第2章

Astotheirclothes,observehowlittleworkisspentinthem:

whiletheyareatlabor,theyareclothedwithleatherandskins。

castcarelesslyaboutthem,whichwilllastsevenyears;andwhen

theyappearinpublictheyputonanuppergarment,whichhides

theother;andtheseareallofonecolor,andthatisthenatural

colorofthewool。Astheyneedlesswoollencloththanisused

anywhereelse,sothatwhichtheymakeuseofismuchlesscostly。

Theyuselinenclothmore;butthatispreparedwithlesslabor,

andtheyvalueclothonlybythewhitenessofthelinenorthe

cleannessofthewool,withoutmuchregardtothefinenessofthe

thread:whileinotherplaces,fourorfiveuppergarmentsof

woollencloth,ofdifferentcolors,andasmanyvestsofsilk,

willscarceserveoneman;andwhilethosethatarenicerthink

tenaretoofew,everymanthereiscontentwithone,whichvery

oftenserveshimtwoyears。Noristhereanythingthatcantempta

mantodesiremore;forifhehadthem,hewouldneitherbethe

warmernorwouldhemakeonejotthebetterappearanceforit。And

thus,sincetheyareallemployedinsomeusefullabor,andsince

theycontentthemselveswithfewerthings,itfallsoutthatthere

isagreatabundanceofallthingsamongthem:sothatit

frequentlyhappensthat,forwantofotherwork,vastnumbersare

sentouttomendthehighways。Butwhennopublicundertakingis

tobeperformed,thehoursofworkingarelessened。The

magistratesneverengagethepeopleinunnecessarylabor,since

thechiefendoftheconstitutionistoregulatelaborbythe

necessitiesofthepublic,andtoallowallthepeopleasmuch

timeasisnecessaryfortheimprovementoftheirminds,inwhich

theythinkthehappinessoflifeconsists。

BOOKII:OFTHEIRTRAFFIC

BUTitisnowtimetoexplaintoyouthemutualintercourseof

thispeople,theircommerce,andtherulesbywhichallthingsare

distributedamongthem。

Astheircitiesarecomposedoffamilies,sotheirfamiliesare

madeupofthosethatarenearlyrelatedtooneanother。Their

women,whentheygrowup,aremarriedout;butallthemales,both

childrenandgrandchildren,livestillinthesamehouse,ingreat

obediencetotheircommonparent,unlessagehasweakenedhis

understanding:andinthatcase,hethatisnexttohiminage

comesinhisroom。Butlestanycityshouldbecomeeithertoo

great,orbyanyaccidentbedispeopled,provisionismadethat

noneoftheircitiesmaycontainabove6,000families,besides

thoseofthecountryroundit。Nofamilymayhavelessthanten

andmorethansixteenpersonsinit;buttherecanbeno

determinednumberforthechildrenunderage。Thisruleiseasily

observed,byremovingsomeofthechildrenofamorefruitful

coupletoanyotherfamilythatdoesnotaboundsomuchinthem。

Bythesamerule,theysupplycitiesthatdonotincreasesofast,

fromothersthatbreedfaster;andifthereisanyincreaseover

thewholeisland,thentheydrawoutanumberoftheircitizens

outoftheseveraltowns,andsendthemovertotheneighboring

continent;where,iftheyfindthattheinhabitantshavemoresoil

thantheycanwellcultivate,theyfixacolony,takingthe

inhabitantsintotheirsociety,iftheyarewillingtolivewith

them;andwheretheydothatoftheirownaccord,theyquickly

enterintotheirmethodoflife,andconformtotheirrules,and

thisprovesahappinesstobothnations;foraccordingtotheir

constitution,suchcareistakenofthesoilthatitbecomes

fruitfulenoughforboth,thoughitmightbeotherwisetoonarrow

andbarrenforanyoneofthem。Butifthenativesrefuseto

conformthemselvestotheirlaws,theydrivethemoutofthose

boundswhichtheymarkoutforthemselves,anduseforceifthey

resist。Fortheyaccountitaveryjustcauseofwar,foranation

tohinderothersfrompossessingapartofthatsoilofwhichthey

makenouse,butwhichissufferedtolieidleanduncultivated;

