Voltaire XI

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E D I T I O N D E L A P A C I F I C A T I O N

T H E W O R K S O F

VOLTAIRE A CONTEMPORARY VERSION

W ITH NOTES BY TOBIAS SMOLLETT, R EVISED AND MODERNIZED

NEW TRANSLATIONS BY W ILLIAM F. FLEMING, AND AN

INTRODUCTION BY OLIVER H. G. LEIGH

A CRITIQUE AND BIOGRAPHY

BY

T H E R T . H O N . J O H N M O R L E Y

F O R T Y - T H R E E V O L U M E S

ONE HUNDRED ANS SIXTY-EIGHT DESIGNS, COMPRISINGS REPRODUCTIONS

OF RARE OLD ENGRAVINGS, STEEL PLATES, PHOTOGRAVURES,

AND CURIOUS FAC-SIMILES

VOLUME XI

AKRON, OHIO

THE WERNER COMPANY

1!"



The WORKS of VOLTAIRE



EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION

Limited to one thousand sets

for America and reat !ritain"

#!et$een t$o ser%ants of &umanit'( $ho a))eared

ei*hteen hundred 'ears a)art( there is a m'sterious re+ation"

, , , , Let us sa' it $ith a sentiment of

)rofound res)ect- .ES/S WEPT- VOLTAIRE S0ILED"

Of that di%ine tear and of that human smi+e is com)osed the

s$eetness of the )resent ci%i+i1ation" 2 2

VICTOR &/O"

32(4

OLD RO/ EN




NOTICE"

&OW TO OPEN A !OOK"

From( #Sfodern !oo56indin*"#

&o+d the 6oo5 $ith its 6ac5 on a smooth or

co%ered ta6+e 4 +et the front 6oard do$n( then

the other( ho+din* the +ea%es in one hand $hi+e

'ou o)en a fe$ +ea%es at the 6ac5( then a fe$ at

the front( and so on( a+ternate+' o)enin* 6ac5

and front( *ent+' )ressin* o)en the sections ti++

'ou reach the center of the %o+ume" Do this t$o

or three times and 'ou $i++ o6tain the 6est re3

su+ts" O)en the %o+ume %io+ent+' or care+ess+'

in an' one )+ace and 'ou $i++ +i5e+' 6rea5 the

6ac5 and cause a start in the +ea%es" Ne%er

force the 6ac5 of the 6oo5"

,2A connoisseur man' 'ears a*o( an e7ce++ent

customer of mine( $ho thou*ht he 5ne$ )er3



fect+' ho$ to hand+e 6oo5s( came into m' o8ce

$hen I had an e7)ensi%e 6indin* 9ust 6rou*ht

from the 6inder' read' to 6e sent home 4 he(

6efore m' e'es( too5 ho+d of the %o+ume and

ti*ht+' ho+din* the +ea%es in each hand( instead

of a++o$in* them free )+a'( %io+ent+' o)ened it

in the center and e7c+aimed - 2 &o$ 6eautifu++'

'our 6indin*s o)en:2 I a+most fainted" &e

had 6 9o5en the 6ac5 of the %o+ume and it had to

6e re6ound"#

;<=>


T&E WORKS OF

VO LTAI R E



A CONTE0PORAR? VERSION

WIT& NOTES !? TO!IAS S0OLLETT( REVISED AND 0ODERNI@ED

NEW TRANSLATIONS !? WILLIA0 F" FLE0IN( AND AN

INTROD/CTION !? OLIVER &" " LEI&

A CRITI/E AND !IORAP&?

!?

T&E RT" &ON" .O&N 0ORLE?

FORT?3T&REE VOL/0ES

ONK &/NDRED AND SIBT?3EI&T DESINS( CO0PRISIN REPROD/CTIONS

OF KAR! OLD ENRAVINS( STEEL PLATES( P&OTORAV/RES(

A0D C/RIO/S FAC3SI0ILES



VOL/0E BI

AKRON( O&IO

T&E WERNER CO0PAN?

;<=>

COP?RI&T ;<=;

!? E" R" Du0oNT

OWNED !?

T&E WERNER CO0PAN?

AKRON( O&IO

I&, WERNER CO0PAN?

Stac5



Anne7

P

O

E>S>

I<O>

i"&

VOLTAIRE

A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR?

IN TEN VOL/0ES

VOL" VII"

.OSEP& 0ISSION



LIST OF PLATES

VOL" BI

PAE

OLD RO/EN """" Frontis)iece

0ONTES/IE/ I==

T&E DREA0 OF &/0AN LIFE " " ";=

ANCIENT RO0E """""" G=

A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR?"

.OSEP&"



T&E histor' of .ose)h( considerin* it mere+' as

an o69ect of curiosit' and +iterature( is one of the

most )recious monuments of antiHuit' $hich has

reached us" It a))ears to 6e the mode+ of a++ the

Orienta+ $riters4 it is more aectin* than the

#Od'sse'# 4 for a hero $ho )ardons is more touch3

in* than one $ho a%en*es"

We re*ard the Ara6s as the Jrst authors of these

in*enious Jctions( $hich ha%e )assed into a++ +an3

*ua*es 4 6ut I see amon* them no ad%entures com3

)ara6+e to those of .ose)h" A+most a++ in it is $on3

derfu+( and the termination e7acts tears of tender3

ness" &e $as a 'oun* man of si7teen 'ears of a*e(

of $hom his 6rothers $ere 9ea+ous4 he is so+d 6'

them to a cara%an of Ishmae+ite merchants( con3

ducted into E*')t( and 6ou*ht 6' a eunuch of the

5in*" This eunuch had a $ife( $hich is not at a++

e7traordinar' 4 the 5is+ar a*a( a )erfect eunuch( has

a sera*+io at this da' at Constantino)+e 4 the' +eft

him some of his senses( and nature in conseHuence

is not a+to*ether e7tin*uished" No matter 4 the

$ife of Poti)har fa++s in +o%e $ith the 'oun* .ose)h(

$ho( faithfu+ to his master and 6enefactor( re9ects



> Phi+oso)hica+

the ad%ances of this $oman" She is irritated at it(

and accuses .ose)h of attem)tin* to seduce her"

Such is the histor' of &i))o+'tus and Phaedra( of

!e++ero)hon and @eno6ia( of &e6rus and Damasi))a(

of 0'rti+us and &i))odamia( etc"

It is di8cu+t to 5no$ $hich is the ori*ina+ of a++

these histories 4 6ut amon* the ancient Ara6ian au3

thors there is a tract re+atin* to the ad%enture of .o3

se)h and Poti)har2s $ife( $hich is %er' in*enious"

The author su))oses that Poti)har( uncertain 6e3

t$een the assertions of his $ife and .ose)h( re*arded

not .ose)h2s tunic( $hich his $ife had torn as a )roof

of the 'oun* man2s outra*e" There $as a chi+d in

a crad+e in his $ife2s cham6er 4 and .ose)h said that

she sei1ed and tore his tunic in the )resence of this

infant" Poti)har consu+ted the chi+d( $hose mind

$as %er' ad%anced for its a*e" The chi+d said

to Poti)har- #See if the tunic is torn 6ehind or

6efore4 if 6efore( it is a )roof that .ose)h $ou+d

em6race 'our $ife 6' force( and that she defended



herse+f 4 if 6ehind( it is a )roof that 'our $ife de3

tained .ose)h"# Poti)har( than5s to the *enius of

the chi+d( reco*ni1ed the innocence of his s+a%e" It

is thus that this ad%enture is re+ated in the Koran(

after the Ara6ian author" It informs us not to $hom

the infant 6e+on*ed( $ho 9ud*ed $ith so much $it"

If it $as not a son of Poti)har( .ose)h $as not

the Jrst $hom this $oman had seduced"

&o$e%er that ma' 6e( accordin* to enesis(

.ose)h is )ut in )rison( $here he Jnds himse+f in

Dictionar'"

com)an' $ith the 6ut+er and 6a5er of the 5in* of

E*')t" These t$o )risoners of state 6oth dreamed

one ni*ht" .ose)h e7)+ains their dreams 4 he )re3

dicted that in three da's the 6ut+er $ou+d 6e re3

cei%ed a*ain into fa%or( and that the 6a5er $ou+d

6e han*ed 4 $hich fai+ed not to ha))en"

T$o 'ears after$ards the 5in* of E*')t a+so

dreams( and his 6ut+er te++s him that there is a 'oun*

.e$ in )rison $ho is the Jrst man in the $or+d for



the inter)retation of dreams" The 5in* causes the

'oun* man to 6e 6rou*ht to him( $ho forete++s se%en

'ears of a6undance and se%en of steri+it'"

Let us here interru)t the thread of the histor' to

remar5( of $hat )rodi*ious antiHuit' is the inter)re3

tation of dreams" .aco6 sa$ in a dream the m's3

terious +adder at the to) of $hich $as od &imse+f"

In a dream he +earned a method of mu+ti)+'in* his

oc5s( a method $hich ne%er succeeded $ith an'

6ut himse+f" .ose)h himse+f had +earned 6' a dream

that he shou+d one da' *o%ern his 6rethren" A6ime3

+ech( a +on* time 6efore( had 6een $arned in a dream(

that Sarah $as the $ife of A6raham"

To return to .ose)h - after e7)+ainin* the dream

of Pharaoh( he $as made Jrst minister on the s)ot"

We dou6t if at )resent "a 5in* cou+d 6e found( e%en

in Asia( $ho $ou+d 6esto$ such an o8ce in return

for an inter)reted dream" Pharaoh es)oused .ose)h

to a dau*hter of Poti)har" It is said that this Pot3

i)har $as hi*h3)riest of &e+io)o+is 4 he $as not

therefore the eunuch( his Jrst master 4 or if it $as





ans$ered to Pharaoh( ou*ht to stri5e a++ those $ho

5no$ ho$ to read" #&o$ o+d art thouM# said the

5in* to him" #The da's of the 'ears of m' )i+*rim3

a*e(# said the o+d man( #are an hundred and thirt'

'ears 4 fe$ and e%i+ ha%e the da's of the 'ears of m'

+ife 6een"# ,

./DA"

I NEVER $as in .udaea( than5 od: and I ne%er

$i++ *o there" I ha%e met $ith men of a++ nations

Dictionar'" <

$ho ha%e returned from it( and the' ha%e a++ of

them to+d me that the situation of .erusa+em is

horri6+e4 that a++ the +and round it is ston'4 that

the mountains are 6are4 that the famous ri%er

.ordan is not more than fort' feet $ide4 that the

on+' *ood s)ot in the countr' is .ericho4 in short(

the' a++ s)o5e of it as St" .erome did( $ho resided

a +on* time in !eth+ehem( and descri6es the countr'

as the refuse and ru66ish of nature" &e sa's that

in summer the inha6itants cannot *et e%en $ater to



drin5" This countr'( ho$e%er( must ha%e a))eared

to the .e$s +u7uriant and de+i*htfu+( in com)arison

$ith the deserts in $hich the' ori*inated" Were

the $retched inha6itants of the Landes to Huit them

for some of the mountains of Lam)ourdan( ho$

$ou+d the' e7u+t and de+i*ht in the chan*e4 and

ho$ $ou+d the' ho)e e%entua++' to )enetrate into the

Jne and fruitfu+ districts of Lan*uedoc( $hich $ou+d

6e to them the +and of )romise :

Such is )recise+' the histor' of the .e$s" .ericho

and .erusa+em are Tou+ouse and 0ont)e++ier( and

the desert of Sinai is the countr' 6et$een !ordeau7

and !a'onne"

!ut if the od $ho conducted the Israe+ites

$ished to 6esto$ u)on them a )+easant and fruitfu+

+and 4 if these $retched )eo)+e had in fact d$e+t in

E*')t( $h' did he not )ermit them to remain in

E*')tM To this $e are ans$ered on+' in the usua+

+an*ua*e of theo+o*'"

.udsea( it is said( $as the )romised +and" od



io Phi+oso)hica+

said to A6raham - #I $i++ *i%e thee a++ the countr'

6et$een the ri%er of E*')t and the Eu)hrates"#

A+as : m' friends( 'ou ne%er ha%e had )ossession

of those ferti+e 6an5s of the Eu)hrates and the Ni+e"

?ou ha%e on+' 6een du)ed and made foo+s of" ?ou

ha%e a+most a+$a's 6een s+a%es" To )romise and

to )erform( m' )oor unfortunate fe++o$s( are dif3

ferent thin*s" There $as an o+d ra66i once amon*

'ou( $ho( $hen readin* 'our shre$d and sa*acious

)ro)hecies( announcin* for 'ou a +and of mi+5 and

hone'( remar5ed that 'ou had 6een )romised more

6utter than 6read" !e assured that $ere the

*reat Tur5 this %er' da' to oer me the +ordshi)

sei*neurie of .erusa+em( I $ou+d )ositi%e+' de3

c+ine it"

Frederic5 III"( $hen he sa$ this detesta6+e coun3

tr'( said( +oud+' enou*h to 6e distinct+' heard( that

0oses must ha%e 6een %er' i++3ad%ised to conduct

his tri6e of +e)ers to such a )+ace as that" #Wh'(#

sa's Frederic5( #did he not *o to Na)+es M# Adieu(

m' dear .e$s 4 I am e7treme+' sorr' that the )rom3

ised +and is the +ost +and"



!? T&E !ARON DE !RO/KANS"

./LIAN"

SECTION I"

./STICE is often done at +ast" T$o of, three

authors( either %ena+ or fanatica+( eu+o*i1e the crue+

and eeminate Constantine as if he had 6een a *od(

and treat as an a6so+ute miscreant the 9ust( the $ise(

Dictionar'" ; ;

and the *reat .u+ian" A++ other authors( co)'in*

from these( re)eat 6oth the atter' and the ca+umn'"

The' 6ecome a+most an artic+e of faith" At +en*th

the a*e of sound criticism arri%es 4 and at the end

of fourteen hundred 'ears( en+i*htened men re%ise

the cause $hich had 6een decided 6' i*norance" In

Constantine $e see a man of successfu+ am6ition(

interna++' sco8n* at thin*s di%ine as $e++ as human"

&e has the inso+ence to )retend that od sent him

a standard in the air to assure him of %ictor'" &e



im6rues himse+f in the 6+ood of a++ his re+ations( and

is +u++ed to s+ee) in a++ the eeminac' of +u7ur'4

6ut he is a Christian he is canoni1ed"

.u+ian is so6er( chaste( disinterested( 6ra%e( and

c+ement 4 6ut he is not a Christian he has +on*

6een considered a monster"

At the )resent da' after ha%in* com)ared facts(

memoria+s and records( the $ritin*s of .u+ian and

those of his enemies $e are com)e++ed to ac5no$+3

ed*e that( if he $as not )artia+ to Christianit'( he

$as some$hat e7cusa6+e in hatin* a sect stained

$ith the 6+ood of a++ his fami+' 4 and that a+thou*h

he had 6een )ersecuted( im)risoned( e7i+ed( and

threatened $ith death 6' the a+i+eans( under the

rei*n of the crue+ and san*uinar' Constantius(

he ne%er )ersecuted them( 6ut on the contrar'

e%en )ardoned ten Christian so+diers $ho had con3

s)ired a*ainst his +ife" &is +etters are read and ad3

mired - #The a+i+eans(# sa's he( #under m' )red3

ecessor( suered e7i+e and im)risonment4 and

; Phi+oso)hica+



those $ho( accordin* to the chan*e of circumstances(

$ere ca++ed heretics( $ere reci)roca++' massacred in

their turn" I ha%e ca++ed home their e7i+es( I ha%e

+i6erated their )risoners( I ha%e restored their )ro)3

ert' to those $ho $ere )roscri6ed( and ha%e com3

)e++ed them to +i%e in )eace 4 6ut such is the rest+ess

ra*e of these a+i+eans that the' de)+ore their in3

a6i+it' an' +on*er to de%our one another"# What a

+etter: What a sentence( dictated 6' )hi+oso)h'(

a*ainst )ersecutin* fanaticism" Ten Christians con3

s)irin* a*ainst his +ife( he detects and he )ardons

them" &o$ e7traordinar' a man : What dastard+'

fanatics must those 6e $ho attem)t to thro$ dis3

*race on his memor' :

In short( on in%esti*atin* facts $ith im)artia+it'(

$e are o6+i*ed to admit that .u+ian )ossessed a++

the Hua+ities of Tra9an( $ith the e7ce)tion of that

de)ra%ed taste too +on* )ardoned to the ree5s and

Romans 4 a++ the %irtues of Cato( $ithout either

his o6stinac' or i++3humor 4 e%er'thin* that deser%es

admiration in .u+ius Caesar( and none of his %ices"

&e )ossessed the continence of Sci)io" Fina++'( he

$as in a++ res)ects eHua+ to 0arcus Aure+ius( $ho

$as re)uted the Jrst of men"



There are none $ho $i++ no$ %enture to re)eat(

a+ter that s+anderer Theodoret( that( in order to

)ro)itiate the *ods( he sacriJced a $oi)an in the

tem)+e of Carres 4 none $ho $i++ re)eat an' +on*er

the stor' of the death scene in $hich he is re)re3

sented as thro$in* dro)s of 6+ood from his hand

Dictionar'" ;"G

to$ards hea%en( ca++in* out to .esus Christ - #a+i3

+ean( thou hast conHuered#4 as if he had fou*ht

a*ainst .esus in ma5in* $ar u)on the Persians 4 as

if this )hi+oso)her( $ho died $ith such )erfect

resi*nation( had $ith a+arm and des)air reco*ni1ed

.esus 4 as if he had 6e+ie%ed that .esus $as in the

air( and that the air $as hea%en : These ridicu+ous

a6surdities of men( denominated fathers of the

Church( are ha))i+' no +on*er current and res)ected"

Sti++( ho$e%er( the eect of ridicu+e $as( it seems(

to 6e tried a*ainst him( as it $as 6' the +i*ht and

*idd' citi1ens of Antioch" &e is re)roached for

his i++3com6ed 6eard and the manner of his $a+5"



!ut 'ou( 0r" A66e de +a !+etterie( ne%er sa$ him

$a+54 'ou ha%e( ho$e%er( read his +etters and his

+a$s( the monuments of his %irtues" Of $hat con3

seHuence $as it( com)arati%e+'( that he had a

s+o%en+' 6eard and an a6ru)t( head+on* $a+5(

$hi+e his heart $as fu++ of ma*nanimit' and a++ his

ste)s tended to %irtue :

One im)ortant fact remains to 6e e7amined at

the )resent da'" .u+ian is re)roached $ith attem)t3

in* to fa+sif' the )ro)hec' of .esus Christ( 6' re3

6ui+din* the tem)+e of .erusa+em" Fires( it is as3

serted( came out of the earth and )re%ented the con3

tinuance of the $or5" It is said that this $as a

mirac+e( and that this mirac+e did not con%ert .u+ian(

nor A+')ius( the su)erintendent of the enter)rise(

nor an' indi%idua+ of the im)eria+ court 4 and u)on

this su69ect the A66e de +a !+etterie thus e7)resses

;Q Phi+oso)hica+

himse+f - #The em)eror and the )hi+oso)hers of his

court undou6ted+' em)+o'ed a++ their 5no$+ed*e of

natura+ )hi+oso)h' to de)ri%e the Deit' of the honor



of so stri5in* and im)ressi%e a )rodi*'" Nature

$as a+$a's the fa%orite resource of un6e+ie%ers4

6ut she ser%es the cause of re+i*ion so %er' season3

a6+'( that the' mi*ht sure+' sus)ect some co++usion

6et$een them"#

;" It is not true that it is said in the os)e+( that

the .e$ish tem)+e shou+d not 6e re6ui+t" The

*os)e+ of 0atthe$( $hich $as e%ident+' $ritten

after the destruction of .erusa+em 6' Titus( )ro)he3

sies( certain+'( that not one stone shou+d remain

u)on another of the tem)+e of the Idumasan &erod 4

6ut no e%an*e+ist sa's that it sha++ ne%er 6e re6ui+t"

