What Bernard Mandeville thinks about religion
Anglo-Dutch philosopher and satirist (1670 to 1733); author of The Fable of the Bees.
Bernard Mandeville did not write this page.
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1 dated position, c. 1714–1733, in their own words. Our reading of what Bernard Mandeville has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingMoral virtues were contrived by politicians, as the offspring of flattery working on pride
Their wordsIt is visible, then, that it was not any heathen religion, or other idolatrous superstition, that first put man upon crossing his appetites and subduing his dearest inclinations, but the skilful management of wary politicians; and the nearer we search into human nature, the more we shall be convinced, that the moral virtues are the political offspring which flattery begot upon pride.
↗The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition)gutenberg.org All 19 from this book