beware of overturning +the authority of a judge so active and enlightened; +let us beware of weakening it +voluntarily, and let us not be so imprudent +as to repose only on social discipline. I +will even venture to say, that the power of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>conscience is perhaps still more necessary in +the age we live in, than in any of the preceding; +though society no longer presents +us with a view of those vices and crimes +which shock us by their deformity; yet +licentiousness of morals, and refinement of +manners, have almost imperceptibly blended +good and evil, vice and decency, falsehood +and truth, selfishness and magnanimity; it +is more important then ever, to oppose to +this secret depravity, an interior authority, +which pries into the mysterious windings +of disguise, and whose action may be as +penetrating as our dissimulation seems artful +and well contrived.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is, undoubtedly, because a similar authority +appears absolutely necessary to the +maintenance of public order, that several +philosophic writers have endeavoured to introduce +it as a principle of atheism. In +such a system the whole is fictitious; they +speak of our blushing at the recollection of +our follies, of dreading our own secret reproaches, +and of being afraid of the condemnation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>which, in the calm of reflection, +we shall pronounce against ourselves; but +these sentiments, which have so much force +with the idea of a God, they know not what +to unite them with, when they would give only +for a guide the most active personal interest, +and when all the grand communications, +established between men by religious opinions, +are absolutely broken; conscience is +then an expression void of meaning, a useless +word in the language. We may still +feel remorse, that is to say, regret at being +deceived in the pursuits of ambition, in promoting +our interest, in the choice of means +which we employ to obtain the respect and +praise of others; in short, in the various +calculations of our worldly advantage: but +such remorse is only an exaltation of our +self-love; we deify, in some measure, our +judgment and understanding, and we make +at last all our actions appear before these +false idols, to reproach us with our errors +and weaknesses; we thus voluntarily become +our own tormentors; but when this perfection +is too importunate, we have it in our +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>power to command our tyrants to use more +indulgence towards us. It is not the same +with the reproaches of conscience; the sentiments +which produce them have nothing +compounded or artificial in them, we cannot +corrupt our judge, nor enter into a compromise +with him; that which seduces men +never deceives him, and amidst the giddiness +of prosperity, in the intoxication of the +greatest success, his looks are inevitably fixed +on us; and we cannot but with terror enjoy +the applause and the triumphs which we +have not merited.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We read in several modern books, that +with good laws we should always have morality +sufficient; but I cannot adopt this +opinion. Man is a being so compounded, and +his relations with his species are so various +and so fine, that to regulate his mind, and +direct his conduct, he has need of a multitude +of sentiments, on which the commands +of the sovereign have not any hold; they are +all simple and declared duties, which the +legislators have reduced to precepts, and this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>rough building, termed civil laws, leaves +vacancies throughout. The laws require +merely a blind obedience; and as they enjoin +and defend only actions, are absolutely indifferent +to the private sentiments of men; +the moral edifice which they raise is in several +parts a mere exterior form, and it is +at the roof, if I may say so, that they have +begun. Religion proceeds in a manner diametrically +opposite; it is in the heart, it is +in the recesses of conscience, that it lays its +first base; it appears to be acquainted with +the grand secrets of nature; it sows in the +earth a grain, and this grain is nourished, +and transformed into numerous branches, +which, without any effort, spring up, and +extend themselves to all dimensions and in +every kind of form.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will suppose, nevertheless, that we believed +it sufficient for the maintenance of +public order, to reduce morality to the spirit +of civil laws, it would still be out of the +power of men to draw from this assimilation +familiar instructions proper to form a code +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>of education; for these laws, simple in +their commands, are not so in their principles. +We perceive not immediately why +revenge, the most just, is prohibited; why +we have not the power to do ourselves justice +by the same means a ravisher would +use; why we have not a right to resist with +violence the tyrannic oppressor; in short, +why certain actions, some indifferent in +themselves, and some hurtful to others, are +condemned in a general and uniform manner: +a kind of combination is necessary to +discover, that the legislator himself is wandering +from natural ideas, in order to prevent +every person from being a judge in +his own cause, and to avoid that, those exceptions +and distinctions, of which every +circumstance is susceptible, might never be +determined by the judgment of individuals. +In the same manner, from those indirect +motives, the laws treat with more rigour an +offence difficult to define, than a disorder +more reprehensible in itself; but of which +the excesses might be easily perceived: and +they observe still the same rule with respect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>to crimes which are surrounded by greater +allurements, though this seduction is even +a motive for indulgence in the eyes of +simple justice; in short, the laws, in adopting +a more determinate method, to constrain +debtors to the discharge of their obligations, +prove that they are not compassionate to +unforeseen misfortunes, nor actuated by +other motives of equity which merit an equal +interest; all their attention is fixed on the relation +of engagements with the political resources, +which arise from commerce and its +transactions. There exists thus a multitude of +prohibitions of punishments, or gradations in +the penalties, which have not any connexion +but with the general views of the legislation, +and agree not with the circumscribed +good sense, which determines the judgment +of individuals. It is then often, by considerations +very extensive and complicated, +that an action is criminal or reprehensible +in the eyes of the law: thus, we know +not how to erect, on this base alone, a system +of morality, of which every one can +have a clear perception; and since the legislator +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>carefully avoids submitting any thing +to private examination, because he sacrifices +often to this principle natural justice, how +then can he wish, at the same time, to +give us for a rule of conduct a political +morality, which is all founded on reasoning?</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is of consequence still to observe, that +to the eyes of the greater number of men, +the sense of the laws, and the decrees +formed by those who interpret them, ought +necessarily to be identified and blended, and +form only one point of view; and as the +judges are frequently exposed to error, the +true spirit of legislation remains often in +obscurity, and we with difficulty discern it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is, perhaps, because laws are the work +of our understanding, that we are disposed +to grant them a universal dominion: but I +will avow, I am far from thinking that +they can ever be substituted instead of the +salutary influence of religion, and that I +believe them insufficient even to regulate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>the things immediately under their jurisdiction; +thus I would request you to reflect, +if the unfortunate errors with which +we reproach criminal tribunals, have not +their source in the faults committed by sovereign +authority; when it has referred all +the duties of the judges to the injunctions +of the law, and when it has refused to confide +any longer in the conscience and private +sentiments of the magistrates.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us render this observation more clear +by a single example chosen from a number. +We demand at present, that the legislator +explain himself afresh on the grand +question, what witnesses are necessary? but +will he not always run the risk of being +deceived, whether he absolutely rejects a +probable evidence, or whether he makes +the fate of a criminal depend upon it? How +will he determine, that the testimony of +an honest man, identifying the person of an +assassin, in his own cause, should not be +reckoned any thing by the judge; and how +can he pretend also, that a testimony of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>this nature is sufficient to determine a +condemnation, when he who gives the +evidence appears suspicious, either from +the motives, which we must suppose actuate +him, or from the improbability of +his assertion? Reason is then placed between +two extremes; but intermediate +ideas not being consonant with the absolute +language of law, we ought, in +such circumstances, to leave much to +the wisdom and integrity of the magistrates; +and so far from serving innocence +by acting otherwise, we visibly endanger +it; because judges habituate themselves +to render the laws responsible for every +thing, and respectfully submit to the letter, +instead of obeying the spirit, which is the +earnest desire of obtaining truth. What +then, some will say, would you wish +that there should be no positive instructions, +neither to serve for a guide in +the examination of crimes, nor to determine +the character by which these +crimes may be distinguished? This was +never in my mind; but I could wish, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>that in an affair of such serious importance, +they would unite to the judgment +which proceeded from the prudence of the +legislator, that which may be brought by +the wisdom of the judges; I could wish, +that the criminal legislation prescribed to +the magistrates, not all that they are obliged +to do, but all from which they are not +exempt; not all that is sufficient to +determine their opinion, but all which +ought to be the indispensable condition +of a capital punishment. Guided by such +a spirit, the commands given by the +law, would be a safeguard against the ignorance, +or possible prevarication of the +judges; but as any general rule, any immutable +principle, is not applicable to an +infinite diversity of circumstances, I would +give to innocence a new defender, interesting +in a more immediate manner the morality +of the judges to search for and examine +the truth, and to recal continually +all the extent of their obligations; I could +wish, that previous to their passing a +sentence of condemnation, raising one of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>their hands towards heaven, they pronounced +with earnestness these words: +“I attest, that the man accused before us, +appears to me guilty, according to the +law, and according to my own private +judgment.” It is not sufficient, that we command +a judge to examine with probity, if +the proofs of an offence, are conformable to +those required by the statute; it is necessary to +inform a magistrate, that he ought to enquire +into the truth by all the means that scrupulous +anxiety can suggest; he should know, that, +called to decide on the life and the honour +of men, his understanding and his heart, +ought to be enlisted in the cause of +humanity, and that there are not any +limits opposed to bound his duty; then, +without failing in any of the enquiries ordained +by the laws, he would force himself +to go still further, that no evidence +proper to make an impression on a reasonable +man might be rejected, at the same +time, that none might have so decisive a +force, that the examination of circumstances +<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>would ever appear useless; the judges then +would make use of that sagacity, which +seems to discern instinctively; they would +not then disdain to read even the looks +of the accuser and the accused, and they +would not believe it a matter of indifference +to observe with attention, all +those emotions of nature, where sometimes +truth is painted with so much energy; +then, in short, innocence would be under +the protection of something as pure as itself, +the scrupulous conscience of a judge.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We have never, perhaps, sufficiently considered +how much a methodical order, when +we confine ourselves too servilely to it, +contracts the bounds of the mind; it +becomes then like a foot-path traced between +two banks, which prevents our discovering +what is not in a strait line. The +strict observance of method diverts us also +from consulting that light, sometimes so +lively, of which the soul only is the focus; +for in subjecting us to a positive course of +things always regular, and in making us +<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>find pleasure in a determined path, which +offers continual repose to our thoughts, it incapacitates +for thinking that delicate perception +of natural sentiments, which has nothing +fixed or circumscribed, but whose free flight +often makes us approach to truth, as by a +kind of instinct or inspiration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I should stray too far from my subject, +if I extended these reflections, and I hasten +to connect them with the subject of this +chapter, in repeating again, that if the +laws are insufficient, even in those decisions +submitted to their authority, and if the +they have absolute need of the aid of religion, +whenever they impose on their private +expounders duties a little complicated; +they would be still less able to supply +the habitual and daily influence of that +motive, the most powerful of all, and the +only one at the same time, of which the +action will be sufficiently penetrating to follow +us in the mazes of our conduct, and +in the labyrinth of our thoughts.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>I ought now to direct your attention towards +other considerations. All that is +required by public order, all that is of importance +to society, some will say, is, that +criminals may not escape the sword of +justice, and that an attentive superintendance +discover them under the cloud where +they seek to conceal themselves. I will +not here recal the various obstacles, which +are opposed to the plenitude of this vigilance; +every one may perceive them, or +form an idea of them; but I hasten to +observe, that in considering society in its +actual state, we ought not to forget, that +religious sentiments have greatly diminished +the talk of government; a scene quite +new would open, if we had for our guide +only political morality; it would not then +be a few men without principles, who +would trouble the public order, more able +actors would mix in the throng, some conducted +by mature reflection, and others, carried +away by seducing appearances, would be +incessantly at war with all those, whose +fortune excited their jealousy; and then +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>only we should know how many opportunities +there are of doing evil, and injuring +others. It would also happen, that +all these enemies of public order not being +disconcerted by the reproaches of their conscience, +would become every day more expert +in the art of avoiding the observation +of justice; and the dangers to which the +imprudent exposed themselves, would not +discourage the ingenious.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is then, if I may be permitted so +to express myself, because the laws find +men in a healthy state, prepared by religious +instruction, that they can restrain +them; but if a system of education merely +political was ever to prevail, new precautions +and new chains would become absolutely +necessary, and after having freed us from +the mild ties of religion, the projectors of +such a system would increase our civil +slavery, would bend our necks under the +hardest of all yokes, that which is imposed +by our fellow-creatures.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Religion, whose influence they wish us +to reject, is better appropriated than they +think, to the mixture of pride and weakness, +which constitutes our nature, and for +us, such as we are; its action is far preferable +to that of the penal laws; it is not, +before his equals, armed with the rod of +vengeance, that the culprit is made to appear; +it is not to their ignorance, or to +their inexorable justice, that he is abandoned; +it is at the tribunal of his own +conscience, that religion informs against +him; before a God, sovereign of the world, +that it humbles, and in the name of a tender +and merciful Father that it comforts +him. Alas! while you at once take from +us both our consolation and our true dignity, +you wish to refer every thing to private +interest and public punishment; but permit +me to listen to those commands which +come from on high; leave me to divert my +attention from the menacing sceptre which +the potentates of the earth weild in their +hand; leave me to account with Him, before +whom they shrink into nothing; leave me, in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>short, to address myself to him who pardons, +and who, at the moment I have offended, +permits me still to love him, and rely on +his grace!—Alas! without the idea of a +God,—without this connexion with a Supreme +Being, author of all nature, we +should only listen to the vile counsels of +selfish prudence, we should only have to +flatter and adore the rulers of nations, and +all those who in an absolute monarchy, are +the numerous representatives of the authority +of the prince; yes, talents, sentiments, +ought to bend before these distributors of +so much good and evil, if nothing exists +beyond worldly interest; and when once +every one cringes, there is no more dignity +in the character, men become incapable of +any great action, and unequal to any moral +excellence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religious opinions have the double merit +of maintaining us in the obedience due to the +laws and the soveriegn, and of nourishing +in our hearts a sentiment which sustains +our courage, and which reminds men of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>their true grandeur; teaches submission +without meanness, and prevents, above all, +cowardly humiliations before transitory +idols, in showing at a distance the last period, +when all must return to an equality +before the Master of the World.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The idea of a God, at the same distance +from all men, serves also to console us for +that shocking superiority of rank and fortune +under the oppression of which we +live; it is necessary to transport ourselves +to the heights religion discovers, to consider +with a kind of calmness and indifference +the frivolous pretentions of some, +and the confident haughtiness of others; +and such objects of regret, or of envy, +which appeared a Colossus to our imagination, +are changed into a grain of sand, +when we contrast them with the grand +prospects which such sublime meditations +display to our view.</p> + +<p class='c010'>They are then blind, or indifferent to +our interest, who wish to substitute, instead +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>of religious instructions, political and +worldly maxims; and in like manner, those +are inflexible and unfeeling, who believe they +shall be able to conduct men only by terror; +and who, in contesting the salutary influence +of religious opinions, expect less from them +than the axe of the lictors, and the apparatus +of execution. What is then this wretched +system? For supposing even that the different +means of securing public tranquillity +were equal in their effect, should we not +prefer religious principles, which prevent +crimes, to the strict laws which punish +them? I understand not besides, how, with +the same hand that they repel religious sentiments, +they wish to raise every where scaffolds, +and multiply, without scruple, those +frightful theatres of severity; for if men, hurried +onwards to crimes, were only governed +by blind necessity, alas! what do they deserve? +And if we still determine to destroy +them as examples, we should assist at their +execution, as at that of beings devoted for +the good of society, as Iphigenia was sacrificed +at Aulis for the salvation of Greece.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>Religion is, in another respect, superior +to the laws, which are ever armed for +vengeance; instead of that, religion, even +when threatening, nourishes also the hopes +of pardon and felicity; and I believe, contrary +to the generally received opinion, +that man, by his nature, is more constantly +animated by hope, than restrained +by fear; the former of these sentiments +compose the tenor of our life, whilst the +latter is the effect of an extraordinary +circumstance, or particular situation; in +short, courage, or want of consideration, +turns our attention from danger, whilst ideas +of happiness are perpetually present, and +blended, if I may use the expression, with +our whole existence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I perceive, however, that some may say +to me, it is not only of civil and penal laws +that we mean to speak, when we maintain +that good public institutions would be an efficacious +substitute for the influence of religion; +it would be necessary to introduce +laws of education, proper to modify, beforehand, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>the mind and form the character. +But they have not explained, and I am ignorant +that there are such laws, which they +wish to distinguish from the general doctrines +we are acquainted with; doctrines +susceptible, undoubtedly, of different degrees +of perfection, which, before instructing us +not only in the virtues simple and real, but +in all those mixed and conventional, have +necessarily a vague character, and could not +separate themselves from the support that +they borrow from the fixed and precise ideas +of religion. They may cite the example of +Sparta, where the state undertook the education +of the citizens, and formed by laws +the extraordinary manners which history +has delineated; but that government, aided +in this enterprize by all the influence of +paternal authority, nevertheless proposed but +two great objects, the encouragement +of martial qualities, and the maintenance of +liberty: morality was not made interesting, +though among us it requires so much application; +and it was rendered less necessary, +as every institution tended to introduce a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>perfect equality of rank and fortune, and +opposed all kind of communication with +foreigners. In short, it was, after all, a religious +opinion which subjected the Spartans +to the authority of their legislator; and +without their confidence in the oracle of +Delphos, Lycurgus had only been a celebrated +philosopher.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We are still further, at present, from the +disposition and situation which would allow +laws of education to govern us, supported +only by a political spirit; in order to make +the trial, we must be divided into little associations; +and by some means, not yet discovered, +be able to oppose invincible obstacles +to the enlargement of them, and to preserve +us from the desires and voluptuousness which +are the inevitable consequence of an augmentation +of wealth, and the progress of +the arts and sciences: in short, and it is a +singular remark, at a period when man is +become a being the most compounded, on +account of these social modifications, he has +need, more than ever, of a principle which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>will penetrate to the very source of his numerous +affections; consequently it would be necessary +suddenly to carry him back to his primitive +simplicity, to make him agree, in some +measure, with the limited extent of an education +purely civil. Let me add, that a +like education could not be adapted to the +commonalty, as in Sparta; they must be separated +from the citizens, and kept in servitude: +an observation which leads me to a +very important reflection; it is, that in a +country where slavery would be introduced, +where the most numerous class would be +governed by the continual fear of the severest +chastisement, they would be able to confide +more in the mere ascendency of political morality; +for this morality only having to keep in +order the part of society represented by +those who have property, the task would +not be difficult; but among us, where happily +all men, without any distinction, are +subject to the yoke of the law, an authority +so extensive, must necessarily be strengthened +and seconded by the universal influence +of religious opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>I shall conclude this part of my subject +by one reflection more; supposing, even in +the sovereign authority, an exertion sufficiently +general to prevent or repress evil, +religion would still have this great advantage, +that it inculcates the beneficent virtues, +which the laws cannot reach; and yet, in +the actual state of society, it is become impossible +to omit those virtues. It is not sufficient +to be just, when the laws of property +reduce to bare necessaries the most +numerous class of men, whose weak resources +the most trivial accident disconcerts; +and I hesitate not to say, that such is the +extreme inequality established by these laws, +that we ought at present to consider the +spirit of beneficence and forbearance, as +constituting a part of social order; as in all +places and times, it softens by its assistance +the excess of wretchedness, and by an innumerable +multitude of springs spreads itself +as the vital juice, through forlorn beings, +whom misery had almost exhausted. +But if this spirit, properly intermediate between +the rigour of civil rights, and the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>original title of humanity, did not exist, or +should ever be extinct, we should see all the +subordinate ties relax imperceptibly; and a +man, loaded with the favours of fortune, +never presenting himself to the people under +the form of a benefactor; they would more +forcibly feel the great extent of his privileges, +and would accustom themselves to +discuss them. Men must then find a way +of moderating the despotism of fortune, +or render homage to religion, which, by +the sublime idea of an exchange between +the blessings of heaven and earth, obliges +the rich to give what the laws cannot demand.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religion then comes continually to assist +the civil legislation, it speaks a language +unknown to the laws, it warms that sensibility +which ought to advance even before +reason; it acts like light and interior +warmth, as it both enlightens and animates; +and what we have not sufficiently +observed, is, that in society its moral sentiments +are the imperceptible tie of a number +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>of parts, which seem to be held by their own +agreement, and which would be successively +detached, if the chain which united them +was ever to be broken: we shall more +clearly perceive this truth, in the examination +we are going to make of the connexion +of opinion with morality.</p> + +<p class='c010'>When we imagine we should be able to +subject men to the observance of public order, +and inspire them with the love of virtue, +by motives independent of religion, we +propose, undoubtedly, to put in action two +powerful springs; the desire of esteem and +praise; and the fear of contempt and shame. +Thus, to follow my subject in all its +branches, I ought necessarily to examine +what is the degree of force of these different +motives, and what is also their true application. +I have already spoken, in other +works of mine, of the opinion of the world, +and of its salutary effects; but the subject I +am now treating obliges me to consider it +under a different point of view, and it is by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>placing myself behind the scene, that I shall +be able to fulfil this task.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I remark, at first, that the opinion of the +world exercises its influence in a very confined +space, as it is particularly called in to +judge men, whose rank and employments +have some splendour in the world; the opinion +of the public is an approbation or censure, +exercised in the name of the general +interest; thus it ought only to be applied +to actions and to words, which either directly +or indirectly affect this interest. The +private conduct of him who discharges in society +the most important functions, is indeed +submitted to the judgment and superintendance +of the public at large; and we ought +not to wonder that it should, since in similar +circumstances the principles of an individual +appear an earnest, or presage of his public +virtues; but all those, whose sole occupation +is to spend their income, those who are +entirely devoted to dissipation, and have not +any connexion with the grand interests of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>the community, become independent of the +opinion of the world; or at least they do +not experience its severity, till, by foolish +extravagance or inconsiderate pretentions, +they draw the attention of the public on +their conduct. In short, a great number of +men, who, by the obscurity of their condition +and moderate fortune, find themselves +lost in a crowd, will never dread a power +that singles out of the ranks its heroes +and victims: thus people, concealed under +humble roofs scattered in the country, are +as indifferent to the opinion of the world, +as are to the rays of the sun, those unhappy +tribes who labour at the bottom of mines, +and pass their whole lives in a dark subterraneous +cavern.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot then form any kind of comparison +between the peculiar ascendency of +reputation, and the general influence of religious +morality.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Fame only recompenses rare actions; and +would have nothing to bestow on a nation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>of heroes. Religion tends continually to +render virtue common; but the universal +success of its instructions would take away +nothing from the value of its benefits.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In order to receive the rewards which +fame bestows, men must appear with splendour +on the stage of life. Religion, on the +contrary, extends its most distinguished favours +to those who despise praise, and who +do good in secret.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The world almost always requires, that +talents and knowledge should accompany +virtue; and it is thus that the love of praise +becomes the seed and spring of great actions. +Religion never imposes this condition; +its recompenses belong to the ignorant +as well as the learned, to the humble +spirit as well as to the exalted genius; and +it is in animating equally all men, in exciting +universal activity, that it effectually concurs +to the maintenance of civil order.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The world, only judging of actions in +their state of maturity, takes not any account +<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>of efforts; and, as men do not +seize the palm till the moment when they +approach the goal, it is necessary, at the +commencement of the career, that every one +should derive from his own force his courage +and perseverance. Religion, on the contrary, +if I may say so, dwells with us from +the moment that we begin to think; it +welcomes our intentions, strengthens our +resolutions, and supports us even in the hour +of temptation; it is, at all times, and in all +situations, that we experience its influence, +as we are continually reminded of its rewards.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Fame distributing only favours, whose +principal value arises from comparisons and +competitions, often draws on its favourites +the envenomed breath of slander, and then +sometimes they doubt about their real value. +Religion mingles no bitterness with its reward; +it is in obscurity that it confers content; +and as it has treasures for all the +world, what is granted to some never impoverishes +others.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>The world is often mistaken in its judgment, +because in the midst of so vast a circle it +is often difficult to distinguish true merit and +the splendour which follows it, from the +false colours of hypocrisy. Religion extends +its influence to the inmost recesses of +the heart, and places there an observer, +who has a closer view of men than their +actions afford, and whom they cannot +either deceive or surprise.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, I will say it, there are moments +when the opinion of the world loses +its force, and becomes enervated or governed +by a servile spirit, it searches to find +faults in the oppressed, and attributes grand +intentions to powerful men, that it may, +without shame, abandon one, and celebrate +the other. Ah! it is in such moments we +return with delight to the precepts of religion, +to those independent principles, which, +while they illustrate every thing deserving +of esteem or contempt, enable us to follow +the dictates of our heart, and speak +according to our conscience!</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>Thus, the opinion of the world, whose +influence I have seen increase, which unites +so many motives to excite men to distinguished +actions, and to exalt them even to +the great virtues, still ought never to be +compared with the universal, invariable influence +of religion, and with those sentiments +which its precepts inspire men of all +ages, of all conditions, and every degree of +understanding.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Would it be straying from my subject, +to remark here the illusion we are under, +if we expect any important utility to arise +from those marks of distinction lately introduced +into France, under the name of +public rewards for virtue? Those trivial favours +of opinion can never be decreed but +to a few dispersed actions; and it might +be apprehended, that if we rendered such +institutions permanent and general, they +might turn the attention of the people at +large from the grand recompense, which +ought to be the spring and encouragement +of all that is great and virtuous. Experienced +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>hunters, at the moment when all +the pack is still pursuing the most noble +ranger of the forest, would not permit +them to turn, to run after a prey which +darted out of a lurking hole or thicket.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The establishments on which I here fix +my attention, have, perhaps, also the inconvenience +of rousing a sentiment of surprise +at the appearance of a good action, +and announcing thus too distinctly, that +they believe them rare, and above the common +exertions of humanity; and if we extended +still further these institutions, they +would only introduce a spirit of parade, always +ready to languish, when applause was +distant; and it would be a great misfortune, +if such a spirit ever took place of +simple and modest integrity, which receives +from itself its motives and reward: virtue +and vanity make a bad mixture; men are +then accustomed only to act to be seen, and +these opportunities, at present not very numerous, +they wish to choose. There is +besides a class of men so ill treated by fortune, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>that we should commit a great mistake +in habituating them to connect continually +calculations of probable rewards +from men, with the practice of their duty; +they would too often be deceived.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is then, we cannot too often repeat it, it +is respect for morality, which it is necessary +to maintain, by strengthening religious +principles, its most solid foundation; all +other extraordinary helps derive their force +from novelty; and at the period when society +would have the greatest need of their +succour, it would, perhaps, have arrived at +its greatest depravity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Thus far at present, I have considered +the influence of opinion, only in general; +but men manifest more in a private +manner, the idea that they have conceived +of each other; and this sentiment, +which takes then the simple name of esteem, +is connected with a determinate +knowledge of the moral character of those +with whom we have an habitual correspondence; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>esteem under this view, has not the +splendour of reputation; but as every one +can pretend to it in the circle where his +birth and occupations have placed him, the +hope of obtaining it ought to be reckoned +among the grand motives which excite us +to the observance of morality. However, +if we supposed that this esteem was entirely +separated from religious sentiments, it would +be like many other advantages, which every +one would estimate by his own fancy; for +whatever comes solely from men, can only +have a price relative to our connexion with +them: thus the esteem of one, or of several +persons, would not indemnify for such a sacrifice; +and often also this sentiment, on their +part, would appear inferior to some other +objects, of ambition; in a word, from the +moment every preference, every valuation +was brought to a standard, each would insensibly +have his own book of rates; and the +justness of them would depend on the degree +of judgment and foresight of every individual. +But how can we imagine that +perfection in morality would ever be secure, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>when it depended on wavering and arbitrary +comparisons, whose foundation would be +continually changed by the various circumstances +and situations of life? The motives +which religion presents are absolutely different; +it is not by confused contrasts, that it +directs men; it is a predominate interest to +which they are recalled; it is round a beacon, +of which the brilliant flames are seen on all +sides, that they are assembled; in short the +rules which it prescribes are not uncertain, +and the advantages which it promises do +not admit of an equivalent.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us further observe here, that selfishness, +after having compared the enjoyment +of esteem with pleasures of a different kind, +would not fail to reckon the chances which +afford a hope of imposing on men; and in +the midst of these perplexed calculations, the +passion of the moment would be almost always +victorious. Besides, we might ask, +what is the esteem of others, to that +numerous class which misery makes solitary? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>And what is it but a sentiment, of +which the effect is never obvious, to those +whose view is limited to the present day, +or the next, because they only live by instantaneous +resources? All the advantages +annexed to reputation are promisory notes, +of which it is necessary to be able to wait +the distant expiration; reflection and knowledge +only acquaint us with their value; +and the ignorance of the greater part of a +nation would render them unequal to this +kind of combination.</p> + +<p class='c010'>If then, after having taken a view of the +lowest, I observe those who compose the +superior class, I will venture a reflection of +a very different kind; that in a country +where we have the hope of obtaining +the most splendid marks of distinction, +and where fame has power to raise heroes, +great ministers, and men of genius in every +profession, we do not find that the duties of +private life are best known and the most +respected. Men, uniting to celebrate with +ardour great talents and actions, consider +<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>with more indifference the morals and manners +of individuals; they make an ideal +beauty, composed of every thing which +contributes to the celebrity of their country +and the honour of their nation; but by accustoming +themselves to refer every thing to +these interests, they become extremely negligent +with respect to common virtues, and +sometimes they even decide, that the rare qualities +of the mind may absolutely dispense with +them. Besides, if fame can serve to reward +the most assiduous labour and painful self-denial, +it is far from being necessary, that +moderate sentiments of esteem should indemnify +those who obtain them for the sacrifice +of their passions; it does not follow, +that this sentiment should give them +strength to resist the multiplied seductions +that the hopes of ambition and the chances +of fortune present to our view; and this +consideration acquires more force in a kingdom, +where, among the distinctions of +which the favour of the prince is the origin, +there are some which attract so much homage, +that they resemble fame itself.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>In short, and what I am going to say +comprehends, in a general manner, the various +questions which I have just treated: +the esteem of men, even when this sentiment +seems the most foreign to religion, receives, +nevertheless, from it its principal +strength, and even origin; it is a reflection +of great importance, and of which I will +endeavour to demonstrate the truth.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We ought, at first, to ask what is the original +principle of society, which gives weight +to the various expressions of the sentiment of +esteem: we shall find, undoubtedly, that +it is a distinct idea of the duties of men, a +notion of good morals, as general as firm. +Now the duties of life cannot be fulfilled +without the assistance of religion, since +the connexion of private and public interest, +the only foundation of the virtues of our +framing, is, as we have demonstrated an +imperfect system, and susceptible of a multitude +of exceptions, or arbitrary interpretations. +It is necessary then that our social +obligations should be fixed in an authentic +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>manner, if we wish that our judgment and +the sentiments which we adopt should be +a real indication of the relation the conduct +of men has with moral perfection; +but, if this perfection was only determined +by human conventions, if it was despoiled +of the majesty which religion invests it +with, reputation, and sentiments of esteem, +which are the pledge and stamp of good +morals, would insensibly lose their value; +we should then recollect that coin, which +some vainly wished to preserve the current +value of in commerce, after having materially +altered either the weight or the standard; +and, in effect, to follow the simile a +moment longer, how could we alter the +essence of morality more, and lessen the respect +which is due to it, than by separating +it from the sublime motives which religion +presents, to unite it only to political considerations.</p> + +<p class='c010'>One objection I ought to obviate: it may +be said, perhaps, that the influence of honour +in the army, seems to be a proof +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>that reputation, without the aid of any other +impulse, would have sufficient influence to +direct the mind to the end which we propose +to ourselves. This objection does not +appear to me decisive: honour in armies +preserves a great ascendency, because amongst +men thus assembled, it is impossible to +escape shame, and the punishment incurred +by cowardice; it is in war that the power +of authority and that of fame unite all their +forces, because that they exercise their influence +on men engaged in one action, actuated +by the same spirit, by that singular +subordination, termed discipline. Thus, +when in the commencement of the Roman +republic, the army participated more of the +air of the city, and was not yet familiarized +to the military yoke, it was then only +through the sanction of an oath, supported +by religious sentiments, that the general +contrived to prevent the inconstancy and defection +of those who followed him to the +camp. Whatever then may be at present, +the power of honour in armies, whatever at +present may be its influence in the field +<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>of battle, where the actors, spectators, and +judges, are on the same stage, and have nothing +else to do but to practise, remark, and +praise a particular virtue, we should not be +able to draw any deduction from it, applicable +to the social relations, whose extent is +immense, and to whose diversity there is no +bound. Besides, military honour is very far +from being foreign to the general principles +of morality, and consequently to religious +opinions, the most solid support of those +principles; for sentiments which contain, +in some manner, the idea of a noble sacrifice, +would lose great part of their force, +if the great basis of our duty was ever +shaken.</p> + +<p class='c010'>A perfect model is necessary to fix the admiration +of men; and it is only by an intercourse +more or less constant with that first +model, that several opinions which seem, in +appearance, to arise merely from convenience +have consistency.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>However, there has resulted from our +warlike customs an opinion purely social, +which is very powerful: it is that of the +point of honour, when we consider it in its +singular and simple acceptation, when a man +is ready to sacrifice his life to guard himself +from the slightest humiliation. This opinion, +it is true, only dictates its rules among +equals, and the exercise of its authority extends +to an inconsiderable part of a nation, +which, wholly given up to worldly concerns, +are occupied entirely with comparisons +and distinctions; it is one of the ancient +appendages of military honour, and in +uniting all its force towards a single idea it +is become a simple principle, which has been +blindly transmitted and as blindly respected.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is by the effect of a similar habit that +savages affix all their glory to a contempt of +bodily pain, and to demonstrations of gaiety, +in the midst of the most cruel torments. +Can we doubt, that their supernatural exultation +would not be weakened, at the very +instant they were acquainted with our most +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>common ideas of virtue? likewise our notions +of honour, which, in its exaggerated +state, resembles their death songs, would +not resist metaphysical arguments, if ever +metaphysics became our sole guide in morality; +for after having analyzed the motives +of our most important obligations, +we should analyze also our fine-spun sentiment, +which makes us regardless of danger. +Yes, if respect for religion was absolutely +destroyed; if this simple opinion, which +carries with it so many obligations, and +serves to defend so many duties, had no +other support, the idea of honour would +soon be weakened; and our personal interest, +insensibly disengaged from all the ties +of the imagination, would take a character +so rude, and so determined, that our habitual +impressions, and our relation with +others, would be absolutely changed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Permit me then to make another reflection: +it will be always easy to subject men +to a governing opinion, when they themselves, +and those who govern them, unite +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>al their efforts to attain the same end; but, +if this governing opinion is not, like religion, +the general principle of our conduct; +if it cannot give us laws in the different +situations of life, it would serve only to +throw us out of an equilibrium, or at least +its utility would be partial and momentary· +Nevertheless, if, with a design of remedying +this inconvenience, we searched to multiply +these opinions, they would weaken +each other; for every time we wish strongly +to restrain the imagination, it is necessary +that a single idea, a single authority, a single +object of interest, should engage the attention +of men. Perfection, in this respect, is +the choice of a single principle, whose consequence +extends to all; and such is the +particular merit of religious opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We can then, in the name of reason, of +policy, and philosophy, demand some respect +for them; and I ought to repeat, since +it is time for me to resume my subject, that +esteem or contempt, honour or shame, are +so far from being able to supply the place of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>the active influence of religion, that its sentiments +confirm the opinion of the world, +and, more or less, obviously direct it. It +follows, that we should soon reason shrewdly, +on the value which we ought to set on the esteem +of the world, if the expression of its approbation +was not united in our contemplation +to something more noble than the judgment +of mankind, and if an awful respect for +virtue was not imbibed by means of a religious +education. We should soon experience +that, in wishing to found every thing +on the calculations of worldly wisdom, these +same calculations would destroy all; and +morality having at once lost its grand support, +we should try in vain to prop it by a +scaffold of laws, and the vain efforts of an +opinion without a guide. Hypocrisy and +dissimulation would become immediately a +necessary science, a legitimate defence, which +would weary the attention of every inspector; +and testimonies of esteem appearing +only an ingenious encouragement granted to +the sacrifices of selfishness, the applause decreed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>to a generous mode of conduct would +be insensibly discredited by those who gave +and by those who received them, and would +end, perhaps, in becoming a secret object of +derision, as mere play from one to another.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Every thing is replaced and firmly established +by religion; it surrounds, I may +say, the whole system of morality, resembling +that universal and mysterious force of +physical nature, which retains the planets +in their orbits, and subjects them to a regular +revolution; and which, in the midst +of the general order it maintains, escapes +the observation of men, and appears to their +feeble sight unconscious of its own work.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. III.<br> <em>An Objection drawn from our natural Dispositions to Goodness.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>Men, according to the opinion of +some, have received from nature +a secret tendency towards every thing +just, good, and virtuous; and from this +happy inclination, the task of the moralist +is confined to prevent the alteration +of our original constitution: an easy +task, add they, and which may be fulfilled +without any extraordinary effort, and without +having recourse to religion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We ought, at first, to observe, that the +existence of this excellent innate goodness +has been a long time a subject of debate, as +every assertion always will be, of which we +cannot demonstrate the truth, either by +argument or experience. We shall never +be able to perceive distinctly the natural +<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>dispositions of men, since, to our view, +they are never separated from the improvement, +or the modification, which they owe +to education and habit. One or two examples +they produce of children arrived at +maturity found in a forest; but we are ignorant +at what precise age they were abandoned +by their parents, and what might +have been their dispositions, if, brought +back to society, they had not been guided +by instruction, or restrained by fear and +subordination. It is not very probable, that +man derived from his original nature all the +dispositions which lead to goodness; such a +thought agrees not with his pride or dignity, +since the intellectual faculties with +which he is endowed, the power he has of +gradually tending to perfection, announce +to him that he ought to fulfil his career +with the assistance of reason, and that, very +different from those beings governed by an +invariable instinct, he should elevate himself +as much above them, by cultivating +the abilities entrusted to him, as by the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>granduer of the destiny to which he is permitted +to aspire.