The world almost always requires, that talents and knowledge should accompany virtue; and it is thus that the love of praise becomes the seed and spring of great actions. Religion never imposes this condition; its recompenses belong to the ignorant as well as the learned, to the humble spirit as well as to the exalted genius; and it is in animating equally all men, in exciting universal activity, that it effectually concurs to the maintenance of civil order. The world, only judging of actions in their state of maturity, takes not any account of efforts; and, as men do not seize the palm till the moment when they approach the goal, it is necessary, at the commencement of the career, that every one should derive from his own force his courage and perseverance. Religion, on the contrary, if I may say so, dwells with us from the moment that we begin to think; it welcomes our intentions, strengthens our resolutions, and supports us even in the hour of temptation; it is, at all times, and in all situations, that we experience its influence, as we are continually reminded of its rewards. Fame distributing only favours, whose principal value arises from comparisons and competitions, often draws on its favourites the envenomed breath of slander, and then sometimes they doubt about their real value. Religion mingles no bitterness with its reward; it is in obscurity that it confers content; and as it has treasures for all the world, what is granted to some never impoverishes others. The world is often mistaken in its judgment, because in the midst of so vast a circle it is often difficult to distinguish true merit and the splendour which follows it, from the false colours of hypocrisy. Religion extends its influence to the inmost recesses of the heart, and places there an observer, who has a closer view of men than their actions afford, and whom they cannot either deceive or surprise. In short, I will say it, there are moments when the opinion of the world loses its force, and becomes enervated or governed by a servile spirit, it searches to find faults in the oppressed, and attributes grand intentions to powerful men, that it may, without shame, abandon one, and celebrate the other. Ah! it is in such moments we return with delight to the precepts of religion, to those independent principles, which, while they illustrate every thing deserving of esteem or contempt, enable us to follow the dictates of our heart, and speak according to our conscience! Thus, the opinion of the world, whose influence I have seen increase, which unites so many motives to excite men to distinguished actions, and to exalt them even to the great virtues, still ought never to be compared with the universal, invariable influence of religion, and with those sentiments which its precepts inspire men of all ages, of all conditions, and every degree of understanding.