Bernard Mandeville
Anglo-Dutch philosopher and satirist (1670 to 1733); author of The Fable of the Bees.
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Each person's vices, skilfully managed, serve the greatness and happiness of the whole
After that I show that those very vices, of every particular person, by skilful management, were made subservient to the grandeur and worldly happiness of the whole.
gutenberg.orgSaid c. 1714–1733This on korrents
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Each person's vices, skilfully managed, serve the greatness and happiness of the whole
After that I show that those very vices, of every particular person, by skilful management, were made subservient to the grandeur and worldly happiness of the whole.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Few people understand themselves because writers teach what men should be, not what they are
One of the greatest reasons why so few people understand themselves, is, that most writers are always teaching men what they should be, and hardly ever trouble their heads with telling them what they really are.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Moral virtues were contrived by politicians, as the offspring of flattery working on pride
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.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
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Morality's first rules may have been devised chiefly so the ambitious could govern more easily
This was (or at least might have been) the manner after which savage man was broke; from whence it is evident, that the first rudiments of morality, broached 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.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Pity is as much a weakness of our nature as anger, pride or fear
Pity, though it is the most gentle and the least mischievous of all our passions, is yet as much a frailty of our nature, as anger, pride, or fear.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Understood broadly, knavery can be charged against the whole trading part of the people
But if the word Knave may be understood in its full latitude, and comprehend every body that is not sincerely honest, and does to others what he would dislike to have done to himself, I do not question but I shall make good the charge.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
The labour of millions depends on other millions who consume and destroy its products
The labour of millions would soon be at an end, if there were not other millions, as I say, in the fable.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Chastity may be supported by unchastity, and the best virtues need the help of the worst vices
From whence I think I may justly conclude (what was the seeming paradox I went about to prove) that chastity may be supported by incontinence, and the best of virtues want the assistance of the worst of vices.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
If nobody were in want, nobody would work
If nobody did want, nobody would work; but the greatest hardships are looked upon as solid pleasures, when they keep a man from starving.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Frugality, like honesty, is a starving virtue fit only for small peaceable societies
Frugality is like honesty, a mean starving virtue, that is only fit for small societies of good peaceable men, who are contented to be poor, so they may be easy; but, in a large stirring nation, you may have soon enough of it.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
No quality does more to make a society wealthy than pride, yet it is the most detested
We are possessed of no other quality so beneficial to society, and so necessary to render it wealthy and flourishing as this, yet it is that which is most generally detested.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
We are ashamed of envy because we learn from the cradle to hide our self-love
That we are so generally ashamed of this vice, is owing to that strong habit of hypocrisy, by the help of which, we have learned from our cradle to hide even from ourselves the vast extent of self-love, and all its different branches.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Nothing refines mankind more than love and honour
There is nothing refines mankind more than love and honour.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Contentment is either close kin to laziness or even more opposed to industry
If what has been said in this remark be duly weighed, we shall find either, that laziness and content are very near a-kin, or, if there be a great difference between them, that the latter is more contrary to industry than the former.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
A people cannot be at once honest and frugal and also opulent, powerful and comfortable
This perhaps might be done where people are contented to be poor and hardy; but if they would likewise enjoy their ease and the comforts of the world, and be at once an opulent, potent, and flourishing, as well as a warlike nation, it is utterly impossible.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Tradesmen's luxury and display are only what a flourishing capital ought to have
Call this pride, luxury, superfluity, or what you please, it is nothing but what ought to be in the capital of a flourishing nation: those of inferior condition must content themselves with less costly conveniencies, as others of higher rank will be sure to make theirs more expensive.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
A happy society requires that great numbers of the poor stay ignorant as well as poor
To make the society happy, and people easy under the meanest circumstances, it is requisite that great numbers of them should be ignorant, as well as poor. Knowledge both enlarges and multiplies our desires, and the fewer things a man wishes for, the more easily his necessities may be supplied.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
For poor children school is idleness that leaves them less fit for hard labour
Going to school, in comparison to working, is idleness, and the longer boys continue in this easy sort of life, the more unfit they will be when grown up for downright labour, both as to strength and inclination.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
Looked at closely, our friendly sociable behaviour only serves to strengthen our own interest
These things by superficial judges, are attributed to mans sociableness, his natural propensity to friendship and love of company; but whoever will duly examine things, and look into man more narrowly, will find, that on all these occasions we only endeavour to strengthen our interest, and are moved by the causes already alleged.
The Fable of the Bees; or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (1714; 1806 edition) Said c. 1714–1733
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