Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Bernard de Mandeville

Quote by Bernard de Mandeville

“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.”

Quote by Bernard de Mandeville

Book:The Fable of the Bees
Create image

Work

The Fable of the Bees

Written by Bernard Mandeville, this seminal work delves into the complexities of human behavior, economic systems, and social order by using the allegory of bees and their hive. The book examines the role of self-interest in the functioning of society and the economy, offering a critical perspective on the moral and ethical implications of individual actions within a collective framework. more

Author

Bernard de Mandeville
Bernard de Mandeville

Bernard de Mandeville was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his contributions to moral philosophy and political economy. He is best known for his work 'The Fable of the Bees', which explores the nature of human behavior and society. more

You May Also Like

“It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature, the more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.”

MenFirstsHumansPoliticalMoralVirtueHuman NaturePridePoliticianManagementConvincedVisibleAppetiteSuperstitionsFlatteryInclinationCrossingsOffspringHeathenMoral Virtues
Book:The Fable of the Bees
Create image

“Some People are not to be persuaded to taste of any Creatures they have daily seen and been acquainted with, while they were alive; others extend their Scruple no further than to their own Poultry, and refuse to eat what they fed and took care of themselves; yet all of them will feed heartily and without Remorse on Beef, Mutton and Fowls when they are bought in the Market.”

PeopleCareAliveTasteCreaturesRefuseFedsRemorseBeefScruplesFowlPoultryMutton
Author:Bernard de Mandeville
Create image

“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
Create image

“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
Create image