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Quote by Bernard de Mandeville

“The first Rudiments of Morality, broach'd by skilful Politicians, to render Men useful to each other as well as tractable, were chiefly contrived that the Ambitious might reap the more Benefit from, and govern vast Numbers of them with the greater Ease and Security.”

Quote by Bernard de Mandeville

Book:The Fable of the Bees
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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

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Book:The Fable of the Bees
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“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.”

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Author:Bernard de Mandeville
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“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.”

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“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!”

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Book:The Fable of the Bees
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