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Reason, however, our faithful guide, +would be insufficient to attach us to sentiments +of order, justice, and beneficence, if +it was not seconded by a nature proper +to receive the impression of every noble +sentiment; but such reflections, far from +favouring any system of independence or +impiety, receive from religious opinions +their principal force. What is, in effect, +in this respect the course of our thoughts? +We attribute, at first, to a Supreme and +Universal Being all the perfections which +seem to constitute his essence; and from +this principle we are led to presume, that +we, his intelligent creatures, and his most +noble work, participate, in some manner, +of the Divine spirit, of which we are an +emanation: but, if we could ever be persuaded, +that our confidence in the idea of a +God is a deceitful illusion, we should not +have any reason to believe that the mere +child of nature, blind and without a guide, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>would be disposed to good, rather than evil. +We must derive our opinion of innate +goodness from a secret sentiment, and from +a perfect conviction of the existence of a +power which keeps every thing in order, +the model of all perfection: but, as we +obtain equally from this power, the faculties +which render us capable of acquiring +knowledge, of improving by experience, +of extending our views into futurity, and +elevating our thoughts to God; we should +not know how to distinguish these last expedients +of ability and virtue from those +which belong to our first instinct; and we +have no interest in doing it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>That which we perceive most clearly is, +that there is a correspondence, a harmony +between all the parts of our moral nature; +and therefore we cannot deny the existence +of our natural inclination towards goodness, +nor consider this inclination as a disposition +which has not need of any religious sentiment +to acquire strength, and become a rational +conductor through the rough road +<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>of life. The production of salutary fruits requires, +before all things, a favourable soil; +but this advantage would be useless without +seed and the labour of the husbandman, and +the fertilizing warmth of the sun: the +Author of Nature has thought fit that a +great number of causes should concur continually +to renovate the productions of the +earth; and the same intention, the same +plan, seems to have determined the principle +and the developement of all the gifts of +the mind: it is necessary, in order to attach +intelligent beings to the love of virtue, +and respect for morality, that not only happy +natural dispositions, but still more, a judicious +education, good laws, and, above all, a continual +intercourse with the Supreme Being, +from which alone can arise firm resolutions, +and every ardent thought, should concur; +but men ambitious of submitting a great +number of relations to their weak comprehension, +would wish to confine them to a +few causes. We shall discover, every moment, +the truth of this observation; actuated +by a similar motive, many wish to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>attribute every thing to education; whilst +others pretend, that our natural dispositions +are the only source of our actions and intentions, +of our vices and virtues. Perhaps, +in fact, there is, in the universe, but +one expedient and spring, one prolific idea, +the root of every other: yet, as it is at the +origin of this idea, and not in its innumerable +developements, that its unity can be +perceived, the first grand disposer of nature: +only ought to be in possession of the secret; +and we, who see, of the immense mechanism +of the world, but a few wheels, +become almost ridiculous, when we make +choice sometimes of one, and sometimes of +another, to refer to it exclusively, the +cause of motion, and the simplest properties +of the different parts of the natural or moral +world.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. IV.<br> <em>An Objection drawn from the good Conduct of many irreligious Men.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>You may think, perhaps, after having +read the preceding chapter, that I +have taken little room to treat a question on +which so much has been written; but if it +be allowed that I have made some approaches +to truth, I shall not need any excuse. The +researches after truth resemble those circles +which we trace sometimes one round +another; the furthest from the centre has +necessarily the greatest extent.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will then endeavour, with the same +brevity, to examine the objection which is to +make the subject of this chapter.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Society, some say, is at present filled with +persons, who, to borrow the expression of +the times, are absolutely disengaged from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>every kind of prejudice, who believe not +even the existence of a Supreme Being; and +yet, their conduct appears as regular as that +of the most religious men.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Before replying to this objection I ought +to make an important observation. The +detractors of a religious spirit habitually +confound, in their discourse, devotion and +piety; they attribute besides to devotion an +exaggerated sense, which its natural definition +will not bear; and derive from this +misconception a great advantage. Piety, +simple in its sentiments and deportment, +commonly escapes the heedless glance of a +man of the world; and the greater part of +those who speak of it, would have some difficulty +to delineate it well; devotion, on +the contrary, such as we are accustomed to +represent, seems to attach some value to appearances; +it displays itself, it makes a parade +of the austerity of its principles; and +often soured by the sacrifices, of the constraint, +which it has imposed on itself as a +law, it contracts a rough and inflexible spirit, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>which banishes sentiment, amiable and +indulgent: in short, devotion is sometimes +mixed with hypocrisy, and then it is +only a despicable assemblage of the most +contemptible vices. It is easy to judge, +from these two pictures, that judicious piety, +rational and indulgent, forms the true characteristic +of a religious spirit, considered in +its purity. It is then with morality, inspired +by a like spirit, that it is necessary to compare +those men, who are guided only by the principles +they frame to themselves; and I believe, +that one of these two systems of morality +is far superior to the other; but we +run a risk of deceiving ourselves in our observations, +when we do not extend them +beyond the narrow circle, known amongst +us by the name of <em>society</em>. Men, in the circumscribed +relations which arise from the +communications of idleness and dissipation, +require of each other, only qualities applicable +to these kind of relations; their code +of laws is very short, integrity in the commerce +of life, constancy in friendship, or, at +least, politeness in our intercourse, a kind of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>elevation in their discourse and manner; in +short, probity is the grand outline; and this +is all that is required, in order to display +ourselves to the best advantage in the midst +of the active scenes which surround us, where +we sometimes form a confederacy proper +to serve as a support of the great virtues; +but what they wish for before every thing +is, a grant of indulgence in favour of vices, +which do not disturb the order or the peace +of their pleasures, and which only render +unhappy parents, husbands, and creditors, +vassals and the commonalty. Far distant, +indeed, from a like tolerance, are those collective +obligations which morality dictates, +obligations, of which I made a concise +sketch, when I compared them with those +which are imposed by civil laws. It is +then only, after having retraced ourselves +the entire system of our duties, it is only after +having compared them with the conventions +softened by fashionable society, that +we are in a state to judge, if the conduct of +persons, disengaged from every religious tie, +ought to be given as an example, and if their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>morality can suffice for all the circumstances +of life.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But in admitting, for a moment, this supposition, +we should not have a right to draw +any deduction contrary to the truths, which +I have endeavoured to establish; for all those +who free themselves at a certain age, from +the yoke of religion, have been at least prepared +by it to respect virtue. Principles +inculcated early in life, have a great influence +on the human heart, a long time even after +our understanding has rejected the reasoning +which served as the basis of those principles: +the soul, formed when the reason +begins to dawn, to the love of order, and +sustained in this disposition by the force +of habit, never entirely loses this principle. +So that, whatever be the opinions adopted +when the judgment is formed, it is +slowly, and by degrees, that these opinions +act on the character and direct the conduct. +Besides, while religion maintains amongst +the greater number of men, a profound respect +for morality, those who reject these +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>sentiments know, nevertheless, that probity +leads to esteem, and to the various advantages +which depend on it. Of course, a virtuous +atheist merely makes us recollect, that +he lives where virtue is respected; and it is +not the inefficacy, but, on the contrary, the +indirect influence of religious opinions, +which his conduct demonstrates to me. I +think I see, in a beautiful piece of mechanism, +a small part broken off from the chain, +and which maintains its place, by the force +still subsisting of general equilibrium.</p> + +<p class='c010'>What! would you have need of religion +to be an honest man? Here is an interrogative, +with which they hope to embarrass +those who wish to preserve to morality its +best support; and the dread that some +have of not giving an honourable idea of +their sentiments, induces them to reply with +quickness, that certainly they should not +need the check of religion, and that the dictates +of their heart would always be sufficient +to direct them. This answer is undoubtedly +very respectable; but for my part, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>I avow, I should merely say, that virtue has +so many charms, when it has been a long +time practised, that a truly sensible man +would continue to be just, even when every +religious sentiment was annihilated; but +that it is uncertain whether, with a political +education, his principles might have been +the same; and I should add further, that +no one, perhaps, could be certain, that he +would have sufficient strength to resist a revolution +of ideas similar to those that we +have just supposed, were he to fall at the +same time into a state of misery and dejection, +which would make him revolt at the +enjoyments and the triumphs of others. It +is always in a like situation, that it is necessary +to place ourselves, to judge properly of +certain questions; for all those who enjoy +the favours of fortune, have, in consequence +of this fortunate condition, fewer objects of +envy, and are less subject to temptations; +and in the midst of the different comforts, +which peaceably surround them, it is not +the principles of others of which they know +the want.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>As for philosophical writers, if it were +amongst them, that we are to search for the +principal defenders of the new opinions, +and if, at the same time, their moral conduct +was cited as an example, we should +have to observe, that a retired life, love of +study, and a constant habit of reflection, +ought to spread a kind of calm over their +sentiments; besides, delivered up to abstraction, +or preoccupied by general ideas, they +know not all the passions, and they are +seldom personally engaged in those ardent +pursuits which stimulate society. They +cannot then determine, with certainty, +what would have been the degree of their resisting +force, if without any other defensive +arms than their principles, and no guide +but convenience, they had to combat against +the allurements of fortune and ambition, +which present themselves in every step of +our worldly career. They have also, like +all the inventors and the propagators of a +new system, vanity, which engages them to +multiply the number of their disciples: and +how, in fact, could they be able to flatter +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>themselves with any success, if, in attacking +the most respectable opinions, they had +not endeavoured to prove that their doctrines +were not in opposition to morality. +Besides, it is very necessary, after having +silently sapped the foundation of our dwelling, +that they support for some time the edifice, +were it only while they have with us +a common habitation; were it only during +the interval when we should be able to +judge in their presence, of the utility of +their instructions: in short, very often, +perhaps, the dupes of their own heart, they +have been induced to believe that, because +they were at the same time irreligious by +system, and just by character and habit, religion +and virtue have not a necessary +union; and if it is true, that in the grand +interests of life, the slightest doubt has some +influence on our actions, would it be possible, +that at the time when they would +seek to shake religious opinions, even when +they are ridiculed in conversation, that they +would still endeavour to preserve a secret +connexion with them, by the propriety of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>their conduct? It is thus that, in the disputes +of princes, or in the quarrels of ministers, +the members of the same family +have sometimes the art of dividing themselves, +in order, at all events, that one of +their friends should be in each party.</p> + +<p class='c010'>These different reflections ought necessarily +to be taken into consideration, before +we give ourselves up to the inferences that +they would wish to draw from the manners +of irreligious men; but, to discredit +their arguments, it is sufficient to observe, +that we cannot make any application +of them to the most numerous class of +men: honest atheists have never existed +among the commonalty, religion comprehends +all their knowledge in morality; and +if once they were to lose this guide, their +conduct would be absolutely dependent on +chance and circumstances.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is still essential to observe, that, according +to the motives to which we can attribute +the relaxation of moral principles, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>there exists a great difference between the +various characters which attend vicious actions: +a depraved man, though religious, +does wrong by accident, through weakness, +and according to the successive transports +of his passions; but the wicked atheist +has not a fixed time; opportunities do not +surprise him, he searches for them, or +waits for them with impatience; he yields +not through the contagion of imitation; +but he takes pleasure in setting an example; +he is not a corrupt fruit, he is himself the +tree of evil.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Another objection is raised, but of a +very different kind: they point out the +contrast, frequently perceived, between the +conduct and the religious sentiments of the +greater part of men; an opposition from +whence they would wish to conclude, that +these sentiments are not a certain safeguard: +and they add, to support their +argument, that in examining the belief +of all those, whose licentious life is +terminated by an ignomious death, we perceive +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>that the greater number is composed +of people blindly subject to religious opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly, these opinions form not, at +all times, a complete resistance to the different +starts of our passions; but it suffices, +that they may be the most efficacious. +There has been, and there ever will be, vicious +men in the bosom of society, even +where religion has the greatest influence; +for it acts not on us like a mechanical force, +by weights, levers, and springs, of which +we can calculate exactly the power; it is +not an arbitrary modification of our nature; +but we are enlightened, guided, and animated, +according to our dispositions and +sensibility, and according to the degree of +our own efforts in the numerous conflicts +which we have to sustain; it would be then +an evident piece of treachery, to attack religion, +by drawing a picture of the vices and +crimes, from which it has not been able to +guard society, instead of fixing our attention +on all the disorders which it checks or prevents.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>They would be equally wrong, who represent +the general languor of religion, +as a proof that it has, in our time, very +little influence on morality; it would be +necessary rather to remark, how great must +have been that power, which even in the +decline of its force is still sufficient to +concur to the maintenance of public order; +we should be authorized to say, how +valuable is the whole, when we receive so +much advantage from a part?</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, the consequence that they would +wish to draw from the opinions, and from +the faith of wretches sinking under the +sword of justice, in an abuse of reasoning: +men termed religious, forming the major +part of the populace, we must among them +necessarily meet the greater number of +malefactors; in the same manner that we +are sure to find, in this class, more men of +a particular age, stature, or complexion; +but, if they have a right to use such an argument +to censure a religious education, +they might, with the same reason, contest +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>the salubrity of breast milk, alledging, that +many sick and dying persons have received +this nourishment. We should never confound +a common circumstance with a general +cause; these are two ideas absolutely +distinct.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There are other objections which equally +deserve to be discussed; but they will find +a place, with more propriety, after the chapter +where, I shall examine, under different +heads, the influence of religious opinions on +our happiness. You have seen, and you will +perceive still more, in the progress of this +work, that I do not endeavour to elude difficulties; +for before I determined to defend, +according to my abilities, a cause which I +could wish to render dear to mankind, I +carefully studied the means; and after having +fortified myself against the systems opposite +to my sentiments, I fear not to examine +the motives which serve to support +them.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. V.<br> <em>The Influence of Religious Principles on our Happiness.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>As we have shown the close connexion +of morality with religious opinions, +we have already pointed out the principal +relation of these opinions with public good, +since the repose and interior tranquillity of +society essentially depend on the maintenance +of civil order, and the exact observance +of the laws of justice. But a great part of +human happiness does not arise from the +community: thus, the benefits religion imparts +would be very imperfect, if they were +not extended to our most intimate sentiments, +if they were not useful in those secret +conflicts of different affections which +agitate our souls, and which pre-occupy +our thoughts. Religion is very far +from deserving this reproach; that which +raises it indeed above every kind of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>legislation is, that it influences equally public +good and private happiness. We ought +to examine this truth; but to do it philosophically, +we must necessarily contemplate, +and pry into our nature, and examine, for a +moment, into the first causes of the enjoyments +or the anxieties of our minds.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men, when they have advanced a few +steps in the world, and as soon as +their intellectual faculties begin to open, +extend their views, and live in the future; +sensual pleasures and bodily pain only +detain them in the present; but in the +long intervals which exist between the renewal +of these sensations, it is by anticipation +and memory that they are happy or +miserable; and recollection is only interesting, +as it is perceived to keep up the connexion +between the past and future. Undoubtedly, +the influence of the future, on +all our moral affections, escapes often our +notice; to cite some examples of this +truth, we believe, that only the present +moment produces happiness, when we receive +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>elogiums, obtain some mark of distinction, +or are informed of an unexpected augmentation +of our fortune; and still more, +when we are pleased with the sport of our +imagination, or the discoveries of our reason +in our closet or in conversation. These enjoyments, +and many others similar, we call +present happiness; though there is not any +one of them which does not owe its value, +and even reality, to the single idea of futurity. +In fact, respect, applause, the triumphs of +self-love, the forerunners of fame, and even +fame itself, are the acquisitions which education +and habit have rendered precious, in +exhibiting always beyond them some other +advantage, of which these first were only +the symbols. Often, indeed, the last object +of our ambition is but an enjoyment of opinion, +the confused image of some possession +more real. Every where we see vague hopes +hurry away our imagination; we see the expected +good, the immediate end of our meditation, +or the obscure motive of the estimation +we annex to the various satisfactions, +of which our present happiness is composed. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>Thus, indirectly, and almost unknown to +ourselves, all is in perspective in our moral +existence; and it is by this reasoning that, +always deluded, we are seldom perfectly deceived. +Subjected by long habit, it is in +vain that we would wish to separate the +imaginary advantages of opinion from the +delusions of hope which surround them, +and by which we have been seduced all our +life.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is but a small part of the moral +system, which we cannot make agree with +this manner of explaining the principal cause +of our pleasures and of our pains. I am +very far, however, from wishing to make +the sentiments, which unite men by the +charm of friendship, depend on the same +principle; and which have such an essential +influence on their happiness. All is real +in these affections, since they are a simple +association of ourselves to others, and them +to us; in this view it may be considered +as, in some measure, prolonging our own +existence; but this division, so intimate, of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>the good and evil of life, does not destroy +their essence. Friendship doubles our pleasures +and our comforts; and it is by the +close alliance of two sympathizing souls +that we are fortified against all events; but +it is always with the same passions that +it is necessary to combat; thus whether we +remain solitary, or live in others, the future +preserves its influence over us.</p> + +<p class='c010'>If such is, however, our moral nature, +that the object of our wishes will always be +at some distance; if our thoughts, like the +course of the waves, are ever active, and +pressing forward; if our present enjoyments +have a secret tie with the imaginary advantages +of opinion, of which the last term is +still a fleeting shadow; in short, if all is +future in the fate of man; with what interest, +with what love, with what respect, +ought we not to consider this beautiful system +of hope, of which religious opinions +are the majestic foundation! What encouragement +they present! What an end to all +other ends! What a grand and precious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>idea, by its connexion with the most intimate +and general sentiment, the desire of +prolonging our existence! That which men +dread most, is the image of an eternal annihilation; +the absolute destruction of all +the faculties which compose their being, is +for them the downfall of the whole universe; +and they are anxious to seek for a +refuge against this overwhelming thought.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly, it is according to nature, +according to the degree of strength of their +religious opinions, that men seize with +more or less confidence the hopes which +they give, and the recompense they promise; +but, doubt and obscurity have a powerful +action, while supreme happiness is the +object; for even in the affairs of this life, +the grandeur of the prize offered to our +ambition excites still more our ardour, than +the probability of success. But where +should we fix, where attach the slightest +hope, if even the idea of a God, this first +prop of religion, was ever destroyed; if, +from the infancy of men, we did not present +<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>to their reflection, that worldly considerations +are as transient as themselves; and +if, early in life, they were humbled in their +own eyes; if men applied themselves to +stifle the internal sentiments, which inform +them of the spirituality of their souls? +Discouraged in this manner, by the first +principles of their education, slackened in +all the movements which carry thier reflections +into futurity, they would often take +retrospective views: the past recalling an irreparable +loss, would too much captivate +their attention; and their minds, in the +midst of time, would no more be in a necessary +equilibrium to enjoy the present +moment; in short, this moment, which is +not, in reality, but an imperceptible fraction, +would appear almost nothing to our eyes, +if it were not united in our contemplations, +to the unknown number of days and years +which are before us. It is then, because +that there is nothing limited in the ideas of +happiness and duration, with which religious +sentiments impress us, that our imagination +is not forced to recoil on itself, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>it is insensibly lost in the immensity of futurity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>When, in following the course of a noble +river, a vast horizon is presented to our +view, we turn not our observation on the +sandy banks we are coasting: but if, changing +our situation, or twilight narrowing this +horizon, our attention was turned on the +barren flat we are near; then only we +should remark all its dryness and sterility. +It is the same in the career of life: when +the grand ideas of infinity elevate our +thoughts and our hopes, we are less affected +by the weariness and difficulties strewed in +our path; but, if changing our principles, +a gloomy philosophy were to obscure +our perspective, our whole attention drawn +back on the surrounding objects, we should +then very distinctly discover the void and +illusion of the satisfactions of which our +moral nature is susceptible.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us recollect, then, all the happiness +which we owe to religious sentiments and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>obvious reflections, which, in attracting us +continually towards the future, seem willing +to save from the present moment the purest +part of ourselves; these are, without our perceiving +it, the enchantments of the moral +world; if it were possible that, by cold reasoning, +we at length destroyed them, a sad +melancholy would ally itself to most of our +reflections; and it would seem as if a winding-sheet +had taken place of that transparent +veil, through which the prospects of +life are embellished. Undoubtedly, there +would be still some charm in the days of +youth, when the pleasures of the senses +press on us, and fill a considerable time; +but when the passions are tempered by age, +when our strength has been broken by +years, or prematurely attacked by sickness; +in short, when the time is arrived, when +men are constrained to seek, in the principles +of morality, the chief support of their +happiness; what would become of them, if +those hopes and opinions were dissipated, +which afford solid comfort and encouragement; +and if an imagination, thus active, were +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>weakened, which enlivens all the objects +that anticipation can reach?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Reflect, then, with attention, on the different +consequences which would be the +fatal train of the annihilation of religious +opinions; it is not a single idea, a single +view, that men would lose; it would be, +besides, the interest and the charm of all +their desires and ambition. There is nothing +indifferent, when our actions and designs +can be in any respect attached to a +duty; there is nothing indifferent, when the +exercise and the improvement of our faculties +appear the commencement of an existence, +whose termination is unknown: but, +when this period offers itself on all sides to +our view, when we approach it every moment, +what strong illusion would be sufficient +to defend us from a sad despondency? +Strictly circumscribed in the space of life, its +limits would be in such a manner present to +our mind, to every sentiment and enterprize +perhaps, that we should be tempted to examine, +what it is which can merit, on our +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>part, an assiduous research; what it is +which deserves close and painful application. +Indeed, fame itself, which is called +immortal, would no more hurry us on in +the same manner, if we had a secret conviction, +that it cannot grow, rise, subsist, +but in such portions of space, and such +durations of time, as our imagination cannot +conceive. It is necessary, that the uncertain +future be still our country, in order +that we should be able to feel that unquiet +love of a long celebrity, and those ardent +impulses towards great things which is the +salutary effect of it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We deceive ourselves then, I think, when +we accuse religion of necessarily rendering +the business and the pleasures of the world +uninteresting; its chief pleasures, on the +contrary, are derived from religion, from +those ideas of eternity, which it presents to +our mind, which serve to sustain the enchantments +of hope, and the sense of those +duties of which our moral nature is ingeniously +composed.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>Religious opinions are perfectly adapted +to our nature, to our weaknesses and perfections; +they come to our succour in our +real difficulties, and in those which the abuse +of our foresight creates. But in what is +grand and elevated in our nature, it sympathizes +most: for, if men are animated by +noble thoughts; if they respect their intelligence, +their chief ornament; if they are +interested about the dignity of their nature, +they will fly, with transport, to bow before +religion, which ennobles their faculties, +preserves their strength of mind, and which, +through its sentiments, unites them to Him, +whose power astonishes their understanding. +It is then that, considering themselves as +an emanation of the Infinite Being, the +commencement of all things, they will not +let themselves be drawn aside by a philosophy, +whose sad lessons tend to persuade +us, that reason, liberty, all this immaterial +essence of ourselves, is the mere result of a +fortuitous combination, and an harmony +without intelligence.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>We have never perhaps observed, with +sufficient attention, the different kinds of +happiness which would be destroyed, or at +least sensibly weakened, if this discouraging +doctrine was ever propagated.</p> + +<p class='c010'>What would then become of the most +sublime of all sentiments, that of admiration, +if, instead of the grand view of the universe, +far from reviving the idea of a Supreme +Being, we retraced only a vast existence, +but without design, cause, or destination; +and if the astonishment of our minds was +itself but one of the spontaneous accidents of +blind matter?</p> + +<p class='c010'>What would become of the pleasure +which we find in the developement, exercise, +and progress of our faculties, if this intelligence, +of which we love to glory, was +only the result of chance, and if all our ideas +were but a mere obedience to the eternal law +of motion; if our liberty was but a fiction, +and if we had not, if I may say so, any possession +of ourselves?</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>What would become then of that active +spirit of curiosity, whose charm excites us to +observe continually the wonders with which +we are surrounded, and which inspires, at the +same time, the desire of penetrating, in some +measure, into the mystery of our existence, +and the secret of our origin? Certainly it +would little avail us to study the course of +nature, if this science could only teach us to +comprehend the afflicting particulars of our +mechanical slavery: a prisoner cannot be +pleased to draw the form of his fetters, or +reckon the links of his chains.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But how beautiful is the world, when it +is represented to us as the result of a single +and grand thought, and when we find every +where the stamp of an eternal intelligence; +and how pleasing to live with the sentiments +of astonishment and adoration deeply +impressed on our hearts!</p> + +<p class='c010'>But what a subject of glory are the endowments +of the mind, when we can consider +them as a participation of a sublime +<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>nature, of which God alone is the perfect +model. And how delightful then to yield +to the ambition of elevating ourselves still +more, by exercising our thoughts and improving +all our faculties!</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, how many charms has the observation +of nature, when, at every new discovery, +we believe we advance a step towards +an acquaintance with that exalted +wisdom which has prescribed laws to the +universe, and maintains it in harmony! It +is then, and only then, that the study is +truly interesting, and the progress of knowledge +becomes an increase of happiness. Yes, +under the influence of opinions, arising from +the notions of materialists, all is languishing +in our curiosity, all is mere instinct in our +admiration, all is fictitious in the sentiments +which we have of ourselves; but with the idea +of a God, all is lively, all is reasonable and +true: in short, this happy and prolific idea +appears as necessary to the moral nature of +man, as heat is to plants and to all the vegetable +world. You may think, perhaps, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>in examining the influence of religion on +happiness, I have dwelt on several considerations, +which are not of equal importance to +all men; there are, indeed, some more particularly +adapted to that part of society, +whose minds are improved by education; +but I am very far from wishing to divert a +moment my attention from the numerous +class of the inhabitants of the earth, whose +happiness and misery arises from a simple +idea, proportioned to the extent of their interests +and reflections.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Those who seem to have a more pressing +and constant need of the assistance of religion, +have been left by the misfortunes of +their parents to the wide world, devoid of +property, and deprived also of those resources +which depend on education. This +class of men, condemned to hard labour, +are, as it were, confined in a rough and uniformly +barren path, where every day resembles +the last, where they have not any confused +expectations, or flattering illusion to +divert them: they know that there is a wall +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>of separation between them and fortune; and +if they carried their views in life forward, +they would only discover the dreadful state any +infirmity would reduce them to; and the deplorable +situation to which they might be exposed, +by the cruel neglect which attends old +age. With what transport, in this situation, +would they not catch at the comfortable hopes +which religion presents! With what satisfaction +would they not learn, that after this probationary +state, where so much disproportion +overwhelmed them, there would come a +time of equality! What would be their +complaints, if they were to renounce a sentiment +which still conforms itself, for their +advantage, to a general idea, the only one, +in short, of which they can make use in all +events and circumstances of life. It is +God’s will, they say to themselves, and this +first thought supports their resignation: +God will recompense you, God will return +it to you, say they to others, when they receive +alms; and these words remind them, +that the God of the rich and powerful is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>also theirs; and that far from being indifferent +to their fate, He deigns Himself to +discharge their obligations.</p> + +<p class='c010'>How many other popular expressions +continually recal the same sentiment of confidence +and consolation. It is this continual +relation of the poor with the Deity which +raises them in their own eyes, and which +prevents their sinking under the weight of +contempt with which they are oppressed, +and gives them sometimes courage to resist +the pride of earthly greatness. What grander +effect could be produced by an idea so simple? +Thus, among the different things +which characterise religion, I remark, above +all, what seems more particularly the seal of +a divine hand; it is, that the moral advantages, +of which religion is the source, resembling +the grand blessings of nature, belong +equally to all men; and as the sun, in +the distribution of its rays, observes neither +rank nor fortune, in the same way those +comforting sentiments, which are connected +with the conception of a Supreme Being, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>and the hopes united to it, become the property +of the poor as well as the rich, of the +weak as well as the powerful, and can be +as securely enjoyed under the lowly roof of +a cottage, as in a superb palace. It is civil +laws which increase, or give a sanction to +the inequality of possessions; and it is religion +which sweetens the bitterness of this +hard disproportion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We could not avoid feeling a compassion +as painful as well founded, if, in considering +attentively the fate of the greater number +of men, we supposed them all at one +stroke deprived of the only thought which +supported their courage; they would no +more have a God to confide their sorrows +with; they would no more attend his ordinances +to search for the sentiments of resignation +and tranquillity; they would have no +motive for raising their looks to heaven; +their eyes would be cast down, fixed for ever +on this abode of grief, of death, and eternal +silence. Then despair would even stifle +their groans, and all their reflections preying +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>on themselves, would only serve to corrode +their hearts; then those tears which they have +a satisfaction in shedding, and which are attracted +by the tender persuasion, that there +exists some where commiseration and goodness, +these consoling tears would no more +moisten their eyes.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Who has not seen, sometimes, those veteran +soldiers, who are prostrate here and +there on the pavement of a sanctuary, erected +in the midst of their august retreat? Their +hair, which time has whitened; their forehead +marked with honourable scars; that tottering +step, which age only could impress on +them, all inspire at first respect; but by +what sentiments are we not affected, when +we see them lift up and join with difficulty +their weak hands, to invoke the God of the +universe, of their heart and mind; when +we see them forget, in this interesting devotion, +their present pains and past griefs; +when we see them rise with a countenance +more serene, and expressive of the tranquillity +and hope devotion has infused through +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>their souls. Complain not in those moments, +you who judge of the happiness of +this world only from its enjoyments; their +looks are humbled, their body trembles, +and death awaits their steps; but this inevitable +end, whose image only terrifies us, +they see coming without alarm; they, +through religion, have approached Him who +is good, who can do every thing, whom none +ever loved without receiving comfort. +Come and contemplate this sight, you who +despise religion, you who term yourselves +superior; come and see the real value of +your pretended knowledge for promoting +happiness. Change the fate of men, and +give them all, if you can, some portion of +the enjoyments of life, or respect a sentiment +which serves them to repulse the injuries +of fortune; and since even the policy +of tyrants has never dared to destroy it, +since their power would be insufficient to +enable them to succeed in the savage attempt, +you, to whom nature has given superior +endowments, be not more cruel, +more inexorable than they; or if, by a pitiless +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>doctrine, you wish to deprive the old, +the sick, and the indigent, of the only idea +of happiness which they can apply to, go +from prison to prison, and to those dreary +cells, where the wretched prisoners struggle +with their chains, and shut with your +own hands, if you have the heart to do it, +the only aperture through which any ray +of light can reach them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not, however, a single class of society +which derives an habitual assistance +from religion, it is all those who have to +complain of the abuse of authority, of +public injustice, and the different vicissitudes +of their fate; it is the innocent man +who is condemned, the virtuous man who +is slandered, the man who has once acted +inconsistently, and been censured with too +much rigour; all those, in short, who, +convinced of the purity of their own conscience, +seek for, above all, a secret witness +of their intentions, and an enlightened +judge of their conduct.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>A man of an exalted character, endowed +with sensibility of heart, experiences +also the necessity of forming to himself an +image of an unknown Being, to which he +can unite all the ideas of perfection which +fill his imagination; it is to Him that he +refers those different sentiments, which are +useless amidst the corruptions which surround +him; it is in God alone that he can +find an inexhaustible subject of astonishment +and adoration; and with Him alone +can he renew and purify his sentiments, +when he is wearied with the sight of the +vices of the world, and the habitual return +of the same passions. In short, at every +instant the happy idea of a God softens and +embellishes our path through life, and by it +we associate ourselves with delight to all the +beauties of nature; by it every thing animated +enters into communication with us; +yes, the noise of the wind, the murmurs of +the water, the peaceable agitation of plants, +all serves to support, or melt our souls, +provided that our thoughts can rise to a +universal cause, provided we can discover +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>every where the works of Him whom we +love, provided we can distinguish the vestiges +of His footsteps and the traces of His +intentions; and, above all, if we can suppose, +that we ourselves contribute to the +display of His power, and the splendour of +His goodness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But it is principally over the enjoyments +of friendship that piety spreads a new charm; +bounds, limits, cannot agree with the sentiment +which is as infinite as thought, it +would not subsist, at least would be troubled +with continual anxiety; we should not +consider without terror the revolution of +years and the rapid course of time, if those +benevolent opinions, which enlarge for us +the future, did not come to our assistance. +Thus, when we find ourselves separated +from the objects of our affection, lonely +meditations bring them back to aid the general +idea of happiness, which, more or +less, distinctly terminates our view; then +the tender melancholy, in which one +is lost, is changed into pleasing emotions: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>and you have, above all, need of those precious +opinions, you, who, timid in a bustling +world, or discouraged by disappointments, +find yourself a solitary wanderer on +the earth, because you partake not of the +passions which agitate the greater part of +mankind! You want a friend, and you only +see pecuniary associations; you want a +comforter, and you only see the ambitious, +strangers to all those who have not power +or a distinguished reputation; a tender confident +is at least necessary, and the active +scenes of society disperses the affections and +diminishes every interest. In short, when +you have this friend, this confident, this +comforter; when you have acquired it by +the most tender union; when you live in a +son, a husband, or a cherished wife, what +other idea, but that of a God, can come +to your relief, when the frightful image of a +separation presents itself to your thoughts? +It is, indeed, in such moments that we +embrace with transport all those opinions +which tend to foster the idea of continuity +and duration? How gladly then we lend an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>ear to those words of comfort which are so +perfectly consonant with the desires and the +wants of our soul! What association of +ideas, so frightful as that of the eternal annihilation +of life and love? How can we +unite to that soft division of interests and of +sentiments, to that charm of our days; +how can we unite to so much of existence +and happiness, the internal persuasion and +habitual image of a death without hope, a +destruction without return? How can we +offer only the idea of oblivion to those affectionate +minds, who have centred all their +self-love, all their ambition in the object of +their esteem and tenderness; and who, after +having renounced themselves, are, as it +were, deposited entirely in the bosom of +another, to subsist there by the same breath +of life and the same destiny? In short, near +the tomb, which, perhaps, they will one +day bedew with their tears, how can they +pronounce the overwhelming words, forever!—forever!—Oh! +horrors of horrors, +both for the mind and feelings! and if it be +necessary that the contemplations of a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>man of feeling approach a moment to the +frightful confines, let a benevolent cloud at +least cover the dark abyss! Tears and sorrow +still afford some comfort, when we +give them to a beloved shade, when we can +mix with our griefs the name of a God, +and when this name appears to you the cement +of all nature: but if in the universe +all was deaf to our voice; if no echoes +were to repeat our plaints; if the shades of +eternal darkness had hid from us the object of +our love, and if they were advancing to +drag us into the same night; if he is the +most unhappy being, he who survives, and +cannot even hope, that what death has severed +will again be united; if, when his +whole soul was filled with the recollection +of a loved object, he could not say, he is +in some place, his heart so affectionate, his +soul so pure and heavenly waits for me, and +calls me perhaps to be near that unknown +Being, whom we have, with common consent, +adored; and if, instead of a thought +so dear, it was necessary, without any doubt, +to consider the earth as a sepulchre forever +<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>shut—my heart dies within me—unable to +contend with the dreadful images, the universe +itself seems to dissolve, and overwhelm +us in its downfall. O source of so many +hopes, sublime idea of a God! abandon +not the man who has sensibility; Thou art +his courage, Thou art his futurity, Thou +art his life; leave him not desolate, and, +above all, defend him from the ascendency +of a barren and fatal philosophy, which +would afflict his heart by pretending to comfort +it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Well, I make another effort, and I address +myself to you, who boast of being enlightened +by a fresh ray of wisdom. I am +lost in the most profound grief; a father, a +mother, who guided me by their counsels, +and watched over me by their tenderness, +these protecting parents have just been taken +from me; a son, a daughter, both my comfort +and pride, have been cut off in the +prime of youth; a faithful companion, +whose words, sentiments, and actions, were +the support of my life, has vanished from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>my arms;—a moment of strength remains +with me, I come to you, ye philosophers; +what have you to say?—“Seek for dissipation, +turn your thoughts to some other +object, an abyss not to be fathomed separates +thee for ever from the objects of +thy tenderness; and these recollections, +which pierce thee through with so many +sorrows, they are only a form of vegetation, +the last play of organized matter.” +Alas! have you ever loved, and can you +pronounce tranquilly these cruel words! +Banish far from me such consolations, I +dread them more than my anguish. And +thou, O daughter of heaven, lovely and +mild religion, what wouldst thou say? +Hope, hope; “what God gave thee—He +can again restore.” What a difference +between these two languages! One abases, +the other exalts us! It is left to men to +choose, amongst their different guides, or +rather to determine, whether they prefer +darkness to light, death to life; whether +they prefer blighting winds to refreshing +dews; the frost of winter to the charms of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>spring; and the insensible stone to the most +brilliant gifts of animated nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will say it: the world, without the +idea of a God, would be only a desert, embellished +by a few delusions;—yet man, disenchanted +by the light of reason, would find +nothing throughout but subjects of sadness. +I have seen them, the dreams of ambition, +the allurements of fame, and the vain shews +of grandeur; and even when the illusion +was most dazzling, my heart always retired +into itself, and was attracted to an idea more +grand, to a consolation more substantial; I +have experienced, that the idea of the existence +of a Supreme Being threw a charm +over every circumstance of life; I have +found, that this sentiment alone was able to +inspire men with true dignity: for every +thing which is merely personal is of little +value, all that places some an inch high +above others; it is necessary, in order to +have any reason to glory, that, at the same +time we exalt ourselves, we elevate human +nature; we must refer it to that sublime intelligence, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>which seems to have dignified it +with some of its attributes. We then hardly +perceive those trivial distinctions which +are attached to transitory things, on which +vanity exercises her sway; it is then that +we leave to this queen of the world her rattle +and toys, and that we search elsewhere +another portion; it is then also that virtue, +exalted sentiments, and grand views, appear +the only glory of which man ought to be +jealous.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. VI.<br> <em>The same Subject continued. The Influence of Virtue on Happiness.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>It is not sufficient to have demonstrated, +that religion, so necessary to feeling +minds, agrees perfectly with the moral nature +of men; it is still necessary to observe, +that the habitual exercise of virtue, enjoined +as a duty in the name of God, is not in opposition +with happiness; and after having +considered a truth so important, I will +prove, that it is not contrary to what has +been said in the first chapter of this work, +on the impossibility of making men attentive +to public order, only by the motive of +personal interest.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot deny, that virtue often +obliges us to conquer our appetites, and +struggle with our passions; but if these +conflicts, and the victory which attends +<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>them, lead to more solid and durable satisfactions, +than those which folly and vice +portrays the image of, they would misconceive +the restrictions of morality, who perpetually +united the idea of self-denial with +that of a sacrifice.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot fix our attention on the various +objects of desire which occupy the +thoughts of men, without seeing clearly, +that if they abandoned themselves, unrestrained, +to all their wild propensities, they would +often stray far from the state of happiness +which forms the object of their wishes. +Any of the blessings, strewed here and there +in our path, cannot fill the void of life. Are +they the gratifications of the senses which +captivate us? Their duration is determined +by our weakness; and we cannot break loose +from the immutable limits opposed by nature. +Are they the advantages dependent +on opinion that we look for, such as honour +and praise; or the exterior splendour, which +fortune gives? You will soon perceive, that +quickly after they are obtained the charm is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>flown; they resemble Proteus in the fable, who +only appeared a God at a distance. Men then +have more need than is supposed of an interest +independent of their senses and imagination; +and this interest we find in the duties +morality inculcates and establishes.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In all times, in all circumstances, we have +a choice between good and evil: thus, virtue +may be continually in a state of action, +and we may find the application of it even +in the most apparently indifferent relations of +life, because virtue only has the privilege +of connecting little things to a great object; +and that it can only be encouraged by conscience, +which, in accompanying all our actions +and meditations, seems to augment our +existence, and procure those satisfactions +which are not known to the crowd who do +not act from principle.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Sensual pleasures, the desires of vanity, +the longings of ambition, would soon extinguish +themselves, if they were not fed +by the continual activity of society, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>produces new scenes, and displays every moment +some changes of decoration. Virtue, +satisfied with its views, has not need of a +succession of similar desires; its paths are +varied, but the end is ever the same.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot search for the enjoyments of +life in the imaginary advantages of opinion, +without allowing others to construct the +laws on which our happiness is founded; +and of course discord must result, which leaves +us a prey to every kind of emotion. Virtue +has not any associates in her counsels, she +judges herself of all that is good; and in this +respect a virtuous man is the most independent +of all beings, for it is from himself +alone that he receives commands, and expects +approbation. Yes, the obscure man, +who does good in secret, is more master of +his destiny, than the being ever will be who +seems loaded with all the favours of fortune, +and has need, that fashion and transient +gratifications come to determine his taste, +and give laws to his vanity, to enable him +to enjoy them</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>The little passions of the world, trying to +render us happy, lead us on from one illusion +to another, and the last boundary always +appears at a distance. Virtue, very different, +has its recompenses within itself: it is not +in events nor in uncertain success that it +places contentment; it is even in our resolution, +in the calmness which accompanies +it, and the secret sentiment which precedes it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Recollection ever composes the principal +happiness of virtue, whilst worldly vanity is +tormented by the remembrance of what is +gone for ever; and with regard to the passions +in general, the past is but a gloomy +shadow, out of which proceed, from time +to time, sorrow and remorse.