It is )erfect+' fa+se that not one stone remained

u)on another $hen Titus demo+ished it" A++ its

foundations remained to*ether( $ith one entire $a++

and the to$er Antonia"

" Of $hat conseHuence cou+d it 6e to the

Su)reme !ein* $hether there $as a .e$ish tem)+e(

a ma*a1ine( or a mosHue( on the s)ot $here the

.e$s $ere in the ha6it of s+au*hterin* 6u++oc5s and

co$sM

G" It is not ascertained $hether it $as from

$ithin the circuit of the $a++s of the cit'( or from



$ithin that of the tem)+e( that those Jres )roceeded

$hich 6urned the $or5men" !ut it is not %er'

o6%ious $h' the .e$s shou+d 6urn the $or5men of

the em)eror .u+ian( and not those of the ca+i)h

Dictionar'" ;

Omar( $ho +on* after$ards 6ui+t a mosHue u)on

the ruins of the tem)+e 4 or those of the *reat Sa+adin

$ho re6ui+t the same mosHue" &ad .esus an' )ar3

ticu+ar )redi+ection for the mosHues of the 0ussu+3

mans

Q" .esus( not$ithstandin* his ha%in* )redicted

that there $ou+d not remain one stone u)on another

in .erusa+em( did not )re%ent the re6ui+din* of that

cit'"

" .esus )redicted man' thin*s $hich od )er3



mitted ne%er to come to )ass" &e )redicted the

end of the $or+d( and his comin* in the c+ouds $ith

*reat )o$ r er and ma9est'( 6efore or a6out the end

of the then e7istin* *eneration" The $or+d( ho$3

e%er( has +asted to the )resent moment( and in a++

)ro6a6i+it' $i++ +ast much +on*er"

>" If .u+ian had $ritten an account of this

mirac+e( I shou+d sa' that he had 6een im)osed u)on

6' a fa+se and ridicu+ous re)ort 4 I shou+d thin5 that

the Christians( his enemies( em)+o'ed e%er' artiJce

to o))ose his enter)rise( that the' themse+%es 5i++ed

the $or5men( and e7cited and )romoted the 6e+ief

of their 6ein* destro'ed 6' a mirac+e 4 6ut .u+ian

does not sa' a sin*+e $ord on the su69ect" The $ar

a*ainst the Persians at that time fu++' occu)ied his

attention 4 he )ut o the re6ui+din* of the tem)+e

to some other time( and he died 6efore he $as a6+e

to commence the 6ui+din*"

" This )rodi*' is re+ated 6' Ammianus 0arce+3

+inus( $ho $as a Pa*an" It is %er' )ossi6+e that it

; > Phi+oso)hica+



ma' ha%e 6een an inter)o+ation of the Christians"

The' ha%e 6een char*ed $ith committin* num6er3

+ess others $hich ha%e 6een c+ear+' )ro%ed"

!ut it is not the +ess )ro6a6+e that at a time $hen

nothin* $as s)o5en of 6ut )rodi*ies and stories of

$itchcraft( Ammianus 0arce++inus ma' ha%e re3

)orted this fa6+e on the faith of some credu+ous

narrator" From Titus Li%ius to de Thou( inc+u3

si%e+'( a++ historians ha%e 6een infected $ith )rodi3

*ies"

" Contem)orar' authors re+ate that at the same

)eriod there $as in S'ria a *reat con%u+sion of the

earth( $hich in man' )+aces 6ro5e out in cona*ra3

tions and s$a++o$ed u) man' cities" There $as

therefore more mirac+e"

<" If .esus )erformed mirac+es( $ou+d it 6e in

order to )re%ent the re6ui+din* of a tem)+e in $hich

he had himse+f sacriJced( and in $hich he $as cir3

cumcised M Or $ou+d he not rather )erform mirac+es

to con%ert to Christianit' the %arious nations $ho

at )resent ridicu+e itM Or rather sti++( to render

more humane( more 5ind( Christians themse+%es(



$ho( from Arius and Athanasius do$n to Ro+and

and the Pa+adins of the Ce%ennes( ha%e shed tor3

rents of human 6+ood( and conducted themse+%es

near+' as mi*ht 6e e7)ected from canni6a+sM

&ence I conc+ude that #nature# i not in #co+3

+usion(# as La !+etterie e7)resses it( $ith Chris3

tianit'( 6ut that La !+etterie is in co++usion $ith some

o+d $omen2s stories( one of those )ersons( as .u+ian

Dictionar'" ;

)hrases it( #Hui6us cum sto+idis anicu+is ne*otium

erat"#

La !+etterie( after ha%in* done 9ustice to some

of .u+ian2s %irtues( 'et conc+udes the histor' of that

*reat man 6' o6ser%in*( that his death $as the eect

of #di%ine %en*eance"# If that 6e the case( a++ the

heroes $ho ha%e died 'oun*( from A+e7ander to

usta%us Ado+)hus( ha%e( $e must infer( 6een )un3

ished 6' od" .u+ian died the no6+est of deaths( in

the )ursuit of his enemies( after man' %ictories"

.o%ian( $ho succeeded him( rei*ned a much shorter



time than he did( and rei*ned in dis*race" I see no

di%ine %en*eance in the matter4 and I see in La

!+etterie himse+f nothin* more than a disin*enuous(

dishonest dec+aimer" !ut $here are the men to 6e

found $ho $i++ dare to s)ea5 out M

Li6anius the Stoic $as one of these e7traordi3

nar' men" &e ce+e6rated the 6ra%e and c+ement

.u+ian in the )resence of Theodosius( the $ho+esa+e

murderer of the Thessa+onians 4 6ut Le !eau and La

!+etterie fear to )raise him in the hearin* of their

o$n )un' )arish o8cers"

SECTION II"

Let an' one su))ose for a moment that .u+ian

had a6andoned fa+se *ods for Christianit' 4 then

e7amine him as a man( a )hi+oso)her( and an em3

)eror 4 and +et the e7aminer then )oint out the man

$hom he $i++ %enture to )refer to him" If he had

+i%ed on+' ten 'ears +on*er( there is *reat )ro6a3

Vo+" II



; Phi+oso)hica+

6i+it' that he $ou+d ha%e *i%en a dierent form to

Euro)e from that $hich it 6ears at )resent"

The Christian re+i*ion de)ended u)on his +ife4

the eorts $hich he made for its destruction ren3

dered his name e7ecra6+e to the nations $ho ha%e

em6raced it" The Christian )riests( $ho $ere his

contem)oraries( accuse him of a+most e%er' crime(

6ecause he had committed $hat in their e'es $as the

*reatest of a++ he had +o$ered and humi+iated them"

It is not +on* since his name $as ne%er Huoted $ith3

out the e)ithet of a)ostate attached to it 4 and it is

)erha)s one of the *reatest achie%ements of reason

that he has at +en*th ceased to 6e mentioned under so

o))ro6rious a desi*nation" Who $ou+d ima*ine

that in one of the #0ercuries of Paris(# for the 'ear

;Q( the author shar)+' re6u5es a certain $riter

for fai+in* in the common courtesies of +ife( 6' ca++3

in* this em)eror .u+ian #the a)ostate#M Not more

than a hundred 'ears a*o the man that $ou+d not

ha%e treated him as an a)ostate $ou+d himse+f ha%e

6een treated as an atheist"

What is %er' sin*u+ar( and at the same time )er3



fect+' true( is that if 'ou )ut out of consideration the

%arious dis)utes 6et$een Pa*ans and Christians(

in $hich this em)eror $as en*a*ed 4 if 'ou fo++o$

him neither to the Christian churches nor ido+atrous

tem)+es( 6ut o6ser%e him attenti%e+' in #his o$n

househo+d( in cam)( in 6att+e( in his manners( his

conduct( and his $ritin*s( 'ou $i++ Jnd him in e%er'

res)ect eHua+ to 0arcus Aure+ius"

Dictionar'" ; <

Thus( the man $ho has 6een descri6ed as so

a6omina6+e and e7ecra6+e( is )erha)s the Jrst( or

at +east the second of man5ind" A+$a's so6er(

a+$a's tem)erate( indu+*in* in no +icentious )+eas3

ures( s+ee)in* on a mere 6ear2s s5in( de%otin* on+'

a fe$ hours( and e%en those $ith re*ret( to s+ee)4

di%idin* his time 6et$een stud' and 6usiness( *en3

erous( susce)ti6+e of friendshi)( and an enem' to

a++ )om)( and )ride( and ostentation" &ad he 6een

mere+' a )ri%ate indi%idua+ he must ha%e e7torted

uni%ersa+ admiration"

If $e consider him in his mi+itar' character( $e



see him constant+' at the head of his troo)s( es3

ta6+ishin* or restorin* disci)+ine $ithout ri*or( 6e3

+o%ed 6' his so+diers and at the same time restrain3

in* their e7cesses( conductin* his armies a+most

a+$a's on foot( and sho$in* them an e7am)+e of

endurin* e%er' s)ecies of hardshi)( e%er %ictorious

in a++ his e7)editions e%en to the +ast moments of

his +ife( and at +en*th d'in* at the *+orious crisis

$hen the Persians $ere routed" &is death $as that

of a hero( and his +ast $ords $ere those of a )hi3

+oso)her- #I su6mit(# sa's he( #$i++in*+' to the

eterna+ decrees of hea%en( con%inced that he $ho is

ca)ti%ated $ith +ife( $hen his +ast hour is arri%ed(

is more $ea5 and )usi++animous than he $ho $ou+d

rush to %o+untar' death $hen it is his dut' sti++ to

+i%e"# &e con%erses to the +ast moment on the im3

morta+it' of the sou+ 4 manifests no re*rets( sho$s

no $ea5ness( and s)ea5s on+' of his su6mission to the

O Phi+oso)hica+

decrees of Pro%idence" Let it 6e remem6ered that

this is the death of an em)eror at the a*e of thirt'3

t$o( and +et it 6e then decided $hether his memor'



shou+d 6e insu+ted"

As an em)eror( $e see him refusin* the tit+e of

#Dominus(# $hich Constantine aected4 re+ie%in*

his )eo)+e from di8cu+ties( diminishin* ta7es( en3

coura*in* the arts 4 reducin* to the moderate amount

of se%ent' ounces each those )resents in cro$ns of

*o+d( $hich had 6efore 6een e7acted from e%er'

cit' to the amount of three or four hundred mar5s 4

)romotin* the strict and *enera+ o6ser%ance of the

+a$s 4 restrainin* 6oth his o8cers and ministers from

o))ression( and )re%entin* as much as )ossi6+e a++

corru)tion"

Ten Christian so+diers cons)ire to assassinate

him 4 the' are disco%ered( and .u+ian )ardons them"

The )eo)+e of Antioch( $ho united inso+ence to

%o+u)tuousness( oer him an insu+t 4 he re%en*es

himse+f on+' +i5e a man of sense 4 and $hi+e he

mi*ht ha%e made them fee+ the $ei*ht of im)eria+

)o$er( he mere+' ma5es them fee+ the su)eriorit' of

his mind" Com)are $ith this conduct the e7ecutions

$hich Theodosius $ho $as %er' near 6ein* made

a saint e7hi6ited in Antioch( and the e%er dread3

fu+ and memora6+e s+au*hter of a++ the inha6itants

of Thessa+onica( for an oence of a some$hat



simi+ar descri)tion 4 and then decide 6et$een these

t$o ce+e6rated characters"

Certain $riters( ca++ed fathers of the Church

Dictionar'" ;

re*or' of Na1ian1en( and Theodoret thou*ht it

incum6ent on them to ca+umniate him( 6ecause he

had a6andoned the Christian re+i*ion" The' did

not consider that it $as the trium)h of that re+i*ion

to )re%ai+ o%er so *reat a man( and e%en o%er a sa*e(

after ha%in* resisted t'rants" One of them sa's

that he too5 a 6ar6arous %en*eance on Antioch and

J++ed it $ith 6+ood" &o$ cou+d a fact so )u6+ic and

atrocious esca)e the 5no$+ed*e of a++ other his3

torians M It is )erfect+' 5no$n that he shed no 6+ood

at Antioch 6ut that of the %ictims sacriJced in the

re*u+ar ser%ices of re+i*ion" Another %entures to

assert that 6efore his death he thre$ some of his

o$n 6+ood to$ards hea%en( and e7c+aimed( 22a+i+ean(

thou hast conHuered"# &o$ cou+d a ta+e so insi)id

and so im)ro6a6+e( e%en for a moment o6tain credit M

Was it a*ainst the Christians that he $as then com3



6atin*M and is such an act( are such e7)ressions(

in the s+i*htest de*ree characteristic of the man M

0inds of a some$hat su)erior order to those of

.u+ian2s detractors ma' )erha)s inHuire( ho$ it

cou+d occur that a statesman +i5e him( a man of so

much inte++ect( a *enuine )hi+oso)her( cou+d Huit the

Christian re+i*ion( in $hich he $as educated( for

Pa*anism( of $hich( it is a+most im)ossi6+e not to

su))ose( he must ha%e fe+t the fo++' and ridicu+e"

It mi*ht 6e inferred that if .u+ian 'ie+ded too much

to the su**estions of his reason a*ainst the m'steries

of the Christian re+i*ion( he ou*ht( at +east in a++ con3

sistenc'( to ha%e 'ie+ded more readi+' to the dictates

Phi+oso)hica+

of the same reason( $hen more correct+' and de3

cided+' condemnin* the fa6+es of Pa*anism"

Perha)s( 6' attendin* a +itt+e to the )ro*ress of

his +ife( and the nature of his character( $e ma'

disco%er $hat it $as that ins)ired him $ith so stron*

an a%ersion to Christianit'" The em)eror Con3



stantine( his *reat3unc+e( $ho had )+aced the

ne$ re+i*ion on the throne( $as stained 6' the

murder of his $ife( his son( his 6rother3in3+a$(

his ne)he$( and his father3in3+a$" The three

chi+dren of Constantine 6e*an their 6+ood' and

6a+efu+ rei*n( $ith murderin* their unc+e and

their cousins" From that time fo++o$ed a series

of ci%i+ $ars and murders" The father( the 6rother(

and a++ the re+ations of .u+ian( and e%en .u+ian him3

se+f( $ere mar5ed do$n for destruction 6' Con3

stantius( his unc+e" &e esca)ed this *enera+ mas3

sacre( 6ut the Jrst 'ears of his +ife $ere )assed in

e7i+e( and he at +ast o$ed the )reser%ation of his

+ife( his fortune( and the tit+e of Caesar( on+' to

Euse6ia( the $ife of his unc+e Constantius( $ho( after

ha%in* had the crue+t' to )roscri6e his infanc'( had

the im)rudence to a))oint him Caesar( and the sti++

further and *reater im)rudence of then )ersecutin*

him"

&e $as( in the Jrst instance( a $itness of the in3

so+ence $ith $hich a certain 6isho) treated #his 6ene3

factress Euse6ia" &e $as ca++ed Leontius( and $as

6isho) of Tri)o+i" &e sent information to the em3

)ress( #that he $ou+d not %isit her un+ess she $ou+d



Dictionar'" G

consent to recei%e him in a manner corres)ondin*

to his e)isco)a+ di*nit' that is( that she shou+d ad3

%ance to recei%e him at the door( that she shou+d

recei%e his 6enediction in a 6endin* attitude( and

that she shou+d remain standin* unti+ he *ranted her

)ermission to 6e seated"# The Pa*an )ontis $ere

not in the ha6it of treatin* )rincesses )recise+' in

this manner( and such 6ruta+ arro*ance cou+d not

6ut ma5e a dee) im)ression on the mind of a 'oun*

man attached at once to )hi+oso)h' and sim)+icit'"

If he sa$ that he $as in a Christian fami+'( he

sa$( at the same time( that he $as in a fami+' ren3

dered distin*uished 6' )arricides4 if he +oo5ed at

the court 6isho)s( he )ercei%ed that the' $ere at

once audacious and intri*uin*( and that a++ anathe3

mati1ed each other in turn" The hosti+e )arties of

Arius and Athanasius J++ed the em)ire $ith con3

fusion and carna*e 4 the Pa*ans( on the contrar'(

ne%er had an' re+i*ious Huarre+s" It is natura+ there3

fore that .u+ian( $ho had 6een educated( +et it 6e

remem6ered( 6' )hi+oso)hic Pa*ans( shou+d ha%e



stren*thened 6' their discourses the a%ersion he

must necessari+' ha%e fe+t in his heart for the Chris3

tian re+i*ion" It is not more e7traordinar' to see

.u+ian Huit Christianit' for fa+se *ods( than to see

Constantine Huit fa+se *ods for Christianit'" It is

hi*h+' )ro6a6+e that 6oth chan*ed for moti%es of

state )o+ic'( and that this )o+ic' $as mi7ed u) in

the mind of .u+ian $ith the stern +oftiness of a stoic

sou+"

Q Phi+oso)hica+

The Pa*an )riests had no do*mas 4 the' did not

com)e+ men to 6e+ie%e that $hich $as incredi6+e4

the' reHuired nothin* 6ut sacriJces( and e%en sacri3

Jces $ere not en9oined under ri*orous )ena+ties4

the' did not set themse+%es u) as the Jrst order in

the state( did not form a state $ithin a state( and

did not mi7 in aairs of *o%ernment" These mi*ht

$e++ 6e considered moti%es to induce a man of

.u+ian2s character to dec+are himse+f on their side4

and if he had )iHued himse+f u)on 6ein* nothin* 6e3

sides a Stoic( he $ou+d ha%e had a*ainst him the

)riests of 6oth re+i*ions( and a++ the fanatics of each"



The common )eo)+e $ou+d not at that time ha%e en3

dured a )rince $ho $as content sim)+' $ith the )ure

$orshi) of a )ure di%init' and the strict o6ser%ance

of 9ustice" It $as necessar' to side $ith one of the

o))osin* )arties" We must therefore 6e+ie%e that

.u+ian su6mitted to the Pa*an ceremonies( as the

ma9orit' of )rinces and *reat men attend the forms

of $orshi) in the )u6+ic tem)+es" The' are +ed

thither 6' the )eo)+e themse+%es( and are often

o6+i*ed to a))ear $hat in fact the' are not4 and

to 6e in )u6+ic the Jrst and *reatest s+a%es of

credu+it'" The Tur5ish su+tan must 6+ess the name

of Omar" The Persian so)hi must 6+ess the name

of A&" 0arcus Aure+ius himse+f $as initiated in

the m'steries of E+eusis"

We ou*ht not therefore to 6e sur)rised that

.u+ian shou+d ha%e de6ased his reason 6' conde3

scendin* to the forms and usa*es of su)erstition4

Dictionar'"

6ut it is im)ossi6+e not to fee+ indi*nant a*ainst

Theodoret( as the on+' historian $ho re+ates that he



sacriJced a $oman in the tem)+e of the moon at

Carres" This infamous stor' must 6e c+assed $ith

the a6surd ta+e of Ammianus( that the *enius of the

em)ire a))eared to .u+ian 6efore his death( and $ith

the other eHua++' ridicu+ous one( that $hen .u+ian

attem)ted to re6ui+d the tem)+e of .erusa+em( there

came *+o6es of Jre out of the earth( and consumed

a++ the $or5s and $or5men $ithout distinction"

I+iacos infra muros )eccatur et e7tra" &ORACE( 6oo5 i(

e)" ii( ; >"