sinceeverymanhasbythelawofnaturearighttosuchawaste

portionoftheearthasisnecessaryforhissubsistence。Ifan

accidenthassolessenedthenumberoftheinhabitantsofanyof

theirtownsthatitcannotbemadeupfromtheothertownsofthe

island,withoutdiminishingthemtoomuch,whichissaidtohave

fallenoutbuttwicesincetheywerefirstapeople,whengreat

numberswerecarriedoffbytheplague,thelossisthensupplied

byrecallingasmanyasarewantedfromtheircolonies;forthey

willabandonthese,ratherthansufferthetownsintheislandto

sinktoolow。

Buttoreturntotheirmanneroflivinginsociety,theoldestman

ofeveryfamily,ashasbeenalreadysaid,isitsgovernor。Wives

servetheirhusbands,andchildrentheirparents,andalwaysthe

youngerservestheelder。Everycityisdividedintofourequal

parts,andinthemiddleofeachthereisamarketplace:whatis

broughtthither,andmanufacturedbytheseveralfamilies,is

carriedfromthencetohousesappointedforthatpurpose,inwhich

allthingsofasortarelaidbythemselves;andthitherevery

fathergoesandtakeswhatsoeverheorhisfamilystandinneed

of,withouteitherpayingforitorleavinganythinginexchange。

Thereisnoreasonforgivingadenialtoanyperson,sincethere

issuchplentyofeverythingamongthem;andthereisnodangerof

aman’saskingformorethanheneeds;theyhavenoinducementsto

dothis,sincetheyaresurethattheyshallalwaysbesupplied。

Itisthefearofwantthatmakesanyofthewholeraceofanimals

eithergreedyorravenous;butbesidesfear,thereisinmana

pridethatmakeshimfancyitaparticularglorytoexcelothers

inpompandexcess。ButbythelawsoftheUtopians,thereisno

roomforthis。Nearthesemarketsthereareothersforallsorts

ofprovisions,wheretherearenotonlyherbs,fruits,andbread,

butalsofish,fowl,andcattle。

Therearealso,withouttheirtowns,placesappointednearsome

runningwater,forkillingtheirbeasts,andforwashingaway

theirfilth,whichisdonebytheirslaves:fortheysuffernone

oftheircitizenstokilltheircattle,becausetheythinkthat

pityandgood-nature,whichareamongthebestofthoseaffections

thatarebornwithus,aremuchimpairedbythebutcheringof

animals:nordotheysufferanythingthatisfouloruncleantobe

broughtwithintheirtowns,lesttheairshouldbeinfectedby

ill-smellswhichmightprejudicetheirhealth。Ineverystreet

therearegreathallsthatlieatanequaldistancefromeach

other,distinguishedbyparticularnames。Thesyphograntsdwellin

thosethataresetoverthirtyfamilies,fifteenlyingononeside

ofit,andasmanyontheother。Inthesehallstheyallmeetand

havetheirrepasts。Thestewardsofeveryoneofthemcometothe

market-placeatanappointedhour;andaccordingtothenumberof

thosethatbelongtothehall,theycarryhomeprovisions。But

theytakemorecareoftheirsickthanofanyothers:theseare

lodgedandprovidedforinpublichospitalstheyhavebelongingto

everytownfourhospitals,thatarebuiltwithouttheirwalls,and

aresolargethattheymaypassforlittletowns:bythismeans,

iftheyhadeversuchanumberofsickpersons,theycouldlodge

themconveniently,andatsuchadistance,thatsuchofthemas

aresickofinfectiousdiseasesmaybekeptsofarfromtherest

thattherecanbenodangerofcontagion。Thehospitalsare

furnishedandstoredwithallthingsthatareconvenientforthe

easeandrecoveryofthesick;andthosethatareputinthemare

lookedafterwithsuchtenderandwatchfulcare,andareso

constantlyattendedbytheirskilfulphysicians,thatasnoneis

senttothemagainsttheirwill,sothereisscarceoneinawhole

townthat,ifheshouldfallill,wouldnotchooserathertogo

thitherthanliesickathome。

Afterthestewardofthehospitalshastakenforthesick

whatsoeverthephysicianprescribes,thenthebestthingsthatare

leftinthemarketaredistributedequallyamongthehalls,in

proportiontotheirnumbers,only,inthefirstplace,theyserve

thePrince,thechiefpriest,thetranibors,theambassadors,and

strangers,ifthereareany,whichindeedfallsoutbutseldom,

andforwhomtherearehouseswellfurnished,particularly

appointedfortheirreceptionwhentheycomeamongthem。Atthe

hoursofdinnerandsupper,thewholesyphograntybeingcalled

togetherbysoundoftrumpet,theymeetandeattogether,except

onlysuchasareinthehospitalsorliesickathome。Yetafter

thehallsareserved,nomanishinderedtocarryprovisionshome

fromthemarket-place;fortheyknowthatnonedoesthatbutfor

somegoodreason;forthoughanythatwillmayeatathome,yet

nonedoesitwillingly,sinceitisbothridiculousandfoolish

foranytogivethemselvesthetroubletomakereadyanilldinner

athome,whenthereisamuchmoreplentifulonemadereadyfor

himsonearathand。Alltheuneasyandsordidservicesabout

thesehallsareperformedbytheirslaves;butthedressingand

cookingtheirmeat,andtheorderingtheirtables,belongonlyto

thewomen,allthoseofeveryfamilytakingitbyturns。Theysit

atthreeormoretables,accordingtotheirnumber;themensit

towardthewall,andthewomensitontheotherside,thatifany

ofthemshouldbetakensuddenlyill,whichisnouncommoncase

amongwomenwithchild,shemay,withoutdisturbingtherest,rise

andgotothenurses’room,whoaretherewiththesucking

children,wherethereisalwayscleanwaterathand,andcradles

inwhichtheymaylaytheyoungchildren,ifthereisoccasionfor

it,andafirethattheymayshiftanddressthembeforeit。

Everychildisnursedbyitsownmother,ifdeathorsicknessdoes

notintervene;andinthatcasethesyphogrants’wivesfindouta

nursequickly,whichisnohardmatter;foranyonethatcandoit

offersherselfcheerfully;forastheyaremuchinclinedtothat

pieceofmercy,sothechildwhomthenurseconsidersthenurseas

itsmother。Allthechildrenunderfiveyearsoldsitamongthe

nurses,therestoftheyoungersortofbothsexes,tilltheyare

fitformarriage,eitherservethosethatsitattableor,ifthey

arenotstrongenoughforthat,standbythemingreatsilence,

andeatwhatisgiventhem;norhavetheyanyotherformalityof

dining。Inthemiddleofthefirsttable,whichstandsacrossthe

upperendofthehall,sitthesyphograntandhiswife;forthat

isthechiefandmostconspicuousplace:nexttohimsittwoof

themostancient,fortheregoalwaysfourtoamess。Ifthereis

atemplewithinthatsyphogranty,thepriestandhiswifesitwith

thesyphograntabovealltherest:nextthemthereisamixtureof

oldandyoung,whoaresoplaced,thatastheyoungaresetnear

others,sotheyaremixedwiththemoreancient;whichtheysay

wasappointedonthisaccount,thatthegravityoftheoldpeople,

andthereverencethatisduetothem,mightrestraintheyounger

fromallindecentwordsandgestures。Dishesarenotservedupto

thewholetableatfirst,butthebestarefirstsetbeforethe

old,whoseseatsaredistinguishedfromtheyoung,andafterthem

alltherestareservedalike。Theoldmendistributetothe

youngeranycuriousmeatsthathappentobesetbeforethem,if

thereisnotsuchanabundanceofthemthatthewholecompanymay

beservedalike。

Thusoldmenarehonoredwithaparticularrespect;yetallthe

restfareaswellasthey。Bothdinnerandsupperarebegunwith

somelectureofmoralitythatisreadtothem;butitissoshort,

thatitisnottediousnoruneasytothemtohearit:fromhence

theoldmentakeoccasiontoentertainthoseaboutthemwithsome

usefulandpleasantenlargements;buttheydonotengrossthe

wholediscoursesotothemselves,duringtheirmeals,thatthe

youngermaynotputinforashare:onthecontrary,theyengage

themtotalk,thatsotheymayinthatfreewayofconversation

findouttheforceofeveryone’sspiritandobservehistemper。

Theydespatchtheirdinnersquickly,butsitlongatsupper;