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The intervals which occur between the +starts of violent passions, are almost always +filled by sadness and apathy; we all know, +according to the laws of nature, that lively +and ardent sensations produce languor the +moment the tumult is over. Virtue, in the +enjoyment of those pleasures peculiar to itself, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>knows nothing of those irregular emotions, +because all its principles are firm, and it +acts round its own centre; besides, it also +invites us continually to set a just value on +that happiness which is most proper for us; +it dictates its first laws in the bosom of domestic +life, and employs all its strength to +sustain, by the ties of duty, our most rational +and simple affections.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Virtue, which is the offspring of religion, +is of the greatest use in delivering men +from the tormenting solicitude of doubt, by +presenting a general system of conduct; and +above all, by marking fixed points to direct +them, by telling them what to love, choose, +and do. Thus, whilst men, carried away +by their imagination, continually allow that +they are deceived by phantoms, and lend +the most glowing colours to those which +have just escaped them, virtue sets no value +but on what it possesses, and knows not regret. +It would seem, at the first glance, +that the desires and caprices of the imagination +cannot agree with any kind of restraint; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>however, it is not less true, that these trifling +forerunners of our will have need of a +guide, and often of a master; our first inclinations +and sentiments are frequently uncertain, +weak, and wavering; it is of consequence +to our happiness, that this trembling +stalk should be fixed and supported; +and such is the service virtue renders to the +human mind.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We see not any uniformity in the conduct +of those who are not influenced by motives +of duty; they have too many things to regulate, +too many to decide about every instant, +when convenience is their only guide: +to simplify the management of ourselves, we +should submit to the government of a principle, +which may be easily applied to most +of our deliberations.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, virtue has this great advantage, +that it finds its happiness in a kind of respect +for the rights and claims of the different +members of the community, and that +all its sentiments seem to unite themselves +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>to the general harmony. The passions, on +the contrary, are almost always hostile; the +vain man desires that others should grace his +triumphs; the proud wishes them to feel +their inferiority; the ambitious, that they +keep clear of his pursuit; the imperious, +that they bend to him. It is the same of +the different competitions, which an excessive +love of praise, high reputation, or +fortune, gives birth to; in the path they +choose every one would wish to go alone, +or advance before all the rest, and occupied +about their own interest, they clash inconsiderately +with those of others. Virtue, very +different in following its course, fears neither +rivals nor competitors; it does not +jostle with any one, the road is spacious, +and all may walk at their ease; it is an orderly +alliance, of which morality is the +knot, drawing together, by the same motives +and hopes held in common, that chain of +duties and sentiments which unite the virtues +of men to the ideal model of all perfection.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>Virtue, which guards us from the snares +of our senses, and checks our blind desires, is +besides the basis of the most precious wisdom; +but it is not the interest of a day, +or the pleasures of a moment, that it protects, +it is the whole of life, that it takes +under its superintendency; it is, to speak +metaphorically, the vindicator of futurity, +the representative of duration, and becomes, +to the feelings, what foresight is to the +mind. We must then, with respect to private +manners, consider virtue as a prudent +friend, taught by the experience of all ages, +who directs our steps, and never lets the +flambeau waver, whose salutary light ought +to guide them. Our tumultuous passions +dispute the honour of partaking the government: +it is necessary a master should +assign to each its proper limits, one +who can keep in peace all these petty domestic +tyrants; which reminds us of the +image of Ulysses, arriving suddenly in the +midst of the hundred kings who had taken +possession of his palace.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>Virtue, some will say, severe in its judgments, +and austere in its forms, would it +not deprive us of the greatest happiness, the +pleasure of being beloved? I reply, that +virtue, in its most improved state, has not +this character; I represent it to myself as +a just sentiment of order, far from banishing +all other comforts, it leads to them: +thus, benevolence and forbearance, which +agree so well with human weakness; the +social spirit so consistent with our nature; +urbanity in discourse and manner; that +amiable expression of a heart, which +seeks to unite itself with others; all these +qualities, very far from being strangers +to virtue, are its attendants and brightest +ornament.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Virtue allies itself to all the ideas which +can give extent to our mind, and early in life +accustoms us to discern relations, and to +sacrifice frequently our present affections to +distant considerations; it is, of all our sentiments, +that which carries us farthest out +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>of ourselves, and consequently has the nearest +resemblance with abstract thinking. It +is then, through the assistance of virtue, +that a man acquires all his knowledge of +his strength and all his grandeur. Vice, on +the contrary, concentres us in a little space; +it seems to be conscious of its own deformity, +and fears all that surrounds it; it endeavours +to fix on a single object, on a single +moment, and would wish to have power to +draw into a point our whole existence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must still add, that virtue, by uniting a +motive to all our actions, and by directing +towards an end all our sentiments, habituates +our mind to order, and justness of +conception; and prevents our wandering +in too great a space: thus I have often +thought, that it was not only by his vices, +that an immoral man is dangerous in the +administration of public affairs; we ought +to fear him also as unable to comprehend +a whole, and for his want of capacity +to rally all his thoughts and direct them +towards any general principle: every kind +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>of harmony is unknown to him, every rule +is become a burthen; he is busy, but only +by starts; and it is by accident that a man, +always versatile, stumbles on what is right.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It may then truly be said, that morality +serves as ballast to our sentiments, its aid +enables us to go on without being agitated +continually by the caprices of our imagination, +without being obliged to turn back at +the first appearance of an obstacle.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Virtue then enlarges the mind, gives dignity +to the character, and invests it with +every thing becoming. Of all the qualities +of men, the most rare, the most apt to +create respect, is, that elevation of thought, +sentiment, and manners; that majestic consistency +of character which truth alone can +preserve, but which the least exaggeration, +the most trivial affectation, would disconcert +or banish. This resembles not pride, +and still less vanity, as one of its ornaments +is, that it never seeks for the homage +of others: the man endowed with real dignity, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>is placed above even his judges; he +accounts not with them, he lives under the +government of his conscience, and, proud +of such a noble ruler, he does not wish for +any other dependence: but as this grandeur +is entirely within himself, it ceases to exist, +when he dictates to others what he expects +from them; it can only be restrained in its +just limits by virtues which do not pretend +to dazzle.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is to the same principle, that men owe +that noble respect for virtue, the most +graceful ornament of a great soul; they owe +to it also that simplicity in thinking and +speaking, that happy habit of a conscience +not in want of being on its guard. A man +truly honest considers disguise as a detractor, +and desires to appear as he really is; it is +not his interest to conceal his weaknesses, for +in a generous heart they are almost always +united to something good; and perhaps +frankness would have become the policy of +his mind, if it had not been one of the qualities +of his character.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>There is, in every virtue, a kind of beauty +which charms us without reflection: our +moral sense, when it is improved by education, +is pleased with that social harmony +which the sentiments of justice preserves. +These enjoyments are unknown to men, +whose selfishness renders them insensible to +every kind of concord, and they appear to +me to deserve our contempt in one essential +point; it is, that they profit by the respect +others have for order, without being willing +to subject themselves to the same rules, +and without declaring publicly their intention; +it seems to me, that, in this view, +a defect of morality is indeed a breach of +the laws of hospitality.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, talents, those faculties of the +mind which belong more immediately to +nature, can never be applied to great things +without the aid of morality; there is no +other way of uniting the interest of men, +and of attaining their love and respect. Honesty +resembles the ancient idioms, according +to which you must know how to speak, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>you wish to be understood by the generality; +and a language is never well known, +but by constant practice. The understanding +is sometimes sufficient to acquire +an ascendency in circumscribed relations; +you there take men one by one; and you +often engage them by proportioning yourself +to their depth: but on a vast theatre, +and principally in public administration, +where we have need of captivating men in +a body, it is necessary to search for a band +which will embrace all; and it is only by a +union of talents and virtue that this chain +can be formed. And when I see the homage +paid by a nation to virtuous characters; +when I remark the almost instinctive +judgment which assists in discerning +them; when I see that they praise and +love only what they can connect to pure +virtue, and noble intention, I return to my +favourite sentiment, and believe I recognize +in these emotions the stamp of a hand +divine.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>After having tried to give a feeble sketch +of the various recompenses and different +satisfactions which seem to appertain to regularity +of principles, and propriety of conduct, +you will perhaps ask, if you have not +a right to conclude from these reflections, +that we can attach men to morality by the +mere motive of personal interest; I have +already mentioned, that I intended to answer +such an objection, and now is the time +to do it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Virtue, in its most improved state; virtue, +such as we have just represented, is +not the work of a moment; it is necessary +that it should be called forth and strengthened +by degrees; but it would be nipped when +it first begins to unfold itself, if we destroyed +the simple opinions which serve to +educate it, if we overturned the only end +which can be perceived by all minds; and +if we weakened the sentiments which connect +it with those who respect the laws of +morality, and who promote this cultivation +by their commendations and esteem.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>Besides, it is not virtue only, but virtue +united to different motives, which contributes +to our happiness. This observation +is very important, and with great facility +you may be made to feel the full force +of it. Employment is generally reckoned +the surest source of agreeable impressions +of which we are susceptible; but its +charm would vanish, if it did not lead to +some recompense, if it did not show, in +perspective, an increase of wealth, an enjoyment +for our self-love, a chance for fame, +or some other advantages of which we are +desirous. Vainly, say some, that the exercise +of our faculties is of itself a pleasure; +certainly, because that it offers to our view +a train of prospects which succeed each +other. But there must always be a strong +motive to direct us to the right road, and +make us set off; our bark must be driven +by the wind; in short, every kind of labour +requires encouragement, although this +labour, proportioned to our strength, may +be more favourable to happiness then sloth +and idleness; and this truth would strike +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>us still more, if we had ability to analyze a +sentiment with sufficient attention, to distinguish +clearly the happiness which is annexed +to action and employment, from that +which necessarily relates to the end and to +the motive of that action.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The reflections, which I have just +made, may be applied to virtue; we can +easily, in studying its different effects, perceive, +that it is an excellent guide in the +course of life; but we discover, at the same +time, that it has need, as well as employment, +of a spur, a simple encouragement on +a par with our understanding: it is in religion +that virtue finds this encouragement, +and we shall not be able to separate it from +the motives and hopes it presents, without +disconcerting every connexion it has with +human happiness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It will be easy to perceive the great +benefit which must arise from morality; +but at the same time it must be remarked, +that to follow its dictates with +confidence and firmness, knowledge and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>strong powers of reflection are necessarily +required in the study of so compounded +a truth: we are then in want of a +motive to excite our first effort, which +subjects us to self-denial, and determines us +to struggle with courage against the dominion +of the present moment.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, even when, by the art of sophistry, +some philosophers have, at length, +thrown into confusion the true principles +of order and happiness; when, by the force +of address, they have led us to doubt about +the kind and degree of power which it is +necessary to assign to religion, it should not, +however, be the legislators of the nation +who ought to lend an ear to their subtle +distinctions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Metaphysical sentiments and ideas are +not proper for statesman, but in their own +defence; to assist them to guard themselves +from the ascendency of brilliant errors, and +to confirm the respect due to useful truths: +but when they have to guide minds, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>they wish to excite activity, it is always, if +they are wise, the most simple idea that +they will make use of; and they will be +very careful not to despise those habitual +principles, to which time, still more then +knowledge, has given a sanction. These +are so many lessons, which long experience +seems to have gradually disengaged from +every thing foreign to natural morality and +the secret sentiments of men.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. VII.<br> <em>On Religious Opinions, in their Relation with Sovereigns.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>Many nations, either by choice, or +necessity, have deposited their wills +in the hands of an individual; and have +thus erected a perpetual monument to the +spirit of discord, and injustice, which has +so frequently reigned amongst men. It is +true, that from time to time they have +wished to recollect that they were capable +of knowing themselves their true interest; +but monarchs mistrusting their inconstancy, +have taken care to fortify the springs of +authority, by surrounding themselves with +standing armies; and they have only left +them the power of being disgusted with +slavery: soldiers and taxes have supported +each other; and through the assistance of +this corresponding action, they have become +masters and directors of every thing. How +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>much good and evil depend on them? We +then necessarily wish them to possess a vigorous +morality, proportioned to their immense +duties; but what force will your morality +have, if they perceive at last, that it is not +supported by a divine sanction; if they +consider it as a human institution, which +they have power to break, and which they +are in the habit of modifying? At least they +will have the liberty, like other men, to +examine if their private interest agrees with +that of the public, and their conduct will +depend on the result of this calculation.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will acknowledge, that at the point of +elevation, where kings find themselves +placed, they ought not to be acquainted +with those passions which proceed from our +petty competitions; but how many other +sentiments have they not to repress? And +with what celerity it is necessary to do it; +since they do not experience any contradiction, +they are not, like us, obliged to reflect +and consider! Besides, though sovereigns are +supposed to be sheltered by their situation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>from the irritations of self-love, and from +the desires of fortune and advancement, +they are not, however, disengaged from +every passion of this kind; it is towards +other princes that they feel them; and envy, +ambition, and revenge, become often very +dangerous, as they associate with these passions +those of the nation they govern, by +means of a war. It is then that, freed from +religious ties, and sure of not accounting +with any body, they would find morality a +very ingenious invention, to render the +maintenance of public order more easy, and +to preserve the subordination which secures +their power; but, would not acknowledge +such a master for themselves, and would dispense +with bowing to its dictates.</p> + +<p class='c010'>You will say, undoubtedly, that a virtuous +king would be recompensed by the +applause of his subjects: but I have already +shown, that the influence of public +opinion would be very weak, if the principles +of morality, which serve to guide this +opinion, were not supported by religion. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>We should also observe, that elogiums and +applause, homage so encouraging to private +men, have not an equal power over princes, +who cannot, like individuals, consider this +suffrage as an earnest, or forerunner of exaltation; +it is by the continual view of the +advantages and triumphs of others, that +the desire of respect and distinction is continually +kept alive; and it may, perhaps, +proceed a little from the stimulation of +envy, or at least from those jarring pretentions, +and from those struggles of self-love, +of which society alone is the theatre. +Princes without rivals are not subject to the +same impressions; and the flattery they +have so early imbibed, and the praises +which are lavished on them from the simple +motive of hope, all serve to render them +less sensible to deserved applause; in short, +this exaggerated praise soon becomes a dull +monotony, which extinguishes, by its uniformity, +that emulation which a just homage +sometimes inspires. There would be +then great danger in reposing too much on +the power of public opinion, if we were to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>consider it as a check able to replace with +princes the compressing force of religion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must now make an essential remark: +those who surround a monarch, often mislead +his judgment by the nature and the +application of the elogiums which they lavish +on him. The praise of men, in a +monarchy, always has a taint of slavery: +thus, in such countries, a look, a word from +the prince, which seems to efface, for an instant, +the distance that separates him from +his subjects, delights them; and their enthusiasm +in those moments serves to persuade +the monarch, that it is sufficient for +him to smile, to render his people happy: +dangerous illusion, sad effect of servility: +in short, in consequence of the character +which is impressed by an habitual +yoke, men are pleased with exalting the +power of him to whom they are obliged to +submit; they love to see their servile companions +multiplied; and as the greater part +of them have seldom any access to the +prince, vanity persuades them, that in affecting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>to partake of the royal grandeur, +they contract a kind of familiarity with it; +therefore, without reflecting whether it will +be more in the power of the sovereign to +make them happy, when, by enlarging his +dominions, he shall have more subjects, and +of course more duties to fulfil, they celebrate, +above all, the conquering warrior, +and thus invite princes to prefer the pursuit +of military glory to every other; and, as +the multitude can quickly comprehend this +kind of merit; as the gaining of a battle +is a simple idea, easily conceived by men of +every condition and turn of mind, it happens, +by this reasoning, that these triumphs +are the most highly extolled; and even that +men, on account of them, can excuse every +other failure, broken treaties, violated oaths, +alliances abandoned—In short, such is the +mad folly of our praise, that the tranquillity +of the state, the repose of the people, the +mild benefits of peace, appear no more than +the last consequence of the labours and the +success of a monarch; and even history frequently +represents this fortunate time, as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>the days of obscurity in which heroes +of blood and carnage are educated; kings, +discontented with their destiny, are warriors +through ambition, and happy by the victories, +to which we annex our first honours, +and the most noble wreaths of +fame.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is thus, however, that the prevailing +opinion, and the rumour of renown, can +sometimes deceive princes, though inconsistent +with the instructions of morality +and the legislation of yore, which +point out the true interest of the people +as the first object of a sovereign’s anxious +solicitude; and instead of a sounding name, +and dazzling qualities, enforce those requisite +to form the guardian and protector of the felicity +of the public; duties of a vast extent, +and which are discharged by the secret labours +of paternal vigilance, still more than +by the noise of the drum and the instruments +of destruction.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>Let us consider, however, the influence +the opinion of the world will have on sovereigns, +in directing only our views towards +the interior functions of administration. +An essential observation presents itself at +first to the mind: it is, that the thirst +for glory is especially felt when a great +abuse is to be reformed, and when we can +hope to make regularity succeed to confusion; +but when this task is fulfilled, and +that it is only necessary to preserve and support +what is good, the love of renown has +not sufficient aliment, and it is then that +the virtue of princes becomes the only faithful +guardian of the public interest. A +reign, such as we have formed an idea of, +would carry away from the following ones +every subject of dazzling splendour; and it +would be necessary that new troubles and +fears re-animated the sentiment of admiration, +to give it its ancient ascendency and +original force.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We should be able also, and this picture +would be very different, to figure +<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>to ourselves a period, when, by the successive +degradation of character, the opinion +of the public would no longer indicate +the way to fame, nor resound to +excite ambition; the recompenses it offers +would not be a motive sufficiently powerful +to influence men. Thus, in a country, in +a metropolis, where covetousness seemed triumphant, +where every body would appear +to pursue that fortune which is only acquired +by intrigue, and the vices of those +who bestow it, respect for the real interest +of the people, and attention to lighten their +burthens, would no longer purchase renown. +In like manner, in a country where despotism +reigns, and the people are accustomed +to prostrate themselves before power, they +would acknowledge no other idol; we should +not there be able to acquire a contemporary +fame by elevation of character, by tempering +with wisdom the exercise of authority, +and allowing the citizens to enjoy that degree +of freedom, which does not degenerate +into licentiousness. It is then morality, +and morality alone, which comes at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>all times, and in all circumstances, to resist +the revolutions of habit and opinion, of +which history furnishes examples, and of +which men are ever susceptible.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I ought not to neglect another very important +consideration: princes, by the elevation +of their rank, and influence on the national +manners, find that they are in that singular +situation, where one is more called to direct +the reigning opinion, than to receive instruction +and encouragement from it: thus +we are impelled to wish, that a monarch +should have principles which flow from his +heart, and which depend on his reflections, +from which he may be able to derive, at all +times, a force properly his own, a natural +courage. It is necessary for a prince to investigate +and decide on his own conduct; +and a sublime morality should nourish in +his heart an ideal model of perfection, with +which he can continually compare the opinions +of the world and the private judgment +of his conscience.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>In short, and this last reflection which I +have made will apply, in a general manner, +to the preceding remarks; the opinion of +the public, the just complaints of the people, +are sometimes a long while in reaching +the prince; they ring in the kingdom before +he hears the rumour; they wander +round the palace, but the whispers do not +reach him; vanity, pride, and every vice +excludes them; the old courtiers sneer, and +the insignificant pursuers of credit or favour +amuse themselves by indulging their +turn for ridicule. The ministers, who +are followed by the clamour, are often importuned +by it; and when it reaches their +master, find some method to weaken its +impression, attributing these commotions to +private passions, and giving the name of +cabal to a just indignation against vice. +Yes, such is the unhappy fate of princes, +that the peace of a state is often tottering, +before the opinion of the world reaches +them, and discovers the truth; a new consideration, +very proper to convince us, that +the power of opinion can never equal in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>utility those grand principles of morality, +which, by the aid of religion, are fixed, +in the hearts of men, to give them laws, +without distinction of birth, rank, or dignity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But if, from sovereigns, we carry our +views to those who share their confidence, +we shall perceive still more the absolute +necessity of an active and governing morality. +Ministers, without virtue, are more +to be feared than sovereigns indifferent to +public good; newly come out of the crowd +they know better than the monarch the selfish +use that they can make of all the passions +and vices; and as they are connected +with society, as they have a continual relation +with the different orders of the state, +their corruptions are propagated, and their +dangerous influence spreads to a great distance. +Attacked, nevertheless, by the public, +they become still more mischievous in +their means of warding off danger, for despairing +of disguise before the attentive eyes +of a whole people, they turn their address +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>against the prince; they study, they pry +into his weaknesses, and artfully encourage +those which may protect or cover the defects +of their character; they apply themselves, +at the same time, to adorn immorality +with every grace which can render it +amiable, and they endeavour to make virtue +hateful, by delineating it as austere, imperious, +unsociable, and almost incompatible +with our morals and manners: it is thus +that ministers, not restrained by principles, +occasion not only the misery of a country +whilst their influence lasts, but they poison +the source of public felicity, by weakening +in the monarch his sentiments of duty, diverting +his good dispositions, and discouraging, +if I may say so, his natural virtues.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, the picture which I have just +drawn will produce another important observation: +the prince, after having wandered out +of the path of true glory, may return, when +he pleases, to the love of virtue and greatness; +all the avenues are open to him, all +hearts ready to welcome him, we have an +inclination to love him, and desire to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>esteem him, whom fate has placed at the +head of the nation; and who, invested with +the majesty which he borrows from a long +train of ancestors, exhibits himself surrounded +by all the enchantments of a diadem; +we adopt with pleasure any interpretation +which can excuse his conduct; we +impute to ill counsels the faults which he +has committed; and we are eager to enter +with him into a new contract of esteem and +hope. It is not the same with ministers; +a like indulgence is not due to them, because +they cannot throw the blame on +others, and all their actions proceed from +themselves; when they have once lost the +opinion of the public, their depravity will +increase daily; because, to maintain their +post they are obliged to redouble their intrigues +and dissimulation.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I have maturely reflected: the religion +of princes, of ministers, of government in +general, is the first source of the happiness +of the people; we despise it, because it is +not our invention, and we often give the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>preference to those artifices of the mind, +which seduce us as being our own work; +and perhaps they are wanted, after having +lost sight of this sure and faithful guide, +this companion of true genius, which, +like it, prefers easy and simple means. Yes, +this exalted virtue, resembling superior abilities, +rejects equally those weak resources +and inventions, which derive not their origin +from an elevated sentiment or grand +thought; and, whilst one obliges a statesman +to respect honour, justice, and truth, +the other discovers the union of these principles +with the just means which strengthen +authority, and with the true glory and durable +success of politics; in short, whilst +one renders him anxious about the happiness +of the people, the other shows how, +from the bosom of this happiness, they +would see rise insensibly an agreement of +interests and of wills, of whose extensive use +we are still ignorant.</p> + +<p class='c010'>If we wish to dwell a moment on the +private happiness of princes, we shall readily +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>perceive, that they have a real want of +the encouragement religion affords. Their +distinguished authority appears, indeed, to +their mind, a singular privilege; they believe +this power should extend to every +thing, and they indiscretly endeavour to +accelerate the moments of enjoyment; but +as they cannot change the law of nature, it +happens, that in delivering themselves up +to every thing which seduces their imagination, +they experience as quickly the sad +langour of indifference, and the oppression +of apathy.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Kings, in the exercise of their intellectual +faculties are exposed to the same extremes; +providence having placed them on the pinnacle +of fortune, they consequently have not +been led from one view to another, and know +not those gradations which actuate their +subjects in the name of vanity, self-love, or +fortune.—Alas! we obey so quickly, and their +desires are so soon gratified, that their taste +and inclinations cannot be renewed with +the quickness necessary to enable them to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>fill the irksome void which so frequently +occurs. If the magnificent end which +religion offers were to be obscured, and +if, henceforth, we were to consider it +as a fallacious illusion, unworthy of +our attention, kings would soon attain to +that term when the future would appear +to their mind a barren uniformity, a +space without colour or form.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The numerous duties of princes, undoubtedly, +afford a continual source of satisfaction; +but it is necessary that they +should be able to connect all their obligations +to a grand idea, the only one which +can constantly animate their actions and +thoughts, who have need of neither favour +nor advancement from their fellow-creatures. +And how much would it contribute +to their happiness sometimes, to imagine +themselves between this world, in which +they are weary of their own power, and +that magnificent future; the sublime contemplation +of which would carry them, +with a new charm, to the exercise of their +authority! What pleasure then would flow +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>from this authority, the source of so much +good!—What pleasure would they not find +in more closely imitating the divine beneficence, +the most comfortable of all ideas, and +what a moment for him, when particularly +conscious of the presence of the exalted friend +of the whole human race, he should be able +to reflect, in the morning, on the people +he was going to make happy; and in the +evening, on those he had actually done good +to. What a difference between these delicious +moments, whose influence the nation feels, +and those insignificant levees, only known +to courtiers, in which the monarch is +the spectacle, and tastes the sad pleasure of +seeing so many men cringing before his +own image. What a difference, even between +these rapturous sensations, and those +raised by flattery, or the dazzling parade +which surrounds him, in the midst of +which he cannot discern himself, whether +he is a great man, or only a king.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, we ought to acknowledge, that +the more extensive the horizon, which opens +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>before sovereigns, the greater is the number +of duties presented to their reflections, the +more they must feel the want of that +sustaining power so infinitely superior to +their own strength: they are conscious of +the disproportion which exists between the +extent of their authority and the means entrusted +to human nature; and it is only by +supporting themselves against that mysterious +pillar, erected by religion, that they +can be firm, and consider without affright, +that Providence has called them to regulate +and direct the destiny of a whole empire. +It was when profoundly meditating on the +existence of a God; reflecting on the influence +and various relations of such a grand +thought, that Marcus Aurelius discovered +all the extent of his duties, and felt, at the +same time, the courage and the will to fulfil +them. The happy and constant agreement +of his actions and principles made +his reign an illustrious example of wisdom +and morality.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We must confess, that it is to virtue, +supported by every sentiment which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>it imprints on the human heart, that we +should wish to confide the sacred deposit +of public happiness; this alone is +always faithful and vigilant, surpasses the +spur of praise, and, by the ascendency +of a great example, leads men to the +knowledge of every thing they ought to +admire.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. VIII.<br> <em>An Objection drawn from the Wars and from the Commotions which Religion has given Rise to.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>I shall present, at first, this objection +in all its force, or rather I will not seek +to weaken it; it would be needless to recal +to the memory of men all the evils that +have happened during a long series of years, +with which we have reason to reproach the +blind and savage zeal of religious fanaticism. +Every one has present to his mind those +multiplied acts of intolerance which have +sullied the annals of history; every one +knows the scenes of discord, of war, and +fury, which theological controversies have +caused amongst men; they have been informed +of the fatal consequences which +these enterprizes have brought in their +train, and which the rare virtues of a great +king have not been able to justify. In +short, to maintain, in all ages, a remembrance +of the fatal abuses which have been +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>committed in the name of the God of +Peace, it would be sufficient to describe +those direful days, when some different tenet +produced a sentence of proscription, and +the frightful signal of the most cruel frenzies.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is thus then, that in all times, by an +absurd tyranny, or by a ferocious enthusiasm, +triumphs have been contrived for the eager +detractors of religion. Let us examine, +however, if the deductions that they wish +to draw from these errors of the human +mind, are founded on reason and justice.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall not stop to observe, that religion +has oftener been the pretext, than the +true motive, of the unhappy convulsions of +which it appears at present the sole origin; +or stop to recal the various political +advantages, which could only arise from +such a grand principle of action; those august +testimonies are commemorated in history: +I shall only borrow the support of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>reason, and shall bound my discussion to a +few simple reflections.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Do you think, that by relating the different +abuses of authority we could prove +the advantage of anarchy? Could we decry +every species of jurisprudence, by recounting +all the ills which have been produced by +chicane? Should we be able to throw an +odium on the sciences, by recalling all the +fatal discoveries which are owing to our +researches? Would it be proper to stifle +every kind of self-love and activity, by reciting +the different crimes which covetousness, +pride, and ambition have given rise +to? And ought we, then, to desire to annihilate +religion, because fanaticism has made +an instrument of it to distress the human +species? All these questions are similar, and +all should be resolved in the same manner: +thus we may say with respect to them, that +in all our interests and passions, it is by acquired +knowledge, and the light of reason, +that right is separated from wrong; but we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>ought never to confound their proximity +with a real identity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Fanaticism and religion have not any +connection, though very often these ideas +are found united. It is not the worship of +the common Father of men; it is not the +morality of the gospel, whose precepts lead +to goodness and forbearance, which inspires +the spirit of persecution; we should attribute +it to a blind madness, resembling all +those wild errors and crimes which dishonour +humanity. But since, at present, the +excesses to which men abandon themselves +do not induce us to condemn, as a misfortune, +all the sentiments of which the criminal +passions are only the extreme, why +do we wish to refuse religion the gratitude +which is its due, because sometimes it has +given birth to hatred and unhappy divisions? +It would be necessary rather to remark, +that intolerant zeal is, of all the errors +of the human mind, that on which the progress +of our knowledge appears to have had +most influence. In fact, whilst fanaticism, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>gradually weakened, seems to be now verging +to its decline, the disorders connected +with the common passions of ambition, love +of wealth, and thirst of pleasure, remain in +all their force. However, what sentiment, +what predominant idea, has a greater claim +to pardon for its mistakes than devotion? +By what an infinite number of benefits the +pure spirit of religion makes amends for the +abuses which spring from the false interpretation +of its precepts. It is to this spirit, +as we have shown, that men owe the stability +of public order and the firm principles +of justice: it procures the indigent the succours +of charity, and virtue its encouragement; +oppressed innocence its only refuge, +and sensibility its dearest hopes. Yes, the +pure spirit of religion surrounds us on every +side, it makes the charm, of solitude, the +band of society, the invigorater of intimate +affections; and can we calumniate it and +wish to destroy it, on recollecting the tyrannic +opinions of some priests and sovereigns, +whose principles and conduct we now +detest?</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>I shall further remark, and ask why men +denounce a sentence of reprobation against +religion, and give as the motive, the ancient +wars of which it has been the origin; +whilst they never contest the importance of +commerce, though rivers of blood have been +continually shed for the smallest advantage +on this account? Can they be so mistaken +in their judgment, as to compare a few +pecuniary advantages, which one political +state never enjoys, but at the expence of +another, with those, as precious as they are +universal, of which religion is the origin and +support?</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, among the various arguments +that are employed to attack these opinions, +the most frivolous, undoubtedly, is that +which derives all its force from the errors +and faults of which the present times do not +furnish any example. What should we say +if, at the moment when a superb edifice was +firm on its foundation, we should be exhorted +to level it with the ground, by a relation +of all the accidents its erection occasioned?</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>Throwing then a painful retrospect on +the period of history, when religion was +made the pretext of wars and cruelty; let +us oppose to the return of those sanguinary +scenes, let us oppose to the spirit of intolerance +all the force of wisdom, and the instructions +of that religion which they pretend +to serve by a blind zeal. But far from +freeing us from the respect which we owe +to such salutary opinions, which men have +abused, let us take advantage of experience, +as a new defence against the wanderings of +our imaginations, and the surprises of our +passions<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c012'><sup>[2]</sup></a>.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. IX.<br> <em>Another Objection examined. The Sabbath.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>I do not intend to place among the objections +I ought to discuss, nor in the +number of arguments, that it is important +to examine, the various opinions on such +and such parts of religious worship, nor the +difficulties raised against the adoption of +some dogmatic notion, thought essential by +some, and considered with indifference by +others: it is not a treatise of controversial +theology which I wish to compose; and it +is still less the doctrines of one particular +church, which I would oppose to that of +another; all of them connect morality to +the commands of a Supreme Being; they +all of them see in the public worship the +respectful expression of a sentiment of love +and gratitude towards the Author of Nature. +Thus, those who might think they +perceived some imperfections in the system, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>or in the forms of worship, adopted in a +nation, should not use this objection to dispute +the utility of religion, since the reflections, +which have been just made on its +importance, may be applied equally to the +doctrines of all countries, and the principles +of every sect.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall dwell then on the only difficulty +which interests, without distinction, the different +religions of Europe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The establishment of public worship, and +the necessity of consecrating at least one day in +every week, occasions, say some, a suspension +of labour too frequent; and this suspension +injures the state, and diminishes the resources +of the people.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I may at first observe, that such objections +would appear very weak, if compared +with the great advantages which men owe +to religion! An increase of wealth can +never outweigh order, morality, and happiness. +But I must go further to prove, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>that a day of rest, devoted amongst us to +public worship, cannot injure the political +strength; and that so far from being contrary +to the interests of the people, it protects +and favours them; and as I invariably prefer +such interests to all others, I shall begin +by demonstrating, in a few words, the justness +of this proposition.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We should be mistaken if we thought, +that in a given space of time, men forced, by +the inequality of conditions, to live by their +labour, would, by observing the precepts of +religion, better their situation, if they were +not obliged to rest from labour one day in +every week.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is necessary, in order to perceive this +truth, to examine, first, what is now the +measure of wages; it is not an exact proportion +between labour and its reward. In +fact, if we consulted only the light of reason +and equity, no one, I believe, would +dare to decide, that the most scanty necessaries +is the just price of fatiguing and painful +<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>labour, which commences at the dawn, +and does not finish till the setting of the +sun: we should not be able to maintain, +that in the midst of his enjoyments, and in +the bosom of luxurious idleness, the rich +ought not to grant any other retribution to +those who sacrifice their time and strength +to increase their revenue and multiply their +enjoyments. It is not then by the principles +of common sense or reflection, that +the wages of the generality have been fixed; +it is a compact established by power, a yoke +to which the weak must submit. The +possessor of a vast domain would see all his +riches vanish, if numerous labourers did not +come to cultivate his estate, and carry into +his store-house the fruit of their toil; but, +as the number of men without property is +immense, their concurrence, and the pressing +need that they have to labour for a +subsistence, obliges them to receive the law +from him who can, in the bosom of ease, +wait quietly for their services; and it results +from this habitual relation between +the rich and poor, that the wages for hard +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>labour are constantly reduced to the most +scanty allowance, that is to say, to what is +only sufficient to satisfy their daily and indispensable +wants.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This system once settled, if it were possible, +that, by a revolution in our nature, +men could live and preserve their strength +without allotting every day some hours to +repose and sleep, it is beyond doubt, that +the work of twenty hours would be required +for the same wages now granted for +twelve.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Or, by an assimilation, agreeing with +the hypothesis I have just mentioned, suppose +that a moral revolution permitted <a id='t200'></a>labourers +to work the seventh day, they would +consequently, in a short time, require of +them the extraordinary labour at the former +rate; and this levelling would take place +through the gradual diminution of the +price of labour. The class of society, +which, in exerting its power, has regulated +the present wages, not according to reason and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>equity, but according to the necessities of +the labourers, would quickly discern its own +interest; and that when a day more was +paid for, the people could bear a diminution +of the seventh part of their wages, and +be in their old state. Thus, though before +the change had thoroughly taken place, all +those who live by labour would think that +they had acquired a new resource; yet +they would soon be brought to their former +condition; for it is the same with social +order as with the law of equilibrium in +nature, which combines ranks and places, +every thing according to the immutable law +of the proportion of force.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men, devoid of property, after having +been some time deceived, would only get an +increase of work by the abolition of the Sabbath; +and as this truth does not present +itself naturally to the mind, we ought to +consider, as an essential service of religion, +its having secured the greater number of men +from a degree of oppression, to which they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>would have run blindly, if they had been +at liberty to make a choice.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The daily labour of one class of society +surpasses the reasonable measure of its +strength, and hastens the days of decripitude; +it was then absolutely necessary that +the customary course of these labours should +be, for a time, suspended; but as the people, +pressed by wants of every kind, are exposed +to be seduced by the slightest appearance +of advantage, it was further necessary +to their happiness, that the interruption +of thier fatigues, fixed by a religious +duty, appeared not to them the voluntary sacrifice +of fortune, and did not leave in them +any regret. In short, they are pleased when +they think of those days of rest, which produce +a little alteration in their manner of +living; and they require that alteration, not +to be depressed by a continual train and repetition +of the same occupations. Thus, +were you to assert artfully, that the people +are not as comfortable of a Sunday, as during +the week, it would be at least true, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>that one is softened by the expectation of the +other; there are people so very wretched, +and probably, on that account, so bounded +are their desires, that the most trifling variety +is a substitute for hope. It seems to +me, that the hearts of the common people +may be sometimes cheered with the thought +of being once a week dressed like their superiors; +when they are absolute masters of +their time, and can say,—and I also—I am +free<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c012'><sup>[3]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>I must now examine the second proposition +which I have mentioned.</p> + +<p class='c010'>You have made obvious, some will say, +that an augmentation of the days of labour +would occasion a reduction of the wages +allowed for it, we may then reasonably ask, +if this result would not favour commerce, +and contribute, in some respect, to increase +the political strength? Undoubtedly you +may consider under this point of view, the +diminution of the reward of industry; but +the political strength being always a relative +idea, and derived from comparisons +with other states, this strength can +never be augmented or diminished by a circumstance +common to all the countries of +Europe. Were a barbarous ambition to +abolish in one state the Sabbath, the abolition +would probably procure it a degree of +superiority, if it was the only one that +adopted such a change; but as soon as +others followed their example, the advantage +would disappear. However, the same +arguments ought to serve to convince us, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>that those countries, where the intervals of +inaction occur oftener, have necessarily a +political disadvantage, with regard to others, +where Sunday and a few solemn feasts are the +only days of rest prescribed by government.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We may conclude from these observations, +that so far from finding fault with religion for +appointing a day of rest, devoted every week +to public worship, we ought to acknowledge +with pleasure, that such an institution +is a benevolent act, extended to the most +numerous class of the inhabitants of the +earth, the most deserving our consideration +and protection; from which we require so +much, and return so little: towards that +unfortunate class, whose youth and maturity +the rich profit by, and abandon them +when the hour is come, when they have no +more strength left but to enable them to +pray and weep.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. X.<br> <em>An Observation on a particular Circumstance of public Worship.