!oth Christians and Pa*ans eHua++'( circu+ated

fa6+es concernin* .u+ian4 6ut the fa6+es of the

Christians( $ho $ere his enemies( $ere J++ed $ith

ca+umn'" Who cou+d e%er 6e induced to 6e+ie%e

that a )hi+oso)her sacriJced a $oman to the moon(

and tore out her entrai+s $ith his o$n handsM Is

such atrocit' com)ati6+e $ith the character of a ri*id

StoicM

&e ne%er )ut an' Christians to death" &e

*ranted them no fa%ors( 6ut he ne%er )ersecuted

them" &e )ermitted them( +i5e a 9ust so%erei*n( to

5ee) their o$n )ro)ert' 4 and he $rote in o))osition

to them +i5e a )hi+oso)her" &e for6ade their teach3



in* in the schoo+s the )rofane authors( $hom the'

endea%ored to decr' this $as not )ersecutin* them 4

and he )re%ented them from tearin* one another to

)ieces in their outra*eous hatred and Huarre+s this

$as )rotectin* them" The' had in fact therefore

> Phi+oso)hica+

nothin* $ith $hich the' cou+d re)roach him( 6ut

$ith ha%in* a6andoned them( and $ith not 6ein* of

their o)inion" The' found means( ho$e%er( of ren3

derin* e7ecra6+e to )osterit' a )rince( $ho( 6ut for

his chan*e of re+i*ion( $ou+d ha%e 6een admired

and 6e+o%ed 6' a++ the $or+d"

A+thou*h $e ha%e a+read' treated of .u+ian(

under the artic+e on #A)ostate# 4 a+thou*h( fo++o$in*

the e7am)+e of e%er' sa*e( $e ha%e de)+ored the

dreadfu+ ca+amit' he e7)erienced in not 6ein* a

Christian( and ha%e done 9ustice e+se$here to his

%arious e7ce++ences( $e must ne%erthe+ess sa' some3

thin* more u)on the su69ect"

We do this in conseHuence of an im)osture



eHua++' a6surd and atrocious( $hich $e casua++' met

$ith in one of those )ett' dictionaries $ith $hich

France is no$ inundated( and $hich unfortunate+'

are so easi+' com)i+ed" This dictionar' of theo+o*'

$hich I am no$ a++udin* to )roceeds from an e73

.esuit( ca++ed Pau+ian( $ho re)eats the stor'( so dis3

credited and a6surd( that the em)eror .u+ian( after

6ein* morta++' $ounded in a 6att+e $ith the Per3

sians( thre$ some of his 6+ood to$ards hea%en( e73

c+aimin*( #a+i+ean( thou hast conHuered# a fa6+e

$hich destro's itse+f( as .u+ian $as conHueror in the

6att+e( and .esus Christ certain+' $as not the od of

the Persians"

,

Pau+ian( not$ithstandin*( dares to assert that the

fact is incontesta6+e" And u)on $hat *round does

he assert itM /)on the *round of its 6ein* re+ated

Dictionar'"

6' Theodoret( the author of so man' distin*uished

+ies 4 and e%en this notorious $riter himse+f re+ates



it on+' as a %a*ue re)ort4 he uses the e7)ression(

#It is said"# This stor' is $orth' of the ca+umni3

ators $ho stated that .u+ian had sacriJced a $oman

to the moon( and that after his death a +ar*e chest

$as found amon* his mo%a6+es J++ed $ith human

heads"

This is not the on+' fa+sehood and ca+umn' $ith

$hich this e73.esuit Pau+ian is char*ea6+e" If these

contem)ti6+e $retches 5ne$ $hat in9ur' the' did

to our ho+' re+i*ion( 6' endea%orin* to su))ort it 6'

im)osture( and 6' the a6omina6+e a6use $ith $hich

the' assai+ the most res)ecta6+e characters( the'

$ou+d 6e +ess audacious and infuriated" The' care

not( ho$e%er( for su))ortin* re+i*ion4 $hat the'

$ant is to *ain mone' 6' their +i6e+s 4 and des)air3

in* of 6ein* read 6' )ersons of sense( and taste(

and fashion( the' *o on *atherin* and com)i+in*

theo+o*ica+ trash( in ho)es that their )roductions

$i++ 6e ado)ted in the seminaries"

We sincere+' as5 )ardon of our $e++3informed

and res)ecta6+e readers for introducin* such names

as those of the e73.esuits Pau+ian( Nonnotte( and

Patoui++et 4 6ut after ha%in* tram)+ed to death ser3

)ents( $e sha++ )ro6a6+' 6e e7cused for crushin*



eas"

./ST AND /N./ST"

W&O has *i%en us the )erce)tion of 9ust and

un9ust M od( $ho *a%e us a 6rain and a heart" !ut

Phi+oso)hica+

$hen does our reason inform us that there are such

thin*s as %ice and %irtueM .ust at the same time

it teaches us that t$o and t$o ma5e four" There is

no innate 5no$+ed*e( for the same reason that there

is no tree that 6ears +ea%es and fruit $hen it Jrst

starts a6o%e the earth" There is nothin* innate( or

fu++' de%e+o)ed in the Jrst instance 4 6ut $e re3

)eat here $hat $e ha%e often said od causes us

to 6e 6orn $ith or*ans( $hich( as the' *ro$ and

6ecome unfo+ded( ma5e us fee+ a++ that is necessar'

for our s)ecies to fee+( for the conser%ation of that

s)ecies"

&o$ is this continua+ m'ster' )erformedM Te++

me( 'e 'e++o$ inha6itants of the Is+es of Sunda( 'e





We $ou+d re)eat e%er' da' to the $ho+e of the

human race- 0ora+it' is uniform and in%aria6+e4

it comes from od- do*mas are dierent4 the'

come from ourse+%es"

.esus ne%er tau*ht an' meta)h'sica+ do*mas 4 &e

$rote no theo+o*ica+ courses 4 &e ne%er said - I am

consu6stantia+ 4 I ha%e t$o $i++s and t$o natures

$ith on+' one )erson" &e +eft for the Corde+iers

and the .aco6ins( $ho $ou+d a))ear t$e+%e hundred

'ears after &im( the de+icate and di8cu+t to)ic of

ar*ument( $hether &is mother $as concei%ed in

ori*ina+ sin" &e ne%er )ronounced marria*e to 6e

the %isi6+e si*n of a thin* in%isi6+e 4 &e ne%er said

a $ord a6out concomitant *race 4 &e instituted

neither mon5s nor inHuisitors 4 &e a))ointed nothin*

of $hat $e see at the )resent da'"

od had *i%en the 5no$+ed*e of 9ust and un9ust(

ri*ht and $ron*( throu*hout a++ the a*es $hich )re3

ceded Christianit'" od ne%er chan*ed nor can

chan*e" The constitution of our sou+s( our )rinci)+es

of reason and mora+it'( $i++ e%er 6e the same" &o$

is %irtue )romoted 6' theo+o*ica+ distinctions( 6'

do*mas founded on those distinctions( 6' )ersecu3

tions founded on those do*masM Nature( terriJed



and horror3struc5 at a++ these 6ar6arous in%entions(

ca++s a+oud to a++ men - !e 9ust( and not )ersecutin*

so)hists"

G= Phi+oso)hica+

?ou read in the #@end3A%esta(# $hich is the

summar' of the +a$s of @oroaster( this admira6+e

ma7im- #When it is dou6tfu+ $hether the action

'ou are a6out to )erform is 9ust or un9ust( a6stain

from doin* it"# What +e*is+ator e%er s)o5e 6etter M

We ha%e not here the s'stem of #)ro6a6+e o)inions(#

in%ented 6' )eo)+e $ho ca++ themse+%es #the So3

ciet' of .esus"#

./STICE"

T&AT #9ustice# is often e7treme+' un9ust( is not

an o6ser%ation mere+' of the )resent da' 4 #summum

9us( summa in9uria(# is one of the most ancient

)ro%er6s in e7istence" There are man' dreadfu+

$a's of 6ein* /n9ust4 as( for e7am)+e( that of

rac5in* the innocent a+as u)on eHui%oca+ e%idence(

and thus incurrin* the *ui+t of sheddin* innocent



6+ood 6' a too stron* re+iance on %ain )resum)tions"

Another method of 6ein* un9ust is condemnin*

to e7ecution a man $ho at most deser%es on+' three

months2 im)risonment4 this s)ecies of in9ustice is

that of t'rants( and )articu+ar+' of fanatics( $ho

a+$a's 6ecome t'rants $hene%er the' o6tain the

)o$er of doin* mischief"

We cannot more com)+ete+' demonstrate this

truth than 6' the +etter of a ce+e6rated 6arrister(

$ritten in ;>>( to the marHuis of !eccariar3one of

the most ce+e6rated )rofessors of 9uris)rudence( at

this time( in Euro)e-

Dictionar'" G;

Letter to the 0arHuis of !eccaria( Professor of Pu63

+ic La$ at 0i+an( on the su69ect of 0" de 0oran3

*ies( ;"

SIR - ?ou are a teacher of +a$s in Ita+'( a coun3

tr' from $hich $e deri%e a++ +a$s e7ce)t those $hich

ha%e 6een transmitted to us 6' our o$n a6surd and



contradictor' customs( the remains of that ancient

6ar6arism( the rust of $hich su6sists to this da' in

one of the most ourishin* 5in*doms of the earth"

?our 6oo5 u)on crimes and )unishments o)ened

the e'es of man' of the +a$'ers of Euro)e $ho had

6een 6rou*ht u) in a6surd and inhuman usa*es 4 and

men 6e*an e%er'$here to 6+ush at Jndin* themse+%es

sti++ $earin* their ancient dress of sa%a*es"

?our o)inion $as reHuested on the dreadfu+ e7e3

cution to $hich t$o 'oun* *ent+emen( 9ust out of

their chi+dhood( had 6een sentenced 4 one of $hom(

ha%in* esca)ed the tortures he $as destined to( has

6ecome a most e7ce++ent o8cer in the ser%ice of the

*reat 5in*( $hi+e the other( $ho had ins)ired the

6ri*htest ho)es( died +i5e a sa*e( 6' a horri6+e death(

$ithout ostentation and $ithout )usi++animit'( sur3

rounded 6' no +ess than J%e e7ecutioners" These

+ads $ere accused of indecenc' in action and $ords(

a fau+t $hich three months2 im)risonment $ou+d

ha%e su8cient+' )unished( and $hich $ou+d ha%e

6een infa++i6+' corrected 6' time" ?ou re)+ied( that

their 9ud*es $ere assassins( and that a++ Euro)e $as

of 'our o)inion"



I consu+ted 'ou on the canni6a+ sentences )assed

G Phi+oso)hica+

on a+as( on Sir%en( and 0ont6ai++i4 and 'ou an3

tici)ated the decrees $hich 'ou after$ards issued

from the chief courts and o8cers of +a$ in the 5in*3

dom( $hich 9ustiJed in9ured innocence and re3esta63

+ished the honor of the nation"

I at )resent consu+t 'ou on a cause of a %er' dif3

ferent nature" It is at once ci%i+ and crimina+" It

is the case of a man of Hua+it'( a ma9or3*enera+ in

the arm'( $ho maintains a+one his honor and for3

tune a*ainst a $ho+e fami+' of )oor and o6scure

citi1ens( and a*ainst an immense mu+titude consist3

in* of the dre*s of the )eo)+e( $hose e7ecrations

a*ainst him are echoed throu*h the $ho+e of France"

The )oor fami+' accuses the *enera+ o8cer of ta53

in* from it 6' fraud and %io+ence a hundred thou3

sand cro$ns"

The *enera+ o8cer accuses these )oor )ersons of

tr'in* to o6tain from him a hundred thousand



cro$ns 6' means eHua++' crimina+" The' com)+ain

that the' are not mere+' in dan*er of +osin* an im3

mense )ro)ert'( $hich the' ne%er a))eared to )os3

sess( 6ut a+so of 6ein* o))ressed( insu+ted( and 6eaten

6' the o8cers of 9ustice( $ho com)e++ed them to de3

c+are themse+%es *ui+t' and consent to their o$n ruin

and )unishment" The *enera+ so+emn+' )rotests(

that these im)utations of fraud and %io+ence are atro3

cious ca+umnies" The ad%ocates of the t$o )arties

contradict each other on a++ the facts( on a++ the in3

ductions( and e%en on a++ the reasonin*s 4 their me3

moria+s are ca++ed tissues of fa+sehoods 4 and each

Dictionar' GG

treats the ad%erse )art' as inconsistent and a6surd(

an in%aria6+e )ractice in e%er' dis)ute"

When 'ou ha%e had the *oodness( sir( to read

their memoria+s( $hich I ha%e no$ the honor of

sendin* to 'ou( 'ou $i++( I trust( )ermit me to su*3

*est the di8cu+ties $hich I fee+ in this case 4 the'

are dictated 6' )erfect im)artia+it'" I 5no$ neither

of the )arties( and neither of the ad%ocates 4 6ut ha%3



in*( in the course of four and t$ent' 'ears( seen ca+3

umn' and in9ustice so often trium)h( I ma' 6e )er3

mitted to endea%or to )enetrate the +a6'rinth in $hich

these monsters unfortunate+' Jnd she+ter"

Presum)tions a*ainst tfo Verron Fami+'"

i" In the Jrst )+ace( there are four 6i++s( )a'a6+e

to order( for a hundred thousand cro$ns( dra$n $ith

)erfect re*u+arit' 6' an o8cer other$ise dee)+' in3

%o+%ed in de6t 4 the' are )a'a6+e for the 6eneJt of

a $oman of the name of Verron( $ho ca++ed herse+f

the $ido$ of a 6an5er" The' are )resented 6' her

*randson( Du .onHua'( her heir( recent+' admitted

a doctor of +a$s( a+thou*h he is i*norant e%en of or3

tho*ra)h'" Is this enou*hM ?es( in an ordinar'

case it $ou+d 6e so 4 6ut if( in this %er' e7traordinar'

case( there is an e7treme )ro6a6i+it'( that the doc3

tor of +a$s ne%er did and ne%er cou+d carr' the

mone' $hich he )retends to ha%e de+i%ered in his

*randmother2s name 4 if the *randmother( $ho main3

tained herse+f $ith di8cu+t' in a *arret( 6' the mis3

era6+e occu)ation of )a$n6ro5in*( ne%er cou+d ha%e

6een in the )ossession of the hundred thousand



Vo+" it G

GQ Phi+oso)hica+

cro$ns4 if( in short( the *randson and his mother

ha%e s)ontaneous+' confessed( and attested the $rit3

ten confession 6' their actua+ si*natures( that the'

attem)ted to ro6 the *enera+( and that he ne%er re3

cei%ed more than t$e+%e hundred francs instead of

three hundred thousand +i%res 4 in this case( is not

the cause su8cient+' c+eared u)M Is not the )u6+ic

su8cient+' a6+e to 9ud*e from these )re+iminariesM

" I a))ea+ to 'ourse+f( sir( $hether it is )ro63

a6+e that the )oor $ido$ of a )erson un5no$n in

societ'( $ho is said to ha%e 6een a )ett' stoc539o63

6er( and not a 6an5er( cou+d 6e in )ossession of so

considera6+e a sum to +end( at an e7treme ris5( to

an o8cer notorious+' in de6t M The *enera+( in short(

contends( that this 9o66er( the hus6and of the $oman

in Huestion( died inso+%ent 4 that e%en his in%entor'

$as ne%er )aid for 4 that this )retended 6an5er $as

ori*ina++' a 6a5er2s 6o' in the househo+d of the

du5e of Saint3A*nan( the French am6assador in

S)ain4 that he after$ards too5 u) the )rofession



of a 6ro5er at Paris 4 and that he $as com)e++ed 6'

0" &eraut( +ieutenant of )o+ice( to restore certain

)romissor' notes( or 6i++s of e7chan*e( $hich he

had o6tained from some 'oun* man 6' e7tortion 4

such the fata+it' im)endin* o%er this $retched fam3

i+' from 6i++s of e7chan*e : Shou+d a++ these state3

ments 6e )ro%ed( do 'ou concei%e it at a )ro6a6+e

that this fami+' +ent a hundred thousand cro$ns to

an in%o+%ed o8cer $ith $hom the' $ere u)on no

terms of friendshi) or acHuaintanceM

Dictionar'" G

G" Do 'ou consider it )ro6a6+e( that the 9o66er2s

*randson( the doctor of +a$s( shou+d ha%e *one on

foot no +ess than J%e +ea*ues( .ia%e made t$ent'3

si7 9ourne's( ha%e mounted and descended three

thousand ste)s( a++ in the s)ace of J%e hours( $ithout

an' sto))in*( to carr' #secret+'# t$e+%e thousand

four hundred and t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or to a man( to

$hom( on the fo++o$in* da'( he )u6+ic+' *i%es t$e+%e

hundred francsM Does not such an account a))ear

to 6e in%ented $ith an utter deJcienc' of in*enuit'(

and e%en of common senseM Do those $ho 6e+ie%e



it a))ear to 6e sa*esM What can 'ou thin5( then(

of those $ho so+emn+' a8rm it $ithout 6e+ie%in* it M

Q" Is it )ro6a6+e( that 'oun* Du .onHua'( the

doctor of +a$s( and his o$n mother( shou+d ha%e

made and si*ned a dec+aration( u)on oath( 6efore

a su)erior 9ud*e( that this $ho+e account $as fa+se(

that the' had ne%er carried the *o+d( and that the'

$ere confessed ro*ues( if in fact the' had not 6een

such( and if *rief and remorse had not e7torted

this confession of their crimeM And $hen the' af3

ter$ards sa'( that the' had made this confession 6e3

fore the commissar'( on+' 6ecause the' had )re3

%ious+' 6een assau+ted and 6eaten at the house of

a )roctor( $ou+d such an e7cuse 6e deemed 6' 'ou

reasona6+e or a6surd M

Can an'thin* 6e c+earer than that( if this doctor

of +a$s had rea++' 6een assau+ted and 6eaten in an'

other house on account of this cause( he shou+d ha%e

demanded 9ustice of the commissar' for this %io+ence(

G> Phi+oso)hica+



instead of free+' si*nin*( to*ether $ith his mother(

that the' $ere 6oth *ui+t' of a crime $hich the'

had not committedM

Wou+d it 6e admissi6+e for them to sa'- We

si*ned our condemnation 6ecause $e thou*ht that

the *enera+ had 6ou*ht o%er a*ainst us a++ the )o+ice

o8cers and a++ the chief 9ud*esM

Can *ood sense +isten for a moment to such ar*u3

ments M Wou+d an' one ha%e dared to su**est such

e%en in the da's of our 6ar6arism( $hen $e had

neither +a$s( nor manners( nor cu+ti%ated 2reasonM

If I ma' credit the %er' circumstantia+ memoria+s

of the *enera+( the Verrons( $hen )ut in )rison u)on

his accusation( at Jrst )ersisted in the confession of

their crime" The' $rote t$o +etters to the )erson

$hom the' had made the de)ositar' of the 6i++s e73

torted from the *enera+ 4 the' $ere terriJed at the

contem)+ation of their *ui+t( $hich the' sa$ mi*ht

conduct them to the *a++e's or to the *i66et" The'

after$ards *ain more Jrmness and conJdence" The

)ersons $ith $hom the' $ere to di%ide the fruit

of their %i++ain' encoura*e and su))ort them4 and

the attractions of the %ast sum in their contem)+a3



tion seduce( hurr'( and ur*e them on to )erse%ere

in the ori*ina+ char*e" The' ca++ in to their assist3

ance a++ the dar5 frauds and )ettifo**in* chicaner'

to $hich the' can *ain access( to c+ear them from a

crime $hich the' had themse+%es actua++' admitted"

The' a%ai+ themse+%es $ith de7terit' of the dis3

tresses to $hich the in%o+%ed o8cer $as occasiona++'