becausetheygotoworkaftertheone,andaretosleepafterthe

other,duringwhichtheythinkthestomachcarriesonthe

concoctionmorevigorously。Theyneversupwithoutmusic;and

thereisalwaysfruitservedupaftermeat;whiletheyareat

table,someburnperfumesandsprinkleaboutfragrantointments

andsweetwaters:inshort,theywantnothingthatmaycheerup

theirspirits:theygivethemselvesalargeallowancethatway,

andindulgethemselvesinallsuchpleasuresasareattendedwith

noinconvenience。Thusdothosethatareinthetownslive

together;butinthecountry,wheretheyliveatgreatdistance,

everyoneeatsathome,andnofamilywantsanynecessarysortof

provision,foritisfromthemthatprovisionsaresentuntothose

thatliveinthetowns。

BOOKII:OFTHETRAVELLINGOFTHEUTOPIANS

IFanymanhasamindtovisithisfriendsthatliveinsomeother

town,ordesirestotravelandseetherestofthecountry,he

obtainsleaveveryeasilyfromthesyphograntandtraniborswhen

thereisnoparticularoccasionforhimathome:suchastravel,

carrywiththemapassportfromthePrince,whichbothcertifies

thelicensethatisgrantedfortravelling,andlimitsthetimeof

theirreturn。Theyarefurnishedwithawagon,andaslavewho

drivestheoxenandlooksafterthem;butunlesstherearewomen

inthecompany,thewagonissentbackattheendofthejourney

asaneedlessencumbrance。Whiletheyareontheroad,theycarry

noprovisionswiththem;yettheywantnothing,butareeverywhere

treatedasiftheywereathome。Iftheystayinanyplacelonger

thananight,everyonefollowshisproperoccupation,andisvery

wellusedbythoseofhisowntrade;butifanymangoesoutof

thecitytowhichhebelongs,withoutleave,andisfoundrambling

withoutapassport,heisseverelytreated,heispunishedasa

fugitive,andsenthomedisgracefully;andifhefallsagaininto

thelikefault,iscondemnedtoslavery。Ifanymanhasamindto

travelonlyovertheprecinctofhisowncity,hemayfreelydo

it,withhisfather’spermissionandhiswife’sconsent;butwhen

hecomesintoanyofthecountryhouses,ifheexpectstobe

entertainedbythem,hemustlaborwiththemandconformtotheir

rules:andifhedoesthis,hemayfreelygooverthewhole

precinct;beingthusasusefultothecitytowhichhebelongs,as

ifhewerestillwithinit。Thusyouseethattherearenoidle

personsamongthem,norpretencesofexcusinganyfromlabor。

Therearenotaverns,noalehousesnorstewsamongthem;norany

otheroccasionsofcorruptingeachother,ofgettingintocorners,

orformingthemselvesintoparties:allmenliveinfullview,so

thatallareobliged,bothtoperformtheirordinarytasks,andto

employthemselveswellintheirsparehours。Anditiscertain

thatapeoplethusorderedmustliveingreatabundanceofall

things;andthesebeingequallydistributedamongthem,nomancan

want,orbeobligedtobeg。

IntheirgreatCouncilatAmaurot,towhichtherearethreesent

fromeverytownonceayear,theyexaminewhattownsaboundin

provisionsandwhatareunderanyscarcity,thatsotheonemaybe

furnishedfromtheother;andthisisdonefreely,withoutany

sortofexchange;foraccordingtotheirplentyorscarcitythey

supplyoraresuppliedfromoneanother;sothatindeedthewhole

islandis,asitwere,onefamily。Whentheyhavethustakencare

oftheirwholecountry,andlaidupstoresfortwoyears,which

theydotopreventtheill-consequencesofanunfavorableseason,

theyorderanexportationoftheoverplus,ofcorn,honey,wool,

flax,wood,wax,tallow,leather,andcattle;whichtheysendout

commonlyingreatquantitiestoothernations。Theyordera

seventhpartofallthesegoodstobefreelygiventothepoorof

thecountriestowhichtheysendthem,andselltherestat

moderaterates。Andbythisexchange,theynotonlybringback

thosefewthingsthattheyneedathome(forindeedtheyscarce

needanythingbutiron),butlikewiseagreatdealofgoldand

silver;andbytheirdrivingthistradesolong,itisnottobe

imaginedhowvastatreasuretheyhavegotamongthem:sothatnow

theydonotmuchcarewhethertheysellofftheirmerchandisefor

moneyinhand,orupontrust。

Agreatpartoftheirtreasureisnowinbonds;butinalltheir

contractsnoprivatemanstandsbound,butthewritingrunsinthe

nameofthetown;andthetownsthatowethemmoneyraiseitfrom

thoseprivatehandsthatoweittothem,layitUpintheirpublic

chamber,orenjoytheprofitofittilltheUtopianscallforit;

andtheychooserathertoletthegreatestpartofitlieintheir

handswhomakeadvantagebyit,thantocallforitthemselves:

butiftheyseethatanyoftheirotherneighborsstandmorein

needofit,thentheycallitinandlendittothem:whenever

theyareengagedinwar,whichistheonlyoccasioninwhichtheir

treasurecanbeusefullyemployed,theymakeuseofitthemselves。

Ingreatextremitiesorsuddenaccidentstheyemployitinhiring

foreigntroops,whomtheymorewillinglyexposetodangerthan

theirownpeople:theygivethemgreatpay,knowingwellthatthis

willworkevenontheirenemies,thatitwillengagethemeither

tobetraytheirownside,oratleasttodesertit,andthatitis

thebestmeansofraisingmutualjealousiesamongthem:forthis

endtheyhaveanincredibletreasure;buttheydonotkeepitasa

treasure,butinsuchamannerasIamalmostafraidtotell,lest

youthinkitsoextravagant,astobehardlycredible。ThisIhave

themorereasontoapprehend,becauseifIhadnotseenitmyself,

Icouldnothavebeeneasilypersuadedtohavebelieveditupon

anyman’sreport。

Itiscertainthatallthingsappearincredibletous,in

proportionastheydifferfromourowncustoms。Butonewhocan

judgearightwillnotwondertofindthat,sincetheir

constitutiondifferssomuchfromours,theirvalueofgoldand

silvershouldbemeasuredbyaverydifferentstandard;forsince

theyhavenouseformoneyamongthemselves,butkeepitasa

provisionagainsteventswhichseldomhappen,andbetweenwhich

therearegenerallylonginterveningintervals,theyvalueitno

fartherthanitdeserves,thatis,inproportiontoitsuse。So

thatitisplaintheymustpreferironeithertogoldorsilver;