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>It is not sufficient, that sovereigns are persuaded +of the influence of religion on the +morality and happiness of men; they ought +to make use of proper means to maintain +this salutary action; and, of course, +every part of public worship becomes of +the greatest importance. Educated in a religion, +thought by some to approach nearer +the first ideas of christianity, yet as it has +adopted several principles by no means consonant +with the Catholic faith, it would be +unwise in me to discuss any of the questions +which divide the two churches; and I +should do it without any good accruing +from it, so much are we disposed to refer +to early prejudices, the ideas which are +most intimately blended with the sentiments +and feeling of a man; we like to take a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>general view, and this method agrees with +our indolence; but it leads us often astray. +I think, however, that the minds of the +people are now sufficiently enlightened, to +permit me to advise the superiors of both +church and state, to examine attentively, if +it is not full time to make more use of the +vulgar tongue, and if we are not warned, by +the present depravity of morals, to alter the +manner of performing divine service in this +respect.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is only during an interval of the grand +mass that the priest addresses to country people +some words of exhortation in their own +language; it was natural to consider this +moment as the most proper to dispose the +mind to respect and attention; but perhaps, +even the pomp of an august ceremony, +by attracting strongly the imagination, +withdraws the generality from the importance +of the other parts of divine worship; +and it frequently happens in country places, +that many people go out of the church +during the sermon, and return at the moment +of consecration.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>I think also, that public prayers should +always be in the vulgar tongue, and they +might easily be made interesting and affecting, +as there are not any religious discourses +which sympathize more with human +weakness; and as our wants and anxieties +may be made use of to raise us towards the +Supreme Being, the best of all bands might +be chosen to win the multitude.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must observe besides, that part of the +country people, especially in harvest time, +and other seasons, when the husbandman is +particularly busy, assist only at early mass, +and then they see but a part of the religious +ceremonies<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c012'><sup>[4]</sup></a>. And, if the practice +and liberty of working on a Sunday was +more extended, the inhabitants of the +country, still more confined to the first mass, +would hear neither prayers nor instructive +discourses in their own language during the +whole year.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Certainly there must be something altered +in these religious institutions in order +<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>to make them more efficaciously serve to +support morality, and comfort the most +numerous class of the human race. Country +people, whose labour produces our +wealth, ought to be taken care of with +paternal anxiety; and since they are not exposed +to those disorderly passions which find +nourishment in a metropolis; since mild +and prudent means still suffice to maintain +them in the habit of duty; both the superiors +in church and state have to answer, +in some measure, for the corruption of their +manners and dispositions.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XI.<br> <em>That the single Idea of a God is a sufficient Support of Morality.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>After having shown that morality +has need of a supernatural support, +you have reason to expect, that I should +explain the intimate and immediate relation +which unites religion to the love of virtue, +and the observance of order. I will endeavour, +then, to discuss this important +question; and in order to arrive at the +truth, I shall follow first the course of those +simple sentiments and natural thoughts, +which guide the mind and the heart of +man, in every climate and country under +heaven.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is easy to unite all the moral legislation, +and the entire system of our duties, by means +only of the idea of a God.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>The universe, notwithstanding its magnificence +and its immensity, would be a +mere nothing, if its Supreme Author had +not peopled it with intelligent beings, capable +of contemplating so many wonders, +and of receiving happiness from them; but +the faculties with which we are endowed, +consciousness of possessing them, and the +liberty to act, all announce to us that we +are united to a grand combination, that we +have a part to take on the vast stage of the +world.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The most simple reason, that which resembles +instinct, would have been sufficient +to enable us to take care of the body, and +to have concentred us in ourselves; more +would not have been necessary for those +who have so little to do. Thus, when I +see that the mind is susceptible of continual +improvement, when I see that men enjoy +the power of assisting each other, and of +communicating their ideas, in a manner so +much superior to other animals; when I +fix my attention on our social dispositions, +and on all the relative qualities which compose +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>our nature, I cannot avoid thinking, +that we have a plan of conduct to follow +towards others, and that in our pilgrimage +on earth we must be circumspect, having +obstacles to conquer, sacrifices to make, and +obligations to fulfil.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men then appear to be led to religion by +the most excellent gifts of nature, and by +all that they have in them of the sublime; +but we ought to remark, as a singular resemblance, +that their wants also, and their +extreme weakness, lead them to the same +object.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Whatever may be my emotions, when +I reflect on the present imperious laws to +which I am obliged to submit, and when I +recal to mind the grandeur and magnificence +which I have been a witness of, I +raise continually my soul towards the Sovereign +Director of events, and am led by +instinct, as well as by a rational sentiment, +to address my prayers to Him. It appears +to the unfortunate, when they view so +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>many wonders which their understanding +cannot grasp, that so little is wanting to +guard them from the dangers which threaten +them, they implore the commiseration of +Him whose formidable power bursts from +all sides. But, while they admire and adore, +they must imitate His perfections, and not +expect mercy when they show none. Purity +of heart only can render an intercourse +with the Supreme Being interesting; and +prayers are merely a solemn kind of mockery, +when they do not produce virtue and forbearance, +when they do not render us kindly +affected to each other; our very state of +dependence, our wants and weaknesses, +should bind us to those beings who equally +share the blessings so liberally bestowed, +and have the same evils to endure. Thus +discontent, the fear of futurity, the anxiety +caused by misfortunes, all the sentiments, +which engage men to disturb social +order, take another character, or are +at least sensibly modified; when, from +their first suffering, they can elevate +their wishes to God, but dare not do +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>it, with a heart sullied by criminal intentions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not only prayer which leads us to +religion; another communication with the +Supreme Being, gratitude, produces the same +effect. A man, persuaded of the existence of +a sovereign power, and who gladly connects +with the divine protection his success and +happiness, feels, at the same time, a desire +to express his gratitude; and not being able +to do any thing for him who bestows all, +he seeks to form an idea of the perfections +of that Supreme Being, in order to comprehend +the system of conduct most conformable +to his attributes. At first, what +reflections possess our mind, what emotions +agitate our souls, when we contemplate the +universe? When we respectfully admire +that magnificent harmony, which is the +incomprehensible result of an innumerable +multitude of different powers: struck with +this vast whole, where we discover an +agreement so perfect, how is it possible for +us to avoid considering order as a distinct +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>mark of the wisdom and of the design of +Omnipotence? And how is it possible for +us not to think, that we render him the +most worthy homage, at the time we make +use of the free intelligence which he has +endowed us with. Then in the composition +of a social structure, a work which +has been entrusted to us, we shall try to +penetrate the ideas of wisdom and order, of +which all nature presents such a grand example; +then, in establishing the relations +which unite men, we shall carefully study +the laws of moral order, and we shall find +them all founded on the reciprocation of +duties, which submit to a regular movement +different jarring personal interests. +In short, the idea of a God, Creator, Regenerator, +and Preserver of the Universe, by +invariable laws, and by a train of the same +causes and the same effects, seems to call +us to the conception of a universal morality, +which, in imitation of the unknown springs +of the natural world, may be as the necessary +tie of this succession of intelligent beings, +who always, with the same passions, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>come to pass and repass on the earth, to +seek, or to fly, to assist, or to hurt each +other, according to the strength or the +weakness of the knot which unites them, +and according to the wisdom or inconsistency +of the principles which direct their +opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The attentive study of man and of his +nature ought to contribute to confirm in +us the idea which we have just pointed +out. We cannot, in fact, consider the +prodigious difference which exists between +the minds and characters of men; we +cannot fix our attention on the length +to which this difference may be carried, +by the perfectibility of which they are +susceptible; we cannot, in short, reflect +on a like constitution, without being induced +to think, that the counterpoise of +these extraordinary means of force and +usurpation must proceed from reason, from +that singular authority which only can establish, +between men, relations of justice +and convenience, proper to maintain an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>equilibrium and harmony in the midst of +so many disparities: it is thus, that respect +for morality seems evidently to make a part +of the general view and primitive idea of +the Supreme Disposer of the universe. And +what pleasure shall we not find in the persuasion, +that the cultivation of virtue, that +the observance of order, offers us the means +of pleasing our Divine Benefactor! It is by +that alone that we can hope to concur, +however feebly, in the execution of his +grand designs; and in the centre of so +many blessings, surrounded by so many +signs of a particular protection, how highly +ought we to value this means of communication +with the Author of our existence? +Thus, then, the homage of adoration +and gratitude which we render to +the Deity, leads us to a sentiment of respect +for the laws of morality; and this sentiment, +in its turn, serves continually to +maintain in us the idea of a Supreme Being.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Independent of the reflections which we +have just presented, morality, considered in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>all its extent, has need of being strengthened +by this disposition of the soul, which +makes us interested in the happiness of +others; and it is besides, in one of the most +glorious perfections of the Deity, that we +find the first model of this precious sentiment. +Yes, we cannot deny it: either our +existence proceeds from no cause, or we +owe it to the goodness of the Supreme Being. +Life, some will say, undoubtedly is +a mixture of pains and pleasures: but, if +we are candid we shall confess, that those +moments, when it ceases to appear to us a +benefit, do not often occur in life: in youth, +existence is thought the greatest blessing, +and the other seasons of life offer pleasures +less animated, certainly, but which agree +better with the progress of our understanding, +and the increase of our experience.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is true, that in order to free ourselves +from a sentiment of gratitude, we often think +that we would not accept of a renewal of +life, on condition of our running over a second +time our career, and returning step by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>step in the same track. But we should consider, +that we do not fix a just value on the +benefits which we have received; for when +we take a retrospective view of life, we see +it stripped of its two principal ornaments, +curiosity and hope; and it is not in this +state that it was given to us, and that we +have enjoyed it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is, perhaps, not in our power to replace +ourselves, by contemplation, in the +situation where the imagination made our +chief pleasure, a slight breath has easily +effaced it from our memory: it is evident +that we enjoy life, because we look forward +with affright to the moment when +we shall be forced to renounce it; but, as +this happiness is composed of present pleasures, +and those which we anticipate, we +cease to be good judges of the value of life, +when this future prospect is not presented +to our eyes, but under the form of the past; +for we know not how to appreciate, with a +languishing recollection, that which we have +loved in the moment of hope.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>Physical evils are not either the end or +the condition of our nature, they are its accidents: +the happiness of infancy, which +shows in its primitive purity the works of +the Deity, visibly point out the goodness of +the Supreme Being; and how can we avoid +believing, that we owe our origin to a benevolent +design, since it is a desire of happiness, +which has been given to serve as the +motive of all our actions? We should indeed +speak well of life, if we had not corrupted +its comforts by artificial sentiments, +which we have substituted instead of nature; +if we had not submitted so many realities +to pride and vanity; if, instead of assisting +each other to be happy, we had not employed +our thoughts to make others submit to us. +Undoubtedly there are some sufferings annexed +to our existence, as in the natural +world there are apparent defects. Let us +employ our minds on the most exalted subjects, +and we shall no longer be a prey to +envy and discontent.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is on the consideration of detached events; +it is in some particular circumstances, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>we raise doubts about the goodness of +God; but we immediately discern it when +we compare particulars which wound us, +with the great whole of which they make +a part; we discover then, that the misfortunes +which we are so quickly offended with +are a simple appendage of a general system, +where all the characters of a beneficent intelligence +are evidently traced. It is necessary +then to view the whole of life to +discover the intention of the author of nature; +and in meditating in this manner, we +shall return always to a sentiment of respect +and gratitude. This simple idea is very extensive +in its application; it seems to me, +above all, that it serves to console us under +the ills of life; the man who is penetrated +by it can say to himself, the transitory evil +to which I am subject, is perhaps one of +the inevitable effects of this universal harmony, +the most noble and the most extensive +of all conceptions. Thus, in the +moments when I bemoan my fate, I ought +not to think myself forsaken, I ought +not to accuse Him, whose infinite wisdom +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>is present to my view, Him whose general +laws have so often appeared to me a visible +expression of real goodness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is in vain, some will say, it is in vain +that you would wish to make us attend to +these considerations; we only remark, that +our earthly happiness is at least inferior to +that which our imagination so readily forms +the picture of; and we do not perceive, in +such a disposition, the union of perfections +which ought to be ascribed to the Supreme +Being.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This objection is presented under different +forms in the writings of all the enemies to +religion; and they have drawn consequences, +sometimes against the goodness of God, his +power, his wisdom, and justice. It is necessary, +clearly to explain this difficulty, to +be in a state to form to ourselves an idea of +the perfection of an Infinite Being; but in +all our attempts, we only carry to the extreme +every quality which we conceive; +instead of that, perfection in the works of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>the Creator, probably consists in a kind of +gradation and harmony, the secret of which +we cannot either embrace, or penetrate; +and we ought still more to be on our guard, +when we form any conception of the essence +of the Deity, as by confining ourselves solely +to reconcile his sovereign power with his +perfect goodness, we should never fix the +boundary when these two properties will +be in an equilibrium: for after having exhausted +every supposition, we might still +ask, why the number of rational beings is +not more extended? We might ask, why +every grain of sand is not one of those beings? +why there is not a number equal to +that infinite divisibility of which we form +the idea? In short, from extreme to extreme, +and always in arguing on the sovereign +power, the least inanimate atom, the +least void in nature, would appear a boundary +to the goodness of the Supreme Being. +We see then to what a point we may wander, +when we abandon common sense for +the vague excursions of a metaphysical +spirit.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>I think, if no other proofs could be +found, the power of God would be sufficient +to demonstrate his goodness; for this power +informs us every instant, that if the Supreme +Ruler of the World had intended the misery +of rational beings, he would have had, to +fulfil this intention, means as rapid as numerous. +He needed not have created worlds; +nor have made them so convenient and +beautiful; a terrific gulph, and eternal darkness +might have been sufficient to collect together +those unfortunate beings, and make +them feel their misery. Let us not dwell +on these gloomy subjects, let us follow a +just emotion of gratitude; we shall be eager +then to render homage to that indelible character +of love and goodness which we see +stamped on all nature. An unknown power +opens our eyes to the light, and permits us +to view the wonders of the universe: it +awakens in us those enchanting sensations +which first point out the charms of life; it +enriches us with that intellectual gift which +re-assembles round us past ages, and the +time to come; it confers, in an early hour, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>an empire, by endowing us with those two +sublime faculties, will and liberty; in short, +it renders us sensible to the real pleasure of +loving and being beloved; and when, by +the effect of a general plan, of which we +have but an imperfect conception, it spreads +here and there some difficulties in the road +of life; it seems to wish to soften them, by +showing us always the future through the +enchanting medium of the imagination. +Could it be then without any interest or +goodness, that this magnificent system was +conceived, and preserved by so many superb +demonstrations of wisdom and power? What +should we be in the sight of the Eternal, +if he did not love us? We do not adorn his +majestic universe, or lend to the dawn its +magnificent colours; neither have we covered +the earth with a verdant carpet, or +bid the celestial bodies revolve in the immense +expanse; he asked not counsel of us—we +should be nothing in his eyes, if he +was indifferent to our gratitude, and if he +took not any pleasure in the happiness of +his creatures.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>In short, were we to turn our attention from +so many striking proofs of the goodness of +God; were they to be effaced from our memory, +we should still find, in the recesses of +our heart, a sufficient evidence of this comfortable +truth, we should perceive that we +are good and affectionate, when not perverted +by passion; and we should be led to +think, that such an inclination in beings +who have received every thing, must necessarily +be the seal of their Divine Author. In +order to exalt this sentiment, we must refer +it continually to the idea of a Supreme Being; +for there is, we doubt not, a correspondence +of instinct and reflection between our +virtue and the perfections of him who is the +origin of all things; and provided we do +not resist our natural emotions, we shall +perceive from those very perfections all that +is sufficient to excite our worship and adoration; +above all, whatever is necessary to +serve as an example for our conduct, and to +afford principles of morality.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>I ought now to examine some important +objections; for why should I fear to present +them? a love for systems and opinions ought +not to exist, in treating a subject on which so +many have expatiated, and which belongs +equally to all men. Though we are +allowed, when seeking truth eagerly, to wish +to find it united to the sentiments which +form our happiness, and the principles +which are the foundation of public order.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We admit, say some, that there are many +perfections peculiar to the Supreme Being, +the study and knowledge of which ought +to serve to sustain the laws of morality; +but one of the essential properties of the +divine essence oversets the whole structure, +it is prescience: for, as God knows beforehand +what we are to do, it follows, that +all our actions are irrevocably determined; +and thus man is not free. And, if such +is his condition, he deserves neither praise +nor censure; he has no means of pleasing +or displeasing the Supreme Being, and the +ideas of good and evil, of virtue and vice, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>are absolutely chimerical. I shall, at first, +make a very simple reply to this objection, +but a very decisive one: it is that, if against +appearances you should happen to persuade +me, that there now exists an absolute contradiction +between the liberty of man and +the prescience of the Deity, it is on the +nature and extent of this prescience that I +shall raise my doubts; for, forced to choose, +I should rather mistrust the judgment of +my own mind, than that of an internal +persuasion. It is by these same considerations, +that it will always be impossible to +prove to men that they are not free: we +could only succeed with the assistance of +reasoning, and reasoning being already a +beginning of art, a kind of exterior combination +of reflections, this means, in some +measure out of us, would not have power +to eradicate a sentiment which seems the +first that we are conscious of.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We soon discover the limits of our faculties, +in the efforts which we make to +acquire a just idea of the divine prescience: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>we can very well suppose, that God foresees +with certainty what we only conjecture +about, and in extending without end the +bounds which occur to our mind, we shall +proportion in our imagination, the knowledge +of the Creator to the immensity of +space, and to the infinity of time; but beyond +these vague ideas we shall err in all +our speculations. How is it possible, that +men, who know not even the nature of +their own souls, should be able to determine +the nature of prescience? How is it possible, +that they can know whether this +prescience is the effect of a rapid calculation +of him, who embraces at one glance the +relation and effects of every moral and +natural cause? how can they discern, whether +this prescience, in an Infinite Being, +is distinct from simple knowledge? How +can they know whether that Being, by a +property beyond our conception, does not +exist before and after events, whether he is +not, in some manner, the intellectual time, +and whether our divisions of years and ages, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>would not disappear before his immoveable +existence and eternal duration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It results, however, from these considerations, +that on account of our extreme +ignorance we cannot accurately define prescience; +but we are reduced to examine +whether this prescience, considered in a +general manner, is incompatible with the +liberty of man.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This opinion, I think, should not be +adopted. Prescience does not determine future +events, for the mere knowledge of the +future makes not the future. It is not prescience +which necessitates the actions of +men, because it does not change the +natural order of things; but all future +events are fixed, whether foreseen or not; +for constraint and liberty conduct equally to +a positive term: thus, all that will happen +is as immutable as that which is past, since +the present was the future of yesterday, and +will be to morrow the past. It is then +abstractedly certain, that an event, either +<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>foreseen or not, will take place some time; +but if liberty is not contrary to this inevitable +certainty, how would it be more so, +because their exists a Being who is acquainted +previously with the precise nature +of events? We may then say, with truth, +that the knowledge of the future is no +more an obstacle to liberty, than the remembrance +of the past; and prophecies, +like histories, are only recitals, whose place +is not the same in the order of time; but +not having any influence on events, do not +constrain the will, cannot enslave the sentiments, +or subject men to the law of necessity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We will confess, however, that if prescience +was founded on the possibility of +calculating the actions of men, like the +movements of an organized machine, liberty +could not exist; but then it would +not be prescience which opposed this liberty, +it would be because we are automatons; +for with such a constitution we should be +without liberty, were even the Supreme +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>Being not to have any knowledge of futurity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is in vain, in order to convince us +we are not free, that some would represent +us as necessarily submitting to the impulse +of various exterior objects; comprehending, +among those objects, every thing that is +subtle in moral ideas, and uniting them +under the general name of motives, and +giving afterwards to these motives a physical +force which we are bound to obey; +but to be free, is it necessary that we act +without motives? then man would be indeed +evidently a piece of mechanism. It +is certain, that we are, in all our actions, +determined by reason, taste, or a cause of +preference; but it is our mind which comprehends +these various considerations, which +weighs, compares, and modifies; it is our +mind which listens to the counsels of virtue, +and which replies to the language of our +passions; it is in order to enlighten itself +that it borrows from the memory the succours +of experience; it is then our mind +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>which prepares, composes, and improves +every thing which we term motives, and +it is after this intellectual labour that we +act. There is too much order, unity, and +harmony in our thoughts, to allow us to +suppose them the mere effect of exterior +objects; which, under the form of ideas, +come without order to impress themselves +on our brain; and until we are made acquainted +with the works of chaos, we shall +believe with reason that every where there +is that unity, that order; that there is a +faculty capable of re-assembling every thing +that is scattered, and uniting to one end +all that is mixed without design.</p> + +<p class='c010'>As soon as we are impelled to believe, that +there is a master of all our perceptions, and +that we feel this master act, how is it possible +not to be certain that it is our mind +which acts? It is then, in breaking loose +from its operations, that we are stripped of +our liberty, and that we at length suppose +that our will is the necessary consequence +of all exterior objects, as if it were the colours, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>and not the painter, which produced +a picture. However, if we secure our mind +from that dependence to which some wish +to reduce it, our actions will not obey these +irresistible emotions; for if they grant that +we have liberty of thought, we have free +will.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We ought to consider our senses as messengers, +which bring to our mind new subjects +of reflection; but they are in such a +manner subordinate to the sublime part of +ourselves, that they act only under direction; +sometimes the ruling principle commands +them to bring representations of the +beauties of nature, to examine assiduously +the registers of the human mind, to take +the rule and the compass, and render an exact +account of that which it desires to know +with precision; sometimes they are taught +to acquire more power, and when the soul +wishes to communicate with men, when it +wishes to address posterity, it orders them +to perpetuate in indelible characters all that +it has maturely combined, all that it has +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>discovered, and all it hopes to add to the +treasures of our knowledge. Is it not the +master rather than the slave of our senses, or +the blind play of their caprice?</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is besides another observation, +which seems to contrast with the absolute +empire, that some are willing to grant to +exterior objects over the powers of our soul; +for it is in the silence of meditation that the +action of our mind is not interrupted: we +experience that we have the power of recalling +past ideas, and that we can connect +those ideas with the prospect of the future, +and to various imaginary circumstances of +which we compose this picture; our reflection +is then the result, but not the work of +those exterior objects we are acquainted +with. These two words, work and result, +which in some acceptations have a great resemblance, +have here very different meanings; +and it is only in confounding them, +that the objection against the existence of +our liberty is favoured. We cannot form +any judgment, without previously discussing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>every argument proper to throw a light on +the subject; and the result of such enquiries +determines our will; but these enquiries are +themselves the work of our mind.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, all the degrees which lead to +the end of our intellectual researches, are +simple antecedents, and not absolute motives: +there is, in the operations of our +mind, as in every thing which is not immoveable, +a train of causes and effects; but +this train does not characterize necessity +more than liberty.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In restoring thus to our soul its original +dignity, do you not perceive, that we approach +nearer to nature, than in adopting +those systems and explications which assimilate +our intellectual faculties to the regular +vibrations of a pendulum? or would +you like better still to compare them to +those little balls which go out of their +niches to strike our brain, which by various +ramifications, produce that shock +which impels our will? I see, in all this, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>only childish figures, put in the place of +those names which indicate at least, by their +abstraction, the indefinite extent of the ideas +which they represent, and the respect they +merit. It is easy to call a motive a little +moving ball; it is easy to call uncertainty +or repentance the combat of two of these +balls, till the arrival of a third forms a determination; +and the concurrence of many +to the same point excites, in us, an impetuous +passion: but who sees not that, +after having endeavoured to debase the functions +of the mind by these wretched comparisons, +the difficulty remains undiminished?</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, if the meditations and the researches +of our minds, on the existence and +the nature of our liberty, presents us only +impenetrable clouds and obscurity, is it not +singular, that in the midst of this darkness +we should reject all the information of our +instinctive sentiments, which only can +clearly explain every thing that we in +vain search for by other means? What +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>would you say of a man born blind, who +would not be directed by the voice? We +are assuredly better instructed in the constitution +of our nature by our feelings, than by +metaphysical arguments! they compose an +internal part of the essence of our soul; and +we ought to consider them, in some measure, +as a sally of the incomprehensible formation, +whose mysteries we cannot penetrate. +Such a doctrine, which came to us +from a divine hand, is more deserving of +confidence than the interpretations of men. +There are secrets which philosophers try in +vain to explain, all their efforts are useless +to represent by comparison, that which is +alone and without resemblance.</p> + +<p class='c010'>One would think, that nature, guessing +the false reasoning which would mislead us, +has purposely bestowed an inward conviction +of the existence of our free will, in +composing our natural life of two movements +very distinct: one depends on a necessity, +whose laws we are not acquainted +with, and do not govern; whilst the other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>is entirely submitted to the government of +our reason. Such a comparison would be +sufficient to convince us, if we sought +merely for the truth.</p> + +<p class='c010'>When Spinosa desired to throw contempt +on our instinctive perceptions, he said, it is +the same as if a weather-cock, at the very +moment it was the plaything of the winds, +believed itself to be the cause, and consequently +that it had free will. What signifies +such an argument, unless it is to prove, +that it is possible to suppose a fiction so perfect, +that it would apparently be equivalent +to a reality? But I would ask, by what +foolish design of an intelligent being, or even +by what fortuitous assemblage of blind nature, +is it that man should have every moment +a will precisely conformable to his +actions, if there is not a real correspondence +between every part?</p> + +<p class='c010'>We could oppose to the hypothesis of +Spinosa another argument, which would +lead to a conclusion absolutely contrary; +that is, if the most apparent liberty may be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>only a fiction, by a particular concurrence +of our will with an action ordained; it is +also incontestible, that were we to suppose +the existence, or simple possibility of a free-will, +we could not have a different idea of +it, than that which we have already; and +the liberty of God himself would not appear +to our thoughts under any other form. It +is very essential to remark, that when we +reflect about our faculties, we with ease +imagine a superior degree of intelligence, of +knowledge, of memory, of foresight, and of +every other property of our understanding; +liberty is the only part of ourselves to which +our imagination cannot add any thing.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall not pursue other subtle arguments, +which have been produced, to corroborate +my opinion; it is not to some men, but to +all, that I desire to speak, because I wish to +be universally useful: I shall then always +dwell on the principal reflections, whenever +they appear to me sufficient to influence the +opinion of sound minds, and to fix them on +those important truths which are the surest +<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>foundation of public happiness. Self-love +might induce many to follow a question as +far as it would go, and vainly glory in +spinning it out; but self-love, applied to +profound meditations, is itself a great +subtilty.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us examine other arguments used to +combat principles which we have established. +It is in vain, some will say, to endeavour +to prove the existence of a God, as a +real support of the laws of morality; all +this system will fall to pieces, if we are not +informed, at the same time, in what manner +this God rewards and punishes.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall observe, at first, that such an objection +cannot make a very deep impression, +but when it is connected in our minds with +some doubt of the existence of a Supreme +Being: a question that I shall not yet treat; +for supposing an internal conviction of this +last truth, supposing, in all its force, the +idea of a God present to our thoughts; I +ask, whether in order to please Him, we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>should not have need of knowing precisely +the period when we could perceive distinct +signs of his approbation and beneficence? +I ask, again, whether, to avoid incurring +His displeasure, it would be equally necessary +for us to know how, and in what +manner, He would punish us? Undoubtedly +not: for in taking a comprehensive view of +the rewards and punishments which may +proceed from a Supreme Being, struck +with His grandeur, and astonished by His +power, the vague idea of infinity would +obtrude; and this idea, so awful, would +suffice to govern our sentiments, and fix +our principles of conduct. We should be +careful not to propose conditions to Him +who has drawn us out of nothing, and we +should wait with respect for the moment, +when, in His profound wisdom, He may +think proper to make us better acquainted +with His attributes. Men may say to each +other, secure my wages, I want them on such +a day, I demand them on such an hour; they +barter things of equal value, and during a +short space of time; but in the intercourse of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>man with the Deity, what a difference!—The +creature and the Creator—the child of +dust and the source of life—a fleeting moment +and eternity—an imperceptible atom +and the Infinite Being!—our understanding +is struck by the contrast! How then should +we adapt to such disproportions the rules +and notions which we have introduced into +our trivial transactions? You require that in +order to feel the desire of pleasing the Supreme +Being, He should every moment +bestow gifts on those, who, by their sentiments +and actions, appear worthy of his +goodness; and, to inspire the fear of +offending Him, you wish that, without +delay, He would let His vengeance crush +the wicked. Certainly you would be scrupulous +observers of His will on such conditions, +for less stable hopes and fears detain +you servilely near a monarch; and I +may venture to say, that you would be +equally attentive to the Ruler of the World, +if, in order to reward or punish you, he +was to alter the laws of nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>But do we not, you may add, see that +God does not interfere in any manner to +direct things here below: you do not perceive +Him; but do you more clearly discover +the power which gives life and motion? +It is not because He does not exist, +but because He is above the flight of your +mind. We do not know what to say to a +man who rejects the opinion of the existence +of a God; for without that guide all +our ideas are wandering, and have not any +other connexion but that of the wildest +imagination; but if you grant that the +world had an origin, if you suppose a God, +creator and preserver, what arguments would +you use to induce us to believe that this +God has no relation to us; that He does +not take any notice of us, and that He is +thus separated from the offspring of His +intelligence and love? You add, vice is +every where triumphant, an honest man +often languishes in despondency and obscurity; +and you cannot reconcile this injustice +with the idea of a Divine Providence! +One may at first deny the assertion +<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>which forms the basis of this reproach, +or dispute at least the consequences that are +drawn from it: these ideas of triumph and +abasement, of splendour and obscurity, are +sometimes very foreign to the internal sentiments, +which only constitute happiness and +misery; and for my part, I am persuaded, +that if we take for a rule of comparison, +not some particular situation, or some, scattered +events, but the whole of life, and the +generality of men; we shall then find, +that the most constant satisfactions attend +those minds which are filled with a mild +piety, firm and rational, such as the pure +idea of the Deity ought to inspire; and I +am equally persuaded, that virtue, united +to this piety, which knows how to soften +every sacrifice, is the safest guide in the +path of life. Perhaps, ignorant as we are +of our nature and destination, it is not our +interest that uninterrupted rewards should excite +us to virtue; for if this virtue were our +title and hope with God for the present, and +the time to come, we ought not to desire that +it should degenerate into an evident calculation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>into a sentiment bordering on selfishness. +It would then be very difficult to +give a proper definition of liberty, if, by +the effect of rapid justice, a constant proportion +of good and evil, accompanied +every determination of our mind; we should +then, morally as well as physically, be +impelled by an imperious instinct, and the +merit of our actions would be absolutely +destroyed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I mean by all this to ask, what would be +our merit or demerit, if our life is only for +an instant, and if nothing is to follow? The +persuasion of the existence of a God, without +a certainty of the immortality of our +soul, cannot impose any obligation; but the +real connexion between these two ideas is +too frequently overlooked.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly, left to our understanding, +this word certainty is not made for us, or at +least it is not applicable to our relation with +the Deity, and to the judgment we form +of his designs and will. We are too far +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>removed from the High and lofty One, +who inhabiteth eternity, to pretend to measure +His thoughts by our bounded views. +They are covered with a veil, and we always +obscurely discern that which is hid in +the depths of His wisdom: but the more +this God, whom we adore, escapes by His +immensity from our conceptions, the less +have we a right to limit His perfections, in +order to refuse Him the power of transporting +our existence beyond the narrow +circle submitted to our view; and I know +not how it would be possible to persuade +us, that this action of the Deity would +surpass in grandeur the creation of the world, +or the formation of animated beings: the +habit of observing a great wonder may +weaken our astonishment, but should not +eradicate our admiration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot reach, but by reflection, to +those events of which the future is still the +depository; but if every thing which surrounds +us attests the grandeur of the Supreme +Being; if the mind, in its meditations, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>without terror, approaches the confines +of infinity, why mistrust that he can perform +in favour of men, a magnificent union +of Omnipotence and perfect goodness? Why +reject, as an absurd confidence, the idea of +another existence? We see, without astonishment, +the feeble chrysalis force its way +from the tomb it wove for itself, and appear +under a new form. We cannot be anticipated +witnesses of the perpetuity of our intelligence; +but its vast extent would appear +to us, were we not familiarized with it, a +greater phœnomenon than duration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, why do I resist an idea of a +continuation of existence, since I am forced +to give credit to my birth? There is a +greater distance from nothing to life, than +from life to its sequel, or renewal under a +new form: I am clearly acquainted with +the commencement of existence, I know +death only by conjecture. We now enjoy +the light and blessings brought to us by a +beneficent heavenly Teacher; could it be, +that he alone would be a stranger to his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>own glory and virtues? I cannot say, why +this contrast makes an impression on me; but +it is among the number of superficial ideas +which occur to my mind, when I reflect on +this subject.</p> + +<p class='c010'>A comforting thought still strikes me, +the natural order of the universe appears to +me a finished system: we perceive a perfect +regularity between the revolution of the +heavenly bodies, an invariable succession in +vegetable life, an almost incredible precision +in that immense quantity of volatile particles +submitted to the laws of affinity; and +think every thing in its right place, and +that all fulfil exactly their destination in the +grand and complete system of nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But if we turn afterwards our attention +on the multitude of beings inferior to men, +we shall discover also, that their action is as +complete and conformable in every respect +to the faculties they are endowed with, +since they are governed by an imperious instinct. +Full of these ideas, struck with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>astonishment at the appearance of an harmony +so general, have we not just grounds +to presume, that man, transported into infinite +space by his intelligence; that man, +susceptible of improvement, and continually +combatting obstacles; that man, in short, +this most noble work of nature, only commences +in this sublunary world his race? +And, since all which composes the material +order of the universe appears to us in +an harmony so admirable, ought we not +then to conclude, that the moral order in +which we perceive some things vague and +not determinate; that the moral order +is connected with another life more sublime +and more astonishing than the other +parts of creation, and will one day be ultimately +developed? This singular disproportion +between the harmony of the physical +and apparent confusion of the moral +world, seems to announce a time of equilibrium +and completion; a time when we +shall all know its relation with the wisdom +of the Creator, as we already perceive the +wisdom of His designs, in the perfect agreement +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>of the innumerable blessings on sature +with the present wants of man, and +every other animated creature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The grandeur of the human mind is indeed +a vast subject of reflection; this marvellous +constitution seems to remind us perpetually +of a design proportioned to such a +noble conception; it seems almost unnecessary +that God should have endowed the soul +with such noble faculties for such a short +life as ours, to fulfil its limited plans and +trivial pursuits: thus every thing authorizes +us to carry our views further; were I to see +such men as Columbus, Vesputius, Vasco +de Gama, in a ship, I should not suppose +that they were mere coasters.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Some try to destroy our hopes, by endeavouring +to prove, that the soul is material, +and that it ought to be assimilated to every +thing which perishes before us; but the +forms only change, the vivifying force does +not perish; perhaps the soul resembles it, +but with this difference, that as it is composed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>of memory, reflection, and foresight, +it exists only by a series of consequences, +which forms the distinct attributes and particular +character of its essence: it follows +then, that it cannot be generalized like the +blind force which animates in a universal +manner vegetation; but that every soul is +in some measure a world to itself, and that +it ought to preserve separately an identity +of interest, and consciousness of preceding +thoughts. Thus, in this system, the corporeal +body, which distinguishes us to the +eyes of others, is only the transitory habitation +of that soul which is not to die; of that +soul susceptible of continual improvement, +and which, by degrees we can have no +idea of, will probably approach insensibly +to that magnificent period, when it will be +thought worthy of knowing more intimately +the Author of Nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>How can we conceive the action of the +soul on our senses, without a point of contact? +and how conceive that contact, +without the idea of matter? For it is only +<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>by experience we are acquainted with the +necessity of it to occasion a motion; and +without that previous knowledge, the rapidity +with which one body sometimes +strikes another, could only have been represented +by the length of time necessary +for its approach to it: however, if we had +not any metaphysical knowledge of the +cause of motion, and if experience only +guided our judgment in this respect, why +resist an idea that there is within us a faculty +which acts of itself? the intimate feeling +which we have of it, is certainly an argument +for its existence. We cannot, besides, +maintain, that a like property may be opposite +to the nature of things; since if we +adopt the system of the creation of the +world, this property may proceed, like all +others, from the Divine Power; and if we +admit, on the contrary, the irreligious opinion +of the eternity of the universe, there +must have been from eternity a general +movement without impulsion, without exterior +contact, or any cause out of itself; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>and the action of our souls might be subject +to the same laws.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The idea of the necessity of a contact, to +effect a movement, would never have occurred, +if we had bounded our observations +to the influence of our ideas on our determinations, +and the influence of those determinations +on our physical being. In short, +the laws of attraction and repulsion are subject +to great exceptions; which exceptions +may serve to support the system of the +spirituality of the soul. We may be allowed +to say, that there exists a vacuum in +the universe, since, without this vacuum, +there could not have been any motion? It +is known that this motion depends on the +laws of attraction but how can attraction +act through a vacuum, unless it is by a +spiritual force, which acts without contact, +and notwithstanding the absolute interruption +of matter? It is then this force, or +its equivalent, that I may adopt to define +the cause of the impressions of which our +souls are susceptible.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>Let others explain, in their turn, by +what material communication, the sight of +a few immoveable characters, traced on insensible +marble, disturbs my soul. It is +very easy to comprehend by what mechanism +the eye distinguishes these characters; +but there ends the physical action, for we +cannot attribute to that action, the general +power of producing sensations in the mind, +since, perhaps, many other men may consider +the same characters, without receiving +any impression.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is very possible, that our intellectual +preceptions have not any connection with +motion, such as we conceive it. Our interior +nature, which we distinguish by the +name of immaterial, is probably subject to +laws very different from those which govern +nature in general; but as we are obliged to apply +to the mysteries of our souls, those expressions +which serve to delineate or to interpret +the phœnomena submitted to our inspection; +these expressions, and their continual +use, have insensibly habituated us to certain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>opinions, about the causes and developement +of our intellectual faculties. It is +thus that, after having used the words motion, +rest, agitation, and action, to discriminate +different affections of our souls, of +which we know very little, we have afterwards +assimilated them, foolishly, to our +moral nature, to all the ideas which were +represented by these denominations; and +even death itself, of which we have not any +clear knowledge, but by the dissolution of +our physical being; death, an image borrowed +from things which are under the inspection +of our senses, has not, perhaps, +either relation or analogy with the nature +and essence of our spirit; all these are incomprehensible +secrets, not mixt with any +thing we are acquainted with.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We act, in this respect, like men born +deaf, who apply to sounds those terms +which they were accustomed to use, to +express the sensations the other senses produced.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>I shall only add another observation to +the ideas on which I have just dwelt: perhaps +we should never have thought of applying +the words which express action and +motion, to all the operations of our souls, +if we had not at first divided our spiritual +being into a great number of dependencies, +such as attention, reflection, thought, judgment, +imagination, memory, and foresight; +and if afterwards, in order to render intelligible +the variable relations of these abstract +parts of our mind (these parts of a +unit which we have taken to pieces, though +it composed that single being ourself) we +had not been obliged to have recourse to +some plain expressions, like those of action, +motion, attraction, and repulsion; but this +familiar use of these expressions, in order to +explain the accidents of our intellectual system, +very much resembles the use which +we make of X in Algebra, to express unknown +terms.