The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits

Name: The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
Author: Mandeville, Bernard

Mandeville, Bernard

Charity-schools -- Early works to 1800; Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Virtue -- Early works to 1800

We know of nothing that can be of greater service to his Majesty,
and the Protestant succession (which is happily established among
us for the defence of the Christian Religion), than the suppression
of blasphemy and profaneness, which has a direct tendency to subvert
the very foundation on which his Majesty's government is fixed.

So restless have these zealots for infidelity been in their diabolical
attempts against religion, that they have,

First, Openly blasphemed and denied the doctrine of the ever Blessed
Trinity, endeavouring, by species pretences, to revive the Arian
heresy, which was never introduced into any nation, but the vengeance
of Heaven pursued it.

Secondly, They affirm an absolute fate, and deny the Providence and
government of the Almighty in the world.

Thirdly, They have endeavoured to subvert all order and discipline
of the church, and by vile and unjust reflections on the clergy, they
strive to bring contempt on all religion; that by the libertinism of
their opinions they may encourage and draw others into the immoralities
of their practice.

Fourthly, That a general libertinism may the more effectually be
established, the universities are decried, and all instructions of
youth in the principles of the Christian religion are exploded with
the greatest malice and falsity.

Fifthly, The more effectually to carry on these works of darkness,
studied artifices, and invented colours, have been made use of to run
down religion and virtue as prejudicial to society, and detrimental
to the state; and to recommend luxury, avarice, pride, and all kind
of vices, as being necessary to public welfare, and not tending to
the destruction of the constitution: nay, the very stews themselves
have had strained apologies and forced encomiums made in their favour,
and produced in print, with design, we conceive, to debauch the nation.

These principles having a direct tendency to the subversion of all
religion and civil government, our duty to the Almighty, our love to
our country, and regard to our oaths, oblige us to present

as the publisher of a book, intituled the Fable of the Bees; or
Private Vices Public Benefits. 2d. Edit. 1723.

And also

as the publisher of a weekly paper, called the British Journal,
Numb. 26, 35, 36, and 39.


The Letter I complain of is this:


My Lord,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

We know of nothing that can be of greater service to his Majesty,
and the Protestant succession (which is happily established among
us for the defence of the Christian Religion), than the suppression
of blasphemy and profaneness, which has a direct tendency to subvert
the very foundation on which his Majesty's government is fixed.

So restless have these zealots for infidelity been in their diabolical
attempts against religion, that they have,

First, Openly blasphemed and denied the doctrine of the ever Blessed
Trinity, endeavouring, by species pretences, to revive the Arian
heresy, which was never introduced into any nation, but the vengeance
of Heaven pursued it.

Secondly, They affirm an absolute fate, and deny the Providence and
government of the Almighty in the world.

Thirdly, They have endeavoured to subvert all order and discipline
of the church, and by vile and unjust reflections on the clergy, they
strive to bring contempt on all religion; that by the libertinism of
their opinions they may encourage and draw others into the immoralities
of their practice.

Fourthly, That a general libertinism may the more effectually be
established, the universities are decried, and all instructions of
youth in the principles of the Christian religion are exploded with
the greatest malice and falsity.

Fifthly, The more effectually to carry on these works of darkness,
studied artifices, and invented colours, have been made use of to run
down religion and virtue as prejudicial to society, and detrimental
to the state; and to recommend luxury, avarice, pride, and all kind
of vices, as being necessary to public welfare, and not tending to
the destruction of the constitution: nay, the very stews themselves
have had strained apologies and forced encomiums made in their favour,
and produced in print, with design, we conceive, to debauch the nation.

These principles having a direct tendency to the subversion of all
religion and civil government, our duty to the Almighty, our love to
our country, and regard to our oaths, oblige us to present

as the publisher of a book, intituled the Fable of the Bees; or
Private Vices Public Benefits. 2d. Edit. 1723.

And also

as the publisher of a weekly paper, called the British Journal,
Numb. 26, 35, 36, and 39.


The Letter I complain of is this:


My Lord,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits

The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits

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