formencannomorelivewithoutironthanwithoutfireorwater,

butnaturehasmarkedoutnousefortheothermetals,so

essentialasnoteasilytobedispensedwith。Thefollyofmenhas

enhancedthevalueofgoldandsilver,becauseoftheirscarcity。

Whereas,onthecontrary,itistheiropinionthatnature,asan

indulgentparent,hasfreelygivenusallthebestthingsingreat

abundance,suchaswaterandearth,buthaslaidupandhidfrom

usthethingsthatarevainanduseless。

Ifthesemetalswerelaidupinanytowerinthekingdom,itwould

raiseajealousyofthePrinceandSenate,andgivebirthtothat

foolishmistrustintowhichthepeopleareapttofall,ajealousy

oftheirintendingtosacrificetheinterestofthepublicto

theirownprivateadvantage。Iftheyshouldworkitintovessels

oranysortofplate,theyfearthatthepeoplemightgrowtoo

fondofit,andsobeunwillingtolettheplateberundownifa

warmadeitnecessarytoemployitinpayingtheirsoldiers。To

preventalltheseinconveniences,theyhavefallenuponan

expedient,which,asitagreeswiththeirotherpolicy,soisit

verydifferentfromours,andwillscarcegainbeliefamongus,

whovaluegoldsomuchandlayitupsocarefully。Theyeatand

drinkoutofvesselsofearth,orglass,whichmakeanagreeable

appearancethoughformedofbrittlematerials:whiletheymake

theirchamber-potsandclose-stoolsofgoldandsilver;andthat

notonlyintheirpublichalls,butintheirprivatehouses:of

thesamemetalstheylikewisemakechainsandfettersfortheir

slaves;tosomeofwhich,asabadgeofinfamy,theyhanganear-

ringofgold,andmakeotherswearachainorcoronetofthesame

metal;andthustheytakecare,byallpossiblemeans,torender

goldandsilverofnoesteem。Andfromhenceitisthatwhile

othernationspartwiththeirgoldandsilverasunwillinglyasif

onetoreouttheirbowels,thoseofUtopiawouldlookontheir

givinginalltheypossessofthose(metals,whentherewasany

useforthem)butasthepartingwithatrifle,oraswewould

esteemthelossofapenny。Theyfindpearlsontheircoast,and

diamondsandcarbunclesontheirrocks;theydonotlookafter

them,but,iftheyfindthembychance,theypolishthem,andwith

themtheyadorntheirchildren,whoaredelightedwiththem,and

gloryinthemduringtheirchildhood;butwhentheygrowtoyears,

andseethatnonebutchildrenusesuchbaubles,theyoftheirown

accord,withoutbeingbidbytheirparents,laythemaside;and

wouldbeasmuchashamedtousethemafterwardaschildrenamong

us,whentheycometoyears,areoftheirpuppetsandothertoys。

Ineversawaclearerinstanceoftheoppositeimpressionsthat

differentcustomsmakeonpeople,thanIobservedinthe

ambassadorsoftheAnemolians,whocametoAmaurotwhenIwas

there。Astheycametotreatofaffairsofgreatconsequence,the

deputiesfromseveraltownsmettogethertowaitfortheircoming。

TheambassadorsofthenationsthatlienearUtopia,knowingtheir

customs,andthatfineclothesareinnoesteemamongthem,that

silkisdespised,andgoldisabadgeofinfamy,usedtocomevery

modestlyclothed;buttheAnemolians,lyingmoreremote,and

havinghadlittlecommercewiththem,understandingthattheywere

coarselyclothed,andallinthesamemanner,tookitforgranted

thattheyhadnoneofthosefinethingsamongthemofwhichthey

madenouse;andtheybeingavaingloriousratherthanawise

people,resolvedtosetthemselvesoutwithsomuchpomp,that

theyshouldlooklikegods,andstriketheeyesofthepoor

Utopianswiththeirsplendor。Thusthreeambassadorsmadetheir

entrywith100attendants,allcladingarmentsofdifferent

colors,andthegreaterpartinsilk;theambassadorsthemselves,

whowereofthenobilityoftheircountry,wereincloth-of-gold,

andadornedwithmassychains,ear-rings,andringsofgold:their

capswerecoveredwithbraceletssetfullofpearlsandother

gems:inaword,theyweresetoutwithallthosethingsthat,

amongtheUtopians,werethebadgesofslavery,themarksof

infamy,ortheplaythingsofchildren。

Itwasnotunpleasanttosee,ontheoneside,howtheylooked

big,whentheycomparedtheirrichhabitswiththeplainclothes

oftheUtopians,whowerecomeoutingreatnumberstoseethem

maketheirentry:and,ontheother,toobservehowmuchtheywere

mistakenintheimpressionwhichtheyhopedthispompwouldhave

madeonthem。Itappearedsoridiculousashowtoallthathad

neverstirredoutoftheircountry,andhadnotseenthecustoms

ofothernations,thatthoughtheypaidsomereverencetothose

thatwerethemostmeanlyclad,asiftheyhadbeenthe

ambassadors,yetwhentheysawtheambassadorsthemselves,sofull

ofgoldandchains,theylookeduponthemasslaves,andforbore

totreatthemwithreverence。Youmighthaveseenthechildren,

whoweregrownbigenoughtodespisetheirplaythings,andwhohad

thrownawaytheirjewels,calltotheirmothers,pushthemgently,

andcryout,\"Seethatgreatfoolthatwearspearlsandgems,as

ifhewereyetachild。\"Whiletheirmothersveryinnocently

replied,\"Holdyourpeace;this,Ibelieve,isoneofthe

ambassador’sfools。\"Otherscensuredthefashionoftheirchains,

andobservedthattheywereofnouse;fortheyweretooslightto

bindtheirslaves,whocouldeasilybreakthem;andbesideshung

solooseaboutthemthattheythoughtiteasytothrowthemaway,

andsogetfromthem。

Butaftertheambassadorshadstayedadayamongthem,andsawso

vastaquantityofgoldintheirhouses,whichwasasmuch

despisedbythemasitwasesteemedinothernations,andbeheld

moregoldandsilverinthechainsandfettersofoneslavethan

alltheirornamentsamountedto,theirplumesfell,andtheywere

ashamedofallthatgloryforwhichtheyhadformerlyvalued

themselves,andaccordinglylaiditaside;aresolutionthatthey

immediatelytook,whenontheirengaginginsomefreediscourse

withtheUtopians,theydiscoveredtheirsenseofsuchthingsand

theirothercustoms。TheUtopianswonderhowanymanshouldbeso

muchtakenwiththeglaringdoubtfullustreofajewelorastone,

thatcanlookuptoastarortothesunhimself;orhowany

shouldvaluehimselfbecausehisclothismadeofafinerthread:

forhowfinesoeverthatthreadmaybe,itwasoncenobetterthan

thefleeceofasheep,andthatsheepwasasheepstillforall

itswearingit。Theywondermuchtohearthatgoldwhichinitself

issouselessathing,shouldbeeverywheresomuchesteemed,that

evenmenforwhomitwasmade,andbywhomithasitsvalue,

shouldyetbethoughtoflessvaluethanthismetal。Thatamanof

lead,whohasnomoresensethanalogofwood,andisasbadas

heisfoolish,shouldhavemanywiseandgoodmentoservehim,

onlybecausehehasagreatheapofthatmetal;andthatifit

shouldhappenthatbysomeaccidentortrickoflaw(which

sometimesproducesasgreatchangesaschanceitself)allthis

wealthshouldpassfromthemastertothemeanestvarletofhis

wholefamily,hehimselfwouldverysoonbecomeoneofhis

servants,asifhewereathingthatbelongedtohiswealth,and

sowereboundtofollowitsfortune。Buttheymuchmoreadmireand

detestthefollyofthosewho,whentheyseearichman,though

theyneitherowehimanythingnorareinanysortdependentonhis

bounty,yetmerelybecauseheisrichgivehimlittlelessthan

divinehonors,eventhoughtheyknowhimtobesocovetousand

base-mindedthatnotwithstandingallhiswealthhewillnotpart

withonefarthingofittothemaslongashelives。

Theseandsuchlikenotionshasthatpeopleimbibed,partlyfrom

theireducation,beingbredinacountrywhosecustomsandlaws

areoppositetoallsuchfoolishmaxims,andpartlyfromtheir

learningandstudies;forthoughtherearebutfewinanytown

thataresowhollyexcusedfromlaborastogivethemselves

entirelyuptotheirstudies,thesebeingonlysuchpersonsas

discoverfromtheirchildhoodanextraordinarycapacityand

dispositionforletters;yettheirchildren,andagreatpartof

thenation,bothmenandwomen,aretaughttospendthosehoursin

whichtheyarenotobligedtowork,inreading:andthistheydo

throughthewholeprogressoflife。Theyhavealltheirlearning

intheirowntongue,whichisbothacopiousandpleasant

language,andinwhichamancanfullyexpresshismind。Itruns

overagreattractofmanycountries,butitisnotequallypure

inallplaces。Theyhadneversomuchasheardofthenamesofany

ofthosephilosophersthataresofamousinthesepartsofthe

world,beforewewentamongthem;andyettheyhadmadethesame

discoveriesastheGreeks,inmusic,logic,arithmetic,and

geometry。Butastheyarealmostineverythingequaltothe

ancientphilosophers,sotheyfarexceedourmodernlogicians;for

theyhaveneveryetfallenuponthebarbarousnicetiesthatour

youthareforcedtolearninthosetriflinglogicalschoolsthat

areamongus;theyaresofarfrommindingchimeras,and

fantasticalimagesmadeinthemind,thatnoneofthemcould

comprehendwhatwemeantwhenwetalkedtothemofmaninthe

abstract,ascommontoallmeninparticular(sothatthoughwe

spokeofhimasathingthatwecouldpointatwithourfingers,

yetnoneofthemcouldperceivehim),andyetdistinctfrom

everyone,asifheweresomemonstrousColossusorgiant。

Yetforallthisignoranceoftheseemptynotions,theyknew

astronomy,andwereperfectlyacquaintedwiththemotionsofthe

heavenlybodies,andhavemanyinstruments,wellcontrivedand

divided,bywhichtheyveryaccuratelycomputethecourseand

positionsofthesun,moon,andstars。Butforthecheat,of

diviningbythestarsbytheiroppositionsorconjunctions,ithas

notsomuchasenteredintotheirthoughts。Theyhaveaparticular

sagacity,foundeduponmuchobservation,injudgingofthe

weather,bywhichtheyknowwhentheymaylookforrain,wind,or

otheralterationsintheair;butastothephilosophyofthese

things,thecausesofthesaltnessofthesea,ofitsebbingand

flowing,andoftheoriginandnaturebothoftheheavensandthe

earth;theydisputeofthem,partlyasourancientphilosophers

havedone,andpartlyuponsomenewhypothesis,inwhich,asthey

differfromthem,sotheydonotinallthingsagreeamong

themselves。

Astomoralphilosophy,theyhavethesamedisputesamongthemas

wehavehere:theyexaminewhatareproperlygoodbothforthe

bodyandthemind,andwhetheranyoutwardthingcanbecalled

trulygood,orifthattermbelongonlytotheendowmentsofthe

soul。Theyinquirelikewiseintothenatureofvirtueand

pleasure;buttheirchiefdisputeisconcerningthehappinessofa

man,andwhereinitconsists?Whetherinsomeonething,orina

greatmany?Theyseem,indeed,moreinclinabletothatopinion

thatplaces,ifnotthewhole,yetthechiefpartofaman’s

happinessinpleasure;and,whatmayseemmorestrange,theymake

useofargumentsevenfromreligion,notwithstandingitsseverity

androughness,forthesupportofthatopinionsoindulgentto

pleasure;fortheyneverdisputeconcerninghappinesswithout

fetchingsomeargumentsfromtheprinciplesofreligion,aswell

asfromnaturalreason,sincewithouttheformertheyreckonthat

allourinquiriesafterhappinessmustbebutconjecturaland

defective。

Thesearetheirreligiousprinciples,thatthesoulofmanis

immortal,andthatGodofhisgoodnesshasdesignedthatitshould

behappy;andthathehasthereforeappointedrewardsforgoodand

virtuousactions,andpunishmentsforvice,tobedistributed

afterthislife。Thoughtheseprinciplesofreligionareconveyed

downamongthembytradition,theythinkthatevenreasonitself

determinesamantobelieveandacknowledgethem,andfreely

confessthatiftheseweretakenawaynomanwouldbeso

insensibleasnottoseekafterpleasurebyallpossiblemeans,

lawfulorunlawful;usingonlythiscaution,thatalesser

pleasuremightnotstandinthewayofagreater,andthatno

pleasureoughttobepursuedthatshoulddrawagreatdealofpain

afterit;fortheythinkitthemaddestthingintheworldto

pursuevirtue,thatisasouranddifficultthing;andnotonlyto

renouncethepleasuresoflife,butwillinglytoundergomuchpain

andtrouble,ifamanhasnoprospectofareward。Andwhatreward

cantherebeforonethathaspassedhiswholelife,notonly

withoutpleasure,butinpain,ifthereisnothingtobeexpected

afterdeath?Yettheydonotplacehappinessinallsortsof

pleasures,butonlyinthosethatinthemselvesaregoodand

honest。

Thereisapartyamongthemwhoplacehappinessinbarevirtue;