Dictionar'" G

reduced( to *i%e a co+or of )ro6a6i+it' to his attem)t3

in* the re3esta6+ishment of his aairs 6' the ro66er'

or theft of a hundred thousand cro$ns" The'

rouse the commiseration( of the )o)u+ace( $hich

at Paris is easi+' stimu+ated and fren1ied" The' a)3

)ea+ successfu++' for com)assion to the mem6ers of

the 6ar( $ho ma5e it a )oint of indis)ensa6+e dut' to

em)+o' their e+oHuence in their 6eha+f( and to su)3

)ort the $ea5 a*ainst the )o$erfu+( the )eo)+e

a*ainst the no6i+it'" The c+earest case 6ecomes in

time the most o6scure" A sim)+e cause( $hich the

)o+ice ma*istrate $ou+d ha%e terminated in four

da's( *oes on increasin* for more than a $ho+e 'ear

6' the mire and J+th introduced into it throu*h the



num6er+ess channe+s of chicaner'( interest( and )art'

s)irit" ?ou $i++ )ercei%e that the $ho+e of this

statement is a summar' of memoria+s or documents

that a))eared in this ce+e6rated cause"

Presum)tions in fa%or of the V err on Fami+'"

We sha++ consider the defence of the *randmother(

the mother( and the *randson doctor of +a$s(

a*ainst these stron* )resum)tions"

i" The hundred thousand cro$ns or %er'

near+' that sum( $hich it is )retended the $ido$

Verron ne%er $as )ossessed of( $ere former+' made

o%er to her 6' her hus6and( in trust( to*ether $ith

the si+%er )+ate" This de)osit $as #secret+'# 6rou*ht

to her si7 months after her hus6and2s death( 6' a

man of the name of Chotard" She )+aced them out(

and a+$a's #secret+'(# $ith a notar' ca++ed i+et(

G Phi+oso)hica+

$ho restored them to her( sti++ #secret+'(# in ;>="

She had therefore( in fact( the hundred thousand



cro$ns $hich her ad%ersar' )retends she ne%er )os3

sessed"

" She died in e7treme o+d a*e( $hi+e the cause

$as *oin* on( )rotestin*( after recei%in* the sacra3

ment( that these hundred thousand cro$ns $ere car3

ried in *o+d to the *enera+ o8cer 6' her *randson(

in t$ent'3si7 9ourne's on foot( on Se)t" G( ;;"

G" It is not at a++ )ro6a6+e( that an o8cer ac3

customed to 6orro$in*( and 6ro5en do$n in circum3

stances( shou+d ha%e *i%en 6i++s )a'a6+e to order for

the sum of three hundred thousand +i%res( to a

)erson un5no$n to him( un+ess he had actua++' re3

cei%ed that sum"

Q" There are $itnesses $ho sa$ counted out and

ran*ed in order the 6a*s J++ed $ith this *o+d( and

$ho sa$ the doctor of +a$s carr' it to the *enera+

on foot( under his *reat coat( in t$ent'3si7 9ourne's(

occu)'in* the s)ace of J%e hours" And he made

these t$ent'3si7 astonishin* 9ourne's mere+' to sat3

isf' the *enera+( $ho had )articu+ar+' reHuested se3

crec'"

" The doctor of +a$s adds - #Our *randmother



and ourse+%es +i%ed( it is true( in a *arret( and $e

+ent a +itt+e mone' u)on )+ed*es 4 6ut $e +i%ed so

mere+' u)on a )rinci)+e of 9udicious econom'4 the

o69ect $as to 6u' for me the o8ce of a counse++or

of )ar+iament( at a time $hen the ma*istrac' $as

)urchasa6+e" It is true that m' three sisters *ain

Dictionar'" G<

their su6sistence 6' need+e3$or5 and em6roider'4

the reason of $hich $as( that m' *randmother 5e)t

a++ her )ro)ert' for me" It is true that I ha%e 5e)t

com)an' on+' $ith )rocuresses( coachmen( and +ac53

e's- I ac5no$+ed*e that I s)ea5 and that I $rite

in their st'+e 4 6ut I mi*ht not on that account 6e

+ess $orth' of 6ecomin* a ma*istrate( 6' ma5in*(

after a++( a *ood use of m' time"#

>" A++ $orth' )ersons ha%e commiserated our

misfortune" 0" Au6our*( a farmer3*enera+( as re3

s)ecta6+e as an' in Paris( has *enerous+' ta5en our

side( and his %oice has o6tained for us that of the

)u6+ic"



This defence a))ears in some )art of it )+ausi6+e"

Their ad%ersar' refutes it in the fo++o$in* manner -

Ar*uments of the 0a9or3enera+ a*ainst those of

the Verron Fami+'"

i" The stor' of the de)osit must 6e considered

6' e%er' man of sense as eHua++' fa+se and ridicu+ous

$ith that of the si73and3t$ent' 9ourne's on foot"

If the )oor 9o66er( the hus6and of the o+d $oman(

had intended to *i%e at his death so much mone' to

his $ife( he mi*ht ha%e done it in a direct $a' from

hand to hand( $ithout the inter%ention of a third

)erson"

If he had 6een )ossessed of the )retended si+%er

)+ate( one3ha+f of it must ha%e 6e+on*ed to the $ife(

as eHua+ o$ner of their united *oods" She $ou+d

not ha%e remained Huiet for the s)ace of si7 months(

Q= Phi+oso)hica+

in a )a+tr' +od*in* of t$o hundred francs a 'ear(

$ithout rec+aimin* her )+ate( and e7ertin* her ut3



most eorts to o6tain her ri*ht" Chotard a+so( the

a++e*ed friend of her hus6and and herse+f( $ou+d

not ha%e suered her to remain for si7 +on* months

in a state of such *reat indi*ence and an7iet'"

There $as( in rea+it'( a )erson of the name of

Chotard 4 6ut he $as a man ruined 6' de6ts and de3

6aucher' 4 a fraudu+ent 6an5ru)t $ho em6e11+ed

fort' thousand cro$ns from the ta7 o8ce of the

farmers3*enera+ in $hich he he+d a situation( and

$ho is not +i5e+' to ha%e *i%en u) a hundred thou3

sand cro$ns to the *randmother of the doctor in

+a$s"

The $ido$ Verron )retends( that she em)+o'ed

her mone' at interest( a+$a's it a))ears in secrec'(

$ith a notar' of the name of i+et( 6ut no trace of

this fact can 6e found in the o8ce of that notar'"

She dec+ares( that this notar' returned her the

mone'( sti++ secret+'( in the 'ear ;>=- he $as at

that time dead"

If a++ these facts 6e true( it must 6e admitted that

the cause of Du .onHua' and the Verrons( 6ui+t on

a foundation of such ridicu+ous +ies( must ine%ita6+'



fa++ to the *round"

" The $i++ of $ido$ Verron( made ha+f an hour

6efore her death( $ith death and the narre of od

on her +i)s( is( to a++ a))earance( in itse+f a res)ect3

a6+e and e%en )ious document" !ut if it 6e rea++' in

the num6er of those )ious thin*s $hich are e%er'

Dictionar'" Q;

da' o6ser%ed to 6e mere+' instrumenta+ to crime

if this +ender u)on )+ed*es( $hi+e recommendin* her

sou+ to od( manifest+' +ied to od( $hat im)ortance

or $ei*ht can the document 6rin* $ith it M Is it not

rather the stron*est )roof of im)osture and %i++ain' M

The o+d $oman had a+$a's 6een made to state(

$hi+e the suit $as carried on in her name( that she

)ossessed on+' this sum of one hundred thousand

cro$ns $hich it $as intended to ro6 her of 4 that she

ne%er had more than that sum 4 and 'et( 6eho+d : in

her $a++ she mentions J%e hundred thousand +i%res

of her )ro)ert' : &ere are t$o hundred thousand

francs more than an' one e7)ected( and here is the



$ido$ Verron con%icted out of her o$n mouth"

Thus( in this sin*u+ar cause( does the at once atro3

cious and ridicu+ous im)osture of the fami+' 6rea5

out on e%er' side( durin* the $oman2s +ife( and e%en

$hen she is $ithin the *ras) of death"

G" It is )ro6a6+e( and it is e%en in e%idence( that

the *enera+ $ou+d not trust his 6i++s for a hundred

thousand cro$ns to a doctor of $hom he 5ne$ +itt+e

or nothin*( $ithout ha%in* an ac5no$+ed*ment from

him" &e did( ho$e%er( commit this inad%ertence(

$hich is the fau+t of an unsus)ectin* and no6+e

heart 4 he $as +ed astra' 6' the 'outh( 6' the can3

dor( 6' the a))arent *enerosit' of a man not more

than t$ent'3se%en 'ears of a*e( $ho $as on the )oint

of 6ein* raised to the ma*istrac'( $ho actua++'( u)on

an ur*ent occasion( +ent him t$e+%e hundred francs(

and $ho )romised in the course of a fe$ da's to o63

Q Phi+oso)hica+

tain for him( from an o)u+ent com)an'( the sum of

a hundred thousand cro$ns" &ere is the 5not and

di8cu+t' of the cause" We must strict+' e7amine



$hether it 6e )ro6a6+e( that a man( $ho is admitted

to ha%e recei%ed near+' a hundred thousand cro$ns

in *o+d( shou+d on the %er' mornin* after( come in

*reat haste( as for a most indis)ensa6+e occasion(

to the man $ho the e%enin* 6efore had ad%anced

him t$e+%e thousand four hundred and t$ent'3J%e

+ouis d2or"

There is not the s+i*htest )ro6a6i+it' of his doin*

so" It is sti++ +ess )ro6a6+e( as $e ha%e a+read' o63

ser%ed( that a man of distinction( a *enera+ o8cer(

and the father of a fami+'( in return for the in%a+3

ua6+e and a+most un)recedented 5indness of +endin*

him a hundred thousand cro$ns( shou+d( instead of

the sincerest *ratitude to his 6enefactor( a6so+ute+'

endea%or to *et him han*ed 4 and this on the )art

of a man $ho had nothin* more to do than to a$ait

Huiet+' the distant e7)irations of the )eriods of )a'3

ment 4 $ho $as under no tem)tation( in order to *ain

time( to commit such a )roi*ate and atrocious %i+3

+ain'( and $ho had ne%er in fact committed an' %i+3

+ain' at a++" Sure+' it is more natura+ to thin5 that

the man( $hose *randfather $as a )ettifo**in*( )a+3

tr' 9o66er( and $hose *randmother $as a $retched

+ender of sma++ sums u)on the )+ed*es of" a6so+ute

miser'( shou+d ha%e a%ai+ed himse+f of the 6+ind con3



Jdence of an unsus)ectin* so+dier( to e7tort from

him a hundred thousand cro$ns( and that he )rom3

Dictionar'" QG

ised to di%ide this sum $ith the de)ra%ed and a6om3

ina6+e accom)+ices of his 6aseness"

Q" There are $itnesses $ho de)ose in fa%or of

Du .onHua' and $ido$ Verron" Let us consider

$ho those $itnesses are( and $hat the' de)ose"

In the Jrst )+ace( there is a $oman of the name of

Tourtera( a 6ro5er( $ho su))orted the $ido$ in her

)edd+in*( insi*niJcant concern of )a$n6ro5in*( and

$ho has 6een J%e times in the hos)ita+ in conseHuence

of the scanda+ous im)urities of her +ife4 $hich can

6e )ro%ed $ith the utmost ease"

There is a coachman ca++ed i+6ert( $ho( some3

times Jrm( at other times trem6+in* in his $ic5ed3

ness( dec+ared to a +ad' of the name of Petit( in the

)resence of si7 )ersons( that he had 6een su6orned

6' Du .onHua'" &e su6seHuent+' inHuired of man'



other )ersons( $hether he shou+d 'et 6e in time to

retract( and reiterated e7)ressions of this nature

6efore $itnesses"

Settin* aside( ho$e%er( $hat has 6een stated of

i+6ert2s dis)osition to retract( it is %er' )ossi6+e

that he mi*ht 6e decei%ed( and ma' not 6e char*ea6+e

$ith fa+sehood and )er9ur'" It is )ossi6+e( that he

mi*ht see mone' at the )a$n6ro5er2s( and that he

mi*ht 6e to+d( and mi*ht 6e+ie%e( that three hun3

dred thousand +i%res $ere there" Nothin* is more

dan*erous in man' )ersons than a Huic5 and heated

ima*ination( $hich actua++' ma5es men thin5 that

the' ha%e seen $hat it $as a6so+ute+' im)ossi6+e for

them to see"

QQ Phi+oso)hica+

Then comes a man of the name of Au6riot( a

*odson of the )rocuress Tourtera( and com)+ete+'

under her *uidance" &e de)oses( that he sa$( in

one of the streets of Paris( on Se)t" G( ;;( Doc3

tor Du .onHua' in his *reat coat( carr'in* 6a*s"



Sure+' there is here no conc+usi%e )roof that the

doctor on that da' made t$ent'3si7 9ourne's on foot(

and tra%e++ed o%er J%e +ea*ues of *round( to de+i%er

#secret+'# t$e+%e thousand four hundred and t$en3

t'3J%e +ouis d2or( e%en admittin* a++ that this testi3

mon' states to 6e true" It a))ears c+ear( that Du

.onHua' $ent this 9ourne' to the *enera+( and that

he s)o5e to him 4 and it a))ears )ro6a6+e( that he

decei%ed him 4 6ut it is not c+ear that Au6riot sa$

him *o and return thirteen times in one mornin*"

It is sti++ +ess c+ear( that this $itness cou+d at that

time see so man' circumstances occurrin* in the

street( as he $as actua++' +a6orin* under a disor3

der $hich there is no necessit' to name( and on that

%er' c+a' under$ent for it the se%ere o)eration of

medicine( $ith his +e*s totterin*( his head s$e++ed(

and his ton*ue han*in* ha+f out of his mouth"

This $as not )recise+' the moment for runnin* into

the street to see si*hts" Wou+d his friend Du .on3

Hua' ha%e said to him - Come and ris5 'our +ife( to

see me tra%erse a distance of J%e +ea*ues +oaded $ith

*o+d - I am *oin* to de+i%er the $ho+e fortune of

m' fami+'( secret+'( to a man o%er$he+med $ith

de6ts 4 I $ish to ha%e( )ri%ate+'( as a $itness( a

)erson of 'our characterM This is not e7ceedin*+'



Dictionar'" QG

)ro6a6+e" The sur*eon $ho a))+ied the medicine

to the $itness Au6riot on this occasion( states that

he $as 6' no means in a situation to *o out4 and

the son of the sur*eon( in his interro*ator'( refers

the case to the academ' of sur*er'"

!ut e%en admittin* that a man of a )articu+ar+'

ro6ust constitution cou+d ha%e *one out and ta5en

some turns in the street in this dis*racefu+ and dread3

fu+ situation( $hat cou+d it ha%e si*niJed to the )oint

in Huestion M Did he see Du .onHua' ma5e t$ent'3

si7 9ourne's 6et$een his *arret and the *enera+2s

hote+ M Did he see t$e+%e thousand four hundred and

t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or carried 6' him M Was an' in3

di%idua+ $hate%er a $itness to this )rodi*' $e++

$orth' the #Thousand and One Ni*hts#M 0ost

certain+' not4 no )erson $hate%er" What is the

amount( then( of a++ his e%idence on the su69ectM

" That the dau*hter of 0rs" Verron( in her *ar3

ret( ma' ha%e sometimes 6orro$ed sma++ sums on

)+ed*es 4 that 0rs" Verron ma' ha%e +ent them( in



order to o6tain and sa%e a )roJt( to ma5e her *rand3

son a counse++or of )ar+iament( has nothin* at a++

to do $ith the su6stance of the case in Huestion" In

deJance of a++ this( it $i++ e%er 6e e%ident( that this

ma*istrate 6' antici)ation did not tra%erse the J%e

+ea*ues to carr' to the *enera+ the hundred thousand

cro$ns( and that the *enera+ ne%er recei%ed them"

>" A )erson named Au6our* comes for$ard( not

mere+' as a $itness( 6ut as a )rotector and 6enefac3

tor of o))ressed innocence" The ad%ocates of the

Q> Phi+oso)hica+

Verron fami+' e7to+ this man as a citi1en of rare

and intre)id %irtue" &e 6ecame fee+in*+' a+i%e to

the misfortunes of Doctor Du .onHua'( his mother(

and *randmother( a+thou*h he had no acHuaintance

$ith them4 and oered them his credit and his

)urse( $ithout an' other o69ect than that of assistin*

)ersecuted merit"

/)on e7amination it is found( that this hero of

disinterested 6ene%o+ence is a contem)ti6+e $retch



$ho 6e*an the $or+d as a +ac5e'( $as then success3

i%e+' an u)ho+sterer( a 6ro5er( and a 6an5ru)t( and

is no$( +i5e 0rs" Verron and Tourtera( 6' )rofession

a )a$n6ro5er" &e ies to the assistance of )ersons

of his o$n )rofession" The $oman Tourtera( in the

Jrst )+ace( *a%e him t$ent'3J%e +ouis d2or( to inter3

est his )ro6it' and 5indness in assistin* a deso+ate

fami+'" The *enerous Au6our* had the *reatness

of sou+ to ma5e an a*reement $ith the o+d *rand3

mother( a+most $hen she $as d'in*( 6' $hich she

*i%es him Jfteen thousand cro$ns( on condition of

his underta5in* to defra' the e7)enses of the cause"

&e e%en ta5es the )recaution to ha%e this 6ar*ain

noticed and conJrmed in the $i++( dictated( or )re3

tended to 6e dictated( 6' this o+d $ido$ of the 9o63

6er on her death36ed" This res)ecta6+e and %en3

era6+e man then ho)es one da' to di%ide $ith some

of the $itnesses the s)oi+s that are to 6e,o6tained

from the *enera+" It is the ma*nanimous heart of

Au6our* that has formed this disinterested scheme 4

it is he $ho has conducted the cause $hich he seems

Dictionar'" Q



to ha%e ta5en u) as a )atrimon'" &e 6e+ie%ed the

6i++s )a'a6+e to order $ou+d infa++i6+' 6e )aid" &e

is in fact a recei%er $ho )artici)ates in the )+under

eected 6' ro66ers( and $ho a))ro)riates the 6etter

)art to himse+f"

Such are the re)+ies of the *enera+ - I neither su63

tract from them nor add to them I sim)+' state

them" I ha%e thus e7)+ained to 'ou( sir( the $ho+e

su6stance of the cause( and stated a++ the stron*est

ar*uments on 6oth sides"

I reHuest 'our o)inion of the sentence $hich

ou*ht to 6e )ronounced( if matters shou+d remain in

the same state( if the truth cannot 6e irre%oca6+' o63

tained from one or other of the )arties( and made to

a))ear )erfect+' $ithout a c+oud"

The reasons of the *enera+ o8cer are thus far con3

%incin*" Natura+ eHuit' is on his side" This nat3

ura+ eHuit'( $hich od has esta6+ished in the hearts

of a++ men( is the 6asis of a++ +a$" Ou*ht $e to de3

stro' this foundation of a++ 9ustice( 6' sentencin*

a man to )a' a hundred thousand cro$ns $hich he

does not a))ear to o$eM



&e dre$ 6i++s for a hundred thousand cro$ns(

in the %ain ho)e that he shou+d recei%e the mone' 4

he ne*otiated $ith a 'oun* man $hom he did not

5no$( 9ust as he $ou+d ha%e done $ith the 6an5er

of the 5in* or of the em)ress3Hueen" Shou+d his 6i++s

ha%e more %a+idit' than his reasonsM A man cer3

tain+' cannot o$e $hat he has not recei%ed" !i++s(

)o+icies( 6onds( a+$a's im)+' that the corres)ondin*

Q Phi+oso)hica+

sums ha%e 6een de+i%ered and had4 6ut if there is

e%idence that no mone' has 6een had and de+i%ered(

there can 6e no o6+i*ation to return or )a' an'" If

there is $ritin* a*ainst $ritin*( document a*ainst

document( the +ast dated cance+s the former ones"

!ut in the )resent case the +ast $ritin* is that of Du

.onHua' and his mother( and it states that the o))o3

site )art' in the cause ne%er recei%ed from them a

hundred thousand cro$ns( and that the' are cheats

and im)ostors"