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, were we to submit the action +of our souls to the laws of a particular +<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>movement, forming one of the dependencies +of the great one, we should still have to +explain the cause of the consciousness that +we have of this action, which Atheists +refuse to nature itself, at the very moment +they make it the God of the Universe. +Were reasoning able to subject all the operations +of our mind to the impressions of +external objects, we could not rank under the +same laws, that consciousness which we +have of our existence, and of the different +faculties of the soul. This consciousness is +not an effect, or the production of any +known force, since it has been always in us +independent of any external object, consequently +we cannot investigate it. The conception +of the existence of our souls, is as +incomprehensible to us as that of eternity; +what a profound thought, which even our +imagination cannot embrace!</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us admit, however, for a moment, +that all the operations of our souls are determined +by some impulsion, whatever it may +be, we shall still be struck with the absolute +<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>difference which exists, according to +our knowledge between the regular movements +of matter, and the almost infinite and +unaccountable emotions of our hearts and +minds; so variable and so differently modified, +that the attention is lost in the examination +of them. And after having vainly +endeavoured to conceive the union established +between our thoughts and exterior +objects, we have still to form an idea of the +actions of these thoughts on themselves, +their progression and connection; our mind +led astray, lost in such a meditation, leaves +us only a consciousness of our weakness, +and we feel, that there is an intellectual altitude +which the human faculties can never +reach.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We distinguish, in a single character +which our judgment can decypher, an absolute +difference between soul and matter: +we cannot avoid representing the latter as +infinitely divisible, whilst, on the contrary, +all the efforts of our imagination could +never divide that indivisible unit which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>composes the soul, and which is the sovereign +over our will, thoughts, and all our +faculties<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c012'><sup>[5]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But if we examine again, under another +appearance, the properties of matter, we +know not how to assimilate to them the +emotions of our soul; for we distinctly feel +those emotions, let their number be ever so +numerous, when even they act together and +terminate in the same center, which is that +Indivisible Being before alluded to; whereas +matter, by an essential property, cannot, in +the same instant be pressed or struck in several +<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>manners, unless it is in parts which +have a tendency to different centres.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is not then any resemblance between +the impressions that our souls receive, +and the various effects which may be attributed +to the action of all the material substances +of which we can form any conception: +they are always connected with +the idea of space and extent; but that centre, +where all our perceptions meet, that +Judge, who dictates laws in the internal +empire, whose revolutions we only know, +that last Director of our will, this Indivisible +Being, at the same time our friend and +master, is not to be found in any compounded +idea; and this unity so simple, +ought necessarily to convince us, that nothing +which is submitted to the dominion of +our senses, can serve as a type of the idea +which we are to form of the soul.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We discover the traces of this truth, +when we fix our attention on the comparisons +with which our spiritual unit, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>our identical self, is continually occupied: +we imagine it seated on a throne, listening, +and examining the various reasons which +ought to determine its action; we see it, +like Nero, yielding sometimes to Narcissus, +and sometimes to Burrhus; but at the same +time we distinctly perceive all the counsellors, +all the flatterers, all the enemies +which surround it; we never remark but +a single master in the midst of the tumult +and the intrigues of this court.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Whilst our soul then is thrown into motion +by contemplation, and by the imperceptible +modification of a fugitive idea, as +well as by every thing which is opposed to +material action, why should we not suppose +that it is purely intelligent and spiritual? It +must be confessed, that sometimes our corporeal +infirmities influence our minds; but +this relation is not a proof of identity, since +our body may be an instrument entrusted to +our soul, one of the organs which it is to +make a transitory use of. The continuity +of existence, considered abstractedly, certainly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>is in the universe a simple and natural state; +and the temporary existence is perhaps the +only one which is heterogeneous and accidental; +the soul seems too noble to be assimilated +to the latter state, it may exist in a +different manner when joined to a material +substance, but that connection does not +make it lose its original essence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is to be acknowledged, that it is +through the medium of our senses we know +all the force of our existence; and that they +are those parts of our mixt being which +strike us most during a little while; and it +is perhaps by a law of the same kind that +we see men, engrossed by a great passion, +entirely strangers to every other moral affection; +but, why should it be contrary to +the nature of things, that the soul, once +stripped of its terrestrial cloathing, should +be acquainted with the nature of its existence, +and at the same time perceive those +truths which now are obscured by clouds. +An innate fire languishes a long time unknown +in a rough stone, that stone is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>struck, and we see issue out a splendid light; +this is perhaps a faint picture of the state in +which our soul is when death breaks its +fetters.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, in a matter so obscure every +supposition is admissable, which assures us +that the soul is not on earth in a state +of enchantment, or in a kind of interruption +of its ordinary existence. All that we +see of the universe is an assemblage of incomprehensible +phœnomena; and when we +wish to discover the conclusion, through the +aid of the ideas most on a level with our +intelligence, we wander perhaps from truth; +since, according to appearances, it is in the +depths of infinity that it reposes.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I doubt, whether we can allow the authority +of those metaphysical arguments +which are made use of to defend the spirituality +of the soul to be decisive; but they +are sufficient to repulse the different attacks +of materialists. The most evident opinion +to me is, that we are too weak to comprehend +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>the secret we search for. We have, +according to our petty knowledge, divided +the universe into two parts, spirit and matter; +but this division serves only to distinguish +the little we know from that which +we have no knowledge of; there is perhaps +an infinite gradation between the different +properties which compose motion and life, +instinct and intelligence; we can only express +the ideas conceived by our understandings, +and the general words which +we make use of, serve only to detect the vain +ambition of our mind; but with respect to +the universe, in considering its immensity, +we shall find, that there is sufficient space +for all the shades and modifications we have +no idea of. We confess, that it is the connection +between our physical powers and +intellectual faculties, and the action that +they seem to have on each other, which +nourishes our doubts and anxieties; but +without this relation, without the appearance +of our fall, all would be distinct in the +fate of man, all would be manifest. It is +then, because that there is a shade in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>midst of the picture, which continually +catches our attention, that we have need to +collect the light of the mind and the +feelings, in order to see in perspective our +destiny; and it is from this motive that we +find it necessary, above all, to be penetrated +with the idea of a God, and to search for, +in his power and goodness, the last explication +which we want.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is, in the judgments of men, a +contrast which I have often been struck +with. Those people, who, at the sight of +the immensity of the universe, at the view +of the wonders in the midst of which they +are placed, fear not to attribute to our intellectual +faculties the power of interpreting +and understanding every thing, and even the +capacity of attaining almost to the hidden +secrets of our nature; these same people are +nevertheless most eager to strip the soul of +its true dignity, and the most obstinate in +refusing it spirituality and duration, and +every thing else which can exalt it.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>But happily, these refusals or concessions +fix not our fate: the nature of the soul will +always be as unknown as the essence of the +Supreme Being; and it is one of the proofs +of its grandeur, to be wrapped up in the +same mysteries which hide from us the universal +spirit. But there are simple ideas and +sentiments, which seem to bring along with +them more comfort and hope than metaphysical +arguments.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot profoundly meditate on the +marvellous attributes of thought; we cannot +attentively contemplate the vast empire +which has been submitted to it, or reflect on +the faculty with which it is endowed, of +fixing the past, approaching the future, and +bringing into a small compass the expanded +views of nature, and of containing, if I may +use the phrase, in one point the infinity of +space, and the immensity of time; we cannot +consider such a wonder, without continually +uniting a sentiment of admiration to the idea +of an end worthy of such a grand conception, +worthy of Him whose wisdom we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>adore. Shall we, however, be able to discover +this end, in the passing breath, in the +fleeting moments which compose life? Shall +we be able to discover it in a succession of +phantoms, which seem destined only to +trace the progress of time? Shall we, above +all, perceive it in this general system of destruction? +and ought we to annihilate in the +same manner the insensible plant, which perishes +without having known life; and the +intelligent man, who every day explores the +charms of existence? Let us not thus degrade +our fate and nature; and let us judge +and hope better of that which is unknown. +Life, which is a means of improvement, +should not lead to an eternal death; the +mind, that prolific source of knowledge, +should not be lost in the dark shades of forgetfulness; +sensibility and all its mild and +pure emotions, which so tenderly unite us +to others, and enliven our days, ought not +to be dissipated as if it were the vapour of a +dream; conscience, that severe judge was +not intended to deceive us; and piety and +virtue are not vainly to elevate our views +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>towards that model of affection, the object +of our love and adoration. The Supreme +Being, to whom all times belong, seems already +to have sealed our union with futurity +by endowing us with foresight, and placing +in the recesses of our heart the passionate +desire of a longer duration, and the confused +sentiment which it gives of obtaining it. +There are some relations still obscure, some +connections between our moral nature and +futurity; and perhaps our wishes, our hopes, +are a sixth sense, a faint sense, if I may be +allowed to express myself so, of which we +shall one day experience the satisfaction. +Sometimes also I imagine, that love, the +most noble ornament of our nature, love, +sublime enchantment, is a mysterious pledge +of the truth of these hopes; for in disengaging +us from ourselves, transporting us +beyond the limits of our being, it seems the +first step towards an immortal nature; and +in presenting to us the idea, in offering to +us the example of an existence out of ourselves, +it seems to interpret by our feelings +that which our minds cannot comprehend.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>In short, and this reflection is the most +awful of all, when I see the mind of man +grasp at the knowledge of a God; when I see +him, at least, draw near to such a grand idea; +such a sublime degree of elevation prepares +me, in some manner, for the high destiny +of the soul; I search for a proportion between +this immense thought and all the interests +of the world, and I discover none; +I search for a proportion between these +boundless meditations and the narrow picture +of life, and I perceive none: there +is then, I doubt not, some magnificent +secret beyond all that we can discern; +some astonishing wonder behind this curtain +still unfurled; on all sides we discover +the commencement of it. How imagine, +how resolve the thought, that all +which affects and animates us, all which +guides and captivates us, is a series of +enchantments, an assemblage of illusions? +The universe and its majestic pomp would +then have been only destined to serve as the +theater of a vain representation; and such +a grand idea, so magnificent a conception +<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>would have had for an object a mere dazzling +chimera. What would then have +signified that mixture of real beauties and +false appearances? What had signified that +concourse of phantoms, which, without +design or end, would be less admirable than +a ray of light, destined to enlighten our +abode? In short, what had signified in men +that union of sublime thoughts and deceitful +hopes? Guard us from giving credit to +such a supposition! Is it to Him then, whose +power has not any limits, that we dare to +attribute the artifices of weakness? Should +we have seen every where order, design, and +exactness, as far as our understanding can +reach, and as soon as we are arrived at the utmost +boundary of our faculties, should we +stop the views of the Supreme Intelligence, +and imagine that all is finished, because futurity +is unknown? Alas! we endure but +a moment, and we presume to know the +past and the future! But grant us only the +idea of a God; do not deprive us of our +confidence in Him; it is in relying on that +grand truth, that we shall be able to guard +<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>our hopes against all the metaphysical arguments +which we are not immediately +prepared to answer.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Would you object, that hope is not sufficient +to determine men to the observance of +morality, and to subject them to the sacrifices +which the practice of virtue seems to +impose? What then attracts them, in all +the bustle of life, unless it is hope; what +is it that renders them greedy of honour +and of fortune, unless it is expectation? +And when they obtain the object of their +wishes, they have frequently only the imaginary +advantages hope created. Why then +would you ask for a demonstrated certainty, +in order to devote yourself to all the researches +which the human mind can conceive +to be the most grand, the most worthy +of an ardent pursuit? On the contrary, +the most trifling degree of expectation should +become a motive of encouragement. And +what is it, of all our interests, which could +be put in competition with the most fugitive +idea, with the slightest hope of pleasing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>the Master of the World, and maintaining +the intercourse which seems to be indicated +by our natural sentiments, and by the first +perceptions of our minds?</p> + +<p class='c010'>I would wish to go still further, and I +would demand, not of all men, but of some +at least, if, were even this life to be their +only heritage, they would think themselves +freed from the desire of pleasing the Sovereign +Author of Nature. The moment +that is given us to know and admire +Him, would it not still be a blessing? We +celebrate the memory of those princes who +have done good to men; are we not to do +the same with Him to whom we are indebted +for our existence; to Him who has +contrived, if I may be allowed to say so, +the various enjoyments we are so unwilling +to detach ourselves from? Shall we +dare, weak and ignorant as we are, to +measure the wisdom, and calculate the +power of our Benefactor, and rashly reproach +him for not having done more +for us? This would be the language +<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>of ingratitude. But, as I have shown, our +sentiments have not been put to this test; +and it is on more liberal terms that we have +been admitted to treat with the Supreme +Being: He has surrounded us with every +thing that can encourage our expectations; +He allows us, by contemplation, to attain +almost a knowledge of his perfections; He +lets us read them in that collection of glory +and magnificence which the universe displays; +He permits us to perceive his power +and goodness, infinity and happiness; and +by that succession of ideas he has guided +our wishes and our hopes. How grand is +the contemplation of the Eternal, they who +have sensibility can tell! But this idea +should be very early implanted in the human +heart, it is necessary that it should be +connected with our first feelings, that it +should rise by degrees, in order to gain +strength before men are thrown into +the midst of that world which boasts of +being freed from childish prejudices; left, +hurried along by its levity, they follow every +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>day a new master, and render themselves +the slaves of pleasure and vanity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>And that which is to maintain, amongst +men, the principles first inculcated, is public +worship, an idea as beautiful as simple, and +the most proper to vivify all that is vague and +abstract in reasoning and instruction: public +worship, in assembling men, and in turning +them without public shame to their weaknesses, +and in equalising every individual before +the Master of the world, will be, in +this point of view a grand lesson of morality; +but this worship, besides, habitually +reminds some of their duty, and is for others +a constant source of consolation; in short, +almost all men, astonished and overwhelmed +by the ideas of grandeur and infinity, which +the appearance of the universe, and the exercise +of their own thoughts, present to +them, aspire to find repose in the sentiment +of adoration which unites them in a +more intimate manner to God, than the +developement of their reason ever will.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>We should guard ourselves carefully from +despising the emotions of piety, which +cannot be separated from its advantages; +and philosophers themselves know not how +far they would go, when they try to reduce +the interests of men to the narrow circle +of demonstrated truths: that which we +perceive confusedly, is more precious than +all we have a certain knowledge of; that +which we anticipate, is of more value than +the blessings scattered round us. Thus, we +should be miserably impoverished, if they +could retrench from the various comforts +which we shall never possess, but +through the aid of the imagination. However, +if we take this imagination as a guide +and encouragement, when we are engaged +in the pursuits of fortune and ambition, +and if the wise themselves find that to be good +which serves to nourish our passions, why +would you reject it, when, simply more +grand and more sublime in its object, it becomes +the support of our weaknesses, the +safeguard of our principles, and the source +of our most interesting consolations?</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>It is the part of legislators to study +these truths, and to direct towards them the +spirit of laws, and the uncertain course of +opinions. How honourable is it for them +to be called to form the august alliance +which is to unite happiness with morality, +and morality with the existence of a God!</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XII.<br> <em>That there is a God.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>That there is a God! How is it possible +to avoid being penetrated with +an awful respect in uttering these words? +How reflect on them without the deepest +humility, and even an emotion of surprise, +that man, this weak creature, this atom dispersed +in the immensity of space, undertakes +to add some weight to a truth, of +which all nature is the splendid witness? +However, if this truth is our supreme good, +if we are nothing without it, how can we +banish it from our minds? Does it not constrain +us to dwell continually on the subject? +Compared with it, all other thoughts +are insignificant and uninteresting; it gives +birth to, and sustains all the sentiments on +which the happiness of an intelligent creature +depends. I confess I tremblingly discussed +the different objections which are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>employed to destroy our confidence in the +existence of a Supreme Being; I dreaded +the melancholy which those arguments +produced; I was afraid to feel the impression +of it myself, and thus to hazard the +opinion most dear to my heart, and most +essential to my happiness; it appeared to +me, that a few general ideas, supported by +lively feelings, would have been sufficient +for my tranquillity; and without an interest +more extended, without the desire +of opposing, according to my powers, a +spirit of indifference and false philosophy, +which is every day gaining ground, I should +never have stepped beyond my circle. But, +I am far from regretting the part I have +taken: I have ran over, without much +trouble, those books where the most pernicious +doctrines are ingeniously disseminated; +and have thought that a person, endowed +with common sense, on whom metaphysical +subtleties were obtruded, would +resemble those savages who are brought +sometimes amongst us, and who, from +the depraved refinement of our morals and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>manners, have often recalled us, by some +natural reflections, to those simple principles +which we have abandoned, to those ancient +truths whose vestiges are lost.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The whole structure of religion would be +overturned, if, by the strength or artifices +of reasoning, men could destroy our confidence +in the existence of a Supreme Being: +morality, being detached from the opinions +which sustain it, would remain a wavering, +unsupported notion, only defended by a policy, +whose power time would insensibly +weaken. A fatal languor invading every +mind, where would be that universal interest, +that sentiment felt by all men, and +proper to form a general alliance between +them? Then those, who, with pure intentions, +can only be guided and sustained by +an intimate persuasion, would retire sad, +and leave to others the care of supporting +moral order by fictions and falsehoods; they +would pity that dismayed race, called to appear +and pass away like flowers, which +bloom but for a day; they would despise +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>those animated phantoms which only come +to make a buz with their vanity and trivial +passions, and fall in a little while into eternal +oblivion. All that appears beautiful in +the universe, and excites our enthusiasm, would +soon lose its splendour and enchantment, if +we perceived nothing in this brilliant scene +but the play of some atoms, and the uniform +walk of blind necessity; for it is always +because a thing may be otherwise, +that it acquires a claim to our admiration: +in short, that soul, that spirit, which vivifies +man, that faculty of thought which surprises +and confounds those who reflect, +would only appear a vain movement, if nothing +was before, or was to follow, if some +unknown breath, or general intelligence, +did not animate nature. But we have dwelt +too long on those gloomy thoughts; reassume +your light and life, admirable works +of God; come and confound the pride of +some, and comfort others; come and take +possession of our souls, and direct our affections +towards Him whom we ought to love, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>towards Him who is the eternal model of +perfect wisdom, and unlimitted goodness!</p> + +<p class='c010'>I shall not endeavour to prove that there +is a God, by reciting all the wonders the +works of nature display to our eyes; several +celebrated writers have already done it, and +have missed their aim. Infinity can only +be represented by astonishment and respect, +which overwhelms all our thoughts: and +when we labour to explain the successive +and varied picture of the wonders of nature, +this change of objects is more calculated to +relax our admiration than to increase it; +for any change eases our mind, by affording +those relaxations which our weakness has +need of; and if we were to investigate only +one phœnomenon, we should soon discover +the utmost extent of our faculties. We +find the limits of our understanding in the +examination of the organization of the +smallest insect, as well as in observing the faculties +of the soul; and the mysteries of the +simplest vegetation is as far above the reach +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>of our intelligence, as the principal agent +of the universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is then as a hymn of praise to the +Supreme Being, and not as necessary instruction +that I freely follow the course of +my thoughts. I shall begin by throwing a +rapid glance on the principal characters of +wisdom and grandeur, which we are all +equally struck with, when we contemplate +the wonder of the universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>What a sight is that of the world! +What a magnificent picture for those who +can be roused out of the state of indifference, +in which habit has thrown them. +We know not where to begin, or stop, +when we expatiate on so many wonders; +and the most noble of all is, the faculty +which has been bestowed on us of admiring +and conceiving them. What an astonishing +and sublime relation is that of the innumerable +beauties of nature, with the intelligence +which permits us to enjoy, and to be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>made happy by them! What relation +so surprising, as that of the order and +harmony of the universe, with the moral +intelligence which enables us to anticipate +the enjoyments of wisdom and unclouded +knowledge! Nature is immense, and all +that it contains, all that it spreads with so +much splendour, seems within the reach of +our sensibility, or the powers of our mind; +and these faculties, invisible and incomprehensible, +unite to form, that wonder of +wonders, which we call felicity. Let not +these plain words turn our attention from +the magical ideas which they represent. It +is because the grand phœnomena of our existence +cannot either be defined or expressed +many ways, that they are so much more +wonderful; and those words, used by +common consent, soul, mind, sensation, +life, happiness, and many others besides, +which we pronounce so slightly, confound +not less our understanding, when we wish +to discuss the essence of the properties of +which they are the sign. It is for this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>reason, among several others, that the +admiration of particulars, in the works +of nature, is always insufficient for those +who have sensibility, as such admiration +is necessarily placed between two ideas +susceptible of being known; ideas which +we connect through the aid of our own +knowledge; but the charm of our relation +with the wonders which surround +us, arises from experiencing every instant +the impression of an infinite grandeur; and +feeling the necessity of flying to that mild +refuge of ignorance and weakness, the sublime +idea of a God. We are continually +carried towards this idea by the vain efforts +which we make, in order to penetrate the +secrets of our own nature; and when I fix my +attention on those astonishing mysteries, +which seem to terminate, in some manner, +the power of our thoughts, I represent +them with emotion, as the only barrier +which separates us from the infinite spirit, +the source of all knowledge.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>Men endowed with the greatest genius, +perceive quickly the bounds of their faculties +when they wish to go very far in the +study of abstract metaphysical truths; but +the simplest and least exercised mind, can +distinguish the proofs of that order, which +announces with so much splendour the end +and design of sovereign wisdom. It seems, +that all the knowledge proper to interest +men has been placed within their reach. +The learned astronomer, observing the +course of our globe round the sun, perceives +the cause of that regular succession +of repose and vegetation, which secures the +earth its fecundity, and adorns every season +with renewed beauties; but the simple cultivator, +who sees the treasurers of the earth +renovated every year, and answer, with +singular precision, to the wants of animated +beings, is not less a witness of a phœnomenon +which is sufficient to excite his admiration +and gratitude! Newton analyzed +light, and calculated the swiftness with +which it runs over the immensity of space; +but the ignorant herdsman, who sees, when +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>he wakes, his hut enlightened by the same +rays which animate all nature, is equally +benefitted by them. The indefatigable +anatomist attains a just idea of our inimitable +structure, and the ingenious texture of +our different organs; but the man most +devoid of instruction, who reflects an instant +on the pleasures, and the variety of +the sensations, which we find ourselves susceptible +of, partakes the blessing equally.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The transcendent knowledge of some +people, is a degree of superiority which disappears +when contrasted with the incomprehensible +grandeur of nature; when we +contemplate infinity, those talents which +exalt one man above another are no more +seen; and probably it is beyond the limits +of our intelligence that the greatest wonders +of nature begin. The knowledge of all +ages has not explained what is the imperious +authority of our will over our actions, +nor how our thoughts could reach the most +remote ages, how our souls could investigate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>that innumerable multitude of present objects, +of recollections and anticipations; +neither has it informed us how all those +excellencies of the mind, sometimes remain +unknown to itself, nor how they +are sometimes at its command, issuing +out of their long obscurity, and succeeding +each other with method, or are profusely +poured forth. At the sight of these astonishing +phœnomena, we think man presumptuous, +when, puffed up with pride, +he mistakes the measure of his strength and +wishes to penetrate into the secrets, whose +confines are shut by an invisible hand. He +should be content to know, that his existence +is united to so many wonders; he +should be satisfied with being the principal +object of the liberality of nature, and he +should adore with reverential respect that +powerful Sovereign, who bestows so many +blessings on him, and who has made him +to sympathize with all the powers of heaven +and earth.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>The globe on which we live runs over +every year a space of two hundred millions +of leagues; and in this immense course, +its distance from the sun, determined by +immutable laws, is exactly proportioned to +the degree of the temperature necessary to +our feeble nature, and to the successive return +of that precious vegetation, without +which no animated being could subsist.</p> + +<p class='c010'>That celestial body, which fertilizes the +seeds of life shut up in the bosom of the +earth, is, at the same time, the source of +that light which opens to our view the +glorious sight of the universe. The rays +of the sun run over in eight minutes about +thirty millions of leagues: such an impetuous +motion would be sufficient to pulverize +the largest masses of matter; but, by an +admirable combination, such is the incomprehensible +tenuity of these rays, that they +strike the most tender of our organs, not +only without wounding it; but with a measure +so delicate and precise, that they excite +in us those extatic sensations, which are the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>origin and the indispensable condition of +our greatest enjoyments.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Man, in immensity, is only an imperceptible +point; and yet, by his senses and +intelligence, he seems in communication +with the whole universe; but how pleasant +and peaceable is this communication! It is +almost that of a prince with his subjects: +all is animated round man, all relates to his +desires and wants; the action of the elements, +every thing on earth, like the rays +of light, seems to be proportioned to his +faculties and strength; and whilst the celestial +bodies move with a rapidity which +terrifies our imagination, and whilst they +hurry along in their course our dwelling, +we are tranquil in the bosom of an asylum, +and under the protecting shelter allotted +us; we enjoy there in peace a +multitude of blessings, which, by another +wonderful affinity, ally themselves to our +taste, and all the sentiments we are endowed +with.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>In short, and it is another favour, man +is permitted to be, in some things, the contriver +of his own happiness, by his will and +ingenuity; he has embellished his habitation, +and united several ornaments to the +simple beauties of nature; he has improved, +by his care, the salutary plants; and even in +those which seemed the most dangerous he +has discovered some wholesome property, +and carefully separated it from the envenomed +parts which surrounded it; he can +soften metals, and make them serve to augment +his strength; he obliges the marble +to obey him, and assume what form +he desires; he gives laws to the elements, +or circumscribes their empire; he +stops the invasion of the sea; he restrains +the rivers in their natural bed, and sometimes +obliges them to take a different +course, in order to spread their benign influence; +he erects a shelter against the fury +of the winds, and by an ingenious contrivance, +makes use of that impetuous force, +which he could not at first dream of defending +<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>himself from; even the fire, whose +terrible action seems to presage destruction, +he subjugates, and renders it, if I may so +express myself, the confident of his industry, +and the companion of his labours.</p> + +<p class='c010'>What a source of reflections is this dominion +of the mind over the most dreadful +effects of the movement of blind matter. +It seems as if the Supreme Being, in submitting +thus to the intelligence of men +the most powerful elements, chose to give +us an anticipation of the empire which +His sovereign wisdom has over the universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, it is in the influence of our +spiritual faculties on themselves, that we +observe, above all, their admirable nature; +we see, with astonishment, the perfections +which they acquire by their own action. +Intelligence, considered in a general manner, +undoubtedly is a great phœnomenon; but +it is a still greater wonder, to see the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>thoughts of a man reach, by the most ingenious +means, the knowledge of others, +and form an alliance between the past and +present productions of the mind. It is by +such an alliance that the sciences have been +improved, and that the mind of man has +been acquainted with all its strength. The +mighty of the earth cannot break this association, +nor subject to their tyrannic divisions +the noble heritage of knowledge; this +gift, so precious, preserves the stamp of a +divine hand;—and no one has yet been able +to say it is mine.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The most noble use that has ever been +made of the admirable union of so many +talents, and so much knowledge, was to demonstrate +how every thing in nature relates +to the idea of a first cause; which forcibly +announces a design full of wisdom, and a +beneficent intention; but now, unhappily, +these proofs of the existence of a God are +not sufficient; imperious philosophers have +laboured to subvert every thing founded on +the connection and wonderful harmony of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>the system of nature; it is not sufficient to +oppose to these new opinions the mere authority +of final causes; they do not contest +that there is a perfect conformity between +our desires and wants, between our senses +and the bounties of nature; they do not +contest, from the cedar to the hyssop, from +the insect to man, that there is a beauty of +proportion in the whole, which is to be +found equally in the relation that objects +have with each other, as well as in their +different parts; but this admirable harmony, +in which the pious man, the man of +feeling, perceives with delight the stamp of +an eternal intelligence; others less fortunate, +undoubtedly, obstinately present it to us as a +fortuitous collision, as a play of atoms agitated +by a blind movement, or as nature itself, +existing thus from all eternity. What +trouble they take to invent and defend these +systems destructive of our happiness and +hopes! I prefer my feelings to all this philosophy; +but, to avoid an encounter would be +to favour their presumption, and give additional +strength to their opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>Thus I shall treat the most important +question that man can consider. I shall +endeavour first to show, that the different +conjectures on the origin of the +world all centre in the single opinion of +the eternal and necessary existence of every +thing which is; and I shall afterwards +compare the basis of that system with the +reason of that happy and simple belief +which unites the idea of a Supreme Being +with all we see and know; in short, to the +universe, the most unlimitted of our conceptions.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XIII.<br> <em>The same Subject continued.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>When we see the authors of the +different systems, concerning the +formation of the world, reject the idea of a +God, under the pretext, that this idea is +foreign to the nature of our perceptions, +should we not have a right to expect some +better substitute for it? But, far from answering +our expectations, they abandon +themselves to all the wanderings of the +most fantastic imagination. In fact, whether +we refer the origin of the universe to +the effect of hazard, the fortuitous concourse +of atoms, or whether we establish another +hypothesis derived from the same principle, +it is necessary at least to suppose the eternal +existence of an innumerable multitude of +little particles of matter, placed without order +in the immensity of space; and to suppose, +afterwards, that these atoms, disseminated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>to infinity, attracted each other, and +corresponded by the inherent properties of +their nature; and that there resulted, from +their adhesion, not only organized, but intelligent +faculties; it is necessary, in short, +to suppose, that all those incomprehensible +atoms have been settled with admirable order +through the effect of a blind motion, +and by the result of some of the possible +chances in the infinity of accidental combinations. +Indeed, after so many suppositions +without example or foundation, that of an +Intelligent Being, soul and director of the +universe, had been more analogous and more +consonant with our knowledge.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us return to the hypothesis we have +just mentioned. We shall then recognize +the trifling habit of the mind; it is accustomed +to proceed from simple to compound +ideas, every time it meditates, invents, or +executes: thus, by an inverse method, the +composers of systems have thought, that, +in order to connect the universe to its origin, +it was sufficient to detach, by the exercise +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>of thinking, all its parts, and to break +and subdivide them afterwards to infinity; +but whatever may be the tenuity of these +atoms, their existence, having organized and +intellectual properties, which we should be +obliged to grant them, would be a wonder +almost equal to those phœnomena which +surround us.</p> + +<p class='c010'>When we see a plant grow, embellished +with different colours, we only think of the +period when its vegetation may be perceived +by our senses; but the seed of this plant, +or if you like better, the organized atoms, +the first principle of this seed, would have +offered also a grand subject of admiration, +if we had been endowed with the faculties +necessary to penetrate into the occult secrets +of nature. But perhaps, in transforming +into an imperceptible powder all the +parts of matter, which have been collected +to compose the world, we have only before +our eyes a fugitive vapour, to which even +our imagination cannot reach; and those +who unfortunately love and defend this admiration, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>find besides, in the system of divisible +atoms, means to defer, according to +their fancy, the moment of their astonishment.</p> + +<p class='c010'>All these fantastic combinations serve +only to lead us astray in our researches; +and I do not think it a matter of indifference +to make a general observation. +The study of the first elements, of all +the sciences which we acquire, such as +geometry, languages, civil legislation, and +several others, appear to us the simplest +parts of our instruction. It is not the +same, when we seek to know the laws +of the physical world; for the works of nature +never appear more simple than in their +compounded state; they are then, to our +mind, that which harmony is to the ear; +it is the agreement of all parts which forms +a union perfectly proportioned to our intelligence. +Thus, man, for example, that +wonderful alliance of so many different faculties, +does not astonish our understanding, +but appears to us in one point of view, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>a simple idea; but we are troubled, and, +as it were, dismayed, when we try to analyze +him, or mount to the elements of his +liberty, will, thought, and all the other +properties of his nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We only advance towards infinity, and +consequently towards the most profound +darkness, when we destroy the world in order +to divide it into atoms, out of the midst +of which we make it issue afresh, after having +rallied all we have dispersed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us admit, for a moment, that there +exists organized and intelligent atoms, and +that they are such, either by their nature, +or by their adhesion to other atoms. We +are now, of all these scattered atoms, to +compose the universe, that master-piece of +harmony, and perfect assemblage of every +beauty and variety, that inexhaustible source +of every sentiment of admiration; and in +rejecting the idea of a God, creator and preserver, +we must have recourse to the power +of chance, that is to say, to the effects of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>an unknown continual motion, which, +without any rule, produces, in a limited +time, all the combinations imaginable; but, +in order to effect an infinite variety of combinations, +it is not only necessary to admit +a continual motion, but besides, to suppose +this continual motion changes its direction +in all the parts of space subject to its influence. +The existence of such a change, +and a similar diversity in the laws of motion, +is a new supposition which may be ranked +with the other wild ones.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, after these chimerical systems +have been granted, we are not freed +from the difficulties which the notion of the +formation of the world by a fortuitous concourse +of atoms produces.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is difficult to comprehend how particles +of matter, agitated in every manner, +and susceptible, as has been supposed, of an +infinity of different adhesions, should not +have formed such a mixture, such a contexture, +as would have rendered, the harmonious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>composition of the universe in all +its parts, impossible.</p> + +<p class='c010'>When we represent to ourselves, abstractedly, +the unlimmitted number of chances +that may be attributed to a blind movement, +the imagination, unable to conceive, +is left to guess how an infinite number of +atoms, endowed with a property of uniting +themselves, under an infinite diversity of +movements, could compose the heavenly bodies; +but, as long before that period, when +such an accidental throw would become probable; +these same atoms might have formed +an innumerable multitude of partial combinations; +if one of these combinations had +been incompatible with the harmony and +composition of a world, that world could +not have been formed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The same considerations may be applied +to animated beings: chance might have +produced men susceptible of life, and the +transmission of it, long before chance gave +them all the faculties which they enjoy; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>and if they had been formed with only +four senses, they could not have acquired a +fifth; for the same reason that we do not +see a new one spring up. Besides, the chance +which might have produced living beings, +must have always preceded the chance +which afforded those beings every thing +necessary for their subsistence and preservation.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It may indeed be supposed, that atoms +assembled in a manner incompatible with the +disposition of the universe, have been separated +by the continuation of the motion +introduced into the immensity of space; +but this continual motion, sufficient to sever +that which it has joined, would it not have +destroyed that harmony which has been the +result of one of the fortuitous chances to +which the formation of the world has been +attributed?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Will some object, that all the parts of +matter, once united in the masses and proportions +which constitute the heavenly bodies, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>have been maintained by the impression +of a predominant force at the same +time invariable? But how is it possible to +reconcile the existence and dominion of such +a force with that continual motion, which +was requisite for the composition of the +universe?</p> + +<p class='c010'>It may be also demonstrated, that the formation +of worlds, by the chances of a blind +motion, and their regular continuity of existence, +are two propositions which disagree. +Let us explain this idea. The play of atoms, +necessary in order to produce the unformed +masses of the heavenly bodies, being infinitely +less complicated than that which is +necessary to produce them, inhabited as they +are with intelligent beings, must have happened +long before the other. Thus, in +the system of the composition of the universe, +by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, +it is necessary to suppose, that these atoms, +after having been united to form the heavenly +bodies, have been severed, and united +<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>again, as many times as was necessary, to produce +a planet inhabited by intelligent beings. +Since beings thus endowed add nothing to the +stability of the world, since they do not contribute +to the grand coalition of all its parts; +why the same blind motion which has united, +dissolved, and assembled so often every part +of the earth, before it was composed, such +as it is; why does it not produce some alteration +now? It should again reduce to +powder our world, or at least, let us perceive +the commencement of some new +form.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not only to a world inhabited by +intelligent beings, that the arguments, just +mentioned, may be applicable; for we +perceive around us an innumerable multitude +of beauties and features of harmony, +which were not necessary to the +preservation of our world, and which, +according to every rule of probability, +would never have existed, unless we +supposed, that the earth has been formed, +dissolved, and reproduced, an infinity of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>times, before having been composed such +as we see it; but then I would ask, why +there are no vestiges of those alterations, +and why that motion has stopped?</p> + +<p class='c010'>It would be possible, however, by the +assistance of a new supposition, to resolve +the difficulty I have just mentioned; some +may say, that the union, and the successive +dispersion of the universal atoms, are executed +in a space of time, so slow and insensible, +that our observations, and all those +which we have from tradition, cannot inform +us whether there will not be a separation +of all the parts of the universe, +by the same causes which have occasioned +their adhesion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is obvious, that transporting us into +infinity and admitting such a series of arbitrary +suppositions, they are not indeed exposed +to any rational attacks; but, making +equally free with infinity, in order to oppose +nonsense to nonsense, why may I not +be allowed to suppose, that in the infinite +<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>combinations arising from perpetual motion, +men have been created, destroyed, and again +called into being, with the same faculties, +remembrances, thoughts, relations, and circumstances; +and why each of us separated +from our former existence, only by a sleep, +whose duration is imperceptible, should +not be in our own eyes immortal beings? +Infinity permits the supposition of this absurd +hypothesis, as it authorises every flight +of the imagination in which time is reckoned +for nothing. We see, however, how +we risk running into error, when with our +limited faculties we wish to subject the incomprehensible +idea of infinity, and boldly +adjust it to the combinations of finite +beings.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us produce, however, another objection. +It may be said, that our planet is +the result of chance; but is not this chance +improbable, if we suppose that there existed +in the infinity of space, an infinite +number of other assembled atoms, equally +produced by the first throw of the dice, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>which represent all the possible forms, and +imaginable proportions? And I would also +ask, by what laws, all these irregular bodies, +necessarily subject, by reason of their +number and masses, to an infinity of movements, +have not disconcerted the planetary +system formed, at the same time as they +were, by chance?</p> + +<p class='c010'>I ought to observe, above all, that the +order which we are acquainted with, is a +proof of universal order; for, in immensity, +where one part is nothing compared with +the whole, no part, without exception, +could be preserved, unless it was in equilibrium +with every other.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Thus, whether <em>an infinite succession of +chances</em> be supposed, to which the entire +mass of atoms has been uniformly subject, +or whether the first general throw is +thought sufficient, but divided <em>into an +infinity of different sections</em>, our reason opposes +invincible difficulties to the result +<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>which some want to draw from these various +systems.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, we must observe, that in order +to understand the accidental formation of a +world, such as we are at liberty to suppose, +the eternal existence of every kind of organized +and intelligent atoms, must have +preceded the formation of that world. I +must again observe, that when they are +obliged to such wonderful first principles, +and to admit, in the beginning, a nature +so astonishing, we can scarcely conceive +how they can make it act suddenly a foolish +part, in order to finish the work of the +universe: a more exalted supposition, would +have prevented their drawing a conclusion, +so absurd.