othersthinkthatournaturesareconductedbyvirtueto

happiness,asthatwhichisthechiefgoodofman。Theydefine

virtuethus,thatitisalivingaccordingtonature,andthink

thatwearemadebyGodforthatend;theybelievethatamanthen

followsthedictatesofnaturewhenhepursuesoravoidsthings

accordingtothedirectionofreason;theysaythatthefirst

dictateofreasonisthekindlinginusofaloveandreverence

fortheDivineMajesty,towhomweowebothallthatwehaveand

allthatwecaneverhopefor。Inthenextplace,reasondirects

ustokeepourmindsasfreefrompassionandascheerfulaswe

can,andthatweshouldconsiderourselvesasboundbythetiesof

good-natureandhumanitytouseourutmostendeavorstohelp

forwardthehappinessofallotherpersons;forthereneverwas

anymansuchamoroseandseverepursuerofvirtue,suchanenemy

topleasure,thatthoughhesethardrulesformentoundergomuch

pain,manywatchings,andotherrigors,yetdidnotatthesame

timeadvisethemtodoalltheycould,inordertorelieveand

easethemiserable,andwhodidnotrepresentgentlenessandgood-

natureasamiabledispositions。Andfromthencetheyinferthatif

amanoughttoadvancethewelfareandcomfortoftherestof

mankind,therebeingnovirtuemoreproperandpeculiartoour

nature,thantoeasethemiseriesofothers,tofreefromtrouble

andanxiety,infurnishingthemwiththecomfortsoflife,in

whichpleasureconsists,naturemuchmorevigorouslyleadsthemto

doallthisforhimself。

Alifeofpleasureiseitherarealevil,andinthatcasewe

oughtnottoassistothersintheirpursuitofit,butonthe

contrary,tokeepthemfromitallwecan,asfromthatwhichis

mosthurtfulanddeadly;orifitisagoodthing,sothatwenot

onlymay,butoughttohelpotherstoit,why,then,oughtnota

mantobeginwithhimself?Sincenomancanbemoreboundtolook

afterthegoodofanotherthanafterhisown;fornaturecannot

directustobegoodandkindtoothers,andyetatthesametime

tobeunmercifulandcrueltoourselves。Thus,astheydefine

virtuetobelivingaccordingtonature,sotheyimaginethat

naturepromptsallpeopleontoseekafterpleasure,astheendof

alltheydo。Theyalsoobservethatinordertooursupportingthe

pleasuresoflife,natureinclinesustoenterintosociety;for

thereisnomansomuchraisedabovetherestofmankindastobe

theonlyfavoriteofnaturewho,onthecontrary,seemstohave

placedonalevelallthosethatbelongtothesamespecies。Upon

thistheyinferthatnomanoughttoseekhisownconveniencesso

eagerlyastoprejudiceothers;andthereforetheythinkthatnot

onlyallagreementsbetweenprivatepersonsoughttobeobserved,

butlikewisethatallthoselawsoughttobekept,whicheithera

goodprincehaspublishedindueform,ortowhichapeoplethat

isneitheroppressedwithtyrannynorcircumventedbyfraud,has

consented,fordistributingthoseconveniencesoflifewhich

affordusallourpleasures。

Theythinkitisanevidenceoftruewisdomforamantopursue

hisownadvantagesasfarasthelawsallowit。Theyaccountit

pietytopreferthepublicgoodtoone’sprivateconcerns;but

theythinkitunjustforamantoseekforpleasurebysnatching

anotherman’spleasuresfromhim。Andonthecontrary,theythink

itasignofagentleandgoodsoul,foramantodispensewith

hisownadvantageforthegoodofothers;andthatbythismeansa

goodmanfindsasmuchpleasureonewayashepartswithanother;

forashemayexpectthelikefromotherswhenhemaycometoneed

it,soifthatshouldfailhim,yetthesenseofagoodaction,

andthereflectionsthathemakesontheloveandgratitudeof

thosewhomhehassoobliged,givesthemindmorepleasurethan

thebodycouldhavefoundinthatfromwhichithadrestrained

itself。TheyarealsopersuadedthatGodwillmakeupthelossof

thosesmallpleasures,withavastandendlessjoy,ofwhich

religioneasilyconvincesagoodsoul。

Thus,uponaninquiryintothewholematter,theyreckonthatall

ouractions,andevenallourvirtues,terminateinpleasure,as

inourchiefendandgreatesthappiness;andtheycallevery

motionorstate,eitherofbodyormind,inwhichnatureteaches

ustodelight,apleasure。Thustheycautiouslylimitpleasure

onlytothoseappetitestowhichnatureleadsus;fortheysay

thatnatureleadsusonlytothosedelightstowhichreasonas

wellassensecarriesus,andbywhichweneitherinjureanyother

personnorlosethepossessionofgreaterpleasures,andofsuch

asdrawnotroublesafterthem;buttheylookuponthosedelights

whichmenbyafoolishthoughcommonmistakecallpleasure,asif

theycouldchangeaseasilythenatureofthingsastheuseof

words;asthingsthatgreatlyobstructtheirrealhappiness

insteadofadvancingit,becausetheysoentirelypossessthe

mindsofthosethatareoncecaptivatedbythemwithafalse

notionofpleasure,thatthereisnoroomleftforpleasuresofa

truerorpurerkind。

Therearemanythingsthatinthemselveshavenothingthatis

trulydelightful;onthecontrary,theyhaveagooddealof

bitternessinthem;andyetfromourperverseappetitesafter

forbiddenobjects,arenotonlyrankedamongthepleasures,but

aremadeeventhegreatestdesignsoflife。Amongthosewhopursue

thesesophisticatedpleasures,theyreckonsuchasImentioned

before,whothinkthemselvesreallythebetterforhavingfine

clothes;inwhichtheythinktheyaredoublymistaken,bothinthe

opinionthattheyhaveoftheirclothes,andinthattheyhaveof

themselves;forifyouconsidertheuseofclothes,whyshoulda

finethreadbethoughtbetterthanacoarseone?Andyetthese

men,asiftheyhadsomerealadvantagesbeyondothers,anddid

notowethemwhollytotheirmistakes,lookbig,seemtofancy

themselvestobemorevaluable,andimaginethatarespectisdue

tothemforthesakeofarichgarment,towhichtheywouldnot

havepretendediftheyhadbeenmoremeanlyclothed;andeven

resentitasanaffront,ifthatrespectisnotpaidthem。Itis

alsoagreatfollytobetakenwithoutwardmarksofrespect,

whichsignifynothing:forwhattrueorrealpleasurecanoneman

findinanother’sstandingbare,ormakinglegstohim?Willthe

bendinganotherman’skneesgiveeasetoyours?Andwillthe

head’sbeingbarecurethemadnessofyours?Andyetitis

wonderfultoseehowthisfalsenotionofpleasurebewitchesmany

whodelightthemselveswiththefancyoftheirnobility,andare

pleasedwiththisconceit,thattheyaredescendedfromancestors

whohavebeenheldforsomesuccessionsrich,andwhohavehad

greatpossessions;forthisisallthatmakesnobilityatpresent;