What : 6ecause the' ha%e disa%o$ed the truth of

their confession( $hich the' state to ha%e 6een made



in conseHuence of their ha%in* recei%ed a 6+o$ or

an assau+t( sha++ another man2s )ro)ert' 6e ad9ud*ed

to them M

I $i++ su))ose for a moment $hat is 6' no means

)ro6a6+e( that the 9ud*es( 6ound do$n 6' forms(

$i++ sentence the *enera+ to )a' $hat in fact he does

not o$e 4 $i++ the' not in this case destro' his re)3

utation as $e++ as his fortuneM Wi++ not a++ $ho

ha%e sided a*ainst him in this most sin*u+ar ad%en3

ture( char*e him $ith ca+umnious+' accusin* his ad3

%ersaries of a crime of $hich he is himse+f *ui+t'M

&e $i++ +ose his honor( in their estimation( in +osin*

his )ro)ert'" &e $i++ ne%er 6e acHuitted 6ut in the

9ud*ments of those $ho e7amine )rofound+'" The

num6er of these is a+$a's sma++" Where ate the men

to 6e found $ho ha%e +eisure( attention( ca)acit'(

im)artia+it'( to consider an7ious+' e%er' as)ect and

6earin* of a cause in $hich the' are not themse+%es

Dictionar'" Q<

interestedM The' 9ud*e in the same $a' as our an3

cient )ar+iament 9ud*ed of 6oo5s that is( $ithout



readin* them"

?ou( sir( are fu++' acHuainted $ith this( and 5no$

that men *enera++' 9ud*e of e%er'thin* 6' )re9udice(

hearsa'( and chance" No one reects that the cause

of a citi1en ou*ht to interest the $ho+e 6od' of citi3

1ens( and that $e ma' ourse+%es ha%e to endure in

des)air the same fate $hich $e )ercei%e( $ith e'es

and fee+in*s of indierence( fa++in* hea%i+' u)on

him" We $rite and comment e%er' da' u)on the

9ud*ments )assed 6' the senate of Rome and the

areo)a*us of Athens 4 6ut $e thin5 not for a mo3

ment of $hat )asses 6efore our o$n tri6una+s"

?ou( sir( $ho com)rehend a++ Euro)e in 'our

researches and decisions( $i++( I sincere+' ho)e(

dei*n to communicate to me a )ortion of 'our +i*ht"

It is )ossi6+e( certain+'( that the forma+ities and chi3

caner' connected $ith +a$ )roceedin*s( and $ith

$hich I am +itt+e con%ersant( ma' occasion to the

*enera+ the +oss of the cause in court 4 6ut it a))ears

to me that he must *ain it at the tri6una+ of an en3

+i*htened )u6+ic( that a$fu+ and accurate 9ud*e

$ho )ronounces after dee) in%esti*ation( and $ho is

the Jna+ dis)oser of character"



KIN"

KIN( 6asi+eus( t'rannos( re7( du7( im)erator(

me+ch( 6aa+( 6e+( )haraoh( e++( shadai( adonai( sha5(

so)hi( )adisha( 6o*dan( c+ia1an( 5an( 5ra++( 5on*(

Vo+" ii Q

= Phi+oso)hica+

5oni*( etc" a++ e7)ressions $hich si*nif' the same

o8ce( 6ut $hich con%e' %er' dierent ideas"

In reece( neither #6asi+eus# nor #t'rannos# e%er

con%e'ed the idea of a6so+ute )o$er" &e $ho $as

a6+e o6tained this )o$er( 6ut it $as a+$a's o6tained

a*ainst the inc+ination of the )eo)+e"

It is c+ear( that amon* the Romans 5in*s $ere

not des)otic" The +ast TarHuin deser%ed to 6e e73

)e++ed( and $as so" We ha%e no )roof that the )ett'

chiefs of Ita+' $ere e%er a6+e( at their )+easure( to

)resent a 6o$strin* to the Jrst man of the state( as

is no$ done to a %i+e Tur5 in his sera*+io( and +i5e



6ar6arous s+a%es( sti++ more im6eci+e( suer him to

use it $ithout com)+aint"

There $as no 5in* on this side the A+)s( and in

the North( at the time $e 6ecame acHuainted $ith this

+ar*e Huarter of the $or+d" The Cim6ri( $ho marched

to$ards Ita+'( and $ho $ere e7terminated 6' 0a3

rius( $ere +i5e famished $o+%es( $ho issued from

those forests $ith their fema+es and $he+)s" As

to a cro$ned head amon* these anima+s( or orders

on the )art of a secretar' of state( of a *rand 6ut3

+er( of a chance++or an' notion of ar6itrar' ta7es(

commissaries( Jsca+ edicts( etc" the' 5ne$ no

more of an' of these than of the %es)ers and the

o)era"

It is certain that *o+d and si+%er( coined and un3

coined( form an admira6+e means of )+acin* him $ho

has them not( in the )o$er of him $ho has found

out the secret of accumu+ation" It is for the +atter

Dictionar'" ;

a+one to )ossess *reat o8cers( *uards( coo5s( *ir+s(



$omen( 9ai+ers( a+moners( )a*es( and so+diers"

It $ou+d 6e %er' di8cu+t to insure o6edience $ith

nothin* to 6esto$ 6ut shee) and shee)3s5ins" It is

a+so %er' +i5e+'( after a++ the re%o+utions of our *+o6e(

that it $as the art of $or5in* meta+s $hich ori*i3

na++' made 5in*s( as it is the art of castin* cannon

$hich no$ maintains them"

Caesar $as ri*ht $hen he said( that $ith *o+d $e

ma' )rocure men( and $ith men acHuire *o+d"

This secret had 6een 5no$n for a*es in Asia and

E*')t( $here the )rinces and the )riests shared the

6eneJt 6et$een them"

The )rince said to the )riest- Ta5e this *o+d(

and in return u)ho+d m' )o$er( and )ro)hes' in m'

fa%or 4 I $i++ 6e anointed( and thou sha+t anoint me 4

constitute orac+es( manufacture mirac+es 4 thou sha+t

6e $e++ )aid for th' +a6or( )ro%ided that I am a+$a's

master" The )riest( thus o6tainin* +and and $ea+th(

)ro)hesies for himse+f( ma5es the orac+es s)ea5 for

himse+f( chases the so%erei*n from the throne( and

%er' often ta5es his )+ace" Such is the histor' of

the shotim of E*')t( the ma*i of Persia( the sooth3



sa'ers of !a6'+on( the cha1in of S'ria if I mista5e

the name it amounts to +itt+e a++ $hich ho+' )er3

sons sou*ht to ru+e" Wars 6et$een the throne and

the a+tar ha%e in fact e7isted in a++ countries( e%en

amon* the misera6+e .e$s"

We( inha6itants of the tem)erate 1one of Euro)e(

ha%e 5no$n this $e++ for a do1en centuries" Our

Phi+oso)hica+

minds not 6ein* so tem)erate as our c+imate( $e

$e++ 5no$ $hat it has cost us" o+d and si+%er form

so entire+' the )rimum mo6i+e of the ho+' connection

6et$een so%erei*nt' and re+i*ion( that man' of our

5in*s sti++ send it to Rome( $here it is sei1ed and

shared 6' )riests as soon as it arri%es"

When( in this eterna+ conict for dominion( +ead3

ers ha%e 6ecome )o$erfu+( each has e7hi6ited his

)re3eminence in a mode of his o$n" It $as a crime

to s)it in the )resence of the 5in* of the 0edes"

The earth must 6e stric5en nine times 6' the forehead

in the )resence of the em)eror of China" A 5in* of



En*+and ima*ines that he cannot ta5e a *+ass of

6eer un+ess it 6e )resented on the 5nees" Another

5in* $i++ ha%e his ri*ht foot sa+uted( and a++ $i++ ta5e

the mone' of their )eo)+e" In some countries the

5ra++( or cha1in( is a++o$ed an income( as in Po+and(

S$eden( and reat !ritain" In others( a )iece of

)a)er is su8cient for his treasur' to o6tain a++ that

it reHuires"

Since $e $rite u)on the ri*hts of the )eo)+e( on

ta7ation( on customs( etc"( +et us endea%or( 6' )ro3

found reasonin*( to esta6+ish the no%e+ ma7im( that

a she)herd ou*ht to shear his shee)( and not to a'

them"

As to the due +imits of the )rero*ati%es of 5in*s(

and of the +i6ert' of the )eo)+e( I recommend 'ou to

e7amine that Huestion at 'our ease in some hote+ in

the to$n of Amsterdam"

Dictionar'" G

KISS"



I ASK )ardon of 'oun* +adies and *ent+emen( for

the' $i++ not Jnd here $hat the' ma' )ossi6+' e73

)ect" This artic+e is on+' for +earned and serious

)eo)+e( and $i++ suit %er' fe$ of them"

There is too much of 5issin* in the comedies of

the time of 0o+iere" The %a+ets are a+$a's reHuest3

in* 5isses from the $aitin*3$omen( $hich is e7ceed3

in*+' at and disa*reea6+e( es)ecia++' $hen the actors

are u*+' and must necessari+' e7hi6it a*ainst the

*rain"

If the reader is fond of 5isses( +et him )eruse the

#Pastor Fido# - there is an entire chorus $hich treats

on+' of 5isses( and the )iece itse+f is founded on+'

on a 5iss $hich 0irti++o one da' 6esto$s on the fair

Amar'++is( in a *ame at 6+indman2s 6u #un 6acio

mo+to sa)orito"#

In a cha)ter on 5issin* 6' .ohn de +a Casa( arch3

6isho) of !ene%ento( he sa's( that )eo)+e ma' 5iss

from the head to the foot" &e com)+ains( ho$e%er(

of +on* noses( and recommends +adies $ho )ossess

such to ha%e +o%ers $ith short ones"

To 5iss $as the ordinar' manner of sa+utation



throu*hout a++ antiHuit'" P+utarch re+ates( that the

cons)irators( 6efore the' 5i++ed Caesar( 5issed his

face( his hands( and his 6osom" Tacitus o6ser%es(

that $hen his father3in3+a$( A*rico+a( returned to

Rome( Domitian 5issed him co+d+'( said nothin* to

him( and +eft him disre*arded in the surroundin*

Q Phi+oso)hica+

cro$d" An inferior( $ho cou+d not as)ire to 5iss

his su)erior( 5issed his o$n hand( and the +atter re3

turned the sa+ute in a simi+ar manner( if he thou*ht

)ro)er"

The 5iss $as e%er used in the $orshi) of the *ods"

.o6( in his )ara6+e( $hich is )ossi6+' the o+dest of our

5no$n 6oo5s( sa's that he had not adored the sun

and moon +i5e the other Ara6s( or suered his mouth

to 5iss his hand to them"

In the West there remains of this ci%i+it' on+' the

sim)+e and innocent )ractice 'et tau*ht in countr'

)+aces to chi+dren that of 5issin* their ri*ht hands

in return for a su*ar3)+um"





$ho is a 0oor( *i%es t$o 5isses to his $ife 6efore

he stran*+es her" This a))ears a6omina6+e to or3

der+' )ersons( 6ut the )artisans of Sha5es)eare sa'(

that it is a Jne s)ecimen of nature( es)ecia++' in a

0oor"

When .ohn a+eas Sfor1a $as assassinated in the

cathedra+ of 0i+an( on St" Ste)hen2s da'4 the t$o

0edicis( in the church of Re)arata4 Admira+ Co3

+i*ni( the )rince of Oran*e( 0arsha+ d2Ancre( the

6rothers De Witt( and so man' others( there $as

at +east no 5issin*"

Amon* the ancients there $as somethin*( I 5no$

not $hat( s'm6o+ica+ and sacred attached to the 5iss(

since the statues of the *ods $ere 5issed( as a+so their

6eards( $hen the scu+)tors re)resented them $ith

6eards" The initiated 5issed one another in the m's3

teries of Ceres( in si*n of concord"

The Jrst Christians( ma+e and fema+e( 5issed $ith

the mouth at their A*a)se( or +o%e3feasts" The' 6e3

sto$ed the3ho+' 5iss( the 5iss of )eace( the 6rother+'

and sister+' 5iss( #ha*ion )hi+ema"# This custom

+asted for four centuries( and $as Jna++' a6o+ished

in distrust of the conseHuences" It $as this custom(



these 5isses of )eace( these +o%e3feasts( these a))e++a3

tions of 6rother and sister( $hich dre$ on the Chris3

tians( $hi+e +itt+e 5no$n( those im)utations of de3

6aucher' 6esto$ed u)on them 6' the )riests of .u3

)iter and the )riestesses of Vesta" We read in Pe3

tronius and in other authors( that the disso+ute

ca++ed one another 6rother and sister4 and it $as

> Phi+oso)hica+

thou*ht( that amon* Christians the same +icentious3

ness $as intended" The' innocent+' *a%e occasion

for the scanda+ u)on themse+%es"

In the commencement( se%enteen dierent Chris3

tian societies e7isted( as there had 6een nine amon*

the .e$s( inc+udin* the t$o 5inds of Samaritans"

Those 6odies $hich considered themse+%es the most

orthodo7 accused the others of inconcei%a6+e im)u3

rities" The term #*nostic(# at Jrst so honora6+e(

and $hich si*niJes the +earned( en+i*htened( )ure(

6ecame an e)ithet of horror and of contem)t( and a

re)roach of heres'" St" E)i)hanius( in the third

centur'( )retended that the ma+es and fema+es at





Hueens( e%en in S)ain( thou*h $hat is sin*u+ar

not in France( $here the +adies ha%e a+$a's had more

+i6erties than e+se$here 4 6ut e%er' countr' has its

ceremonies( and there is no custom so *enera+ 6ut

chance ma' ha%e )roduced an e7ce)tion" It $as an

inci%i+it'( a rudeness( in recei%in* the Jrst %isit of a

no6+eman( if a +ad' did not 5iss his +i)s no matter

a6out his mustaches" #It is an un)+easant custom(#

sa's 0ontai*ne( #and oensi%e to the +adies to ha%e

to oer their +i)s to the three %a+ets in his suite( ho$3

e%er re)u+si%e"# This custom is( ho$e%er( the most

ancient in the $or+d"

If it is disa*reea6+e to a 'oun* and )rett' mouth

to *+ue itse+f to one $hich is o+d and u*+'( there is

a+so *reat dan*er in the 9unction of fresh and %ermi+3

ion +i)s of the a*e of t$ent' to t$ent'3J%e a truth

$hich has Jna++' a6o+ished the ceremon' of 5issin*

in m'steries and +o%e3feasts" &ence a+so the sec+u3

sion of $omen throu*hout the East( $ho 5iss on+'

their fathers and 6rothers a custom +on* a*o intro3

duced into S)ain 6' the Ara6s"

Attend to the dan*er - there is a ner%e $hich runs

from the mouth to the heart( and thence +o$er sti++(

$hich )roduces in the 5iss an e7Huisite+' dan*erous



sensation" Virtue ma' suer from a )ro+on*ed and

ardent 5iss 6et$een t$o 'oun* )ietists of the a*e of

ei*hteen"

Phi+oso)hica+

It is remar5a6+e that man5ind( and turt+es( and

)i*eons a+one )ractise 5issin*4 hence the Latin

$ord #co+um6atim# $hich our +an*ua*e cannot

render"

We cannot decorous+' d$e++ +on*er on this inter3

estin* su69ect( a+thou*h 0ontai*ne sa's( #It shou+d

6e s)o5en of $ithout reser%e4 $e 6o+d+' s)ea5 of

5i++in*( $oundin*( and 6etra'in*( $hi+e on this )oint

$e dare on+' $his)er"#

LA/&TER"

T&AT +au*hter is the si*n of 9o'( as tears are of

*rief( is dou6ted 6' no one that e%er +au*hed" The'

$ho see5 for meta)h'sica+ causes of +au*hter are

not mirthfu+( $hi+e the' $ho are a$are that +au*hter

dra$s the 1'*omatic musc+e 6ac5$ards to$ards the







The ma+icious smi+e( the #)erJdum ridens(# is

another thin*4 6ein* the 9o' $hich is e7cited 6'

>= Phi+oso)hica+

the humi+iation of another" The *rin( #cachinnus(#

is 6esto$ed on those $ho )romise $onders and )er3

form a6surdities 4 it is nearer to hootin* than to

+au*hter" Our )ride derides the %anit' $hich $ou+d

im)ose u)on us" The' hoot our friend Freron in

#The Scotch$oman(# rather than +au*h at him" I

+o%e to s)ea5 of friend Freron( as in that case I +au*h

uneHui%oca++'"

LAW NAT/RAL"

!" W&AT is natura+ +a$M

A" The instinct 6' $hich $e fee+ 9ustice"

!" What do 'ou ca++ 9ust and un9ust M

A" That $hich a))ears so to the $ho+e $or+d"



!" The $or+d is made u) of a *reat man' heads"

It is said that at Lacedaemon thie%es $ere a))+auded(

$hi+e at Athens the' $ere condemned to the mines"

A" That is a++ a mere a6use of $ords( mere

+o*omach' and am6i*uit'" Theft $as im)ossi6+e at

S)arta( $here a++ )ro)ert' $as common" What 'ou

ca++ theft $as the )unishment of a%arice"

!" It $as for6idden for a man to marr' his sistei

at Rome" Amon* the E*')tians( the Athenians( and

e%en the .e$s( a man $as )ermitted to marr' his

sister 6' the father2s side" It is not $ithout re*ret

that I cite the sma++ and $retched nation of the .e$s(

$ho certain+' ou*ht ne%er to 6e considered as a

ru+e for an' )erson( and $ho settin* aside2re+i*ion

$ere ne%er an'thin* 6etter than an i*norant( fa3

natica+( and )+underin* horde" Accordin* to their

Dictionar'" >;

6oo5s( ho$e%er( the 'oun* Tamar( 6efore she $as

%io+ated 6' her 6rother Ammon( addressed him in

these $ords- #I )ra' thee( m' 6rother( do not so



foo+ish+'( 6ut as5 me in marria*e of m' father - he

$i++ not refuse thee"#

A" A++ these cases amount to mere +a$s of con3

%ention( ar6itrar' usa*es( transient modes" What

is essentia+ remains e%er the same" Point out to me

an' countr' $here it $ou+d 6e deemed res)ecta6+e

or decent to )+under me of the fruits of m' +a6or(

to 6rea5 a so+emn )romise( to te++ an in9urious +ie( to

s+ander( murder( or )oison( to 6e un*ratefu+ to a 6en3

efactor( or to 6eat a father or mother )resentin*

food to 'ou"

!" &a%e 'ou for*otten that .ean .acHues( one

of the fathers of the modern Church( has said that

the Jrst )erson $ho dared to enc+ose and cu+ti%ate a

)iece of *round $as an enem' of the human race 4

that he ou*ht to 6e e7terminated 4 and that the

fruits of the earth 6e+on*ed to a++( and the +and to

none M &a%e $e not a+read' e7amined this )ro)osi3

tion( so 6eautifu+ in itse+f( and so conduci%e to the

ha))iness of societ'M

A" Who is this .ean .acHues M It is certain+' not

.ohn the !a)tist( nor .ohn the E%an*e+ist( nor .ames

the reater( nor .ames the Less 4 he must ine%ita6+'



6e some $it+in* of a &un( to $rite such a6omina6+e

im)ertinence( or some i++3conditioned( ma+icious #6u3

fo ma*ro(# $ho is ne%er more ha))' than $hen

sneerin* at $hat a++ the rest of the $or+d deem most

>; Phi+oso)hica+

%a+ua6+e and sacred" For( instead of dama*in* and

s)oi+in* the estate of a $ise and industrious nei*h3

6or( he had on+' to imitate him( and induce e%er'

head of a fami+' to fo++o$ his e7am)+e( in order to

form in a short time a most ourishin* and ha))'

%i++a*e" The author of the )assa*e Huoted seems

to me a thorou*h+' unsocia+ anima+"