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It seems to me, that notwithstanding the +immensity which has given rise to so many +ridiculous notions about the formation of +the world, they have such a resemblance to +each other, that we can scarcely discern any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>difference; and considering the little circle +which the imagination runs over, when it +applies its force to deep conceptions, we +think we discover something supernatural in +its singular weakness: the authors of these +systems seem to have a slavish turn of thinking, +and the marks of their chains are very +visible; it is always atoms, and atoms that +they make play together, either at different +times, or all at once, in infinite space; but +when some want to form ideas of liberty +and will, as they do not know in what manner +to analyze these properties, they suppose +them pre-existing in the elementary parts, +which they made use of to create their universe; +and they prudently take care not to +grant any action to liberty and will, in order +to prevent any resistance to those notions on +which they build their universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>They would not render either more simple +or credible, the blind production of +worlds, by supposing not only innumerable +multitude of organized atoms, but, even an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>infinite diversity of molds to hold the atoms, +and of which force chemical analogy gives us +an idea. Such a system, which might serve +to explain a few secondary causes of our +known nature, is not applicable to the first +formation of beings; for with such an assemblage +of molds and atoms, all the great difficulties +would still subsist. In fact, how +should the different molds have classed themselves +properly, in order to form the most +simple whole, but which beside required a +fixed measure and gradation of ranks? The +mold destined for the organized atoms, of +which the crystalline is to be composed, +how is it possible it should have placed +itself in the centre of that mold which is to +form the pupil of the eye, and this last on +that one which is to form the whole, and so +on, by an exact gradation, whose divisions +and subdivisions are innumerable?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Were they to suppose an infinite succession +of molds, of which the largest attracted +the smallest, in the same manner as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>the molds attracted the atoms; this supposition, +less ridiculous than any other, +is not sufficient to model, even in imagination, +the most unimportant phœnomena of +nature; it is necessary, besides, that by the +direction of a wise and powerful force, the +molds, and the atoms which belong to +them, set themselves in motion, without +confusion; it is necessary that those destined +to compose the exterior fibres should not +obstruct the passage of those molds calculated +to form the interior organs; in short, +that every one of those in its course and expansion, +should artfully observe those delicate +shades which blend or separate all the +parts of the simplest of nature’s works.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We are already acquainted with a force +which acts in all directions, which disposes +every thing in due order, tends towards an +end, stops, begins again, and finishes, every +moment, a complicated work; and this is +the intelligent will, and certainly we have +reason to be astonished, that the only faculty +<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>we have an intimate consciousness of, is +the one philosopher’s turn from, when +they investigate the admirable order of the +universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I allow, that they may, at the same +time they reject the idea of a God, admit, +as a principle, the eternal existence of +a mechanical force, which, by an incomprehensible +necessity, directed, towards a +wise end, every thing that was at first +confusedly scattered in the immensity of +space; but this new supposition would +form an hypothesis similar to the system +of the eternal existence of the universe; in +fact, the eternal existence of all the elements, +of all substances, forces, and properties +which were necessary to produce a +certain order of things, would be a phœnomenon +as incomprehensible as the existence +of that order itself.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We must add, that these two phœnomena +would be separated in our thoughts +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>only by an indivisible instant, an instant that +we can neither describe nor imagine in the +extent of the time represented by eternity; +for any chosen period would be still too +late by an infinity of ages. The necessary +effect of an eternal cause has not, like that +cause, any period to which we can fix its +commencement.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We thus perceive, under another point +of view, how vain and ridiculous are the +fantastic operations, they imagine, before +the existence of the world, and which are +attributed sometimes to the disordered +movements of chance, and sometimes to the +regular laws of blind necessity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is then but one hypothesis to be +opposed to the idea of a God: it is the system +of the eternal existence of the universe. +Such an atheistical system will always be +more easily defended than any other, because +that being founded on a supposition without +bounds, it does not require to be embraced +<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>by reasoning, like all the hypothetical ideas, +by which men make nature act according +to an order of their own invention. We +will, in the next chapter, consider this system, +and discuss it by every means in our +power.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XIV.<br> <em>The same Subject continued.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>Those who maintain that the world +subsists of itself, and that there is not a +God, say, in favour of their opinion, that if +the eternal existence of the universe overwhelms +our understanding, the eternal existence +of a God is a still more inconceivable +idea; and that such a supposition is only +another difficulty, since, according to a common +mode of judging, a work the most wonderful +appears a phœnomenon less astonishing +than the knowledge of which it is the result.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us first fix our attention on this argument. +It is useless to ask, what is meant +by another difficulty in infinity; those ideas +which are represented by familiar expressions, +necessarily derived from comparison, +are only admissable in the narrow circle of +our knowledge; out of it, those ideas have +not any application, and we cannot fix any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>degrees in the immensity which exceeds the +bounds of our views, and in those unfathomable +depths which are out of the reach +of our intellectual powers.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly, our mind is equally lost, +both in trying to form a distinct idea of a +God, and in endeavouring to describe the +eternal existence of the world, without any +cause out of itself: however, when we try +to glance our thoughts towards the first +traces of time; when we try to rise almost +to the beginning of beginnings, we feel distinctly +that, far from considering the eternal +existence of an intelligent cause as increasing +the difficulty, we only find repose in that +opinion; and instead of forcing our mind +to adopt such an opinion, and thinking we +wander in an imaginary space, we find it, +on the contrary, more congenial with our +nature; whilst order unites itself to the idea +of a design, and a multiplicity of combinations +to the idea of an intelligence. Thus +we rise from little to great things, and reasoning +by analogy, we shall more easily +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>conceive the existence of a Being endowed +with various unlimitted properties, which +we in part partake; we shall, I say, more +easily conceive such an existence, than that +of a universe, where all would be intelligent, +except the first mover. The workman, +undoubtedly, is superior to the work: +but according to our manner of feeling and +judging, an intelligent combination, formed +without intelligence, will always be the +most extraordinary, as well as the most incomprehensible +phœnomenon.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not indifferent to observe, that according +to the system I combat, the more +the world would appear to us the admirable +result of wisdom, the less power should we +have to draw any deduction favourable to +the existence of a God, since the author of +a perfect work is not so easily traced as the +feeble re-iterated labours of mediocrity. +Thus, all those who particularized the +beauties of nature, would stupidly injure +the cause of religion, and weaken our belief +in the existence of a Supreme Being. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>It seems to me, that it is easy to perceive +what an ill-founded argument that must +be which leads us to a conclusion so +absurd.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The attentive view of the universe should +make us mistrust the judgment, which we +form, of that which is the most simple in +the order of things; for all the general operations +of nature arise from a movement more +noble and complicated than we can easily +form an idea of. We should surely find, +contrary to a perfect simplicity of means, +that a circuit of two hundred millions of +leagues, which our globe makes every year, +is necessary, in order to produce the successive +changes of seasons, and to assure the +reproduction of the necessary fruits; we +should find, that the distance of thirty-four +millions of leagues, between the sun and +the earth, was necessary to proportion the +rays of light to the delicacy of our organs. +However, if even in the narrow circle we +traverse, we do not discover any constant +application of that simple order, of which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>we form an idea, how could such a principle +serve to guide our opinions, at the moment +when we elevate our meditations to +the first link of the vast chain of beings; +when we undertake to examine, whether, +throughout the immensity of the universe, +there exists, or not, an intelligent cause? +What would become, in that immensity, of +the insignificant phrase, <em>it is one difficulty +more</em>? The buzzing fly would be less ridiculous, +if capable of perceiving the order +and magnificence of a palace, it asserted, +that the architect never existed.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Every thing indicates, that, according to +our different degrees of sense and knowledge, +what is simple, and what is easy, +have a very different application; we may +continually observe, that these expressions +are not interpreted in the same manner, by +a man of moderate abilities and a man of +genius; however, the distance which separates +the various degrees of intelligence with +which we are acquainted, is probably very trifling +in the universal scale of beings. All our +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>reflections would lead us then to presume, +that beyond the limits of the human mind, +the simple is compounded, the easy our +wonderful, and the evident our inconceivable.</p> + +<p class='c010'>After having examined the principal arguments +of the partisans of athiestical systems, +which we now attack; let us change +the scene, and in the midst of the labyrinth, +in which we are placed, try to find +a clue for our meditations.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We are witnesses of the existence of the +world, and intimately acquainted with our +own; thus, either God or matter must +have been eternal; and by a natural consequence, +an eternal existence, which is an +idea the most incomprehensible, is, however, +the most incontestible truth. Obliged +now, in order, to fix our opinion, to chuse +between two eternal existences, the one intelligent +and free, the other blind, and void of +all consciousness, why not prefer the first? An +eternal existence is an idea so astonishing, so +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>much above our comprehension, that we +decorate it with every thing sublime and +beautiful, and nothing deserves more those +decorations than thought.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Would it not be strange, that in our sysmatic +divisions, it was only to thought, +and consequently to all that was most admirable +in our nature, that we refuse eternity, +whilst we grant it to matter and its +blind combinations? What a subversion of +all proportion! that we should believe in +the eternal existence of matter, because it +is present to our eyes, and yet not admit the +eternal existence of an intelligence; whilst +that which we are endowed with becomes +the source of our judgment, and even the +guide of our senses!</p> + +<p class='c010'>And by what other singularity we should +grant the faculty and the consciousness of +intelligence, only to that small part of the +world which is represented by animated +beings? Thus, the whole of nature would +be below a part; and if no spirit animated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>the universe, man would appear to have +reached his ultimate perfection; though we +see in him but a faint sketch, a weak shadow +of something more complete and admirable; +we perceive that he is, to speak +thus, at the commencement of thinking; +and all his cares, all his efforts, to extend +the empire of that faculty, only inform him, +that he tends continually towards an end, +from which he is always distant; in short, +in his greatest exertions he feels his weakness; +he studies, but he cannot know himself; +he makes a few petty discoveries, sees +some trifling wheels, whilst the main spring +escapes his search: he is fallen into the +world, like a grain of sand thrown by the +winds; he has neither a consciousness of his +origin, nor a foresight of his end; we perceive +in him all the timidity and mistrust +of a dependent being; he is constrained, by +instinct, to raise to heaven his wishes and +contemplations; and, when he is not led +astray by an intoxicating reason, he fears, +seeks to adore a god, and rejects with disdain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>the rank which audacious philosophers +assign him in the order of nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must also add, that the sentiment of +admiration, which I cannot stifle, when I +turn my attention on the spiritual qualities +we are endowed with, would be insensibly +weakened, if I was reduced to consider man +himself as a simple growth of blind matter; +for the most astonishing production would +only inspire me with a transitory emotion, +unless I can refer it to an intelligent cause: +I must discover a design, a combination, +before I admire; as I have need to perceive +feeling and affection, before I love.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But as soon as I see in the human mind +the stamp of Omnipotence; and it appears +to me one of the results of a grand thought; +it reasumes its dignity, and all the faculties +of my soul are prostrate before such a wonderful +conception.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is then united with the idea of a God, +that the spiritual faculties of man attract +<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>my homage and captivate my imagination; +in reflecting on these sublime faculties, +studying their admirable essence, +I am confirmed in the opinion that +there exists a sovereign intelligence, soul of +nature, and that nature itself is subject to +its laws: yes, we find in the mind of man +the first evidence, a faint shadow of the +perfection which we must attribute to the +Creator of the Universe. What a wonder +indeed is our thinking faculty, capable of +so many things yet ignorant of its own nature! +I am equally astonished, by the extent +and limits of thinking; an immense +space is open to its researches, and at the +same time it cannot comprehend the secrets +which appear most proximate with it; as +the grand motive of action, the principle of +intellectual force, ever remains concealed. +Man is then informed, every instant, of his +grandeur and dependence; and these thoughts +must naturally lead to the idea of Omnipotence. +There are, in those limits of our +knowledge and ignorance, in that confused +and conditional light, all the evidence of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>design; and it seems to me, sometimes, +that I hear this command given to the +human soul by the God of the universe: +go to admire a portion of my universe, +to search for happiness and to learn to love +me; but do not try to raise the veil, with +which I have covered the secret of thy existence; +I have composed thy nature of +some of the attributes which constitute my +own essence, thou wouldst be too near me, if +I should permit thee to penetrate the mysteries +of it; wait for the moment destined +by my wisdom; till then, thou canst only +reach me by reverence and gratitude.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Not only the wonderful faculty of thinking +connects us with the universal intelligence; +but all those inconceivable properties, +known by the name of liberty, judgment, +will, memory, and foresight; it is, +in short, the august and sublime assemblage +of all our intellectual faculties. Are we, +in fact, after the contemplation of such a +grand phœnomenon, far from conceiving a +God? No, undoubtedly, we have within +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>us a feeble image of that infinite power we +seek to discover; man is himself a universe, +governed by a sovereign; and we are much +nearer the Supreme Intelligence, by our nature, +than by any notion of the primitive +properties of matter; properties, from +which some wish to make the system of the +world and its admirable harmony flow.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It seems to me, that our thinking faculty +is too slightly treated in the greater +number of philosophic systems; and some +have been so afraid of honouring it, that +they will not admit it to be a simple +and particular principle, when the subject +of the question is the immortality of the +soul; nor will they consider it as a universal +principle, when they discuss the opinion of +the existence of a God.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is equally singular, that they wish to +compose of matter a soul endowed with the +most sublime qualities; and they pretend, at +the same time, that the world, in which we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>see intelligent beings, had not for a contriver +and principal any being of the same nature: +this supposition, however, would be as reasonable +as the other is weak; but it seems +to me, that they like better to attribute +order to confusion, than to order itself.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We seek to penetrate the secret of the +existence of the universe; and when we reflect +on the causes of that vast and magnificent +disposition, we can only attribute it +to what seems the most marvellous and analogous +to such a composition, thought, intention, +and will. Why then should we +retrench from the formation of the world +all those sublime properties? Are we to act +sparingly in an hypothesis in which all the +wonders of nature are concentred? It is by +the spiritual faculties with which man is +endowed, that he remains master of the +earth, that he has subdued the ferocious +animals, conquered the elements, and found +a shelter from their impetuosity: it is by +these faculties that man has constructed society, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>given laws to his own passions, and +that he has improved all his means of happiness; +in short, nothing has ever been +done, but by the aid of his mind; and in +his speculations on the formation of the +world, and on the admirable relations of +all the parts of the universe, that which +he wishes not to admit, and will dare to reject +is the intelligent powers and action of +thinking. It seems like men disputing +about the means which has been made use +of to erect a pyramid, who name all the +instruments, except those that they found +at the foot of the edifice.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Habit only turns our attention from the +union of wonders which compose the soul; +and it is thus, unfortunately, that admiration, +lively light of the mind and feelings, +does not afford us any more instruction. We +should be very differently affected, if, for +the first time, we contemplated the meanest +part of this admirable whole! But even +then, in a little time, the strong conviction +of the existence of a God would be worn +<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>away, and become what it is at present. +But, let me be permitted, in order to render +this truth more striking, to have recourse, +for a moment, to fiction. Let us imagine +men, as immoveable as plants, but endowed +with some one of our senses, enjoying the +faculty of reflection, and enabled to communicate +their thoughts. I hear these animated +trees discourse about the origin of the +world, and the first cause of all things; they +advance, like us, different hypothesis on the +fortuitous movement of atoms, the laws of +fate and blind necessity; and among the different +arguments, employed by some, to +contest the existence of a God, creator +of the universe, that which makes the +greatest impression is, that it is impossible +to conceive how an idea should become +a reality; of how the design of disposing +the parts should influence the execution, +since the will being a simple wish, a thought +without force has not any means to metamorphose +itself into action: but in vain +would these immoveable spectators of the +universe wish to change their situation, to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>raise a shelter against the impetuosity of the +winds, or the scorching heat of the sun; +yet then it would be evidently absurd to +imagine the existence of a faculty essentially +contrary to the immutable nature of things. +Let however, in the midst of this conversation, +a supernatural power appear, +and say to them, what would you think +then, if this wonder, whose existence you +regard as impossible, should be executed +before your eyes; and if the faculty of +acting, according to your own will, was +to be suddenly given you? Seized with +astonishment, they would prostrate themselves +with fear and respect; and from +that instant, without the slightest doubt, +would believe they had discovered the secret +of the system of the world; and they +would adore the infinite power of intelligence, +and it is to a like cause we should +attribute the disposition of the universe. +However, the same phœnomenon which +would appear above belief, and out of the +limits of possibility, to those who have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>never been a witness of it, that wonder exists +in our world; we see it, we experience +it every instant; though the force of habit +weakens the impression and eradicates our +admiration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The hypothesis I have just mentioned, +might even be applied to the sudden acquisition +of all the means proper to communicate +ideas; and to the prompt discoveries +of the other properties of our mind; but +several of these properties constitute, in such +an essential manner, the essence of the soul, +that we cannot, even in imagination, separate +them, any more than we can detach action +from will, and will from thought. There +are some spiritual faculties, and those the +most wonderful, which we cannot define, +and which we should not have even supposed +to exist had we not possessed them; +and if it had been possible to have known +them before we were endowed with them, +the inventors of systems would have pointed +out this astonishing means, as the only one +<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>applicable to the composition of the admirable +harmony of the universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We shall be led to the same reflections, +when ceasing to expatiate on the +greatest wonders of our nature, we bound +ourselves to consider the human mind at +the moment when its action may be perceived. +To render this observation clearer, +let us follow a man of genius in the +course of his labours, and we shall see him +at once embrace a multitude of ideas, compare +them, notwithstanding their distance, +and form from such a mixture a distinct result +proper to direct his public or private +conduct; let us consider him extending and +multiplying these first combinations, and +connecting them, by an invisible web, to +some scattered points which his imagination +has fixed in the vast regions of futurity; +with the assistance of these magic succours +we see him approaching the time which +does not yet exist; but we see him, in his +career, aided by accumulated knowledge, +more subtle than the rays of the sun +<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>and yet separated, with an admirable order; +more fleet and dispersed than the light vapours +of the morning, and still subject to +the will of that inconceivable power, +which, under the name of memory, heaps +up the acquisitions of the mind, in order to +assist it afterwards in its new acquirements: +but let us examine still further this man of +genius, when he deposits, by means of writing, +his different reflections; and let us ask, +how he knows quickly, that an idea is new, +and that a style has an original turn? Let +us again enquire, how, in order to form +such a judgment, he makes with celerity a +recapitulation of the thoughts and images +employed by others, to illustrate the subjects +they have treated, whilst years and ages +were rolling away; in short, let every one, +according to his strength, try to penetrate +into these mysterious beauties of the human +understanding; and let him enquire afterwards +about the impression which he receives +from a like meditation. There is, +perhaps, as great a difference, if I may be +allowed to say so, between the most perfect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>vegetable and the human mind, as between +it and the Deity: to extend this idea, we +have only to suppose, that in the immensity +which surrounds us, there exists a gradation +equal to that we have perceived in the little +space we are permitted to inspect.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The author of a celebrated work accuses +men of presumption, because, when they +endeavour to trace the first principle of +things, by comparing their own faculties +with it, they seem to think that they approach +it. But, what other part should we +be able to take, when we are called to reason +and to judge? It is not sufficient that the +idea of the Supreme Being may be metaphysical; +it is necessary further, some will argue, +that we even try to render it abstract, +by removing it out of our imagination, and +that we seek for, in our judgment and opinions, +a support which may be in a manner +absent from ourselves, and absolutely foreign +to our nature. All this cannot be understood: +we confess that we have not sufficient +<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>strength to know the essence and perfection +of God, but giving way to abstraction, +we extinguish our natural light, and +deprive ourselves of the few means we have +to obtain this knowledge; we can only be +acquainted with unknown things by the +help of those we know: we shall be led +astray, if we are obliged to take another road; +and modern philosophers often seek to attack +intimate sentiments by arbitrary ideas, +of which an imagination the most capricious +is the only foundation.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It will then always be surprizing, that +in our contemplations and habits of thinking, +the wisdom of the design, the harmony +of the whole, and the perfection of parts, +are manifest traces of intelligence; and yet +that we should renounce, suddenly, this +manner of feeling and judging, in order +to attribute the formation of the universe to +the effect of chance, or the eternal laws of +blind necessity; and is it possible, that we +can deduce the same consequences from an +admirable order, as from wild confusion? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>Facts so different, principles so contrary, +should not lead to the same conclusion; the +magnificent system of the universe ought to +have some weight, when we conjecture +about its origin; and it would be difficult +to persuade us, that in investigating the +most exalted truths, we ought to consider +all the knowledge we acquire by the view +of nature as merely indifferent. Men are +carried very far, when they reject the arguments +drawn from final causes; it is not +only a single thought they would destroy, +it is the source of all our knowledge they +would dry up.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men insensibly cease to perceive a connexion +between the existence of a God, and +the different miracles with which we are +surrounded; but all would be changed, if +God exhibited the numerous acts of his +power successively, instead of displaying +them all at once; our imagination, animated +by such a movement, would rise to +the idea of a Supreme Being; it is then, +because an accumulation of wonders aggrandizes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>the universe; it is because a harmony, +not to be equalled, seems to convert +an infinity of parts into an admirable whole; +and that profound wisdom maintains it in an +immutable equilibrium; it is, in short, because +insensible gradations and delicate shades +render still more perfect the wonders of nature, +that men are less struck with astonishment, +or lost in adoration.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We want, say you, new phœnomena to +determine our persuasion: do you forget, +that all which is offered to our view already +surpasses our understanding? If the +least miracle was to be effected before you, +you would be ready to bend your proud +reason; but because the most grand and +wonderful, which the imagination itself can +form an idea of, has preceded your existence, +you receive no impression from it, +all appears simple to you, all necessary. +But, the reality of the wonders of the universe +has nothing to do with the instant +you are allowed to contemplate them: +your pilgrimage on earth, is it not a period +<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>imperceptible in the midst of eternity? +admiration, surprise, and all the affections +of which man is susceptible, do not change +the nature of the phœnomena which surround +him; and his intelligence reflects but +a very small part of the wonders of the +universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We have no need of a revolution +in the order of nature, to discover the +power of its author; the fibres of a blade +of grass confound our intelligence, and +when we have grown old in study and observation, +we continually discover new objects, +which we have not investigated, and +perceive new relations; we are ever in the +midst of unknown things and incomprehensible +secrets.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, supposing, for a moment, the +existence of extraordinary miracles which +we should be impressed with; it is easy to +conceive, that these miracles would not have +on men the influence we presume; for if +they were frequent, and if they happened +<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>only at regular periods, their first impression, +would slowly be weakened, and, at +last, men would range them in the class of +the successive movements of eternal matter. +But if, on the contrary, there was a long +interval between these miracles, the generations +who succeeded the actual witnesses +of them would accuse their ancestors of +credulity, or contest the truth of those traditions, +which transmitted the account of +a revolution contrary to the common course +of nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Some may still say, that, in order to render +manifest the existence of the Supreme +Being, it would be necessary that men were +punctually answered, when they address their +prayers; but the influence of our wishes +upon events, if this influence was habitual +and general, would it be sufficient to change +the opinion of those who see, with indifference, +that innumerable multitude of actions +which are so miraculously subject to our will? +Would they not still find some reason for +considering such an increase of power, as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>the necessary result of the eternal system of +the universe? Thus, whatever might be +the measure of intelligence, added to that +we now enjoy, in short, though a number of +new wonders were accumulated, men could +still oppose to that union of miracles the +same objections, and the same doubts they +do not now fear to raise against the wonders +we are daily witnesses of. It is difficult, it +is impossible, to make a constant or profound +impression on men who are only susceptible +of astonishment in the short transition +from the known to the unknown; +they have but a moment to feel this emotion, +and it is from the slowness of their +comprehension, or the continual succession of +the phœnomena submitted to their inspection, +that the duration of their admiration +depends. And, perhaps, our faculties and +powers would excite more surprise, if, +in order to subject our movements to our +will, it were necessary to give our orders, and +to pronounce them with a loud voice, as a +captain does to his soldiers; however, such +<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>a constitution would be a degree less wonderful +than that we possess.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will anticipate another objection; we +advance gradually, some will say, in discovering +the secrets of nature; the power of attraction, +that grand physical faculty, has only +been known about a century, and observations +on the effects of electricity are still +more recent; every age, every year, adds +to the treasure of our knowledge, and the +time will arrive, perhaps, when, without +having recourse to any mysterious opinions, +we shall have explained all the phœnomena +which still astonish us.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not at first conceivable, how our +past discoveries, and all those which may in +future enrich the human mind, would ever +free us from the necessity of placing a first +cause at the termination of our reflections; +for, the more we perceive of new links in +the vast disposition of the universe, the more +we extend the magnificence of the work, +and the power of the Creator. A series of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>successful exertions may reveal, perhaps, the +secret of some physical properties, superior in +force to those we have experienced: but, even +then, all the movements of nature would be +subordinate to a few general laws; and +when we should distinguish these laws, the +result of our researches would demonstrate +simply the existence of a greater unity in +the system of the world; and this character +of perfection would be impressed, if it was +possible, still more on us; for, in a work, +such as the universe, it is the simple and regular +relations which announce, above all, +the wisdom and power of the Disposer; +because our admiration could never be excited +by an assemblage of incoherent ideas, +whose chain would every instant be broken. +But, I know not by what habit or blindness it +is, that when men have discovered a principle +uniform in its action, and have given to that +principle a denomination, they believe that +their astonishment ought to cease: in fact, +attraction and electricity are not so much +now subjects of surprise, as a means to free +us from the admiration due to the magnificent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>result of those singular properties; in +short, we are habituated to consider, with +indifference, every general effect, of which +we acquire a conception, as if even this +conception was not one of the most noble +of the phœnomena of nature. Some will say, +that men, by degrees, becoming familiarized +with their own minds, despise all they can +easily understand; their competitions are +then the only origin of their vanity; for +when they examine themselves individually, +or when they judge of men in general, they +have such a mean opinion of themselves, that +they do not highly value their discoveries.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We ought to place, amongst the number +of ideas the most extensive and general, +that of Buffon on the formation of the +earth; but this idea, supposing it as just as +it is beautiful, only explains to us one of the +gradations of this superb work. I see the +earth formed by an emanation of the sun; +I see it animated and become fertile, when +it has received, by slow degree, its temperature; +and I see, beside, issue out of its lap +<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>all the beauties of nature; and that which +surprises me still more, all the beings endowed +with instinct or intelligence; but if +the elements of these incomprehensible productions +had been prepared or simply disposed +in the fiery body which animates our +system, I transfer to it my astonishment, +and equally have to seek for the author of +so many wonders.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must now fix my attention, for a few +moments, on the most metaphysical part +of this work. We can, perhaps, form an +idea of a world existing without a beginning, +and by the laws of blind necessity, +provided that world was immoveable and invariable +in all its parts; but how apply the +idea of eternity to a continual succession; +as such a nature is necessarily composed of +a beginning and end, we cannot otherwise +define the idea of succession; thus, we are +constrained to elevate ourselves to a first +Being existing by himself, when we have +before our eyes a constant revolution of +causes and effects, of destruction and life. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>It is impossible to have any idea of motion +without that of a beginning.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The difficulty would not be removed, by +saying, that the whole of the universe is +immutable, and the parts only subject to +change; for a whole of this kind, without +any relation whatever, either real or +imaginary, a like whole has only an ideal +circumscription, which, in fact, is not susceptible +of an alteration; but such a circumscription +only presents us an assemblage +of positive things contained in its circle; +and it is not in studying those, nor in examining +the different parts of the unknown +whole, which we call the universe, that we +are allowed to draw consequences, or to +form a judgment. Thus, seeing only a +succession, we rationally feel the necessity +of a first cause.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But, some will say, you are entangled in +the same difficulty, when you suppose the +eternity of a God; for a series of designs +in an intelligent being should lead to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>idea of a commencement, as well as the successions +of the physical world.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This proposition, undoubtedly, is not +easily cleared up, like all those whose solution +appears to be united to the knowledge +of infinity. We cannot, however, hinder +ourselves from perceiving, that the physical +generations lead us, in a manner simple and +manifest, to the necessity of a first principle; +and we ought to search for this principle +out of ourselves, since our nature does not +furnish any idea of it; whereas, the successive +combinations of the mind may relate to +an origin, of which we have not any conception, +and which seems united, in some +manner, to these same combinations. In +fact, we can easily form a distinct idea of a +faculty of thought, antecedent to the action +of thinking, and which might even be separated +by such intervals as the imagination +could conceive. It is the same with liberty, +that intellectual power of which we have +the consciousness, at the same time that it +remains absolutely idle.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>I shall add, that, even in the narrow circle +of our thoughts, it is true, the operations +of the mind appear to us often dependant +on each other; yet, sometimes their +chain is so broken, that our ideas seem really +to issue out of nothing; instead of which, +in every other production, we know, there +is always a visible tie between that which +is, and that which was. We must not +forget, that at the very time our ideas appear +to us connected, that succession is to +be attributed to our weakness and ignorance, +rather than to the mind, considered in a +general manner. Circumscribed in all our +means, we are obliged to go continually +from the known to the unknown, from +probability to certainty, from experience of +the past, to conjectures about the future; +but this gradation, this course, ought to be +absolutely foreign to an intelligence without +bounds, which knows and which sees all at +the same time; and perhaps we are in the +way of this truth, when we perceive, +amongst us, the claim of true genius, and +the turbulent whirlpool of folly.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>In short, it is not men persuaded of the +existence of a God, that we need require to +transport themselves beyond, if I may say +so, the domain of thought, in order to +search for proofs of their opinion; atheists +alone want such an effort, since they alone +resist the influence of the simplest sentiments +and most natural arguments; since they alone +bid us mistrust that distinct connexion +which we perceive between the Supreme +Intelligence and the perfection of order; that +train of causes and effects, between the idea +of a God and all the propensities of the +soul; it is these considerations, intelligible +to all, which give new force to our opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Directed by these reflections, and wishing +to investigate in a useful manner the subject +I have undertaken, I shall not engage in +the arguments which turn on the creation +of the world. It is sufficient for me to +have perceived, that the idea of the creation +of the universe is not more inconceivable +than the idea of its eternity; I am not indeed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>obliged, with those who adopt the +last system, to suppose something growing +out of nothing; but substituting the idea +of an eternal existence, instead of that of +nothing, is a thought which equally terrifies +my imagination; for my mind knows +not where to place that eternity and in order +to comprehend it still surrounds it with +a vacuum. In the system of a created universe, +I see something coming out of nothing, +by the will of a Being whom I can +form an idea of; but in the system of the +eternity of matter, my faculties are absorbed +in endeavouring to embrace it; in short, +both of these modes of existence appear to +me in the midst of a vague infinity, which +no human power can conceive; and if +sometimes the eternal existence of the universe +seems less incomprehensible than its +creation, it is only because such an idea +eludes examination and precludes reasoning.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The idea of a Creator is undoubtedly +equally above our comprehension, but we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>are led to it by all our feelings and +thoughts; and if we are stopped in the efforts +which we make to reach the cause we +seek, it is by obstacles which we can even +attribute to the will of that power we are +searching to discover; instead of that, contemplating +the uniform and insipid rotation +of an eternal existence, we are almost driven +to despair, that is to say, we feel the impossibility +of conceiving the nature of things, +and the certainty, nevertheless, that there +exists not any veil designedly placed between +that nature and our understandings.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I must still make some further observations; +we see a resemblance of creation in +the continual reproduction of all the bounties +of the earth; and our moral system +offers a still more striking one, in the formation +of ideas which did not exist antecedently. +Our feelings appear another proof +of the same truth; for they have not any +evident connexion with the cause that we +assign them: thus, without habit we might +<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>see as great a difference between certain exterior +emotions and the various affections of +our souls, as we can conceive between the +existence of the world and the idea of a +Creator.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We perceive also, that the universe has +all the characters of a production; characters +which consist in the union of a +multitude of parts, whose relations are +fixed by a single thought. In short, even +the succession of time announces intelligence; +for we know not how to place +that succession in the midst of an eternal +existence. We cannot conceive any different +periods in an extent in which there is +not a beginning; for before we arrive at +any of these periods, there must have been +always an infinite space; besides, there +being no beginning, considered abstractedly, +annihilates the idea of intervals, +since they could not have two fixed points: +thus, the introduction of the past, the +present, and the future, into the midst +<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>of eternity, seems due to an intelligent +power, who has modelled this immense +uniformity, and governs the nature of +things.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I ought not to dwell long on these reflections; +to give a basis to religious opinions, +it is not necessary to conceive of +creation in its metaphysical essence; it +is sufficient, to believe the existence of a +Supreme Being, creator and preserver of +nature, the model of wisdom and goodness, +the protector of rational beings, whose +providence governs the world. We lose +all our strength when extending too far +our meditations, we aspire to know and +explain the secrets of infinity; we then +only exhibit to the adversaries of religion +the faint stretch of our opinions, +and the last struggles of a reason weakened +by its own efforts; it is much better +to use those arguments which sense +and feeling are able to defend. We +should candidly confess, that our noblest +faculties have immutable limits; one degree +<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>more would perhaps diffuse a sudden light +on the questions, whose examination disconcerts +us. There is not perhaps any +mind accustomed to meditation, which has +not had several times pre-sentiments of this +truth; for the first glimmering of a new +perception seems to out-run thinking, and +such is its proximity that we imagine one step +more would enable us to catch it; but our +hope is dissipated, we cannot grasp the +fleeting shadow, and fall back again into +the sad conviction of our impotence. Alas! +in that infinite space which our intellectual +powers try to run over, there are only immense +deserts, where the mind cannot find +repose, or the thoughts meet any asylum; +these are the regions whose entrance seems +to have been desolated, in order that the +most unbounded imagination might not obtain +any knowledge of them; but will you +dare to say, that there stops all intelligence, +there finishes the mysteries of nature? +would you expect to possess the secrets +of time in attributing an eternal existence +to all we know? Certainly, we are too insignificant +<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>to promulge such decrees, we +enjoy too small a portion of eternity to determine +what belongs to it.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The most probable thought is, that our +reason is insufficient to reach the explanations +we wish to unfold; the chain of beings +above us every instant reminds us of +this truth; and it appears singular, that +perceiving so distinctly the bounds of our +senses, we should not be induced to think, +that our intelligence, apparently so extended, +may nevertheless run over a very circumscribed +space. Our imagination goes much +farther than our knowledge, but its domain +is perhaps only a point in what is yet unexplored; +and it is necessary to penetrate +those unknown regions, to discover the +truths which illustrate the mysteries that +surround us; but there is a Being who +knows them, Omniscience is at the summit +of those gradations of intelligence which +we trace. We know nothing, we do not +discover any result but through the assistance +of experience and observation; and we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>only know the world by the little front +scene which meets our view: is it rational +to suppose, that only this kind of knowledge +exists in the universe? Men, in the +slow progress of their judgment, resemble +children; but even this condition recals the +idea of a father and a tutor. Every thing +however shows us, that the phœnomena of +nature relate to a grand whole; we see that +its dispersed productions are united to some +general cause; it is the same with human +knowledge; more admirable than the rays +of light spread through immensity, it is +an emanation from the most perfect light. +In short, if space, if time itself, those two +existences without bounds, are subject to +division, why should we not be induced to +think, that the degrees of knowledge we +experience and conceive, are also only a part +of a universal intelligence?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Of all the objections against the idea of +a God, the weakest, in my opinion, is that +drawn from the mixture of troubles and +pleasures to which human life is exposed. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>A God, some will say, ought to unite every +perfection, and we cannot believe in his existence, +when we perceive limits in his +power or goodness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This is a flimsy argument; for, if men +do not admit as a proof of the existence of +a God, all that we discover of wisdom, harmony, +and intelligence in the universe, what +right have they to use an apparent contrast +between sovereign power and goodness, in +order to attribute the formation of the world +to chance. Would it be just, that the defects +of a work should be brought as a proof +against the existence of a workman, whilst +the beauty of the same work was not allowed +to support a contrary opinion? We +should reason in a different manner; disorder +and imperfection merely point out to us +a negation of certain qualities; we must, in +general terms, throw an odium on the +whole, in order to banish the idea of an intelligent +hand; whereas, to strengthen the +other opinion, it is sufficient that particular +parts announce art and genius. Thus, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>when we enter a palace, if we find there +distinct marks of talents, we attribute its +erection to an architect, even though in a +part of the edifice we should not distinguish +any traces of invention.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I have already had occasion to show how +we are led to these incomprehensible extremes, +when we endeavour exactly to proportion +the wisdom and power of an Infinite +Being, and I shall not again dwell on +this argument: or repeat that from any +imaginable hypothesis, we might draw this +deduction, that Omnipotence could have +produced more happiness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There are ideas which appear contrary +to reason, only because we cannot perceive +them in one point of view; and we discover +this truth, not only in considering things +which are foreign to our nature, but when +we turn our attention on the events which +come daily under our inspection. Why do +we then suppose, that we can comprehend the +most grand and noble thoughts? Is it consistent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>with the idea of an Infinite Power that +we refuse to credit the existence of infinite +goodness? Is it consistent with the idea of Infinite +Wisdom that we will not admit the existence +of Omnipotence? Nay more, is it consistent +with the idea of infinite chances that +we imagine the absurd systems concerning +the formation of the world? We use infinity +for every thing, except to place above us an +intelligence, whose properties and essence +our reason cannot determine.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We are lost in a boundless uncertainty, +when we try to go beyond the limits of human +powers. Thus, after having collected +all the forces of our souls, to enable us to +penetrate the existence of a God, we ought +not to exhaust ourselves in subtleties, vainly +endeavouring to conceive in a just acceptation, +and under evident relations, various +attributes of an Infinite Being, who has +chosen to make himself known to us in a +certain measure, and under certain forms; +and it is too much to require of the worshippers +of God, to defend themselves +<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>against those who contest his existence, and +dispute about the nature of his perfections. +I am far from supposing any obstacle to the +execution of his will; but I should be full +of the same religious sentiments, if I knew +that there existed order and laws in the nature +of things, which the Divine Power +has a faculty of modifying, and that it cannot +entirely destroy. I should not less adore +the Supreme Being, if, at the same time, +his various attributes were in constant +union, it was nevertheless, by degrees, that +he produced happiness; I should silently +respect the secrets which would escape my +penetration, and wait with respectful submission, +till the clouds were dissipated +which still surrounded me. What then! +always in ignorance and obscurity? Yes, always: +such is the condition of men, when +they wish to go beyond the limits traced by +the immutable laws of nature; but the +grand truths which we can easily perceive +are sufficient to regulate our conduct, and +afford us comfort. That there is a God, +every thing indicates and loudly announces; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>but I cannot discover either the mysteries of +his essence, or the intimate connection of his +various perfections. I plainly see in a crowd +the monarch encircled by his guards; I +know his laws, I enjoy the order he has +prescribed; but I assist not at his councils, +and am a stranger to his deliberations. I +even perceive, that an impenetrable veil separates +me from the designs of the Supreme +Being, and I do not undertake to trace +them; I commit myself with confidence to +the protection of that Being whom I believe +good and great, as I would rely on the +guidance of a friend during a dark night; +and whilst I have my foot in the abyss, +I will depend on Him to snatch me from +the danger and calm my terrors.</p> + +<p class='c010'>If we might be allowed the comparison, we +should say, that God is like the sun, which we +cannot stedfastly gaze at; but throwing our +eyes down, we perceive its rays and the beauties +it spreads around. However, men who, +either through a mistrust of their understanding, +or the nature of it, have only by +their reverence an intercourse with God, feel +<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>most forcibly the impression of his grandeur; +as it is at the extremity of the lever that we +strongly experience its power.