yettheydonotthinkthemselvesawhitthelessnoble,though

theirimmediateparentshaveleftnoneofthiswealthtothem,or

thoughtheythemselveshavesquandereditaway。

TheUtopianshavenobetteropinionofthosewhoaremuchtaken

withgemsandpreciousstones,andwhoaccountitadegreeof

happiness,nexttoadivineone,iftheycanpurchaseonethatis

veryextraordinary;especiallyifitbeofthatsortofstones

thatistheningreatestrequest;forthesamesortisnotatall

timesuniversallyofthesamevalue;norwillmenbuyitunlessit

bedismountedandtakenoutofthegold;thejewelleristhenmade

togivegoodsecurity,andrequiredsolemnlytoswearthatthe

stoneistrue,thatbysuchanexactcautionafalseonemightnot

beboughtinsteadofatrue:thoughifyouweretoexamineit,

youreyecouldfindnodifferencebetweenthecounterfeitandthat

whichistrue;sothattheyareallonetoyouasmuchasifyou

wereblind。Orcanitbethoughtthattheywhoheapupauseless

massofwealth,notforanyusethatitistobringthem,but

merelytopleasethemselveswiththecontemplationofit,enjoy

anytruepleasureinit?Thedelighttheyfindisonlyafalse

shadowofjoy。Thosearenobetterwhoseerrorissomewhat

differentfromtheformer,andwhohideit,outoftheirfearof

losingit;forwhatothernamecanfitthehidingitintheearth,

orrathertherestoringittoitagain,itbeingthuscutofffrom

beinguseful,eithertoitsownerortotherestofmankind?And

yettheownerhavinghiditcarefully,isglad,becausehethinks

heisnowsureofit。Ifitshouldbestolen,theowner,thoughhe

mightliveperhapstenyearsafterthetheft,ofwhichheknew

nothing,wouldfindnodifferencebetweenhishavingorlosingit;

forbothwaysitwasequallyuselesstohim。

Amongthosefoolishpursuersofpleasuretheyreckonallthat

delightinhunting,infowling,orgaming:ofwhosemadnessthey

haveonlyheard,fortheyhavenosuchthingsamongthem。Butthey

haveaskedus,whatsortofpleasureisitthatmencanfindin

throwingthedice?Foriftherewereanypleasureinit,they

thinkthedoingofitsooftenshouldgiveoneasurfeitofit:

andwhatpleasurecanonefindinhearingthebarkingandhowling

ofdogs,whichseemratherodiousthanpleasantsounds?Norcan

theycomprehendthepleasureofseeingdogsrunafterahare,more

thanofseeingonedogrunafteranother;foriftheseeingthem

runisthatwhichgivesthepleasure,youhavethesame

entertainmenttotheeyeonboththeseoccasions,sincethatis

thesameinbothcases:butifthepleasureliesinseeingthe

harekilledandtornbythedogs,thisoughtrathertostirpity,

thataweak,harmlessandfearfulhareshouldbedevouredby

strong,fierce,andcrueldogs。Thereforeallthisbusinessof

huntingis,amongtheUtopians,turnedovertotheirbutchers;and

those,ashasbeenalreadysaid,areallslaves;andtheylookon

huntingasoneofthebasestpartsofabutcher’swork:forthey

accountitbothmoreprofitableandmoredecenttokillthose

beaststhataremorenecessaryandusefultomankind;whereasthe

killingandtearingofsosmallandmiserableananimalcanonly

attractthehuntsmanwithafalseshowofpleasure,fromwhichhe

canreapbutsmalladvantage。Theylookonthedesireofthe

bloodshed,evenofbeasts,asamarkofamindthatisalready

corruptedwithcruelty,orthatatleastbythefrequentreturns

ofsobrutalapleasuremustdegenerateintoit。

Thus,thoughtherabbleofmankindlookuponthese,andon

innumerableotherthingsofthesamenature,aspleasures,the

Utopians,onthecontrary,observingthatthereisnothinginthem

trulypleasant,concludethattheyarenottobereckonedamong

pleasures:forthoughthesethingsmaycreatesometicklinginthe

senses(whichseemstobeatruenotionofpleasure),yetthey

imaginethatthisdoesnotarisefromthethingitself,butfroma

depravedcustom,whichmaysovitiateaman’staste,thatbitter

thingsmaypassforsweet;aswomenwithchildthinkpitchor

tallowtastessweeterthanhoney;butasaman’ssensewhen

corrupted,eitherbyadiseaseorsomeillhabit,doesnotchange

thenatureofotherthings,soneithercanitchangethenatureof

pleasure。

Theyreckonupseveralsortsofpleasures,whichtheycalltrue

ones:somebelongtothebodyandotherstothemind。The

pleasuresofthemindlieinknowledge,andinthatdelightwhich

thecontemplationoftruthcarrieswithit;towhichtheyaddthe

joyfulreflectionsonawell-spentlife,andtheassuredhopesof

afuturehappiness。Theydividethepleasuresofthebodyintotwo

sorts;theoneisthatwhichgivesoursensessomerealdelight,

andisperformed,eitherbyrecruitingnature,andsupplyingthose

partswhichfeedtheinternalheatoflifebyeatinganddrinking;