!" ?ou are of o)inion( then( that 6' insu+tin*

and )+underin* the *ood man( for surroundin* his

*arden and farm'ard $ith a Huic53set hed*e( he has

oended a*ainst natura+ +a$"

A" ?es( most certain+' 4 there is( I must re)eat(

a natura+ +a$ 4 and it consists in neither doin* i++

to another( nor re9oicin* at it( $hen from an' cause

$hatsoe%er it 6efa++s him"





man of Louis BIV" these( and a thousand simi+ar

e7am)+es( easi+' to 6e found in the records of his3

tor'( tota++' distur6 and deran*e m' ideas( and I no

+on*er 5no$ $hat I am doin* or $here I am"

A" We++ 4 6ut shou+d the 5no$+ed*e that storms

are comin* )re%ent our en9o'in* the 6eautifu+ sun3

shine and *ent+e and fra*rant *a+es of the )resent

da' M Did the earthHua5e that destro'ed ha+f the cit'

of Lis6on )re%ent 'our ma5in* a %er' )+easant 9our3

ne' from 0adridM If Atti+a $as a 6andit( and Car3

dina+ 0a1arin a 5na%e( are there not some )rinces

and ministers res)ecta6+e and amia6+e menM &as

it not 6een remar5ed( that in the $ar of ;=;( the

Counci+ of Louis BIV" consisted of some of the

most %irtuous of man5ind the du5e of !eau%i+3

+iers( the 0arHuis de Torc'( 0arsha+ Vi++ars( and

Jna++' Chami++ard( $ho $as not indeed considered a

%er' a6+e 6ut sti++ an honora6+e man M Does not the

idea of 9ust and un9ust sti++ e7istM It is in fact

on this that a++ +a$s are founded" The ree5s ca++

+a$s #the dau*hters of hea%en(# $hich means sim)+'(

the dau*hters of nature" &a%e 'ou no +a$s in 'our

countr' M

!" ?es 4 some *ood( and others 6ad"



A" Where cou+d 'ou ha%e ta5en the idea of

>Q Phi+oso)hica+

them( 6ut from the notions of natura+ +a$ $hich

e%er' $e++3constructed mind has $ithin itse+f M The'

must ha%e 6een deri%ed from these or nothin*"

!" ?ou are ri*ht 4 there is a natura+ +a$( 6ut it

is sti++ more natura+ to man' )eo)+e to for*et or

ne*+ect it"

A" It is natura+ a+so to 6e one3e'ed( hum)3

6ac5ed( +ame( deformed( and sic5+' 4 6ut $e )refer

)ersons $e++ made and hea+th'"

!" Wh' are there so man' one3e'ed and de33

formed minds M

A" &ush : Consu+t( ho$e%er( the artic+e on

#Omni)otence"#

LAW SALIC"



&E W&O sa's that the Sa+ic +a$ $as $ritten $ith

a )en from the $in* of a t$o3headed ea*+e( 6'

Pharamond2s a+moner( on the 6ac5 of the )atent con3

tainin* Constantine2s donation( $as not( )erha)s(

%er' much mista5en"

It is( sa' the dou*ht' +a$'ers( the fundamenta+

+a$ of the French Em)ire" The *reat .erome

!i*non( in his 6oo5 on #The E7ce++ence of

France(# sa's that this +a$ is deri%ed from natura+

+a$( accordin* to the *reat Aristot+e( 6ecause #in

fami+ies it $as the father $ho *o%erned( and no

do$er $as *i%en to dau*hters( as $e read iti re+ation

to the father( mother( and 6rothers of Re6ecca"#

&e asserts that the 5in*dom of France is so e73

ce++ent that it has re+i*ious+' )reser%ed this +a$(

Dictionar'" >

recommended 6oth 6' Aristot+e and the O+d Testa3

ment" And to )ro%e this e7ce++ence of France( he

o6ser%es a+so( that the em)eror .u+ian thou*ht the



$ine of Surene admira6+e"

!ut in order to demonstrate the e7ce++ence of the

Sa+ic +a$( he refers to Froissart( accordin* to $hom

the t$e+%e )eers of France said that #the 5in*dom

of France is of such hi*h no6i+it' that it ne%er ou*ht

to )ass in succession to a fema+e"#

It must 6e ac5no$+ed*ed that this decision is not

a +itt+e unci%i+ to S)ain( En*+and( Na)+es( and &un3

*ar'( and more than a++ the rest to Russia( $hich has

seen on its throne four em)resses in succession"

The 5in*dom of France is of *reat no6i+it' 4 no

dou6t it is 4 6ut those of S)ain( of 0e7ico( and Peru

are a+so of *reat no6i+it'( and there is *reat no6i+it'

a+so in Russia"

It has 6een a++e*ed that Sacred Scri)ture sa's

the +i+ies neither toi+ nor s)in 4 and thence it has

6een inferred that $omen ou*ht not to rei*n in

France" This certain+' is another instance of )o$er3

fu+ reasonin*4 6ut it has 6een for*otten that the

+eo)ards( $hich are it is hard to sa' $h' the arms

of En*+and( s)in no more than the +i+ies $hich are

it is eHua++' hard to sa' $h' the arms of France"



In a $ord( the circumstance that +i+ies ha%e ne%er

6een seen to s)in does not a6so+ute+' demonstrate

the e7c+usion of fema+es from the throne to ha%e

6een a fundamenta+ +a$ of the au+s"

Vo+" ri

>> Phi+oso)hica+

Of Fundamenta+ La$s"

The fundamenta+ +a$ of e%er' countr' is( that

if )eo)+e are desirous of ha%in* 6read( the' must

so$ corn 4 that if the' $ish for c+othin*( the' must

cu+ti%ate a7 and hem) 4 that e%er' o$ner of a Je+d

shou+d ha%e the uncontro++ed mana*ement and

dominion o%er it( $hether that o$ner 6e ma+e or

fema+e4 that the ha+f36ar6arous au+ shou+d 5i++

as man' as e%er he can of the $ho++' 6ar6arous

Fran5s( $hen the' come from the 6an5s of the

0ain( $hich the' ha%e not the s5i++ and industr'

to cu+ti%ate( to carr' o his har%ests and oc5s4

$ithout doin* $hich the au+ $ou+d either 6ecome

a serf of the Fran5( or 6e assassinated 6' him"



It is u)on this foundation that an ediJce is $e++

su))orted" One man 6ui+ds u)on a roc5( and his

house stands Jrm 4 another on the sands( and it fa++s

to the *round" !ut a fundamenta+ +a$( arisin* from

the uctuatin* inc+inations of men( and 'et at the

same time irre%oca6+e( is a contradiction in terms( a

mere creature of ima*ination( a chimera( an a63

surdit' 4 the )o$er that ma5es the +a$s can chan*e

them" The o+den !u++ $as ca++ed #the fundamenta+

+a$ of the em)ire"# It $as ordained that there

shou+d ne%er 6e more than se%en Teutonic e+ectors(

for the %er' satisfactor' and decisi%e reason that

a certain .e$ish chande+ier had had no more than

se%en 6ranches( and that there are no more than

se%en *ifts of the &o+' S)irit" This fundamenta+

+a$ had the e)ithet #eterna+# a))+ied to it 6' the

Dictionar'" >

a++3)o$erfu+ authorit' and infa++i6+e 5no$+ed*e of

Char+es IV" od( ho$e%er( did not thin5 Jt to a++o$

of this assum)tion of #eterna+# in Char+es2s )arch3

ments" &e )ermitted other erman em)erors( out



of their a++3)o$erfu+ authorit' and infa++i6+e 5no$+3

ed*e( to add t$o 6ranches to the chande+ier( and

t$o )resents to the se%en *ifts of the &o+' S)irit"

Accordin*+' the e+ectors are no$ nine in num6er"

It $as a %er' fundamenta+ +a$ that the disci)+es

of the Lord .esus shou+d )ossess no )ri%ate )ro)3

ert'( 6ut ha%e a++ thin*s in common" There $as

after$ards a +a$ that the 6isho)s of Rome shou+d

6e rich( and that the )eo)+e shou+d choose them"

The +ast fundamenta+ +a$ is( that the' are so%3

erei*ns( and e+ected 6' a sma++ num6er of men

c+othed in scar+et( and constitutin* a societ' a6so3

+ute+' un5no$n in the time of .esus" If the 2em3

)eror( 5in* of the Romans( a+$a's au*ust( $as so%3

erei*n master of Rome in fact( as he is accordin*

to the st'+e of his )atents and hera+dr'( the )o)e

$ou+d 6e his *rand a+moner( unti+ some other +a$(

fore%er irre%oca6+e( $as announced( to 6e destro'ed

in its turn 6' some succeedin* one"

I $i++ su))ose $hat ma' %er' )ossi6+' and

natura++' ha))en that an em)eror of erman' ma'

ha%e no issue 6ut an on+' dau*hter( and that he ma'

6e a uiet( $orth' man( understandin* nothin*

a6out $ar" I $i++ su))ose that if Catherine II" does



not destro' the Tur5ish Em)ire( $hichM she has

se%ere+' sha5en in the %er' 'ear in $hich I am no$

> Phi+oso)hica+

$ritin* m' re%erie the 'ear ;;( the Tur5 $i++

come and in%ade this *ood )rince( not$ithstandin*

his 6ein* cherished and 6e+o%ed 6' a++ his nine

e+ectors 4 that his dau*hter )uts herse+f at the head

of the troo)s $ith t$o 'oun* e+ectors dee)+'

enamored of her4 that she 6eats the Ottomans( as

De6orah 6eat enera+ Sisera( and his three hundred

thousand so+diers( and his three thousand chariots

of $ar( in a +itt+e roc5' )+ain at the foot of 0ount

Ta6or 4 that this $ar+i5e )rincess dri%es the 0ussu+3

man e%en 6e'ond Adriano)+e 4 that her father dies

throu*h 9o' at her success( or from an' other cause 4

that the t$o +o%ers of the )rincess induce their se%en

co++ea*ues to cro$n her em)ress( and that a++ the

)rinces of the em)ire( and a++ the cities *i%e their

consent to it 4 $hat( in this case( 6ecomes of the

fundamenta+ and eterna+ +a$ $hich enacts that the

ho+' Roman Em)ire cannot )ossi6+' )ass from the

+ance to the dista( that the t$o3headed ea*+e can3



not s)in( and that it is im)ossi6+e to sit on the im3

)eria+ throne $ithout 6reeches M The o+d and a6surd

+a$ $ou+d 6e derided( and the heroic em)ress rei*n

at once in safet' and in *+or'"

&o$ the Sa+ic La$ Came to 6e Esta6+ished"

We cannot contest the custom $hich has indeed

)assed into +a$( that decides a*ainst dau*hters in3

heritin* the cro$n in France $hi+e there remains an'

ma+e of the ro'a+ 6+ood" This Huestion has 6een

+on* determined( and the sea+ of antiHuit' has 6een

Dictionar'" ><

)ut to the decision" &ad it 6een e7)ress+' 6rou*ht

from hea%en( it cou+d not 6e more re%ered 6' the

French nation than it is" It certain+' does not e73

act+' corres)ond $ith the *a++ant courtes' of the

nation4 6ut the fact is( that it $as in strict and

ri*orous o6ser%ance 6efore the nation $as e%er dis3

tin*uished for its *a++ant courtes'"

The )resident Renau+t re)eats( in his #Chronic+e(#



$hat had 6een stated at random 6efore him( that

C+o%is di*ested the Sa+ic +a$ in ;;( the %er' 'ear

in $hich he died" I am %er' $e++ dis)osed to 6e3

+ie%e that he actua++' did di*est this +a$( and that

he 5ne$ ho$ to read and $rite( 9ust as I am to 6e3

+ie%e that he $as on+' Jfteen 'ears o+d $hen he

undertoo5 the conHuest of the au+s 4 6ut I do

sincere+' $ish that an' one $ou+d sho$ me in the

+i6rar' of St"3ermain3des3Pres( or of St" 0artin(

the ori*ina+ document of the Sa+ic +a$ actua++'

si*ned C+o%is( or C+odo%ic( or &i+do%ic 4 from that

$e shou+d at +east +earn his rea+ name( $hich no6od'

at )resent 5no$s"

We ha%e t$o editions of this Sa+ic +a$ 4 one 6'

a )erson 6' the name of &ero+d( the other 6' Francis

Pithou4 and these are dierent( $hich is 6' no

means a fa%ora6+e )resum)tion" When the te7t of

a +a$ is *i%en dierent+' in t$o documents( it is

not on+' e%ident that one of the t$o is fa+se( 6ut it

is hi*h+' )ro6a6+e that the' are 6oth so" No custom

or usa*e of the Fran5s $as $ritten in our ear+'

times( and it $ou+d 6e e7cessi%e+' stran*e that the



= Phi+oso)hica+

+a$ of the Sa+ii shou+d ha%e 6een so" This +a$(

moreo%er( is in Latin( and it does not seem at a++

)ro6a6+e that( in the s$am)s 6et$een Sua6ia and

!ata%ia( C+o%is( or his )redecessors( shou+d s)ea5

Latin"

It is su))osed that this +a$ has reference to the

5in*s of France 4 and 'et a++ the +earned are a*reed

that the Sicam6ri( the Fran5s( and the Sa+ii( had

no 5in*s( nor indeed an' hereditar' chiefs"

The tit+e of the Sa+ic +a$ 6e*ins $ith these $ords -

#In Christi nomine# #In the name of Christ"# It

$as therefore made out of the Sa+ic territor'( as

Christ $as no more 5no$n 6' these 6ar6arians than

6' the rest of erman' and a++ the countries of the

North"

This +a$ is stated to ha%e 6een dra$n u) 6' four

distin*uished +a$'ers of the Fran5 nation 4 these(

in &ero+d2s edition( are ca++ed Vuiso*ast( Aro*ast(

Sa+e*ast( and Vuindo*ast" In Pithou2s edition( the

names are some$hat dierent" It has 6een un3

+uc5i+' disco%ered that these names are the o+d



names( some$hat dis*uised( of certain cantons of

erman'"

In $hate%er )eriod this +a$ $as framed in 6ad

Latin( $e Jnd( in the artic+e re+atin* to a++odia+ or

freeho+d +ands( #that no )art of Sa+ic +and can 6e

inherited 6' $omen"# It is c+ear that this )retended

+a$ $as 6' no means fo++o$ed" In the Jrst )+ace(

it a))ears from the formu+ae of 0arcu+)hus that a

father mi*ht +ea%e his a++odia+ +and to his dau*hter(

Dictionar'" ;

renouncin* #a certain Sa+ic +a$ $hich is im)ious

and a6omina6+e"#

Second+'( if this +a$ 6e a))+ied to Jefs( it is e%i3

dent that the En*+ish 5in*s( $ho $ere not of the

Norman race( o6tained a++ their *reat Jefs in France

on+' throu*h dau*hters"

Third+'( it is a++e*ed to 6e necessar' that a Jef

shou+d 6e )ossessed 6' a man( 6ecause he $as a6+e

as $e++ as 6ound to J*ht for his +ord4 this itse+f



sho$s that the +a$ cou+d not 6e understood to aect

the ri*hts to the throne" A++ feuda+ +ords mi*ht J*ht

9ust as $e++ for a Hueen as for a 5in*" A Hueen $as

not o6+i*ed to fo++o$ the )ractice so +on* in use( to

)ut on a cuirass( and co%er her +im6s $ith armor(

and set o trottin* a*ainst the enem' u)on a cart3

horse"

It is certain( therefore( that the Sa+ic +a$ cou+d

ha%e no reference to the cro$n( neither in con3

nection $ith a++odia+ +ands( nor feuda+ ho+din* and

ser%ice"

0e1era' sa's( #The im6eci+it' of the se7 )re3

c+udes their rei*nin*"# 0e1era' s)ea5s here +i5e a

man neither of sense nor )o+iteness" &istor' )osi3

ti%e+' and re)eated+' fa+siJes his assertion" ueen

Anne of En*+and( $ho hum6+ed Louis BIV" 4 the

em)ress3Hueen of &un*ar'( $ho resisted Kin* Louis

BV"( Frederic5 the reat( the e+ector of !a%aria(

and %arious other )rinces 4 E+i1a6eth of En*+and(

$ho $as the stren*th and su))ort of our *reat

&enr'4 the em)ress of Russia( of $hom $e ha%e



Phi+oso)hica+

s)o5en a+read'4 a++ these decided+' sho$ that

0e1era' is not more correct than he is courteous in

his o6ser%ation" &e cou+d scarce+' he+) 5no$in*

that ueen !+anche $as in fact the rei*nin* monarch

under the name of her son4 as Anne of !rittan'

$as under that of Louis BII"

Ve++'( the +ast $riter of the histor' of France( and

$ho on that %er' account ou*ht to 6e the 6est( as he

)ossessed a++ the accumu+ated materia+s of his )red3

ecessors( did not( ho$e%er( a+$a's 5no$ ho$ to

turn his ad%anta*es to the 6est account" &e in%ei*hs

$ith 6itterness a*ainst the 9udicious and )rofound

Ra)in de Tho'ras( and attem)ts to )ro%e to him

that no )rincess e%er succeeded to the cro$n $hi+e

an' ma+es remained $ho $ere ca)a6+e of succeedin*"

That $e a++ 5no$ )erfect+' $e++( and Tho'ras ne%er

said the contrar'"

In that +on* a*e of 6ar6arism( $hen the on+'

concern of Euro)e $as to commit usur)ations and

to sustain them( it must 6e ac5no$+ed*ed that

5in*s( 6ein* often chiefs of 6anditti or $arriors

armed a*ainst those 6anditti( it $as not )ossi6+e to



6e su69ect to the *o%ernment of a $oman" Who3

e%er $as in )ossession of a *reat $arhorse $ou+d

en*a*e in the $or5 of ra)ine and murder on+' under

the standard of a man mounted u)on a *reat horse

+i5e himse+f" A 6uc5+er of o7hide ser%ed for a

,

throne" The ca+i)hs *o%erned 6' the Koran( the

)o)es $ere deemed to *o%ern 6' the os)e+" The

South sa$ no $oman rei*n 6efore .oan of Na)+es(

Dictionar'" G

$ho $as inde6ted for her cro$n entire+' to the

aection of the )eo)+e for Kin* Ro6ert( her *rand3

father( and to their hatred of Andre$( her hus6and"

This Andre$ $as in rea+it' of ro'a+ 6+ood( 6ut had

6een 6orn in &un*ar'( at that time in a state of

6ar6arism" &e dis*usted the Nea)o+itans 6' his

*ross manners( intem)erance( and drun5enness" The

amia6+e 5in* Ro6ert $as o6+i*ed to de)art from

immemoria+ usa*e( and dec+are .oan a+one so%3

erei*n 6' his $i++( $hich $as a))ro%ed 6' the na3



tion"

In the North $e see no Hueen rei*nin* in her

o$n ri*ht 6efore 0ar*aret of Wa+demar( $ho *o%3

erned for some months in her o$n name a6out the

'ear ;G"

S)ain had no Hueen in her o$n ri*ht 6efore the

a6+e Isa6e++a in ;Q>;" In En*+and the crue+ and

6i*oted 0ar'( dau*hter of &enr' VIII"( $as the

Jrst $oman $ho inherited the throne( as the %ea5

and crimina+ 0ar' Stuart $as in Scot+and in the

si7teenth centur'" The immense territor' of Rus3

sia had no fema+e so%erei*n 6efore the $ido$ of

Peter the reat"

The $ho+e of Euro)e( and indeed I mi*ht sa'

the $ho+e $or+d( $as *o%erned 6' $arriors in the

time $hen Phi+i) de Va+ois su))orted his ri*ht

a*ainst Ed$ard III" This ri*ht of a ma+e $ho suc3

ceeded to a ma+e( seemed the +a$ of a++ nations"