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We consider the general assent of nations +and ages, in the opinion of the existence of +a God, as a remarkable presumption in favour +of that opinion; but such a proof +would lose part of its force, if we, in time, +regarded as a kind of moral phœnomenon, +the relation which all men may have with +an idea so sublime, notwithstanding the visible +disparity which exists between their +different degrees of understanding and knowledge; +and this observation should lead to a +thought, that in the midst of the clouds, +which obscure the idea of a God, sensibility +becomes our best guide: it seems the most +innate part of ourselves, and in this respect +to communicate, in the most intimate manner, +with the Author of our Nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The sight advances before our other +senses, the imagination goes beyond it; but +as it is obliged to trace its own path, sensibility, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>which bounds over all, goes still +further.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The reasoner, in his efforts to attain to +profound metaphysical truths, forms a chain +whose links rather follow each other, than +are joined: the mind of man not being sufficiently +subtle, and extended, cannot always +unite exactly that infinite multitude of ideas +which crowd at the determination of our +meditations; sensibility is then the best calculated +to conceive the sublime truth, which +not being composed of parts, is not susceptible +of section, and can only be comprehended +in its unity. Thus, whilst the +mind often wanders in vain speculations, +and loses itself in metaphysical labyrinths, +the idea of a Supreme Being is impressed, +without effort, in a simple heart, which is +still under the influence of nature: thus, +the man of feeling, as well as the intelligent +man, announces a Supreme Being, whom +we cannot discover without loving; and +this union of all the faculties of the soul +towards the same idea, this emotion, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>resembles a kind of instinct, ought to be +connected with a first cause; as there is for +every thing a first model.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is, perhaps, also the confused sentiment +of that first model, which leads us to religion, +when we see a virtuous man. Men, +with their fatal systems, would alter and annihilate +every thing, but the comfortable +hopes and thoughts which arise from a profound +and rational admiration, will still +resist that destruction. They vainly wish +to make us consider such a sentiment as the +simple play of blind matter, whilst all within +us seems to invite us to search for a more +noble origin. And how can we avoid seeing, +in these great qualities of men, nobleness of +soul, elevation of genius, expansion of heart, +love of order, and interesting goodness; how +avoid seeing, in this rich picture, the reflection +of a celestial light, and concluding from +it, that there is somewhere a first intelligence. +Do rays exist without a centre of +light? I know not, but hurried away by +these reflections, I sometimes think, innate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>goodness, which we admire as the first rank +in the scale of intelligent beings, in a more +immediate manner, leads to the knowledge +of the Author of nature; and when this +innate morality is found united in some +persons with a presentiment of the Divine +Nature, there is, in this agreement, a charm +which impresses us; a kind of unknown character +which attracts our respect: as every +tender and sublime thought is roused by +the idea which we form of the souls of +Socrates and Fenelon.</p> + +<p class='c010'>At the same time, actuated by similar +sentiments we experience a painful emotion, +when we are informed, that there exist +men, enemies to all these ideas; men, who +had rather debase themselves and humanity, +by attributing their origin to chance, +than resolve to consider the spiritual faculties +which they enjoy as a faint sketch of +the sovereign intelligence. Thus, instead +of employing their minds to lend some force +to these comfortable truths, or, at least probabilities +<span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>so dear, they, on the contrary, +dispute their realty, and seek to embarrass +by sophistry, the doctrines which +tend to fortify the first dispositions of +our nature: we see the materialists, rather +then elevate themselves, drag us with +them from happiness and hope; they only +grant eternity to the dust, out of which, +they say, we sprung. What honour, however, +can they derive from those more enlightened +views which they boast of, if they are only +the result of a growth similar to that of +plants; and if our spiritual faculties, so far +from being lost, in some measure, in the infinite +intelligence, so far from being united to +a grand destiny, are only associated to this +frail structure, which is every day, every +hour, exposed to various dangers. What +credit should we derive from these faculties, +if they only enabled us to describe, with +precision, the almost imperceptible circle of +time, in which we live and die: if they only +served to raise us above our equals during +that short moment of life, which is hastening +to lose itself in endless ages, as a light +<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>vapour in the immensity of air? How can +you speak with delight of fame and promotion, +when you voluntarily renounce the +grandeur arising from the most noble origin? +You are proud of the celebrity of your country, +the renown of your families, and the +only glory you desire not partake, is that +which ennobles the whole human race!</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, I would ask, by what strange +error of the imagination it is, that in meditating +on the existence of a God, men do +not go further than to doubt it; since to +support, to guide our judgment, we have +only an understanding whose weakness we +continually experience; since it is capable +of gradual improvement, as knowledge +is perpetually accumulating? There exists +not any proportion between the measure of +our knowledge and the unbounded extent +which is displayed before us; there is not +any between the union of all our powers +and the profound mysteries of nature: how +then shall we dare to say, that men are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>arrived at the pinnacle of knowledge, and +that in the endless ages to come, there +will never break forth a more penetrating +faculty than our weak reason?</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, were men even to lose the +hope of advancing one step in metaphysical +researches; and persisted to declare insufficient +and imperfect the various proofs of +the existence of a God; it is not to be contested, +that all other systems are surrounded +with still greater obscurity, and they would +only have a doubt as the result of their reasoning. +But have they ever reflected on the +influence a simple doubt has, when that +doubt is applied to an idea, whose relations +are without bounds? Let us try to represent +an equal probability in a circumstance +which only concerns the interests of +this transitory life, and we shall soon see what +force the same degree of probability would +have in the immensurable relations of the +finite to the infinite. Thus, not only an +uncertainty, but the slightest presumption +of the existence of a God, would, in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>estimation of sound reason, be a sufficient +foundation for religion and morality. Yes, we +might thus humbly pray, though depressed +by doubt:—O Thou God who art unknown! +sovereign goodness whose image is +stamped on our hearts—if Thou existest, if +Thou art Lord of this magnificent universe, +deign to accept our love and humble +homage.——</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly, these thoughts are sufficient +to inspire with respect and fear beings +ignorant of their origin, who have so little +to sacrifice and so much to desire, who, on +account of their extreme weakness, cannot +relinquish some hopes, and must attach +themselves to a fixed and predominate idea, +which may serve as an anchor in the midst +of the inconsistencies and agitations of their +minds.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is, perhaps, because the time when +every thing will be explained, is still far +distant, that many exaggerate their doubts, +and often confound them with a decided +<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>incredulity. I form to my imagination, a +solemn period, when the inhabitants of the +earth will be instructed in the mysteries of +their nature and the secrets of futurity; and +that some signal phœnomenon will mark +the awful day proper to fix our attention; +and I am intimately persuaded, that, in such +a moment, the men most indifferent about +religion will appear dismayed, and even recognize +that what they took for conviction, +was but a wavering opinion, only supported +by self-love and a desire of distinction.</p> + +<p class='c010'>At the same time that I form this judgment +of the pretended incredulity of several persons, +I will venture a reflection of a different +kind: it is, that superficial faith in +the existence of God, and the opinions +which depend on it, is not equivalent in +effect to doubt retained in proper bounds; +and perhaps, if these bounds were determined, +the belief of one class of society +would be less wavering.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>I anticipate another objection; those +doubts, some may say, those doubts which +so many men cannot smother, are they not +an argument against the existence of a +God? for a Powerful Being, such as we +suppose Him, could have inspired a general +confidence in that noble truth; He needed +not to have recourse to supernatural means; +His will was sufficient. I confess, that we +can easily add, in imagination, several degrees +to our knowledge and happiness; but +that condition of our nature, of which the +cause is unknown, can never be contrary +to the idea of the existence of a God: +all is limited in our physical properties +and in our moral faculties; but within +these confines we see the work of a Supreme +Intelligence, and we discover every +instant the traces of a divine hand, sufficiently +obvious to direct our opinions. Unstable +reasoning, concerning what we should +be, can never weaken the distinct consequences +which arise from what we are.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>When the Laplander, in his cave, hears +by chance the distant echo of thunder, he +says, that <em>God still lives on the high mountain</em>; +and, is it in the very bosom of munificent +blessings, with the light of philosophy, +that men would wish to reject the +idea of the existence of a Supreme Being? +What an abuse of reason! Infinity ought +to overwhelm the most vigorous and +enlightened understanding, make the wise +man timid in his judgment, and inform +him what he is; can man do better +than give way to the admiration the +view of so many incomprehensible wonders +must necessarily inspire, and with fervour +seize that chain of miracles which +seem to promise to lead to the knowledge +of the Creator of them? Can he be more +nobly employed, than in tracing an opinion, +not only the most probable, but the most +grand and interesting? Alas! if we should +ever lose it—the idea is not to be endured; +clouds and thick darkness would, overwhelm +the feelings which seem to dart before +our reason, to explore the unknown +<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>country we pant after, and a melancholy +and eternal silence would appear to surround +all nature: we should call for a comforter, +implore protection—but where is it to be +found? We should search for hope, but it +is for ever fled—Alas! this is not all, a +terrific thought strikes me, I hesitate a moment +to communicate it; yet, it seems to +me, that we lend new force to religious +opinions, when we demonstrate, by various +ways, that the principles which destroy +those opinions lead to a result contrary to +our nature. I will then conclude this chapter +by a reflection of serious importance.</p> + +<p class='c010'>If there is not a God, if this world and +the whole universe was only the production +of chance or nature itself, subsisting from +all eternity; and if this nature, void of consciousness, +had not any guide or superior; +in short, if all its movements were the necessary +effect of a property ever concealed in +its essence, a terrible thought would alarm +our imagination: we should not only renounce +the hopes which enliven life, we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>should not only see continually advancing +towards us the image of death and annihilation, +these dreadful anticipations would +not be all—an uncertain cause of fear would +trouble the mind. In fact, the revolutions +of a blind nature being more obscure than +the designs of an Intelligent Being, it would +be impossible to discover on what base, in +the universe, reposed the destiny of men; +impossible to foresee whether, by some one +of the laws of that imperious nature, intelligent +beings are devoted to perish irrevocably, +or revive under some other form; if +they are to stumble on new pleasures, or +suffer eternally: life and death, happiness +and misery, may belong indifferently to a +nature whose movements are not directed by +any intelligence, are not connected by any +moral idea, but solely dependent on a blind +property, which is represented by that +word, terrible and inexplicable <em>necessity</em>. +A like nature would resemble the rocks to +which Prometheus was bound, that were +equally insensible to the agonizing groans of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>the wretch, and to the joy of the vultures +who preyed on his vitals.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Thus, in a like system, nothing would +be able to fix our opinion with respect to +futurity, and guard the sensible part of ourselves +from yielding to some unknown force: +in short, can we reply without trembling? +nothing,—and of course eternal torments +might accidentally become our portion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The momentary experience of life might, +perhaps, inspire us with a kind of tranquillity; +but what is that in immensity, but +calculations founded on the observance of a +short interval? What is that hope which +only a fleeting moment gives weight to? It +is as if the fluttering insect, which lives but a +day, should consider it as a representation of +the eternal condition of the universe. The +mixture of pains and pleasures, to which +men are subject on earth, is not a certain +proof of what may happen in other times +and places; for unity, equality, and analogy, +all those sources of probability, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>principles to judge from, are connected +with general ideas of order and harmony, +but those ideas are not applicable to a nature +subject to necessity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We have some difficulty to assure ourselves +of the designs of a Supreme Being: +however, by a kind of analogy we shall be +able to form an idea of the divine will; and +our minds, our feelings, and virtues, all aid us +in the search; but were we sprung from an +insensible nature, we should not have any connection +with the different parts of its immense +extent, and the attentive study of +our moral constitution would not throw a +light on the various revolutions of which +the material world is susceptible. We +should only discover, that there would be +much less reason to oppose, in imagination, +limits to the varied movements of a nature +without a guide, than to circumscribe, in +some manner, the actions of an Omnipotent +Being, whose other attributes are also +infinite; for the ideas of order, justice, and +goodness, which arise from a knowledge of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>His perfections, seem to trace a circle in +the midst of infinity, which the mind of +man may perceive. Yes, these ideas subject +a great space to our contemplations; +but what advantage is there in trying to be +acquainted with the mysteries of an insensible +nature, or to penetrate the secret of +the motion impressed by blind necessity?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let me repeat it then, as a termination +to these reflections; all would be obscure, +all mere chance in the fate of man, if we +did not attribute the disposition and preservation +of the world to the omnipotent will +of an Intelligent Being, whose perfections +our feelings and thoughts faintly represent.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, when even in the system of +the eternity of nature, men were assured +that death destroys individuality, and were +they even able to drive away the idea of +the continuation or renewal of it, by any +sentiment or remembrance; would it be +evident, that we should be absolutely indifferent +about the torments rational beings +<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>may endure in that space which is +represented by the idea of infinity and eternity? +The metaphysical idea, which determines +us to place our consciousness on that +imperceptible and mysterious point, which +unites our present thoughts to the past, and +our actual sentiments to our hopes and fears; +this thought is not sufficient to make us regardless +of our fate, or render us indifferent +to the unknown effects which may result +from the revolutions of a nature, which we +are not acquainted with: the anxieties and +troubles of the beings who are to live in the +ages yet unborn, do not interest us as belonging +to any particular person; however, +we have, for those abstract misfortunes, in +this instance, a sympathy which escapes +reasoning.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I agree, that in the system of undirected +nature, happiness or misery, transitory or +without end, have the same degree of probability: +but what a terrifying resemblance! +Can we undismayed consider such a chance?</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>How happens it then, that some pretend, +that atheism frees us from every kind of +terror about futurity? I cannot perceive, +that such a conclusion flows from this fatal +system. A God, such as my heart delineates, +encourages and moderates all my +feelings; I say to myself, He is good and +indulgent, He knows our weakness, He +loves to produce happiness; and I see the +advances of death without terror, and often +with hope. But every fear would become +reasonable, if I lived under the dominion of +an insensible nature, whose laws and revolutions +are unknown: I seek for some means +to escape from its power;—but even +death cannot afford me a retreat, or space +an asylum. I reflect, if it is possible, +to find compassion and goodness; but +here is no prime intelligence, no first +cause, a blind nature surrounds us, and +governs imperiously. I in vain demand, +what is to be done with me? it is +deaf to my voice. Devoid of will, +thought, and feeling, it is governed by +an irresistible force, whose motion is a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>mystery never to be unfolded. What a +view for the human mind, to anticipate the +destruction of all our primitive ideas of order, +justice, and goodness! Shall I further +say, when even, in every system, the entrance +of the future was unknown, I should +be less unhappy and forlorn, if it was to a +father, a benefactor, that I committed +the deposit of life which I held from him; +this last communication with the Master of +the World would mitigate my pains; my +eyes, when closing, would perceive His +power; that I should not lose all, I +might still hope that God remained with +those I loved, and find some comfort in the +thought, that my destiny was united to His +will, that my existence and the employments +I devoted myself to, formed one of the indelible +points of His eternal remembrance; and that +the incomprehensible darkness I was going to +plunge into, is equally a part of His empire. +But when a feeling and elevated soul, which +sometimes enjoys a sentiment of its own +grandeur, should certainly know, that dragged +by a blind motion, it was going to be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>dissipated, to be scattered in that dreary +waste, where all that is most vile on earth +is indifferently precipitated; such a thought +would blight the noblest actions, and be a +continual source of sadness and despondency. +Save us from these dreadful reflections, sublime +and cherished belief of a God! afford +us the courage and comfort we need, and +guard our minds, as from fatal phantoms, +from all those vain suppositions, those errors +of reasoning and metaphysical subtleties, +which interpose between man and his Creator! +And we, full of confidence in the first +lesson of nature, will take for a guide that +interior sentiment which is not thought, but +something more, which neither reasons nor +conjectures; but perhaps forms the closest +connexion and most certain communication +with those grand truths which the understanding +alone can never reach.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XV.<br> <em>On the Respect that is due from true Philosophy to Religion.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>The view of the universe, the reflections +of our minds, and the inclinations +of our hearts, all concur to strengthen +the thought, that there exists a God; and +without power to comprehend this Infinite +Being, to form a just idea of His essence +and perfections, the confused sentiment of +his grandeur, and the continual experience +of their own weakness, are so many imperious +motives, which, in all ages and countries, +have impelled men to worship a God. +Those natural ideas have acquired new force +by the light of revelation; but it is not in +a metaphysical work that the authenticity +of the Christian religion ought to be discussed; +nor could we add much to the doctrines +contained in books composed at different +periods on this important subject. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>All discussions which are allied to truths, +whose authenticity depends on facts, are necessarily +confined within certain bounds; and +we are obliged to pursue a beaten track, +and run over the same circle, when we +enter on such a well-known subject. I +shall then confine myself to some general +reflections, and make choice of those which +are best adapted to the particular genius +of the present age, and the modifications +which our sentiments receive from predominate +opinions; for our judgments, like +our impressions, vary with the change which +happens insensibly in habits and manners: +one age is that of intolerance and bigotry; +another of relaxation and indifference, or a +contempt of all ancient customs: every century, +every generation is distinguished by a +general character, a character which we +take sometimes for new ideas; whilst it is +nothing but the natural effect of exaggeration +in our preceding opinions. Men are +subject to moral laws, similar in several respects +to mechanical rules; and with all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>their knowledge and pride, they remind us +of those children, who, placed at the extremity +of a long balance, rise and fall successively. +They can only be fixed by moderate +sentiments, which are sustained by +their own force; any other has a borrowed +action, and this action is never in perfect +equilibrium with truth.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is in the nature of revelation to appear +less evident to the mind, in proportion as +the proofs of its authenticity are distant; +and if, among the dogmas united to a religious +doctrine, some one contains a mystic +sense; if, among the forms of worship +adopted, some one is not consonant with +the simple and majestic idea which we +ought to have of the Master of the World; +it would not be extraordinary that this religious +institution, considered in its different +parts, should give birth to controversies; +and we should not be exasperated against +those, who, after having faithfully examined, +still have some doubts. It is in proportion +to the extent of our understanding that God +<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>has thought fit to manifest Himself to us; +thus, the exertion of those faculties of the +mind cannot be displeasing to Him. But +reason left to itself, and even when improved +by philosophy, should, by no +means, lead men to any kind of contempt +for religious worship in general, or +any of the particular opinions of which +Christianity is the support. Any doctrine +which leads to the adoration of the God of +the universe is worthy of the respect of His +creatures: thus, persons most disposed to +contest the authenticity of the sacred books, +ought still to love precepts which seem to +come to the aid of the human mind, in order +to assist men in the last efforts which +they make to know more of God; as the +friendly bark, offered to the forlorn wretch +struggling on the surface of the immense +waste of waters, on which his feeble hands +have vainly endeavoured to support him.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We cannot but have discovered, that the +sentiments of gratitude and respect which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>inspire men, the most capable of reflection, +with the idea of a God, are intimately connected +with the Christian doctrines, such as +we find them in the New Testament; and +in those moments, when, with the desire of +happiness, and the timidity which belongs +to our nature, we seek to unite our littleness +to supreme grandeur, and our extreme weakness +to Omnipotence, the divine perfections +which the gospel delineates encourage our +hopes and dissipate our fears; religion +shows us all that we have need of in our +miserable condition, a sovereign goodness, +an inexhaustible compassion: thus then, the +last link of the Christian faith, like the termination +of the deepest meditations, reaches +the same conclusion; and religion agrees +with philosophy, in the moment when it is +most elevated.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, the Christian and the Deist +unite, in some manner, in the ultimate tendency +of their thoughts; they meet when +they throw their attention on civil society, +and when they seek to determine the duties +<span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>of men; for a wise man must ever pay homage +to the morality of the gospel, and the +philosopher could not have imagined a more +reasonable system, or one more conformable +to our situation<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c012'><sup>[6]</sup></a>. If it is then true, that +opinions, in appearance opposite, approach, +at their extremities; and if it is true, that +the adoration of a God, and respect for +morality, form by uniting, the circle of +evangelical doctrines, it very little concerns +the reasonable philosopher, that the Christian +faith is placed between those two grand +ideas; if he thinks he can himself explore +the space which separates man from his +Creator, for what reason would he condemn +with bitterness the sentiments of those who +are attached to the comfortable system of +intercession and redemption, of which +Christianity has laid the foundation?</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, were they even not to agree in +every opinion with the interpreters of the +Christian doctrine, this would not be a sufficient +<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>reason for breaking the religious alliance +which ought to subsist amongst men; +an alliance represented and rendered authentic, +in every nation, by the public worship +which has been made choice of by the +government. What idea then should we +have of the genius or the abilities of a philosopher, +who, at the sight of the ceremonies +of the public worship which disgust him, +could not rise above them, so as to consider +them, in some measure, as the atmosphere +of religious opinions, which turning his attention +from the importance of those opinions, +could not preserve, at least, some +respect for all the dependencies of the most +sublime and salutary thought? It is easy, +however, to perceive, that, for the generality +of men, the duties of morality, religion, +and all the exterior homage rendered +to the Deity, compose a whole so +closely connected, that the basis is in danger +when the outworks are attacked. The +imagination of the vulgar cannot be guided +in the same manner as that of the solitary +thinker; and it would be committing a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>great error, to try to influence the opinions +of the generality by the same considerations +which are sufficient for the man who profoundly +reflects: there is a system proportionate +to the different faculties of intelligent +beings, as there is one applicable to +the varied forces of their physical nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I know nothing more dangerous, than +the inconsiderate censures of those religious +ceremonies received and respected in the +country we live in: some do not think that +they are acting wrong when they speak +slightingly of the various symbols of public +worship; yet, if they attentively observed +the kind of minds, and the first habits of +the greater part of those to whom they address +such discourses, they would know +how easy it is to wound them in the sentiment +which is the source of all their tranquility, +and the safeguard of their moral +conduct. The deliverer of Switzerland struck +off with one of his arrows an apple placed +on the head of his only son; but every one +cannot expect to be so fortunate.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>Some would contradict these assertions, +by saying, that celebrated men have occasioned +rapid changes in the church of Rome +without weakening religion. The origin, +the circumstances, and the result of a revolution +so marked in history, has not any +connexion with the present question; the +reformers of the sixteenth century, preaching +a new doctrine, openly professed religious +zeal and a fervent piety: thus, at the +same time that they disapproved of a part +of the established worship, they more rigidly +recommended all the fundamental opinions +of Christianity, and sought to introduce +a severity of manners which even extended +to the proscription of several indulgences +that had not been before condemned: +and, in fact, if the new doctrines had not +been united to the greatest respect for the +essential principles of the Christian religion, +they never would have had so many followers.</p> + +<p class='c010'>They cannot then establish any kind of +comparison between the censures poured +<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>forth by the reformers, and the ridicule or +contempt of those who now insult our most +respectable opinions; those men, who at +present abound, are sometimes excited by a +libertinism of mind and conduct, by self-love +or the enthusiasm of false philosophy, +and some of them are seduced by an air +of superiority, attached to the principles +which they themselves institute. There +is a great difference between the grave and +serious course of the reformers, and the various +evolutions of the active opponents of +religion: the latter do not take care to stop +at clearing up a point of doctrine, or a disputed +interpretation of some dogma; it is +religion itself that they wish to attack, and +if they begin with the outworks, it is in order +to undermine it; they take skilfully their +post, and know when to have recourse to a +tone of pleasantry; which is very dangerous, +as it gives an air of confidence to those who +employ it, and they obtain a kind of ascendency +in avoiding every idea of an equal +combat: one is disposed to think, that it is +by disdain that they glance slightly over the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>subject; we cowardly submit to the appearance +of their superiority; and that +which is in them weakness or impotence +gives consequence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Men, in order to express their gratitude +to the sovereign Master of the World, must +borrow from their imaginations every thing +grand and majestic: thus, when they detach +from those reverential signs the ideas that +they represented and preserve, they only display +a vain gravity, a chimerical pomp; +and it is easy to make a similar contrast a +subject of ridicule; but in acting thus, far +from making us applaud their talents, they +insult, without any sense, the habit most +men have acquired of venerating, on the +whole, every system of worship paid the +Supreme Being.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Nevertheless, the bold and frivolous discourses +which are permitted against religion +in general, have made such a progress, +that at present the persons who most +respect these opinions, without ostentation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>or severity, find themselves obliged to conceal +or moderate their sentiments, lest they +should be exposed to a kind of contemptuous +pity, or run the risk of being suspected +of hypocrisy. We are at liberty to speak on +every subject, except the most grand and +interesting which can occupy men. What +strange authority gave rise to this imperious +legislation, which is termed fashionable? +What a miserable conspiracy, that of weakness +against Omnipotence! Men are proud +of knowing at what hour the king wakes, +goes to the chace, or returns; they are very +eager to be informed of the vile intrigues +which successively debase or exalt his courtiers; +they pass, in short, their whole lives +in panting after objects of vanity and badges +of slavery; they are continually brought +into conversation; and they proscribe, under +the dreadful name of vulgarity, the most +remote expression, which would recal the +idea of the harmonious universe, and the +Being who has bestowed on us all the gifts +of the mind; what is most excellent in our +nature we overlook, to dwell only on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>inflations of vanity. Ungrateful that we +are! Our intelligence, our will, all our +senses, are the seal of an unknown power; +and, is it the name of our Master and Benefactor +that we dare not pronounce? it is +from your modern philosophers that this +false shame arises; you, who spread derision +over the most respectable sentiments, and +employing in the dispute the frivolous shafts +of ridicule, have given confidence to the +most insignificant of men; you have, for +your followers, a numerous race, which is +taken promiscuously from every rank and +age.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We now reckon, amongst those who oppose +a contemptuous smile to religious opinions, +a multitude of young people, often +incapable of supporting the most trivial arguments, +and who, perhaps, could not connect +two or three abstract propositions. These +pretended philosophers artfully, and almost +perfidiously, take advantage of the first flight +of self-love, to persuade beginners, that they +are able to judge at a glance, of the serious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>questions which have eluded the penetration +of the most exercised thinkers: in +short, such is in general the decisive tone of +the irreligious men of our age, that in hearing +them so boldly murmur about the disorders +of the universe, and the mistakes of +Providence; we are only surprised to see +how much they differ in stature from those +rebellious giants mentioned in the heathen +mythology.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I believe, however, that if contempt for +religious opinions did not produce a striking +contrast, those who profess to feel this +contempt would quickly adopt other sentiments; +they only superficially attend to +the pernicious tendency of their maxims, +whilst they believe themselves still in the opposition; +but if they ever obtained a majority, +not having then the spur of self-love, +they would soon discover the absurdity +of their principles, and hastily throw them +aside.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span>There are, undoubtedly, a great number +of estimable persons, who highly value the +truths and precepts of religion, yet are a +prey to doubt and uncertainty, and who become +the first victims of the inconsistencies +of their minds; but men of such a character +do not aim at dominion, on the contrary, +they rather wish to be confirmed by +the example of those whose confidence is +more assured; they would consider with +interest the sentiments that unfortunately +have made too slight an impression on +them; and they would endeavour to +strengthen their weak hopes, till they +reached the courageous persuasion which +inspires the Christian:——yes, even the +enthusiasm of piety excites their envy, as it +is more delightful to yield to the emotions +of a lively imagination, than to struggle +with apathy against the opinions calculated +to diffuse happiness. Thus, if amongst the +number of persons that I have just delineated, +there were some to whom nature +had granted superior talents, wit or eloquence, +they would carefully avoid exerting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>them to disturb the repose of those peaceable +souls who calmly rely on religion, and +receive all their consolation from that source. +A wise man never permits himself to spread +sadness and discouragement, in order to +gratify the ridiculous vanity of exalting +himself a little above common opinions, or +to show his abilities by making some ingenious +distinctions concerning particular +parts of the established religion; in the same +manner, as it would be the height of folly +to stop an army during its march, to discriminate +systematically the perfect justness +of the different tones of the warlike instruments +of music. The bold and frivolous +opinions of several philosophers, have appeared +to me to be weak, where they most +wish to rise; I mean, in the extent and +loftiness of their views.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I need not speak to those who deny even +the existence of a God. Alas! if they are +so unhappy as to shut their eyes, and not +to admit this resplendant light; if they +have a soul so insensible, as not to be affected +<span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>with the comfortable truths which +flow from such a noble thought; if they +are become deaf to the interesting voice of +nature; if they trust more to their weak +reasoning, than the warnings of conscience +and sensibility; at least, let them not spread +their disastrous doctrine, which, like the +head of Medusa, would transform every +thing into stone. Let them remove from +us that frightful monster, or let his hoarse +hissing be only heard in the dreary solitude, +of which their heart presents the idea; +let them spare the human race, and have +pity on the distress into which they would +be plunged, if the mild light, which serves +to guide them, were ever to be obscured: +in short, if they really believe that morality +can agree with atheism, let them give the +first proof of it, by remaining silent; but if +they cannot abstain from publishing their +opinions, let a remnant of generosity induce +them to inform us of their dangerous tendency, +by placing in the frontispiece of their +works this terrible inscription of Dante’s: +<i><span lang="co">Lasciat’ ogni speranza voi ch’ entrate</span></i>.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XVI.<br> <em>The same Subject continued. Reflections on Intolerance.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>The surface of the earth represents to +us about the two hundred and fortieth +part of the surperfice of the different +opaque bodies which revolve round the sun.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The fixed stars are so many suns, which, +according to all appearance, serve equally +to enlighten and fertilize planets similar to +those we are acquainted with.</p> + +<p class='c010'>A famous astronomer<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c012'><sup>[7]</sup></a> has lately discovered +fifty thousand new stars in a zone +fifteen degrees in length and two in breadth, +a space which corresponds with the thirteen +hundred and sixty-fourth part of the celestial +sphere.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span>Thus, supposing that we perceive an +equal number of stars in every other parallel +section of the firmament, the quantity we +should be acquainted with would rise to +near sixty-nine millions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>And if each of these stars were the centre +of a planetary system, resembling the one +we inhabit, we should have an idea of the +existence of a number of habitable globes, +whose extent would be sixteen or seventeen +millions of times more considerable than the +surface of the earth<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c012'><sup>[8]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>However, the ingenious invention which +assists us to explore the vaulted firmament +is susceptible of new improvement; and +even at the period when it may arrive at the +greatest perfection, the space which our +astronomic knowledge may have taken possession +of, will only be a point in the vast +extent which our imagination can conceive.</p> + +<p class='c010'>This imagination itself, like all our intellectual +faculties, is perhaps only a simple +degree of infinite powers; and the images +that it presents are but an imperfect sketch +of universal existence.</p> + +<p class='c010'>What then becomes of our earth, in the +midst of that immensity which the human +mind vainly tries to grasp? What is it even +now, compared with that number of terrestrial +bodies we can calculate or suppose?</p> + +<p class='c010'>Is it then the inhabitants of this grain +of sand, is it only a few of them, that have +discovered the true mode of worshipping the +Creator of so many wonders? Their dwelling +<span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span>is a point in infinite space; the life +which they enjoy is but one of the moments +which compose eternity; they pass +away like a flash of lightning in that course +of ages, in which generations after generations +are lost. How then dare any of them +announce to the present age, and to those to +come, that men cannot escape the vengeance +of Heaven if they alter one tittle of the Ritual? +What an idea they give of the relation +established between the God of the +universe and the atoms dispersed throughout +nature? Let them then raise one of the extremities +of that veil which covers so many +mysteries, let them consider a moment the +wonders on every side, the starry firmament, +and the inconceivably dreary immensity +which their imagination cannot embrace; +and let them judge, if it is by the +exterior form of their adoration, the vain +pomp of their ceremonies, that this Omnipotent +God can distinguish their homage. +Is it then, by the pride of our opinions, that +we think to reach the Supreme Being? It +is more comfortable, more reasonable to believe, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>that all the inhabitants of the earth +have access to His throne, and that we are +permitted to raise ourselves to it by a profound +sentiment of love and gratitude, as +the most sure and intimate relation between +man and his Creator.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Undoubtedly it is necessary that public +worship should be constantly regulated, and +that distinct symbols should be respected, +whose essential character ought not to vary, +that the sentiments of the generality, so +promptly affected by exterior objects, may +not be exposed to any alteration; it is necessary +that weak minds easily find their +way, and that they are not embarrassed with +doubt and uncertainty; in short, it is to be +desired, that the citizens, united by the same +laws and political interests, should be so by +the same worship, in order that the sacred band +of religion may take them all in; and that +principles of education should be maintained +and fortified by example. But as morality +is the first law of princes, and that always +clear and distinct in its motives and instructions, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>it ought to precede the uncertain +combinations of the politician. A government +is never permitted to aim at any end +by unjust means, let it be ever so desirable; +and I believe that this rule is equally adapted +to the opinions of men and their rights. It +would be possible to conceive a system of +distribution, with respect to the fortunes of +men, more convenient than any other for +the increase of public wealth and the power +of the state; but though this knowledge +should influence the general conduct of government, +it receives no right from its discernment, +to arrange according to its will, +the situation of every citizen. The same +principle has greater force applied to opinions: +it is reasonable to seek to direct their +course by slow and mild means; but the +system of unity, which is certainly most +conducive to the happiness of a state, would +cease to be good, if, in order to establish +that system, violence, or merely constraint, +was had recourse to: liberty of thought is +the first of rights, and the most respectable +dominion is that of conscience.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>Some now talk of the union of civil tolerance +and religious intolerance; the one protects +Protestants in Catholic countries, and +Catholics in Protestant countries; and the +other would forbid every kind of worship +which is not conformable to the institutions +of the predominant religion: but upon this +plan, if the number of Dissenters was to become +considerable, an important part of the +nation would be without worship; and the +government should not appear indifferent +to this, since it is of great importance to +mankind to maintain carefully every support +of morality.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is nothing more to be said on intolerance +when we consider it in its excess. +We all now know what we ought to think +of the severities and persecutions which +history has transmitted an account of, and +we know the opinion we should form of +many acts of intolerance and inhumanity +which some have for a long time gloried in; +and we cannot stifle our indignation at the +sight of the faggots that are still lighted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span>round those unhappy wretches scattered +over the face of the earth, of whom +Jesus Christ himself said, with so much +goodness, in the midst of his agonies; <em>Father +forgive them, for they know not what +they do</em>. It is time to abolish for ever those +dreadful customs, ignominious remembrance +of our ancient phrensies! O God, are +these Thy creatures that they dare to torment +in Thy name! Is it the work of Thy hand +that they sacrifice to Thy glory?—Petty tyrants! +ferocious inquisitors! do you expect +to obtain the favour of Heaven, with a +heart hardened, after mutilating the members +and tearing the bosoms of those whom +you can only draw to you by a sentiment +of pity? whose emotions you are not acquainted +with? The God of goodness +rejects such offerings—He cannot away +with them. Who then will pardon errors, +if not men who are continually deceived! +Alas! if exactness of judgment, or the +perfection of reason, were the only title to +divine benevolence, there is not any one who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>might not cast down his eyes devoid of all +hope.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Those who proudly flatter themselves, +that they alone know the worship agreeable +to the Supreme Being, lose all their claim +to our confidence, when, guided by a spirit +of intolerance, they depart so visibly from +the character which ought to inspire the +idea of a God, protector of human weakness. +But the absurd attempt to inspire +faith by acts of rigour and severity, has +been so often and so ably combated, that I +shall not dwell on a principle, the truth +of which common sense will discover. I +shall only make one observation sufficient +to intimidate the conscience of inquisitors, +and all those who adopt their maxims. +The operations of the mind can only be +influenced by reasoning, all the designs +formed to attain this end by violence are +attempts to subvert the belief of the spirituality +of the soul, and indirect associations +with materialists; for we must believe in +the identity of matter and thought to have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>a right of presuming, that the empire exercised +on us by rigorous treatment can +have an influence on our opinions; and +then we must consider man as a being governed +by mechanical laws, to be able to +imagine, that with instruments of torture +we can excite a sensation, which, by an +unknown conduit, might act instead of +judgment and the sentiment of persuasion.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is because, the indignant emotions +of a worthy heart are more powerful than +the cool arguments of offended reason, that +we rise with warmth against intolerance; +for without this motive it would only deserve +our contempt, as indicating a singular +littleness of soul. Who can remember +without pity, those dissensions so long maintained, +in which men, both weak and blind, +united in the name of devotion, actuated by +self-love, unintelligible decrees, to some important +controversy? All these disputes appear +foolish when we coolly examine them; and +we have only to consider, abstractedly, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>those quarrels, to discover all their absurdity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But as it is only by spreading knowledge +and diffusing wholesome precepts that we +can hope to cure enthusiasm and intolerance; +we ought to be on our guard against +the dangerous spirit of indifference, otherwise +one evil will be removed only to +introduce another equally fatal; when trying +to divert men from fanaticism, we +destroy the ideas which served as a +foundation for religion. There could +not subsist any sound opinion or estimable +principle, if the different errors which +creep round them were torn away by an +awkward or violent hand; and is the evil, +which continually mixes with the good, +became the subject of blind proscription.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us loudly acknowledge the benefits +which we have received from distinguished +writers, who have defended with zeal and +energy the cause of toleration; it is an obligation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span>added to many others, which it is +just to acknowledge, that we have received +from genius and talents united: but permit +us also to observe, that several of those +writers have lost a part of the applause due +to them, by seeking to depress religion, in +order to succeed in their attempt; such a +proceeding was unworthy of enlightened +philosophers, who more than others ought +to assign limits to reason, and never despair +of its influence. What should we think, +if, amongst those who justly attack the +tyranny exercised over conscience, there +were some intolerant in the defence of toleration; +and if we had reason to reproach +them with despising, and sometimes hating +those who do not concur with them; and +by an inconsiderate imputation of pusillanimity +or hypocrisy, make the characters +and intentions of those who do not +adopt their sentiments appear suspicious? +What a strange inconsistency, in a different +way, do they not exhibit; forgetting, sometimes, +their own opinions, and contradicting, +without thinking, their acknowledged +<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>incredulity, they raise a clamour about the +miseries to which mankind are subject, and +display the pretended disorders of the universe, +in order, afterwards, to throw an +odium on the God whose existence they contest, +to ridicule a Providence they do not +rely on! One would think, that after having +overturned the empire of the Deity, +that they might remain the only legislators +of the world; they regretted not having +any longer a rival, and wished to rebuild +the temple they have destroyed, to have +again a vain idol to insult. Another inconsistency +appears in their asperity against +those who resist their dogmas, whilst, in +the system of fate, reason does not preserve +its empire, and the master, as well as the +disciple, are equally subject to the laws of +necessity.</p> + +<p class='c010'>To exercise an authority over the mind +by the power of eloquence is a great advantage; +for such an authority is not confined +to any place or time; but to have a right +to such an extensive reign, we must renounce +<span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span>fashionable opinions, the counsels +of vanity and the instigations of self-love; +and be only actuated by that universal and +durable interest, the happiness of mankind.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I would not wish to prohibit the wise +man or philosopher from treating any subject +proper to direct our judgment; for there +are abuses and prejudices every where, which +we cannot destroy without making a step +towards reason and truth; but as there is a +philosophy for the thoughts, there is one +also for the actions. I indeed wish that +men of an enlarged turn of mind, who perceive +at a glance the moral order of things, +would attack with more caution and moderation, +and at a proper season, that which +directly relates to the opinions most essential +to our happiness; and that a respect for +these opinions should be manifest, even +when they censure fanaticism and superstition.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Such a wish is far from being realized; +and I cannot help lamenting, when I consider +<span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span>the design of the greater part, who +have written for some time past on religious +subjects: some seek artfully to destroy, or, +at least, relax the band which unites men +to the idea of a Supreme Being; and others +shut up in some mystic idea, as in a dark +den, blindly level their anathemas against +every kind of doubt and uncertainty; and +confound, in their rigorous censures, the +accessary ideas with the principal opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>However, in taking a course so opposite, +they unfortunately have an equal interest in +ranking the essential principles of religion +with the most insignificant symbols: but +influenced by very different motives; the +former act with a view of making religious +zeal serve to defend every part of the +worship of which they are the ministers; +the latter, guided by a motive of self-love, +readily admit confusion, that they may +have an opportunity of undermining religion +when they attack its outworks.