“If laying aside all worldly Greatness and Vain-Glory, I should be ask'd where I thought it was most probable that Men might enjoy true Happiness, I would prefer a small peaceable Society, in which Men, neither envy'd nor esteem'd by Neighbours, should be contented to live upon the Natural Product of the Spot they inhabit, to a vast Multitude abounding in Wealth and Power, that should always be conquering others by their Arms Abroad, and debauching themselves by Foreign Luxury at Home.” IfsMenShouldHomeMightAsksEnjoyNaturalWealthGreatnessProductsArmsGloryEnvyEsteemSpotsLuxuryConquerVainMultitudesWorldlyNeighbourTrue HappinessConquering Others Book:The Fable of the Bees Source: The Fable of the Bees
“One good Man may take another's Word, if they so agree, but a whole Nation ought never to trust to any Honesty, but what is built upon Necessity; for unhappy is the People, and their Constitution will be ever precarious, whose Welfare must depend upon the Virtues and Consciences of Ministers and Politicians.” PeopleIfsMenMayWholeNationsVirtueHonestyDependsOughtPoliticianConscienceBuiltConstitutionAgreeUnhappyMinistersWelfareGood ManPrecarious Author:Bernard de Mandeville
“What a vast Traffick is drove, what a variety of Labour is performed in the World to the Maintenance of Thousands of Families that altogether depend on two silly if not odious Customs; the taking of Snuff and smoking of Tobacco; both which it is certain do infinitely more hurt than good to those that are addicted to them!” IfsWorldTwoCertainHurtDependsSillyVarietySmokingLabourCustomsTobaccoMaintenanceSnuff Book:The Fable of the Bees Source: The Fable of the Bees
“The only thing of weight that can be said against modern honor is that it is directly opposite to religion. The one bids you bear injuries with patience, the other tells you if you don't resent them, you are not fit to live.” IfsSaidReligionModernBearsHonorFitOppositesWeightPatienceInjuryResent Author:Bernard de Mandeville
“If Courtezans and Strumpets were to be prosecuted with as much Rigour as some silly People would have it, what Locks or Bars would be sufficient to preserve the Honour of our Wives and Daughters?” PeopleIfsWould BeWifeDaughterSillyBarsPreservesSufficientHonourLocksProstitutionCourtesansRigourWife And DaughterSilly People Book:The Fable of the Bees Source: The Fable of the Bees
“The multitude will hardly believe the excessive force of education, and in the difference of modesty between men and women, ascribe that to nature, which is altogether owing to early instruction: Miss is scarce three years old, but she's spoke to every day to hide her leg, and rebuked in good earnest if she shows it; whilst little Master at the same age is bid to take up his coats, and piss like a man.” IfsMenYearsBelieveLittlesShowsAgeThreeForceDifferencesMissingMastersMen And WomenLegsSpokesThree YearsInstructionModestyMultitudesCoatsEarnestScarceOwingThree Year OldsExcessive Force Book:The Fable of the Bees Source: The Fable of the Bees