#?ou are *randson of Phi+i) the Fair(# said Va+ois

to his com)etitor( #6ut as m' ri*ht $ou+d 6e su3



Q Phi+oso)hica+

)erior to that of the mother( it must 6e sti++ more

decided+' su)erior to that of the son" ?our mother(

in fact( cou+d not communicate a ri*ht $hich she

did not )ossess"#

It $as therefore )erfect+' reco*ni1ed in France

that a )rince of the 6+ood ro'a+( a+thou*h in the re3

motest )ossi6+e de*ree( shou+d 6e heir to the cro$n

in e7c+usion e%en of the dau*hter of the 5in*" It

is a +a$ on $hich there is no$ not the s+i*htest dis3

)ute $hate%er" Other nations ha%e( since the fu++

and uni%ersa+ reco*nition of this )rinci)+e amon*

ourse+%es( ad9ud*ed the throne to )rincesses" !ut

France has sti++ o6ser%ed its ancient usa*e" Time

has conferred on this usa*e the force of the most

sacred of +a$s" At $hat time the Sa+ic +a$ $as

framed or inter)reted is not of the s+i*htest con3

seHuence 4 it does e7ist( it is res)ecta6+e( it is usefu+ 4

and its uti+it' has rendered it sacred"

E7amination Whether Dau*hters Are in a++ Cases

De)ri%ed of E%er' S)ecies of Inheritance 6'

This Sa+ic La$"



I ha%e a+read' 6esto$ed the em)ire on a dau*hter

in deJance of the o+den !u++" I sha++ ha%e no dif3

Jcu+t' in conferrin* on a dau*hter the 5in*dom of

France" I ha%e a 6etter ri*ht to dis)ose of this

rea+m than Po)e .u+ian II"( $ho de)ri%ed Louis

BII" of it( and transferred it 6' his o$n sin*+e au3

thorit' to the em)eror 0a7imi+ian" I am 6etter

authori1ed to )+ead in 6eha+f of the dau*hters of

Dictionar'"

the house of France( than Po)e re*or' BIII" and

Corde+ier Se7tus3uintus $ere to e7c+ude from the

throne our )rinces of the 6+ood( under the )retence

actua++' ur*ed 6' these e7ce++ent )riests( that &enr'

IV" and the )rinces of Conde $ere a #6astard and

detesta6+e race# of !our6on reJned and ho+'

$ords( $hich deser%e e%er to 6e remem6ered in

order to 5ee) a+i%e the con%iction of a++ $e o$e to

the 6isho)s of Rome" I ma' *i%e m' %ote in the

states3*enera+( and no )o)e certain+' can ha%e an'

sura*e on it" I therefore *i%e m' %ote $ithout

hesitation( some three or four hundred 'ears

from the )resent time( to a dau*hter of France( then



the on+' descendant remainin* in a direct +ine

from &u*h Ca)et" I constitute her Hueen( )ro%ided

she sha++ ha%e 6een $e++ educated( ha%e a sound un3

derstandin*( and 6e no 6i*ot" I inter)ret in her

fa%or that +a$ $hich dec+ares #Hue J++e ne doit 3(nie

succedcr# that a dau*hter must in no case come to

her succession" I understand 6' the $ords( that she

must in no case succeed as +on* as there sha++ 6e an'

ma+e" !ut on fai+ure of ma+es( I )ro%e that the

5in*dom 6e+on*s to her 6' nature( $hich ordains it(

and for the 6eneJt of the nation"

I in%ite a++ *ood Frenchmen to sho$ the same

res)ect as m'se+f for the 6+ood of so man' 5in*s"

I consider this as the on+' method of )re%entin*

factions $hich $ou+d dismem6er the state" I )ro3

)ose that she sha++ rei*n in her o$n ri*ht( and that

she sha++ 6e married to some amia6+e and res)ecta6+e

9> Phi+oso)hica+

)rince( $ho sha++ assume her name and arms( and

$ho( in his o$n ri*ht( sha++ )ossess some territor'

$hich sha++ 6e anne7ed to France 4 as $e ha%e seen









+ous as to )a' to a forei*n )riest the Jrst 'ear2s

re%enue of an estate( conferred 6' citi1ens u)on a

)riest $ho is their fe++o$3citi1en"

That no )riest shou+d )ossess authorit' to de3

)ri%e a citi1en e%en of the sma++est of his )ri%i+e*es(

under the )retence that that citi1en is a sinner 4 6e3

cause the )riest( himse+f a sinner( ou*ht to )ra' for

sinners( and not to 9ud*e them"

That ma*istrates( cu+ti%ators( and )riests( shou+d

a+i5e contri6ute to the e7)enses of the state( 6ecause

a++ a+i5e 6e+on* to the state"

That there shou+d 6e on+' one s'stem of $ei*hts

and measures( and usa*es"

That the )unishment of crimina+s shou+d 6e

rendered usefu+" A man that is han*ed is no +on*er

usefu+4 6ut a man condemned to the )u6+ic $or5s

is sti++ ser%icea6+e to his countr'( and a +i%in* +ecture

a*ainst crime"

That the $ho+e +a$ shou+d 6e c+ear( uniform( and

)recise 4 to inter)ret it is a+most a+$a's to corru)t it"



That nothin* shou+d 6e he+d infamous 6ut %ice"

That ta7es shou+d 6e im)osed a+$a's in 9ust )ro3

)ortion"

That +a$ shou+d ne%er 6e in contradiction to

usa*e 4 for( if the usa*e is *ood( the +a$ is $orth

nothin*"

Dictionar'" <

LAWS"

SECTION I"

IT is di8cu+t to )oint out a sin*+e nation +i%in*

under a s'stem of *ood +a$s" This is not attri6u3

ta6+e mere+' to the circumstance that +a$s are the

)roductions of men( for men ha%e )roduced $or5s

of *reat uti+it' and e7ce++ence 4 and those $ho in3

%ented and 6rou*ht to )erfection the %arious arts

of +ife $ere ca)a6+e of de%isin* a res)ecta6+e code

of 9uris)rudence" !ut +a$s ha%e )roceeded( in

a+most e%er' state( from the interest of the +e*is+ator(



from the ur*enc' of the moment( from i*norance(

and from su)erstition( and ha%e accordin*+' 6een

made at random( and irre*u+ar+'( 9ust in the same

manner in $hich cities ha%e 6een 6ui+t" Ta5e a

%ie$ of Paris( and o6ser%e the contrast 6et$een that

Huarter of it $here the Jsh3mar5et &a++es is situ3

ated( the St" Pierre3au736ceufs( the streets !rise3

miche and Pet3au3dia6+e and the 6eaut' and s)+endor

of the Lou%re and the Tui+eries" This is a correct

ima*e of our +a$s"

It $as on+' after London had 6een reduced to

ashes that it 6ecame at a++ Jt to 6e inha6ited" The

streets( after that catastro)he( $ere $idened and

strai*htened" If 'ou are desirous of ha%in* *ood

+a$s( 6urn those $hich 'ou ha%e at )resent( and

ma5e fresh ones"

The Romans $ere $ithout J7ed +a$s for the

s)ace of three hundred 'ears 4 the' $ere o6+i*ed to





$ith the cu+ti%ator of Sua6ia on+' in s)ea5in* near+'

the same +an*ua*e( $hich( it must 6e admitted( is

rather an un)o+ished and coarse one"

The En*+ish nation has more uniformit'4 6ut

ha%in* e7tricated itse+f from ser%itude and 6ar6arism

on+' 6' occasiona+ eorts( 6' Jts and con%u+si%e

starts( and ha%in* e%en in its state of freedom re3

tained man' +a$s former+' )romu+*ated( either 6'

Dictionar'" ;

the *reat t'rants $ho contended in ri%a+shi) for the

throne( or the )ett' t'rants $ho sei1ed u)on the

)o$er and honors of the )re+ac'( it has formed a+to3

*ether a 6od' of +a$s of *reat %i*or and e8cac'(

6ut $hich sti++ e7hi6it man' 6ruises and $ounds(

%er' c+umsi+' )atched and )+astered"

The inte++ect of Euro)e has made *reater )ro*ress

$ithin the +ast hundred 'ears than the $ho+e $or+d

had done 6efore since the da's of !rahma( Fohi(

@oroaster( and the Thaut of E*')t" What then is

the cause that +e*is+ation has made so +itt+eM



After the Jfth centur'( $e $ere a++ sa%a*es" Such

are the re%o+utions $hich ta5e )+ace on the *+o6e 4

6ri*ands )i++a*in* and cu+ti%ators )i++a*ed made u)

the masses of man5ind from the recesses of the

!a+tic Sea to the Strait of i6ra+tar 4 and $hen the

Ara6s made their a))earance in the South( the deso3

+ation of ra%a*e and confusion $as uni%ersa+"

In our de)artment of Euro)e( the sma++ num6er(

6ein* com)osed of darin* and i*norant men( used

to conHuest and com)+ete+' armed for 6att+e( and

the *reater num6er( com)osed of i*norant( unarmed

s+a%es( scarce+' an' one of either c+ass 5no$in* ho$

to read or $rite not e%en Char+ema*ne himse+f

it ha))ened %er' natura++' that the Roman Church(

$ith its )en and ceremonies( o6tained the *uidance

and *o%ernment of those $ho )assed their +ife on

horse6ac5 $ith their +ances couched and the morion

on their heads"

The descendants of the Sicam6ri( the !ur*un3

Vo+" ii >





DR?DEN"

A+most a++ treaties 6ein* accom)anied 6' the si*n

of the cross( and 6' an oath $hich $as freHuent+'

administered o%er some re+ics( e%er'thin* $as thus

6rou*ht $ithin the 9urisdiction of the Church"

Rome( as metro)o+itan( $as su)reme 9ud*e2in causes(

from the Cim6rian Chersonesus to ascon' 4 and

a thousand feuda+ +ords( unitin* their o$n )ecu+iar

usa*es $ith the canon +a$( )roduced in the resu+t

Dictionar'" G

that monstrous 9uris)rudence of $hich there at

)resent e7ist so man' remains" Which $ou+d ha%e

6een 6etter no +a$s at a++( or such as these M

It $as 6eneJcia+ to an em)ire of more %ast e7tent

than that of Rome to remain for a +on* time in a state

of chaos 4 for( as e%er' %a+ua6+e institution $as sti++

to 6e formed( it $as easier to 6ui+d a ne$ ediJce

than to re)air one $hose ruins $ere +oo5ed u)on as

sacred"



The +e*is+atri7 of the North( in ;>( co++ected

de)uties from a++ the )ro%inces $hich contained

a6out t$e+%e hundred thousand sHuare +ea*ues"

There $ere Pa*ans( 0ahometans of the sect of A&(

and others of the sect of Omar( and a6out t$e+%e dif3

ferent sects of Christians" E%er' +a$ $as dis3

tinct+' )ro)osed to this ne$ s'nod4 and if it a)3

)eared conforma6+e to the interest of a++ the )ro%3

inces( it then recei%ed the sanction of the em)ress

and the nation"

The Jrst +a$ that $as 6rou*ht for$ard and car3

ried( $as a +a$ of to+eration( that the ree5 )riest

mi*ht ne%er for*et that the Latin )riest $as his

fe++o$3man 4 that the 0ussu+man mi*ht 6ear $ith

his Pa*an 6rother 4 and that the Roman Catho+ic

mi*ht not 6e tem)ted to sacriJce his 6rother Pres6'3

terian"

The em)ress $rote $ith her o$n hand( in this

*rand counci+ of +e*is+ation( #Amon* so man' dif3

ferent creeds( the most in9urious error $ou+d 6e

into+erance"#



Q Phi+oso)hica+

It is no$ unanimous+' a*reed that there is in a

state on+' one authorit' 4 that the )ro)er e7)ressions

to 6e used are( #ci%i+ )o$er(# and #ecc+esiastica+

disci)+ine# 4 and that the a++e*or' of the t$o s$ords

is a do*ma of discord"

She 6e*an $ith emanci)atin* the serfs of her

o$n )articu+ar domain" She emanci)ated a++ those

of the ecc+esiastica+ domains" She mi*ht thus 6e

said to ha%e created men out of s+a%es"

The )re+ates and mon5s $ere )aid out of the

)u6+ic treasur'" Punishments $ere )ro)ortioned

to crimes( and the )unishments $ere of a usefu+

character4 oenders $ere for the *reater )art con3

demned to +a6or on )u6+ic $or5s( as the dead man

can 6e of no ser%ice to the +i%in*"

The torture $as a6o+ished( 6ecause it )unishes

a man 6efore he is 5no$n to 6e *ui+t'4 6ecause

the Romans ne%er )ut an' to the torture 6ut their

s+a%es 4 and 6ecause torture tends to sa%in* the

*ui+t' and destro'in* the innocent"



This im)ortant 6usiness had )roceeded thus far(

$hen 0usta)ha III"( the son of 0ahmoud( o6+i*ed

the em)ress to sus)end her code and )roceed to

J*htin*"

SECTION II"

I ha%e attem)ted to disco%er some ra' of +i*ht

in the m'tho+o*ica+ times of China $hich #)recede

Fohi( 6ut I ha%e attem)ted in %ain"

At the )eriod( ho$e%er( in $hich Fohi ourished(

$hich $as a6out three thousand 'ears 6efore the

Dictionar'"

ne$ and common era of our north$estern )art of

the $or+d( I )ercei%e $ise and mi+d +a$s a+read'

esta6+ished 6' a 6eneJcent so%erei*n" The ancient

6oo5s of the Fi%e Kin*s( consecrated 6' the res)ect

of so man' a*es( treat of the institution of a*ri3

cu+ture( of )astora+ econom'( of domestic econom'(

of that sim)+e astronom' $hich re*u+ates the dif3

ferent seasons( and of the music $hich( 6' dierent





> Phi+oso)hica+

certain )eriodica+ aections( under )ain of death

to 6oth of the oendin* )arties"#

#To e7terminate $ithout )it' a++ the unfortunate

inha6itants of the +and of Canaan( $ho $ere not e%en

acHuainted $ith them 4 to s+au*hter the $ho+e 4 to

massacre a++( men and $omen( o+d men( chi+dren( and

anima+s( for the *reater *+or' of od"#

#To sacriJce to the Lord $hate%er an' man sha++

ha%e de%oted as an anathema to the Lord( and to

s+a' it $ithout )o$er of ransom"#

#To 6urn $ido$s $ho( not 6ein* a6+e to 6e mar3

ried a*ain to their 6rothers3in3+a$( had other$ise

conso+ed themse+%es on the hi*h$a' or e+se$here(#

etc"

A .esuit( $ho $as former+' a missionar' amon*

the canni6a+s( at the time $hen Canada sti++ 6e+on*ed

to the 5in* of France( re+ated to me that once( as

he $as e7)+ainin* these .e$ish +a$s to his neo3



)h'tes( a +itt+e im)udent Frenchman( $ho $as )res3

ent at the catechisin*( cried out( #The' are the +a$s

of canni6a+s"# One of the Indians re)+ied to him(

#?ou are to 5no$( 0r" F+i))ant( that $e are )eo)+e

of some decenc' and 5indness" We ne%er had

amon* us an' such +a$s 4 and if $e had not some

5indness and decenc'( $e shou+d treat 'ou as an

inha6itant of Canaan( in order to teach 'ou ci%i+

+an*ua*e"#

It a))ears u)on a com)arison of the code of the

Chinese $ith that of the &e6re$s( that +a$s natu3

ra++' fo++o$ the manners of the )eo)+e $ho ma5e

Dictionar'"

them" If %u+tures and do%es had +a$s( the' $ou+d

undou6ted+' 6e of a %er' dierent character"

SECTION III"

Shee) +i%e in societ' %er' mi+d+' and a*reea6+' 4

their character )asses for 6ein* a %er' *ent+e one(

6ecause $e do not see the )rodi*ious Huantit' of



anima+s de%oured 6' them" We ma'( ho$e%er( con3

cei%e that the' eat them %er' innocent+' and $ith3

out 5no$in* it( 9ust as $e do $hen $e eat Sassena*e

cheese" The re)u6+ic of shee) is a faithfu+ ima*e

of the a*e of *o+d"

A hen3roost e7hi6its the most )erfect re)resen3

tation of monarch'" There is no 5in* com)ara6+e

to a coc5" If he marches hau*hti+' and Jerce+' in

the midst of his )eo)+e( it is not out of %anit'" If

the enem' is ad%ancin*( he does not content himse+f

$ith issuin* an order to his su69ects to *o and 6e

5i++ed for him( in %irtue of his unfai+in* 5no$+ed*e

and resist+ess )o$er 4 he *oes in )erson himse+f(

ran*es his 'oun* troo)s 6ehind him( and J*hts to

the +ast *as)" If he conHuers( it is himse+f $ho sin*s

the #Te Deum"# In his ci%i+ or domestic +ife( there

is nothin* so *a++ant( so res)ecta6+e( and so disin3

terested" Whether he has in his ro'a+ 6ea5 a *rain

of corn or a *ru63$orm( he 6esto$s it on the Jrst

of his fema+e su69ects that comes $ithin his )res3

ence" In short( So+omon in his harem $as not to 6e

com)ared to a coc5 in a farm3'ard"

If it 6e true that 6ees are *o%erned 6' a Hueen to



Phi+oso)hica+

$hom a++ her su69ects ma5e +o%e( that is a more )er3

fect *o%ernment sti++"

Ants are considered as constitutin* an e7ce++ent

democrac'" This is su)erior to e%er' other state(

as a++ are( in conseHuence of such a constitution( on

terms of eHua+it'( and e%er' indi%idua+ is em)+o'ed

for the ha))iness of a++" The re)u6+ic of 6ea%ers

is su)erior e%en to that of ants 4 at +east( if $e ma'

9ud*e 6' their )erformances in masonr'"

0on5e's are more +i5e merr'3andre$s than a

re*u+ar+' *o%erned )eo)+e 4 the' do not a))ear as3

sociated under J7ed and fundamenta+ +a$s( +i5e the

s)ecies )re%ious+' noticed"

We resem6+e mon5e's more than an' other ani3

ma+s in the ta+ent of imitation( in the +e%it' of our

ideas( and in that inconstanc' $hich has a+$a's )re3

%ented our ha%in* uniform and dura6+e +a$s"

When nature formed our s)ecies( and im)arted



to us a certain )ortion of instinct( se+f3+o%e for our

o$n )reser%ation( 6ene%o+ence for the safet' and

comfort of others( +o%e $hich is common to e%er'

c+ass of anima+ 6ein*( and the ine7)+ica6+e *ift of

com6inin* more ideas than a++ the inferior anima+s

to*ether after 6esto$in* on us this outJt she said

to us - #o( and do the 6est 'ou can"#

There is not a *ood code of +a$s in an' sin*+e

countr'" The reason is o6%ious - +a$s ha%e 6een

made for )articu+ar )ur)oses( accordin* fo time(

)+ace( e7i*encies( and not $ith *enera+ and s'stem3

atic %ie$s"

Dictionar'" <

When the e7i*encies u)on $hich +a$s $ere

founded are chan*ed or remo%ed( the +a$s them3

se+%es 6ecome ridicu+ous" Thus the +a$ $hich for3

6ade eatin* )or5 and drin5in* $ine $as )erfect+'

reasona6+e in Ara6ia( $here )or5 and $ine are in3

9urious 4 6ut at Constantino)+e it is a6surd"

The +a$ $hich confers the $ho+e Jef or +anded



)ro)ert' on the e+dest son( is a %er' *ood one in a

time of *enera+ anarch' and )i++a*e" The e+dest is

then the commander of the cast+e( $hich sooner or

+ater $i++ 6e attac5ed 6' 6ri*ands 4 the 'oun*er

6rothers $i++ 6e his chief o8cers( and the +a6orers

his so+diers" A++ that is to 6e a))rehended is that

the 'oun*er 6rother ma' assassinate or )oison the

e+der( his +ie*e +ord( in order to 6ecome himse+f the

master of the )remises 4 6ut such instances are un3

common( 6ecause nature has so com6ined our in3

stincts and )assions( that $e fee+ a stron*er horror

a*ainst assassinatin* our e+der 6rother( than $e fee+

a desire to succeed to his authorit' and estate" !ut

this +a$( $hich $as suita6+e enou*h to the o$ners

of the *+oom'( sec+uded( and turreted mansions( in

the da's of Chi+)eric( is detesta6+e $hen the case

re+ates $ho++' to the di%ision of fami+' )ro)ert' in

a ci%i+i1ed and $e++3*o%erned cit'"

