The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public BenefitsMandeville, Bernard
Philosophy
The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
Mandeville, Bernard
Charity-schools -- Early works to 1800; Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Virtue -- Early works to 1800
When I say, that the courage made use of in the wars is artificial,
I do not imagine that by the same art, all men may be made equally
valiant: as men have not an equal share of pride, and differ from
one another in shape and inward structure, it is impossible they
should be all equally fit for the same uses. Some men will never be
able to learn music, and yet make good mathematicians; others will
play excellently well upon the violin, and yet be coxcombs as long
as they live, let them converse with whom they please. But to show
that there is no evasion, I shall prove, that setting aside what I
said of artificial courage already, what the greatest heroe differs
in from the rankest coward, is altogether corporeal, and depends
upon the inward make of man. What I mean is called constitution; by
which is understood the orderly or disorderly mixture of the fluids
in our body: that constitution which favours courage, consists in the
natural strength, elasticity, and due contexture of the finer spirits,
and upon them wholly depends what we call stedfastness, resolution,
and obstinacy. It is the only ingredient that is common to natural
and artificial bravery, and is to either what size is to white walls,
which hinders them from coming off, and makes them lasting. That
some people are very much, others very little frightened at things
that are strange and sudden to them, is likewise altogether owing to
the firmness or imbecility in the tone of the spirits. Pride is of
no use in a fright, because while it lasts we cannot think, which,
being counted a disgrace, is the reason people is always angry with
any thing that frightens them, as soon as the surprise is over;
and when at the turn of a battle the conquerors give no quarter,
and are very cruel, it is a sign their enemies fought well, and had
put them first into great fears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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