List of Bernard de Mandeville Quotes

Explore our hand-picked selection of 23 inspiring quotes by Bernard de Mandeville.

About Bernard de Mandeville

  • Born: November 15, 1670
  • Died: January 21, 1733
  • Occupation: Philosopher
    • 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.
    Believe Men Years
    This laudable quality is commonly known by the name of manners and good-breeding, and consists in a fashionable habit, acquir'd by precept and example, of flattering the pride and selfishness of others, and concealing our own with judgment and dexterity.
    Pride Names Quality
    People of substance may sin without being exposed for their stolen pleasure; but servants and the poorer sort of women have seldom an opportunity of concealing a big belly, or at least the consequences of it.
    Opportunity People Substance
    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!
    Hurt Silly Two
    Ye children of promise who are awaiting your call to glory, take possession of the inheritance that now is yours. by faith take the promises. live upon them, not upon emotions. remember, feeling is not faith. faith grasps and clings to the promises. faith says, "i am certain, not because feeling testifies to it, but because god says it.
    Faith Children Feelings
    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.
    Pride Men Political
    There are many examples of women that have excelled in learning, and even in war, but this is no reason we should bring em all up to latin and greek or else military discipline, instead of needle-work and housewifery.
    Military War Latin
    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?
    Daughter Silly Wife
    There is no intrinsic worth in money but what is alterable with the times, and whether a guinea goes for twenty pounds or for a shilling, it is the labor of the poor and not the high and low value that is set on gold or silver, which all the comforts of life must arise from.
    Money Gold Twenties
    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.
    Patience Opposites Honor
    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.
    People Beef Alive
    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.
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