Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1752 edition. Excerpt: ... consult experience, to be convinced that these are real truths, which no reasonable person can contest. Confinntti- VIII. This is a truth so generally acknowledged, on of this, ., r truth by the that all the institutions which men form among aiuations. themselves for their common good and advantage, are founded on the observance of the laws of nature; and that even the precautions taken to secure the effect of these institutions, would be vain and useless, were it not for the authority of those very laws. This is what is manifestly supposed by all human laws in general; by the establishments for the education of youth; by the political regulations which tend to promote the arts and commerce; and by all public as well as private treaties. For of what use would all those things be, or what benefit could accrue from thence, were we not previously to establish them on justice, probity, sincerity, ' and the sacred inviolability of an oath, as on their real foundation and basis ? Snofthe DEGREESut *n or( DEGREESer to be more sensibly satisfied of fame truth this truth, let any one try, that pleases, to form a surdltyof" system of morality on principles directly opposite to the con- those we have now established. Let us suppose that ignorance and prejudices take place of knowledge and reason: that capriciousness and passions are substituted instead of prudence and virtuelet us banish justice and benevolence from society, and from the commerce of mankind, to make room for unjust self-love, which calculating every thing for itself, keeps no account of other people's interest, or of the public advantage. Let us extend . and apply those principles to the particular states of man, and we ve shall see what must be the result of a system of this kind,