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>We have need, more than ever, to be +directed to religion by wise and moderate +discourses, by a happy mixture of reason +and sensibility, the true characteristic of +evangelical morality. It is only by these +means that the authority of salutary +truths can be strengthened: we are easily +hurried beyond the just line, when the human +mind is not in a state to mark any limits; +but the daily progress of knowledge +obliges us to use more exactness: it is necessary +then to rein in the imagination, and +to allow reason to take place of it: yet it +is still allowed us to animate reason, and even +useful to do so, but we must absolutely avoid +disguising it. False notions only have need of +the assistance of exaggeration; it seems that +some are very fond of extremes, that common +sense may not investigate them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I will make another observation. Those +who, to free us from superstition, endeavour +to relax religious restrictions; and +those who, to strengthen them, have recourse +to intolerance, equally miss their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>aim. The hatred so naturally excited by +every kind of violence and constraint, in +matters of opinion, creates a repugnance in +those persons to religion who are insensibly +led to consider this excellent system as the +motive or excuse for a blind spirit of persecution. +And the direct attacks against religious +opinions engage well-disposed minds +to adhere more strenuously to every custom +which appears a form of respect or adoration; +as we redouble our zeal for a friend +in the midst of those who neglect or slight +him.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us unite, and it is certainly time, to +render to the Supreme Being sincere worship; +and let that worship always be worthy +of the dignity of our Creator: let us +banish severity and superstition; but let us +equally dread that culpable indifference, the +cause of so many misfortunes; and when +we shall have strengthened the influence of +sound reason, let us adhere more closely to +the useful opinions which have been refined +from errors, and with all our force repulse +<span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span>those who wish us to bury our hopes to free +ourselves from the wanderings of the imagination. +Yes, a religion, disengaged from +the passions of men, in its native beauty, +ought to dwell with us; public order and +private happiness equally claim it, and all +our reflections lead us to elevate our hearts +towards an Omnipotent Being, of whose +existence all nature reminds us: religion +well understood, far from being the necessary +principle of rigour or violence, should +be the foundation of every social virtue, +and of every mild and indulgent sentiment. +We are not called to tyrannize over the opinions +of others, or to give despotic laws to +the mind; we must observe, that a moderate +and rational religion only will guide +us to the path of happiness and virtue, by +addressing equally our hearts and minds.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XVII.<br> <em>Reflections on the Morality of the Christian Religion.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>I will venture a few reflections on a +subject which has often been treated; +the course of my subject naturally leads to it: +but in order to avoid, as much as possible, +what is generally known, I shall confine +myself to consider the morality of the gospel, +under a point of view which seems to +me to distinguish its sublime instructions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The most distinct characteristic of christianity +is the spirit of charity and forbearance +which pervades all its precepts. The +ancients, undoubtedly, respected the beneficent +virtues; but the precept which commends +the poor and the weak, to the +protection of the opulent, belongs essentially +to our religion. With what care, +with what love, the Christian legislator +<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>returns continually to the same sentiment +and interest! the tenderest pity lent to his +words a persuasive unction; but I admire, +above all, the awful lesson he has given, in +explaining the close union established between +our sentiments towards the Supreme +Being and our duties towards men. Thus, +after having termed the love of God, <em>the +first commandment of the law</em>, the Evangelist +adds; <em>and the second, which is like unto +it, is to love thy neighbour as thyself</em>. The +second, which is like unto it! what simplicity, +what extent in that expression! Can any +thing be more interesting and sublime, than +to offer continually to our mind the idea of a +God taking on himself the gratitude of the +unfortunate? Where find any principle of +morality, of which the influence can ever equal +such a grand thought? The poor, the miserable, +however abject their state, appear +surrounded with the symbol of glory, when +the love of humanity becomes an expression +of the sentiments which elevate us to God; +and the mind ceases to be lost in the immensity +of His perfections, when we hope +<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>to maintain an habitual intercourse with the +Supreme Being, by the services which we +render to men; it is thus that a single +thought spreads a new light on our duty, +and gives to metaphysical ideas a substance +conformable to our organs.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Justice, respect for the laws, and duty to +ourselves, may be united, in some manner, +to human wisdom; goodness alone, among +all the virtues, presents another character; +there is in its essence something vague and +undeterminate which claims our respect; it +seems to have a relation with that intention, +that first idea which we must attribute to +the Creator of the world, when we wish to +discover the cause of its existence. Goodness +then is the virtue, or to express myself +with more propriety, the primitive beauty, +that which has preceded time. Thus the +pressing exhortations to benevolence and +charity, which we find running through +the gospel, should elevate our thoughts, and +penetrate us with profound respect; it recals +us, it unites us, to a sentiment more +<span class='pageno' id='Page_420'>420</span>ancient than the world, to a sentiment, by +which we have received existence, and the +hopes which compose our present happiness<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c012'><sup>[9]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But if, from these elevated contemplations, +we, for a moment, descend to the political +principles which have the greatest extent, +we shall find there the influence of a +truth on which I have already had occasion +to dwell; but I shall now treat it in a different +manner. The unequal division of +property has introduced amongst men an authority +very like that of a master over his +slaves; we may even justly say, that in +many respects the empire of the rich is still +more independent; for they are not bound +constantly to protect those from whom they +require services: the taste and caprice of these +favourites of fortune fix the terms of their +convention with men, whose only patrimony +<span class='pageno' id='Page_421'>421</span>is their time and strength; and as soon +as this convention is interrupted, the poor +man, absolutely separated from the rich, +remains again abandoned to accidents; he +is obliged then to offer his labours with +precipitation to other dispensers of subsistence; +and thus he may experience, several +times in the year, all the inquietudes that must +necessarily arise from uncertain recourses. +Undoubtedly, in giving the support of the +laws to a similar constitution, it has been +reasonably supposed, that in the midst of +the multiplied relations of social life, there +would be a kind of balance and equality +between the wants which oblige the poor to +solicit wages, and the desires of the rich +which engage them to accept their services; +but this equilibrium, so essentially necessary, +can never be established in an exact and +constant manner, since it is the result of a +blind concourse of combinations, and the +uncertain effect of an infinite multitude of +movements, not one of which is subject to +a positive direction. However, since to +maintain the distinction of property they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_422'>422</span>were obliged to leave to chance the fate of +the greater number of men, it was indispensably +necessary to find some salutary opinion, +proper to temper the abuses inseparable +from the free exercise of the rights of +property; and that happy and restoring idea +could only have been discerned in an obligation +of benevolence imposed on the will, +and a spirit of general charity recommended +to all men: these sentiments and duties, the +last resource offered to the unfortunate, can +alone mitigate a system, in which the fate of +the most numerous part of a nation rests, on +the doubtful agreement of the conveniences +of rich with the wants of the poor. +Yes, without the aid, without the intervention +of the most estimable of virtues, the +generality would have just reason to regret +the social institutions, which, at the price +of their independance, left to the master the +care of their subsistence; and it is thus that +charity, respectable under so many different +views, becomes still an intelligent and political +idea, which serves to blend personal +liberty and the imperious laws of property.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_423'>423</span>I know not if ever the christian precepts +have been considered under this point of +view; but reflecting a little on this subject, +we perceive more than ever of what importance +the salutary institutions are, which +place in the first rank of our duties the beneficent +spirit of charity, and which lends +to the most essential virtue all the force and +constancy which religion gives birth to. +Thus, at the same time that the doctrines +of the gospel elevate our thoughts, its sublime +morality accompanies, in some measure, +our laws and institutions, to sustain +those which are really conformable to reason, +and to remedy the inconveniences inseparable +from the imperfections of human +wisdom.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is not, however, only to pecuniary +sacrifices, that the gospel applies its precepts +respecting charity; it extends to those +generous acts of self-denial, that religion +alone can render supportable; and which +makes some descend with a firm step into +the dreary abodes, in which the culprit is a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_424'>424</span>prey to the remorse that tears his heart; +and when his very relations have abandoned +him, he still beholds a comforter, whom +religion conducts to pour consolation into +his afflicted soul. The same motives +and thoughts induce some to renounce +the world and its hopes, to consecrate +themselves entirely to the service of the +sick, and to fulfil those sad functions with +an assiduity and a constancy, that the most +splendid reward could never excite. O +rare and disinterested virtue, perfection of +piety! what a tribute of admiration is due +to the sublime sentiment which inspires +such painful self-denial! Men are only stimulated +by notions of right and justice; it +belongs to christianity to impose duties, +whose base is placed beyond the narrow +circle of our terrestrial interests. I know +not, but it seems to me, that, notwithstanding +a diversity of opinions, we cannot +help being affected, when we contemplate +the sketch of the last day which the gospel +delineates: it exhibits a terrific and sublime +picture of that day, in which all actions +<span class='pageno' id='Page_425'>425</span>are to be revealed, and the most secret +thoughts have the universe for a witness, +and God as a judge; and at the moment +when we wait to see the retinue of virtues +and vices which have rendered men +celebrated, it is a single quality, a virtue +without splendour, which is chosen by the +Divine Arbiter of our fate, to derive an +immortality of happiness from, and He +pronounces these memorable words, which +contain in a small compass our whole duty:—<em>I +was hungry, and ye gave me meat; +thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a prisoner +and ye visited me. Come ye blessed of my +father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you</em>, +&c. Men love to contemplate the triumphs +of goodness—love to exalt it under +different forms. We have so many wants, +are so weak, and we are able to do so little +for ourselves, that this interesting virtue appears +our safeguard and the mysterious tie +of all nature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The spirit of charity, so essential in its +exact interpretation, may be applied to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_426'>426</span>regard and delicate attention that different +degrees of talents, render necessary: society, +under this relation, has also its rich and +poor; and we know the extent of charity +and the secrets of our moral nature, when +we practice that general benevolence, which +preserves others from feeling a painful +sentiment of inferiority, and which +makes it a duty to respect the veil, that a +beneficent hand has designedly placed between +the light of truth and those imperfections +which we cannot entirely correct.</p> + +<p class='c010'>It is always about the generality of men that +the author of christianity seems to be interested; +the gospel takes cognizance of their private +sentiments, condemning pride, and recommending +modesty; and it applies itself to +level those distances which appear to us so +important, when we only view the little +points of gradation which compose our scale +of vanity. Religion enables us to discern +that haughtiness and contempt, only display +our ignorance and folly: <em>what hast +thou, that thou didst not receive? now if +<span class='pageno' id='Page_427'>427</span>thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory?</em>—What +is the pride that does not melt away before +these awful words? Religion seems ever to +tend towards the same end, and by continually +reminding us of the brevity of life, to prevent +strong illusions from engrossing our +thoughts.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The greater part of ancient moral instructions +were in general addressed, either +to man considered as an individual occupied +with the care of his destiny, or to the citizen +connected by his duties to his country, +and none of them had sufficient extent: it +is necessary, when giving counsel to a solitary +individual, only to try to free him from +those passions which would destroy his repose +and happiness; and the obligations that are +imposed on the different members of a political +state, necessarily participate of a jealous spirit, +which the will of the government may +turn into hatred. The Christian religion, +more universal in its views, turns its attention +from the contrariety of interests which divide +<span class='pageno' id='Page_428'>428</span>men when they belong to different governments; +it considers us indistinctly as +citizens of a great society, united by the +same origin, nature, and dependencies, and +by the same sentiment of happiness. Recommending +the reciprocal duties of benevolence, +the gospel does not make any difference +between the inhabitant of Jerusalem and +Samaria; it takes man in the most simple +of his relations, and the most honourable, +those which arise from his intercourse with +the Supreme Being; and under this point +of view, all the hostile divisions of kingdom +against kingdom, absolutely disappear; +it is the whole human race which has a +right to the protection and the beneficence +of the Author of Nature, and it is in the +name of every intelligent being that we credit +the alliance which unites heaven to earth.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The rich and powerful made the first +laws, or, at least, directed the spirit of +them; it was especially to defend their possessions +and privileges that they extolled justice: +the legislator of our religion, speaking +<span class='pageno' id='Page_429'>429</span>of this virtue, has shown, that the interests +of all men were equally present to his +thoughts; we might even say, that he made +an old obligation a new duty, by the manner +in which he prescribed it: <em>Whatsoever ye +would that men should do to you, do ye even so to +them</em>, is a maxim ever remarkable, if we consider +the extent of the precept which it contains: +there are so many acts of severity and +oppression, so much tyranny, which escapes +the reach of the law, and the superintendency +of opinion, that we cannot too +highly value its importance; Christianity +indeed affords a simple guide and measure +for all our actions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religion, beside, in order to fix our +determinations, strengthens the authority of +conscience: she saw, that every one of us has +within himself a judge, the most severe and +clear-sighted, and that it is sufficient to submit +to its laws to be instructed in our duty; +for it is our hidden thoughts that this judge +examines, and nothing is excused, no subterfuge +admitted.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_430'>430</span>It is not the same with those censures +which we exercise towards others, the simple +actions only strike us; and the different +motives they result from, the emotions, the +conflicts which accompany them, and the +regret, the repentance, which follow them, +all these essential characteristics escape our +penetration: thus religion, always wise, always +benevolent in its counsels, forbids our +forming hasty and precipitate judgments; +and we cannot read, without emotion, that +lesson of indulgence so mildly addressed to +the crowd which surrounded the woman +taken in adultery, <em>he that is without sin among +you, let him first cast a stone at her</em>. But how +resist being affected by admiration, when we +see religion so warmly employed about the +fate of those whom the suspicions or false +accusations of men have dragged before +their tribunals? by declaring that it is +better to let a hundred culprits escape punishment, +than run the risk of condemning +a single person unjustly. This tender anxiety +corresponds with every sentiment of our +hearts. Innocence delivered to infamy, innocence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_431'>431</span>encompassed with all the horrors of +an execution, is the most dreadful sight that +the imagination can present; and we are so +struck by it, that we should be almost disposed +to think, that before the Supreme +Being the whole human race is responsible +for such a crime: yes, it is under Thy protection, +O my God, that unknown virtue +and injured innocence take shelter; men +turn towards Thee for comfort when pursued +by men, and it is not in vain that +they trust in that awful day when all shall +be judged before Thee.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I wish only to dwell on the particular +character of the Christian religion, as it +proportions the merit of our actions, not to +the grandeur or importance of them; but +to the relation that they have with our +abilities, it is an idea absolutely new: this +system, which presents the same motives +and rewards to the weak and strong, remarked +the widow’s mite, as well as the +generous sacrifices of opulence; this system, +as just as rational, animates, in some measure, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_432'>432</span>our whole moral nature, and seems to +inform us, that a vast circle of good actions +and social virtues are submitted to the same +rules, as the immense domain of physical +nature, in which the simplest flower, or +the most insignificant plant, concurs to +perfect the designs of the Supreme Being, +and composes one part of the harmonious +universe.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The superintendance of the Christian religion +extends still further than I can point +out; and guided by a spirit not to be equalled, +it estimates our intentions, obscure dispositions, +and internal determinations, often +separated from action by different obstacles: +it directs men, in some measure, from their +first sentiments and designs; it continually +reminds them of the presence of God; warns +them to watch over themselves, when their +inclinations are but dawning, before they +have gained strength; in short, at an early +hour it forms the mind to the exercise of +virtue, by discriminating virtue and vice, +and reminding us to cultivate a love of order +<span class='pageno' id='Page_433'>433</span>and propriety before the active scenes of +life force those sentiments to appear conspicuously +displayed in actions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>But the more the methods of meriting +the divine approbation are multiplied, the +more essential is it that our confidence should +not be depressed, every instant, by the sentiment +which arises from the experience of +our errors; it is necessary, that at the moments, +too frequent, when the chain which +unites us to the Supreme Being would escape +from our grasp, the hope of again seizing +it should remain with us: it is then to succour +our weak faith, that we see in the +gospel that idea at once so excellent and +new, that of repentance and the promises +which are annexed to it. This noble idea, +absolutely belonging to Christianity, prevents +our relation with the Deity from being +destroyed as soon as it is perceived; the +culprit may still hope for the favour of God, +and after contrition confide in Him. Human +nature, that singular connexion of the +spirit with matter, of strength with weakness, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_434'>434</span>of reason with the imagination, persuasion +with doubt, and will with uncertainty, +necessarily requires a legislation appropriated +to a constitution so extraordinary: +man, in his most improved state, resembles +an infant, who attempts to walk, and falls, +rises and falls again; and he would soon be +lost to morality, if, after his first fault, he +had not any hope of repairing it; under +a similar point of view, the idea of repentance +is one of the most philosophical which +the gospel contains.</p> + +<p class='c010'>That pressing recommendation to do +good in secret, without ostentation, is the +result of a salutary and profound thought: +the legislator of our religion undoubtedly +had perceived that the praises of men was +not a basis sufficiently steady to serve for the +support of morality; and he discerned, +that vanity, allowed to enjoy these kind of +triumphs, was too dissipated to be a faithful +guide; but the most important part of that +precept is, that morality would be very circumscribed, +if men only adhered to those +<span class='pageno' id='Page_435'>435</span>just actions which all the world might see; +there are not many opportunities to do good +in public, and the whole of life may be +filled by unseen virtues: in short, from that +continual relation with our conscience, a relation +instituted by religion, there results an +inestimable benefit; for it is easy to perceive, +that if we have within us a clear-sighted +and severe judge, this same judge +turns consoler and friend every time that +we are unjustly condemned, or when events +do not answer according to the purity of our +intentions; and we believe then that we +have almost two souls, one aiding and sustaining +the other on every occasion in which +virtue unites them.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The severe censure of superstition, which +we find throughout the gospel, is derived from +an idea as reasonable as enlightened; men +are too much disposed to make their +religion consist of little exterior practices, +always easier than the conflicts with and +triumphs over the passions: our minds +seize with avidity every extraordinary idea; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_436'>436</span>when they are in part of our own creating, +they aid our self-love to subjugate our imagination; +man is not at the age of maturity +terrified by those phantoms which annoy his +infancy; but mysteries, occult causes, extraordinary +appearances, continue to make an +impression on his mind; and like the wonders +of nature, form too large a circle round +his thoughts; it is by ideas more proportioned +to his strength, by mere superstition, +that he permits himself often to be +led captive: we love trivial commands, observances, +and scruples, because we are little +ourselves, and that in our weakness we +would wish to know every instant the limits +of our obligations.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Sometimes, persons terrified by their +imaginations, or by the confused picture +which they form of the duties of religion, +attach themselves to superstitious practices +as a safeguard near at hand which may +quickly guard them from the different anxieties +of their minds. The precepts of the +gospel are designed to destroy these dispositions; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_437'>437</span>for on one side, they facilitate the +study of morality, by reducing to simple +principles the entire system of our duties; +and on the other, they seek to render our +intercourse with the Supreme Being more +easy, by teaching us that we may unite ourselves +to Him by the expansion of a pure +mind; by informing us, that it is not either +on Mount Sion or Gerizim that we +are to raise an altar; but that every honest +heart is a temple, where the eternal is adored +<em>in spirit and in truth</em>. The Christian religion +is the only one which, discarding +ceremonies and superstitious opinions, leads +us to the worship more consonant to our +nature: Christianity indeed, in that grand +thought, has pointed out the dictates of +our conscience as most worthy of respect; +benevolence, as the worship most agreeable +to the Supreme Being, and all our +moral conduct as the most certain prognostic +of our future state. There reigns +a profound philosophy in the doctrines of +the gospel, men have only added a vain pageantry, +a more sounding tone.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_438'>438</span>Let us render homage to Christianity, for +that sacred tie which it has formed, in +uniting not for a moment, but for the whole +of life, the fate of two beings, one having +need of support, and the other of comfort: +it is religion which refines this alliance by +rendering it immutable, and obliges men +not to sacrifice to the caprices of their +imaginations the unity and confidence +which secures the repose of families, order in +the disposition of fortunes, the peaceable +education of the succeeding generation, and +which, in giving to children, for an example, +a union formed by fidelity and duty, +implants in their hearts the seeds of the +most important virtues; religion has taught +us, that the friendships of a world, in +which selfishness reigns, have need of being +cemented by that community of interests +and honours which marriage only +gives us an idea of; holy union, alliance +without equal, which renders still more +valuable all the blessings of life, which +seems to augment our hopes, and fortify in +us the comfortable thoughts and mild confidence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_439'>439</span>which piety gives birth to: the engagements +entered into between men, which +being, for the most part, sounded on reciprocal +services, a time might come, +when our weakness would be so great, +others having no more interest to associate +with us, it might be necessary to find a +support in that friendship which time has +matured, and of which a sentiment of duty +repairs the breaches, and which acquires a +kind of sanctity from the habit and the remembrance +of a long and happy union: it +is religion in, short, which has ordained, +that the delicate virtue, the most excellent +ornament of a weak and timid sex, should +only be subject to the ascendency of the +most generous and faithful sentiment.</p> + +<p class='c010'>These principles, indeed, are not formed for +corrupt hearts; but the service which religion +renders, the end which it proposes, is +to assist us to combat our depraved dispositions; +it is to point out the errors and the +snares of vice; it is to preserve, amongst us, +the sacred deposit of principles, which are the +foundation of public order, and still maintain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_440'>440</span>some light to illuminate the path of +wisdom and true happiness.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Religion recals us continually to those +universal duties which we describe under +the name of good morals; duties that +men would often inconsiderately wish to separate +from public interest, but which, +however, are bound to it by so many almost +imperceptible and secret ties. Every act of +wisdom and virtue is not of immediate +importance to society; but morality must +be cultivated by degrees, and fortified by +habit, as it is like those delicate plants +which we rear with a kind of fondness +to preserve their beauty; if we make +a distinction between personal, domestic, +and public manners, in order to neglect, +as we find convenient, one part of our +duty, we shall lose the charm of it, and +every day virtue will appear more difficult.</p> + +<p class='c010'>There is, I think, a connexion, more or +less apparent, between every thing good and +worthy of esteem; and it seems to me, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_441'>441</span>this idea has something amiable, which +confusedly satisfies our most generous dispositions +and most comfortable hopes: and +if, to sustain a truth so important, I was permitted +to interrogate the young man, whose +virtues and talents are the most remarkable +in Europe, I should ask him, if he did +not experience that his filial tenderness, the +regularity of his domestic life, the purity of +his thoughts, and all his rare private qualities, +are not united to the noble sentiments +which make him appear with so much +splendour as a statesman? But without +dwelling on such instances, who has not +been sometimes struck with the beauty attached +to that simplicity and modesty of +manners which we often find in an obscure +situation? We then manifestly discover, that +there exists a kind of agreement and dignity, +I could almost say, a kind of grandeur, independent +of refined language, polished +manners, and all those advantages due to +birth, to rank, and fortune.</p> + +<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_442'>442</span>I have only glanced over the benefits arising +from the Christian religion; but I +cannot avoid observing, that we owe to it a +consoling idea, that of the felicity reserved +for innocent babes; interesting and precious +hope for those tender mothers, who see slip +from their embraces the objects of their +love, at an age when they have not acquired +any merit before the Supreme Being, whom +they cannot have any relation with, but +through His infinite goodness. I feel that +I involuntarily mix with the elogiums of +Christianity a sentiment of gratitude for the +mild and paternal ideas which are disseminated +with its instructions; and there is something +remarkable in those instructions, that +they are continually animated by every thing +which can captivate our imagination, and +associate with our natural inclinations. Sensibility, +happiness, and hope, are the strongest +ties of a heart still pure; and all the +emotions which elevate towards the idea of +a God exalt in our minds the doctrine of +morality, which recals us continually to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_443'>443</span>sublime perfections of Him who was its +author.</p> + +<p class='c010'>In short, we cannot avoid admiring the +spirit of moderation, which forms one of +the distinct characteristics of the gospel; +we do not always find, it is true, the same +spirit in the interpreters of the Christian +doctrines; several constrained by a false zeal, +and more disposed to speak in the name of a +threatening master, than in that of a God, +full of wisdom and goodness, have frequently +exaggerated and multiplied the duties +of men; and to support their system, +they have often obscured the natural sense, +or the general import of the precepts contained +in the scriptures; and sometimes also, +collecting a few scattered words, they have +formed a body of divinity, foreign in several +respects to the intention of the apostles and first +Christians. Servants always go further than +their masters; and as the first thought does +not belong to them, they only act by adding +something heterogeneous: the spirit of moderation +consists, beside, in a kind of proportion, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_444'>444</span>which mere imitators have only +an imperfect knowledge of; fortitude is +even necessary to impose limits on virtue +itself; and to determine the precise and +exact measure of the multiplied duties of +men requires a profound and sublime intelligence. +It was by his sublime precepts +that the institutor of a universal morality +shewed himself superior to that age of ignorance +in which extremes reigned; when +piety was changed into superstition, justice +into rigour, indulgence into weakness; and +when, in the exaggeration of every sentiment, +a kind of merit was sought for incompatible +with the immutable laws of +wisdom: it was by those sublime precepts, +in short, that a legislator rose above transitory +opinions to command all times and ages, +and that he appears to have been desirous to +adapt his instructions, not to the instantaneous +humour of a people, but to the nature of man.</p> + +<p class='c010'>We shall, beside, find easily in the gospel +several characteristics proper, essentially +to distinguish it from philosophic doctrines; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_445'>445</span>but in an examination so serious and important +I avoid every observation which might +appear to the greater number a simple research +of the understanding; it is the grand +features only which belong to grand things, +and any other manner would not agree with +a subject so worthy of our respect. I must +say, however, that when I am left alone to +reflect with attention on the different parts +of the gospel, I have experienced, that, independent +of general ideas and particular +precepts which lead us every instant to profound +admiration, there reigns, beside, in +the whole of that sublime morality, a spirit +of goodness, of truth, and wisdom, of +which all the characters can only be perceived +by our sensibility, by that faculty +of our nature which does not separate objects, +which does not wait to define; but +which penetrates, as by a kind of instinct, +almost to that love, the origin of every +thing, and that indefinite model from which +every generous intention and grand thought +has taken its first form.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_446'>446</span> + <h2 class='c004'>CHAP. XVIII.<br> <em>Conclusion.</em></h2> +</div> + +<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c009'>What a time have I chosen to entertain +the world with morality and +religion! and what a theatre is this for such +an undertaking! Only to conceive it is a +great proof of courage; every one is employed +about his harvest; lives in his affairs; +is lost in the present instant, all the rest appears +chimerical. When I was formerly +engrossed by cares for the public welfare, +and writing on my favourite subject, I could +draw the attention of men by a series of reflections +on their own fortunes and on the +power of their country; it was in the name +of their most ardent passions that I engaged +them to listen to me; but in treating the +subject I have now made choice of, it is +their natural dispositions, now almost effaced, +that I must address: thus I feel the +necessity of re-animating the sentiments +which I wish to direct, and giving birth to +the interest I desire to enlighten. And +when I fix my attention on the actual course +<span class='pageno' id='Page_447'>447</span>of opinions, I fear to have for judges, either +men who are indifferent to the subject, or +who are too severe in their censurers; but +the reflections of vanity are trivial to +the motives which have guided me; and +provided any of my thoughts have agreed +with the inclinations of feeling minds, and +added something to their happiness, I shall +enjoy the sweetest reward. Such a wish I +formed, when, with a weak hand, I ventured +to trace some reflections on the importance +of religious opinions.</p> + +<p class='c010'>The more we know of the world, its phantoms, +and vain enchantments, the more do we +feel the want of a grand idea to elevate the soul +above discouraging events which continually +occur. When we run after honours, fame, +and gratitude, we find every where illusions +and mistakes; and it is our lot to experience +those disappointments which proceed +from the infirmities or the passions of men. +If we leave our vessel in the harbour, the +success of others dazzles and disturbs us; +if we spread our sails, we are the plaything +of the winds: activity in action, ardour, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_448'>448</span>and indifference, all have their cares and difficulties; +no person is sheltered from the caprices +of fortune, and when we have reached +the summit of our wishes, when we have +by chance attained the object of our ambition, +sadness and languor are preparing to frustrate +our hopes, and dissipate the enchantment: +nothing is perfect except for a moment; +nothing is durable but change; it is necessary +then to have interest in with those immutable +ideas which are not the work of +man, which do not depend on a transient +opinion: they are offered to all, and are +equally useful in the moment of triumph +and the day of defeat; they are, as we need +them, our consolation, our encouragement, +and our guide. What strength, what splendour, +those ideas would soon have, if, considered +as the best support of order and +morality, men would try to render them +more efficacious, in the same manner as we +see the citizens of a political society concur, +in proportion to their faculties, to promote +the welfare of the state. A new scene +would open before us; men of learning, far +<span class='pageno' id='Page_449'>449</span>from following the counsels of vanity, far +from searching to destroy the most salutary +belief of men, would, on the contrary, allot +for their defence a portion of their noblest +powers; we should see the penetrating +metaphysician eager to refer to the common +treasure of our hopes, the light which +he perceives through the continuity of his +meditations, and the perspicacity of his +mind: we should see the attentive observer +of nature occupied with the same idea, animated +by the same interest; we should see +him, in the midst of his labours, seize with +avidity every thing which could add any +support to the first principle of all religions; +we should see him detach from his discoveries, +appropriate, with a kind of love, all that tended +to strengthen the happiest persuasion and +most sublime of thoughts. The profound moralist, +the philosophic legislator, would concur +in the same design; and in such a grand +enterprize, men, merely endowed with an +ardent imagination, would be like those +wanderers, who, when they return home, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_450'>450</span>talk of some unknown riches. There are +ways in the moral, as well as in the physical +world, which lead to unknown secrets; +and the harvest which may be gathered +in the vast empire of nature is as extensive +as diversified. How excellent would +be the union of every mind towards this +magnificent end! In this view, I represent +sometimes to myself, with respect, a +society of men distinguished by their character +and genius, only employed to receive +and place in order the ideas proper +to augment our confidence in the +most precious opinion. There are thoughts +conceived by solitary men which are lost to +mankind, because they have not had the talent +to connect a system; and if those +thoughts were to be united to some other +knowledge, if they were to come like a grain +of sand, to strengthen the banks raised on +our shore, the following generations would +transmit a richer heritage. We sometimes register +with pomp a new word, introduced into +the language, and men of the most exalted +genius of the age are called to be present at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_451'>451</span>that ceremony: would it not be a more +noble enterprize to examine, to choose, and +consecrate the ideas or observations proper to +enlighten us in our most essential researches? +One of those researches would better deserve +a wreath, than any work of eloquence or +literature.</p> + +<p class='c010'>Let us suppose, for a moment, that in +the most ancient empire of the world there +might have been priests, from time immemorial, +who guarded the deposit of all +the original ideas which served to support +the opinion of the existence of a God, +and the sentiment of the immortality of +the soul; and that, from time to time, +every new discovery, calculated to increase +the confidence due to these most necessary +truths, was inscribed in a religious testament, +called the book of happiness and +hope; how highly should we value it, and +how eagerly desire to be acquainted with +it; and with what respect should we approach +the ancient temple, in which those +superb archives were deposited. But, on +the contrary, could we imagine another retreat, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_452'>452</span>where subtle arguments and artificial +discourses were collected, by which some +endeavour to destroy or shake those holy +opinions which unite the universe to an intelligent +thought, to a sublime wisdom; and +the fate of men to infinite goodness, who +amongst us would wish to enter into that +dark abode? who would wish to explore +that fatal register? Let us learn to know +our nature better, and through the delirium +of our blind passions discover its wants: it +is a God we feel the want of, a God, such as +religion presents; a God, powerful and +good, the first source of happiness, and who +only can secure it to the human race: let +us open all our faculties to that splendid +light, that our hearts and minds may welcome +it, and find pleasure in widely diffusing +it. Let us be penetrated in our +youth, by the only idea ever necessary to +our peace: let us strengthen it when +in our full vigour, that it may support +us in the decline of life. Ravishing +beauties of the universe, what would ye be +to us without this thought? Majestic power +<span class='pageno' id='Page_453'>453</span>of the human mind, astonishing wonders of +the thinking faculty, what could it represent +if we separated it from its noble origin? +Souls affectionate and impassioned, +what would become of you without hope? +Pardon, O Master of the world, if not sufficiently +sensible of my own weakness, and +abandoning myself only to the emotions of +my heart, I have undertaken to speak to +men of Thy existence, Thy grandeur, and +Thy goodness! Pardon me if, lately agitated +by the tumultuous waves of passion, I dare +to raise my thoughts to the realms of eternal +peace, where Thou more particularly exhibits +Thy glory and sovereign power. Ah! +I know more than ever that we must love +Thee, we must serve Thee. The powerful +of the earth exalt and depress their favourites +capriciously; there is no relying on them; +after profiting by the talents devoted to +them, they forsake the victim, or crush him +like a reed. There is in the universe but +one immutable justice, but one perfect +goodness and consolatory thought: yet we +go continually towards other coasts, where +<span class='pageno' id='Page_454'>454</span>we call for happiness, but it is not to be +found: there are phantoms accustomed to +deceive men, who answer when they call: +we run towards them, and pursue them, +and we leave far behind religious opinions, +which only can lead us back to nature, +and elevate us to its author. The blind +passions of the world, and the devouring +desires of fame and fortune, only serve to +harden us; every thing is selfish and hostile +in them. Ambitious men, who only +wish for a vain name, a childish triumph, +acknowledge your features in this sketch; +a single object engrosses you, a single end +fixes your views: the heavens may be obscured; +the earth covered with darkness; and +the future annihilated before you; and +you are satisfied if a weak taper still permits +you to discern the homage of those who +surround you; but how is it possible to expect +thus to pass a whole life? how be able +to retain that homage which appears so necessary +to your dream of happiness? how +can you make stationary what so many +concur to demand? We have a more rational +<span class='pageno' id='Page_455'>455</span>certainty of happiness, when a sentiment +of piety, enlightened in its principle +and action, softens all our passions, and +bends them, in some measure, to the laws +of our destiny. Piety, such as I form an idea +of, may be properly represented as a vigilant +friend, tender and rational. It lets us see +the various blessings of life; but it recals +us to the idea of gratitude, in order to augment +our happiness, by referring it to the +most generous of all benefactors: it allows +us to exercise our faculties and talents; but +recals us to the idea of morality and virtue, +in order to assure our steps, and shield us +from regret: it allows us to run the race +of glory or ambition; but recals us to the +idea of inconstancy and instability, to preserve +us from a fatal intoxication: it is always +with us, not to disturb our felicity, not +to impose useless privations, but to blend itself +with our thoughts, and to unite to all +our projects those mild and peaceable ideas +which attend wisdom and moderation: in +short, in the day of adversity, when our +strength is broken, in which we have placed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_456'>456</span>our confidence, piety comes to succour and +console us; it shows us the nothingness of +vanity and worldly illusions; it calms the +remorse of our souls, by reminding us of a +particular providence; it softens our regrets, +by presenting more worthy hopes than any +earthly object can afford, in order to engage +our interest and fix our attention.</p> + +<p class='c010'>I am not led to these reflections by a temporary +melancholy; I should be afraid of it, if I +had not always had the same thoughts, and +if the various circumstances of a life, often +perturbed, had not led me to think of the +necessity of attaching myself to some principle +independent of men and events. Almost +entirely alone at this instant, and +thrown into solitude by an unforeseen accident, +I experience, it is true<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c012'><sup>[10]</sup></a>, more than +ever, the want of those rational ideas, the +representations of all that is great, and I +approach with renewed interest the truths +which I always loved; grand and sublime +truths, which I have recommended to men +at the moment when I see them more than +<span class='pageno' id='Page_457'>457</span>ever inclined to neglect them. How mistaken +are they in their calculations, they +trust to-day in the strength of their minds, +to-morrow they will find their weakness; +they imagine, that in turning their views +from the termination of life they remove the +fatal boundary; but already the hand trembles +on the dial to give the signal of their +last moment. What a dire sacrifice we +should make, if we gave up those consoling +truths which still present to us a future, +when all the bustle of life is over! We +should again demand them, search for them +with the most diligent anxiety, if ever the +traces of them were unfortunately effaced.</p> + +<p class='c010'>All these ideas, some may say, are vague, +and do not agree with the humour of the +age; but at a certain distance from the field +of ambition and vanity, is there any thing +to every one of us more vague than the +passions of others? Are men employed about +our interest? do they dream of our happiness? +No, they are like ourselves; they seek +for precedency; now and then indeed they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_458'>458</span>pronounce the name of public good; but +it is only a watch word which they have +stolen, to be able to run over our ranks +without danger. Where shall we find then +a real tie? Where shall we find a universal +rendezvous, if not in those unalterable ideas +which are so consonant to our nature, which +should equally interest us all, being suited +to all without distinction; and which are +ready to welcome us when we see the folly +of earthly pursuits? They may not, indeed, +gratify the childish wishes of the moment; +but they relieve our anxiety about to-morrow, +they are allied to objects of meditation +which belong to our whole life, and +above all, they unite us to that spirit which +constitutes our true grandeur, to that sublime +spirit, a few of whose relations only are yet +discovered by us, and the full extent of +whose power and goodness can be but faintly +guessed at by finite beings.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c003'> + <div>FINIS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_459'>459</span><em>I was engrossed by the last Cares which +the Publication of this Book occasioned, when +M. de</em> <span class='sc'>Calonne’s</span> <em>Second Memorial made +its Appearance. I have read it; and I +here publicly engage to answer this new +Attack, and fully to support the Credit +which is justly due to the Account I presented +to the King in 1781.</em></p> + +<div class='lg-container-r c014'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>NECKER.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='c015'> +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. Thesis proposed by the French Academy, with +a prize, for the best Catechism of Morals, the instructions +of which were to be founded on the principles of +natural right only.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. I should have enlarged this chapter, if I did not +intend to make some general reflections on intolerance +in another part of this work.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. These various reflections are very necessary in the +place where I live; since, for a short time, labourers +have been permitted to work, at Paris, of a Sunday. +We see this publicly done at the new bridge, which is +building over the Seine, as if a work of mere convenience +was in such haste, that the laws should be dispensed +with to accelerate its execution. The labourers, +some will say, are glad to gain a day every week. +Undoubtedly, because they see only the present instant, +they have reason to think so; but it is the duty of government +to consider, in a more comprehensive point of +view, the interest of the people, of that part of society, +which is so blind, or so limited in its calculation; and +the church should examine also, if the sudden alteration +of a practice so ancient, may not give rise to an idea, +that the spirit of religion is grown feeble. For the nations +where this spirit is best preserved, have the greatest +respect for the Sabbath.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. This mass is commonly called a low mass.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Some say, in order to weaken this argument, that +we may attribute to the indivisible unit all the qualities +of matter, that a round body is really divisible, but that +roundness and impenetrability are not. Such an objection +is evidently not just. Roundness and impenetrability +are only qualities, and these qualities, when +merely abstract, are necessarily invariable: thus, it is +as impossible to divide it, as it is to multiply and increase +it; but my soul, my thoughts, the consciousness +that I have of my own existence, forms a particular +and personal being; and if it were of the same nature +as matter, ought to be equally divisible.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. I shall present some reflections on this truth in +another Chapter.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. Dr. Herschel.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. It may be said, that the fifty thousand new stars +perceived by Dr. Herschel, being the result of observation +directed to the milky-way, we are not to expect +to discover as great a number in other parts of the +heavens of a like extent; but independent of these +stars which Dr. H. clearly distinguished, he imagined +that there were twice as many more of which he had +only an instantaneous glance. See the Philosophical +Transactions of the Royal Society, 1774. Dr. H. +has probably, since that time, made new discoveries; +but they have not reached me: I find, in the Transactions +of the Royal Society, of which he is a member, +that he considers the new telescope as being still <em>in its infancy</em>; +these are his own words.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. I think I perceive the traces of these philosophical +ideas in the censure Jesus passed upon one of his disciples, +who called him <em>good master</em>. <em>Why callest thou me +good? there is none good but one.</em></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c010'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. For I had begun this chapter during my exile.</p> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> + +<div class='chapter ph2'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c011'> + <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<table class='table0'> + <tr> + <th class='c016'>Page</th> + <th class='c016'>Changed from</th> + <th class='c017'>Changed to</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class='c018'><a href='#t200'>200</a></td> + <td class='c019'>that a moral revolution permitted laboures</td> + <td class='c020'>that a moral revolution permitted labourers</td> + </tr> +</table> + + <ul class='ul_1'> + <li>Standardized spelling. + + </li> + <li>Retained dialect. + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76773 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e (with regex) on 2025-08-31 13:45:26 GMT --> +</html> + diff --git a/76773-h/images/cover.jpg b/76773-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b3b5f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/76773-h/images/cover.jpg |