orwhennatureiseasedofanysurchargethatoppressesit;when

wearerelievedfromsuddenpain,orthatwhicharisesfrom

satisfyingtheappetitewhichnaturehaswiselygiventoleadus

tothepropagationofthespecies。Thereisanotherkindof

pleasurethatarisesneitherfromourreceivingwhatthebody

requiresnoritsbeingrelievedwhenovercharged,andyetbya

secret,unseenvirtueaffectsthesenses,raisesthepassions,and

strikesthemindwithgenerousimpressions;thisisthepleasure

thatarisesfrommusic。Anotherkindofbodilypleasureisthat

whichresultsfromanundisturbedandvigorousconstitutionof

body,whenlifeandactivespiritsseemtoactuateeverypart。

Thislivelyhealth,whenentirelyfreefromallmixtureofpain,

ofitselfgivesaninwardpleasure,independentofallexternal

objectsofdelight;andthoughthispleasuredoesnotso

powerfullyaffectus,noractsostronglyonthesensesassomeof

theothers,yetitmaybeesteemedasthegreatestofall

pleasures,andalmostalltheUtopiansreckonitthefoundation

andbasisofalltheotherjoysoflife;sincethisalonemakes

thestateoflifeeasyanddesirable;andwhenthisiswanting,a

manisreallycapableofnootherpleasure。Theylookuponfreedom

frompain,ifitdoesnotrisefromperfecthealth,tobeastate

ofstupidityratherthanofpleasure。

Thissubjecthasbeenverynarrowlycanvassedamongthem;andit

hasbeendebatedwhetherafirmandentirehealthcouldbecalled

apleasureornot?Somehavethoughtthattherewasnopleasure

butwhatwasexcitedbysomesensiblemotioninthebody。Butthis

opinionhasbeenlongagoexcludedfromamongthem,sothatnow

theyalmostuniversallyagreethathealthisthegreatestofall

bodilypleasures;andthatasthereisapaininsickness,which

isasoppositeinitsnaturetopleasureassicknessitselfisto

health,sotheyholdthathealthisaccompaniedwithpleasure:and

ifanyshouldsaythatsicknessisnotreallypain,butthatit

onlycarriespainalongwithit,theylookuponthatasafetchof

subtilty,thatdoesnotmuchalterthematter。Itisallone,in

theiropinion,whetheritbesaidthathealthisinitselfa

pleasure,orthatitbegetsapleasure,asfiregivesheat;soit

begranted,thatallthosewhosehealthisentirehaveatrue

pleasureintheenjoymentofit:andtheyreasonthus——whatisthe

pleasureofeating,butthataman’shealthwhichhadbeen

weakened,does,withtheassistanceoffood,driveawayhunger,

andsorecruitingitselfrecoversitsformervigor?Andbeingthus

refreshed,itfindsapleasureinthatconflict;andifthe

conflictispleasure,thevictorymustyetbreedagreater

pleasure,exceptwefancythatitbecomesstupidassoonasithas

obtainedthatwhichitpursued,andsoneitherknowsnorrejoices

initsownwelfare。Ifitissaidthathealthcannotbefelt,they

absolutelydenyit;forwhatmanisinhealththatdoesnot

perceiveitwhenheisawake?Isthereanymanthatissodulland

stupidasnottoacknowledgethathefeelsadelightinhealth?

Andwhatisdelightbutanothernameforpleasure?

Butofallpleasures,theyesteemthosetobemostvaluablethat

lieinthemind,thechiefofwhicharisesoutoftruevirtue,and

thewitnessesofagoodconscience。Theyaccounthealththechief

pleasurethatbelongstothebody;fortheythinkthatthe

pleasureofeatinganddrinking,andalltheotherdelightsof

sense,areonlysofardesirableastheygiveormaintainhealth。

Buttheyarenotpleasantinthemselves,otherwisethanasthey

resistthoseimpressionsthatournaturalinfirmitiesarestill

makinguponus:forasawisemandesiresrathertoavoiddiseases

thantotakephysic,andtobefreedfrompain,ratherthanto

findeasebyremedies;soitismoredesirablenottoneedthis

sortofpleasure,thantobeobligedtoindulgeit。Ifanyman

imaginesthatthereisarealhappinessintheseenjoyments,he

mustthenconfessthathewouldbethehappiestofallmenifhe

weretoleadhislifeinperpetualhunger,thirst,anditching,

andbyconsequenceinperpetualeating,drinking,andscratching

himself;whichanyonemayeasilyseewouldbenotonlyabasebut

amiserablestateoflife。Theseareindeedthelowestof

pleasures,andtheleastpure;forwecanneverrelishthem,but

whentheyaremixedwiththecontrarypains。Thepainofhunger

mustgiveusthepleasureofeating;andherethepainout-

balancesthepleasure;andasthepainismorevehement,soit

lastsmuchlonger;forasitbeginsbeforethepleasure,soit

doesnotceasebutwiththepleasurethatextinguishesit,and

bothexpiretogether。

Theythink,therefore,noneofthosepleasuresistobevaluedany

furtherthanasitisnecessary;yettheyrejoiceinthem,and

withduegratitudeacknowledgethetendernessofthegreatAuthor

ofnature,whohasplantedinusappetites,bywhichthosethings

thatarenecessaryforourpreservationarelikewisemadepleasant

tous。Forhowmiserableathingwouldlifebe,ifthosedaily

diseasesofhungerandthirstweretobecarriedoffbysuch

bitterdrugsaswemustuseforthosediseasesthatreturn

seldomeruponus?Andthusthesepleasantaswellaspropergifts

ofnaturemaintainthestrengthandthesprightlinessofour

bodies。

Theyalsoentertainthemselveswiththeotherdelightsletinat

theireyes,theirears,andtheirnostrils,asthepleasant

relishesandseasoningsoflife,whichnatureseemstohavemarked

outpeculiarlyforman;sincenoothersortofanimals

contemplatesthefigureandbeautyoftheuniverse;noris

delightedwithsmells,anyfurtherthanastheydistinguishmeats

bythem;nordotheyapprehendtheconcordsordiscordsofsound;

yetinallpleasureswhatsoevertheytakecarethatalesserjoy

doesnothinderagreater,andthatpleasuremayneverbreedpain,

whichtheythinkalwaysfollowsdishonestpleasures。Butthey

thinkitmadnessforamantowearoutthebeautyofhisface,or

theforceofhisnaturalstrength;tocorruptthesprightlinessof

hisbodybyslothandlaziness,ortowasteitbyfasting;thatit

ismadnesstoweakenthestrengthofhisconstitution,andreject

theotherdelightsoflife;unlessbyrenouncinghisown

satisfaction,hecaneitherservethepublicorpromotethe

happinessofothers,forwhichheexpectsagreaterrecompense

fromGod。Sothattheylookonsuchacourseoflifeasthemark

ofamindthatisbothcrueltoitself,andungratefultothe

Authorofnature,asifwewouldnotbebeholdentoHimforHis

favors,andthereforerejectallHisblessings;asonewhoshould

afflicthimselffortheemptyshadowofvirtue;orfornobetter

endthantorenderhimselfcapableofbearingthosemisfortunes

whichpossiblywillneverhappen。