To the dis*race of man5ind( the +a$s of )+a'

or *amin* are( it is $e++ 5no$n( the on+' ones that

are throu*hout 9ust( c+ear( in%io+a6+e( and carried

into im)artia+ and )erfect e7ecution" Wh' is the

Indian $ho +aid do$n the +a$s of a *ame of chess





his occu)ation as a usurer( and con%e'ed to E1ion3

e6er the $ho+e of his fami+'( $hich consisted of

his $ife( then far ad%anced in 'ears( a son( and a

dau*hter 4 he had in his train t$o eunuchs( one

of $hom acted as a coo5( and the other as a +a6orer

and %ine3dresser 4 and a )ious Essenian( $ho 5ne$

the Pentateuch com)+ete+' 6' heart( acted as his

a+moner" A++ these em6ar5ed at the )ort of E1ion3

Dictionar'" * I

e6er( tra%ersed the sea common+' ca++ed Red( a+3

thou*h it is far from 6ein* so( and entered the Per3

sian u+f to *o in search of the +and of O)hir( $ith3

out 5no$in* $here it $as" A dreadfu+ tem)est soon

after this came on( $hich dro%e the &e6re$ fami+'

to$ards the coast of India4 and the %esse+ $as

$rec5ed on one of the 0a+di%e is+ands no$ ca++ed

Padra6ranca(6ut $hich $as at that time uninha6ited"

The o+d usurer and his $ife $ere dro$ned 4 the

son and dau*hter( the t$o eunuchs( and the a+moner

$ere sa%ed" The' too5 as much of the )ro%isions

out of the $rec5 as the' $ere a6+e 4 erected for



themse+%es +itt+e ca6ins on the is+and( and +i%ed there

$ith considera6+e con%enience and comfort" ?ou

are a$are that the is+and of Padra6ranca is $ithin

J%e de*rees of the +ine( and that it furnishes the

+ar*est cocoanuts and the 6est )inea))+es in the

$or+d 4 it $as )+easant to ha%e such a +o%e+' as'+um

at a time $hen the fa%orite )eo)+e of od $ere e+se3

$here e7)osed to )ersecution and massacre 4 6ut

the Essenian cou+d not refrain from tears $hen he

reected( that )erha)s those on that ha))' is+and

$ere the on+' .e$s remainin* on the earth( and

that the seed of A6raham $as to 6e annihi+ated"

#Its restoration de)ends entire+' u)on 'ou(# said

the 'oun* .e$ 4 #marr' m' sister"# #I $ou+d $i+3

+in*+'(# said the a+moner( #6ut it is a*ainst the

+a$" I am an Essenian 4 I ha%e made a %o$ ne%er

to marr'4 the +a$ en9oins the strictest o6ser%ance

of a %o$ 4 the .e$ish race ma' come to an end( if

<" Phi+oso)hica+

it must 6e so 4 6ut I $i++ certain+' not marr' 'our

sister in order to )re%ent it( 6eautifu+ and amia6+e



as I admit she is"#

#0' t$o eunuchs(# resumed the .e$( #can 6e

of no ser%ice in this aair4 I $i++ therefore marr'

her m'se+f( if 'ou ha%e no o69ection4 and 'ou sha++

6esto$ the usua+ marria*e 6enediction"#

#I had a hundred times rather 6e disem6o$e++ed

6' the Roman so+diers(# said the a+moner( #than to

6e instrumenta+ to 'our committin* incest 4 $ere she

'our sister 6' the father2s side on+'( the +a$ $ou+d

a++o$ of 'our marria*e 4 6ut as she is 'our sister

6' the same mother( such a marria*e $ou+d 6e

a6omina6+e"#

#I can readi+' admit(# returned the 'oun* man(

#that it $ou+d 6e a crime at .erusa+em( $here I mi*ht

see man' other 'oun* $omen( one of $hom I mi*ht

marr' 4 6ut in the is+e of Padra6ranca( $here I see

nothin* 6ut cocoanuts( )inea))+es( and o'sters( I

consider the case to 6e %er' a++o$a6+e"#

The .e$ accordin*+' married his sister( and had

a dau*hter 6' her( not$ithstandin* a++ the )rotesta3

tions of the Essenian 4 and this $as the on+' o3

s)rin* of a marria*e $hich one of them thou*ht



%er' +e*itimate( and the other a6so+ute+' a6omina6+e"

After the e7)iration of fourteen 'ears( the mother

died 4 and the father said to the a+moner( #&a%e

'ou at +en*th *ot rid of 'our o+d )re9udicesM Wi++

'ou marr' m' dau*hterM# #od )reser%e me from

it(# said the Essenian" #Then(# said the father( #I

Dictionar'" <G

$i++ marr' her m'se+f( come $hat $i++ of it 4 for I

cannot 6ear that the seed of A6raham shou+d 6e

tota++' annihi+ated"# The Essenian( struc5 $ith in3

e7)ressi6+e horror( $ou+d d$e++ no +on*er $ith a

man $ho thus %io+ated and deJ+ed the +a$( and ed"

The ne$3married man +oud+' ca++ed after him( sa'3

in*( #Sta' here( m' friend" I am o6ser%in* the +a$

of nature( and doin* *ood to m' countr'4 do not

a6andon 'our friends"# The other suered him to

ca++( and continue to ca++( in %ain 4 his head $as fu++

of the +a$ 4 and he sto))ed not ti++ he had reached(

6' s$immin*( another is+and"

This $as the +ar*e is+and of Atto+a( hi*h+' )o)3



u+ous and ci%i+i1ed 4 as soon as he +anded he $as

made a s+a%e" &e com)+ained 6itter+' of the inhos3

)ita6+e manner in $hich he had 6een recei%ed 4 he

$as to+d that such $as the +a$( and that( e%er

since the is+and had 6een %er' near+' sur)rised and

ta5en 6' the inha6itants of that of Ada( it had 6een

$ise+' enacted that a++ stran*ers +andin* at Atto+a

shou+d 6e made s+a%es" #It is im)ossi6+e that can

e%er 6e a +a$(# said the Essenian( #for it is not in

the Pentateuch"# &e $as to+d in re)+'( that it $as

to 6e found in the di*est of the countr' 4 and he

remained a s+a%e - fortunate+' he had a 5ind and

$ea+th' master( $ho treated him %er' $e++( and to

$hom he 6ecame stron*+' attached"

Some murderers once came to the house in $hich

he +i%ed( to 5i++ his master and carr' o his treas3

ure" The' inHuired of the s+a%es if he $as at home(

<Q Phi+oso)hica+

and had much mone' there" #We assure 'ou( on our

oaths(# said the s+a%es( #that he is not at home"#

!ut the Essenian said - #The +a$ does not a++o$ +'3



in* 4 I s$ear to 'ou that he is at home( and that he

has a *reat dea+ of mone'"# The master $as( in

conseHuence( ro66ed and murdered 4 the s+a%es ac3

cused the Essenian( 6efore the 9ud*es( of ha%in*

6etra'ed his master" The Essenian said( that he

$ou+d te++ no +ies( and that nothin* in the $or+d

shou+d induce him to te++ one 4 and he $as han*ed"

This histor' $as re+ated to me( $ith man' sim3

i+ar ones( on the +ast %o'a*e I made from India to

France" When I arri%ed( I $ent to Versai++es on

6usiness( and sa$ in the street a 6eautifu+ $oman(

fo++o$ed 6' man' others $ho $ere a+so 6eautifu+"

#Who is that 6eautifu+ $omanM# said I to the 6ar3

rister $ho had accom)anied me 4 for I had a cause

then de)endin* 6efore the Par+iament of Paris a6out

some dresses that I had had made in India( and I

$as desirous of ha%in* m' counse+ as much $ith

me as )ossi6+e" #She is the dau*hter of the 5in*(#

said he( #she is amia6+e and 6eneJcent 4 it is a *reat

)it' that( in no case or circumstance $hate%er( such

a $oman as that can 6ecome Hueen of France"#

#What:# I re)+ied( #if $e had the misfortune to

+ose a++ her re+ations and the )rinces of the 6+ood

$hich od for6id $ou+d not she( in that c,ase( suc3

ceed to the throne of her fatherM# #No(# said the



counse++or 4 #the Sa+ic +a$ e7)ress+' for6ids it"#

#And $ho made this Sa+ic +a$M# said I to the coun3

Dictionar'" <

se++or" #I do not at a++ 5no$(# said he4 #6ut it

is )retended( that amon* an ancient )eo)+e ca++ed

the Sa+ii( $ho $ere una6+e either to read or $rite(

there e7isted a $ritten +a$( $hich enacted( that in

the Sa+ic territor' a dau*hter shou+d not inherit an'

freeho+d"# #And I(# said I to him( #I a6o+ish that

+a$ 4 'ou assure me that this )rincess is amia6+e

and 6eneJcent 4 she $ou+d( therefore( shou+d the ca3

+amit' occur of her 6ein* the +ast e7istin* )erson3

a*e of ro'a+ 6+ood( ha%e an incontesta6+e ri*ht to

the cro$n - m' mother inherited from her father 4

and in the case su))osed( I am reso+%ed that this

)rincess sha++ inherit from hers"#

On the ensuin* da'( m' suit $as decided in one

of the cham6ers of )ar+iament( and I +ost e%er'3

thin* 6' a sin*+e %ote 4 m' counse++or to+d me( that

in another cham6er I shou+d ha%e *ained e%er'thin*

6' a sin*+e %ote" #That is a %er' curious circum3



stance(# said I - #at that rate each cham6er )roceeds

6' a dierent +a$"# #That is 9ust the case(# said

he - #there are t$ent'3J%e commentaries on the

common +a$ of Paris - that is to sa'( it is )ro%ed

J%e and t$ent' times o%er( that the common +a$

of Paris is eHui%oca+ 4 and if there had 6een J%e

and t$ent' cham6ers of 9ud*es( there $ou+d 6e 9ust

as man' dierent s'stems of 9uris)rudence" We

ha%e a )ro%ince(# continued he( #Jfteen +ea*ues dis3

tant from Paris( ca++ed Normand'( $here the 9ud*3

ment in 'our cause $ou+d ha%e 6een %er' dierent

from $hat it $as here"# This statement e7cited in

<> Phi+oso)hica+

me a stron* desire to see Normand' 4 and I accord3

in*+' $ent thither $ith one of m' 6rothers" At the

Jrst inn( $e met $ith a 'oun* man $ho $as a+most

in a state of des)air" I inHuired of him $hat $as his

misfortune4 he to+d me it $as ha%in* an e+der

6rother" #Where(# said I( #can 6e the *reat ca+am3

it' of ha%in* an e+der 6rotherM The 6rother I

ha%e is m' e+der( and 'et $e +i%e %er' ha))i+' to3

*ether"# #A+as: sir(# said he to me( #the +a$ of



this )+ace *i%es e%er'thin* to the e+der 6rother( and

of course +ea%es nothin* for the 'oun*er ones"#

#That(# said I( #is enou*h( indeed( to distur6 and

distress 'ou 4 amon* us e%er'thin* is di%ided

eHua++' 4 and 'et( sometimes( 6rothers ha%e no *reat

aection for one another"#

These +itt+e ad%entures occasioned me to ma5e

some o6ser%ations( $hich of course $ere %er' in3

*enious and )rofound( u)on the su69ect of +a$s4

and I easi+' )ercei%ed that it $as $ith them as it

is $ith our *arments - I must $ear a do+iman at

Constantino)+e( and a coat at Paris"

#If a++ human +a$s(# said I( #are matters of con3

%ention( nothin* is necessar' 6ut to ma5e a *ood 6ar3

*ain"# The citi1ens of De+hi and A*ra sa' that the'

ha%e made a %er' 6ad one $ith Tamer+ane - those of

London con*ratu+ate themse+%es on ha%in* made a

%er' *ood one $ith Kin* Wi++iam of Oran*e" A citi3

1en of London once said to me - #La$s are made 6'

necessit'( and o6ser%ed throu*h force"# I as5ed

him if force did not a+so occasiona++' ma5e +a$s(



Dictionar'" <

and if Wi++iam( the 6astard and conHueror( had not

chosen sim)+' to issue his orders $ithout conde3

scendin* to ma5e an' con%ention or 6ar*ain $ith

the En*+ish at a++" #True(# said he( #it $as so - $e

$ere o7en at that time 4 Wi++iam 6rou*ht us under

the 'o5e( and dro%e us $ith a *oad4 since that

)eriod $e ha%e 6een metamor)hosed into men 4 the

horns( ho$e%er( remain $ith us sti++( and $e use

them as $ea)ons a*ainst e%er' man $ho attem)ts

ma5in* us $or5 for him and not for ourse+%es"#

With m' mind fu++ of a++ these reections( I

cou+d not he+) fee+in* a sensi6+e *ratiJcation in

thin5in*( that there e7ists a natura+ +a$ entire+'

inde)endent of a++ human con%entions - The fruit

of m' +a6or ou*ht to 6e m' o$n - I am 6ound to

honor m' father and mother - I ha%e no ri*ht o%er

the +ife of m' nei*h6or( nor has m' nei*h6or o%er

mine( etc" !ut $hen I considered( that from Che3

dor+aomer to 0ent1e+( co+one+ of hussars( e%er' one

5i++s and )+unders his nei*h6or accordin* to +a$(

and $ith his )atent in his )oc5et( I $as *reat+' dis3

tressed"



I $as to+d that +a$s e7isted e%en amon* ro63

6ers( and that there $ere +a$s a+so in $ar" I as5ed

$hat $ere the +a$s of $ar" #The' are(# said

some one( #to han* u) a 6ra%e o8cer for maintain3

in* a $ea5 )ost $ithout cannon 4 to han* a )risoner(

if the enem' ha%e han*ed an' of 'ours 4 to ra%a*e

$ith Jre and s$ord those %i++a*es $hich sha++ not

ha%e de+i%ered u) their means of su6sistence 6' an

Vo+" ii

< Phi+oso)hica+

a))ointed da'( a*reea6+' to the commands of the

*racious so%erei*n of the %icina*e"# #ood(# said

I( #that is the true s)irit of +a$s"# After acHuirin*

a *ood dea+ of information( I found that there e73

isted some $ise +a$s( 6' $hich a she)herd is con3

demned to nine 'ears2 im)risonment and +a6or in

the *a++e's( for ha%in* *i%en his shee) a +itt+e for3

ei*n sa+t" 0' nei*h6or $as ruined 6' a suit on

account of t$o oa5s 6e+on*in* to him( $hich he

had cut do$n in his $ood( 6ecause he had omitted

a mere form of technica+it' $ith $hich it $as a+3



most im)ossi6+e that he shou+d ha%e 6een ac3

Huainted 4 his $ife died( in conseHuence( in miser' 4

and his son is +an*uishin* out a )ainfu+ e7istence"

I admit that these +a$s are 9ust( a+thou*h their e7e3

cution is a +itt+e se%ere 4 6ut I must ac5no$+ed*e I

am no friend to +a$s $hich authori1e a hundred

thousand nei*h6ors +o'a++' to set a6out cuttin* one

another2s throats" It a))ears to me that the *reater

)art of man5ind ha%e recei%ed from nature a su83

cient )ortion of $hat is ca++ed common sense for

ma5in* +a$s( 6ut that the $ho+e $or+d has not 9us3

tice enou*h to ma5e *ood +a$s"

Sim)+e and tranHui+ cu+ti%ators( co++ected from

e%er' )art of the $or+d( $ou+d easi+' a*ree that

e%er' one shou+d 6e free to se++ the su)eruit' of

his o$n corn to his nei*h6or( and that e%er4 +a$ con3

trar' to it is 6oth inhuman and a6surd4 that the

%a+ue of mone'( 6ein* the re)resentati%e of com3

modities( ou*ht no more to 6e tam)ered $ith than

Dictionar'" <<

the )roduce of the earth 4 that the father of a fam3



i+' shou+d 6e master in his o$n house4 that re3

+i*ion shou+d co++ect men to*ether( to unite them in

5indness and friendshi)( and not to ma5e them fa3

natics and )ersecutors 4 and that those $ho +a6or

ou*ht not to 6e de)ri%ed of the fruits of their +a6or(

to endo$ su)erstition and id+eness" In the course of

an hour( thirt' +a$s of this descri)tion( a++ of a na3

ture 6eneJcia+ to man5ind( $ou+d 6e unanimous+'

a*reed to"

!ut +et Tamer+ane arri%e and su69u*ate India(

and 'ou $i++ then see nothin* 6ut ar6itrar' +a$s"

One $i++ o))ress and *rind do$n a $ho+e )ro%ince(

mere+' to enrich one of Tamer+ane2s co++ectors of

re%enue 4 another $i++ scre$ u) to the crime of

hi*h treason( s)ea5in* contem)tuous+' of the mis3

tress of a ra9ah2s chief %a+et4 a third $i++ e7tort

from the farmer a moiet' of his har%est( and dis3

)ute $ith him the ri*ht to the remainder 4 in short(

there $i++ 6e +a$s 6' $hich a Tartar ser*eant $i++

fee authori1ed to sei1e 'our chi+dren in the crad+e

to ma5e one( $ho is ro6ust( a so+dier to con%ert

another( $ho is $ea5( into a eunuch and thus to

+ea%e the father and mother $ithout assistance and

$ithout conso+ation"



!ut $hich $ou+d 6e )refera6+e( 6ein* Tamer3

+ane2s do* or his su69ectM It is e%ident that the

condition of his do* $ou+d 6e 6' far the 6etter one"

ioo Phi+oso)hica+

LAWS SPIRIT OF"

IT WO/LD 6e admira6+e( if from a++ the 6oo5s u)on

+a$s 6' !odin( &o66es( rotius( Puendorf( 0on3

tesHuieu( !ar6e'rac( and !ur+amaHui( some *enera+

+a$ $as ado)ted 6' the $ho+e of the tri6una+s of

Euro)e u)on succession( contracts( re%enue of3

fences( etc" !ut neither the citations of rotius(

nor those of Puendorf( nor those of the #S)irit of

La$s(# ha%e e%er +ed to a sentence in the Chate+et

of Paris or the O+d !ai+e' of London" We $ear'

ourse+%es $ith rotius( )ass some a*reea6+e mo3

ments $ith 0ontesHuieu 4 6ut if )rocess 6e deemed

ad%isa6+e( $e run to our attorne'" 2

It has 6een said that the +etter 5i++s( 6ut that in

the s)irit there is +ife" It is decided+' the contrar'

in the 6oo5 of 0ontesHuieu 4 the s)irit is diusi%e(



and the +etter teaches nothin*"

Fa+se Citations in the #S)irit of La$s(# and Fa+se

ConseHuences Dra$n from Them 6' the Au3

thor"

It is o6ser%ed( that #the En*+ish( to fa%or +i6ert'(

ha%e a6stracted a++ the intermediate )o$ers $hich

formed )art of their constitution"#

On the contrar'( the' ha%e )reser%ed the /))er

&ouse( and the *reater )art of the 9urisdictions

$hich stand 6et$een the cro$n and the )eo)+e"

#The esta6+ishment of a %i1ier in a des)otic state

is a fundamenta+ +a$"#

0ONTES/IE/

Dictionar'" ;=;

A 9udicious critic has remar5ed that this is as



much as to sa' that the o8ce of the ma'ors of the

)a+ace $as a fundamenta+ o8ce" Constantine $as

hi*h+' des)otic( 'et had no *rand %i1ier" Louis

BIV" $as +ess des)otic( and had no Jrst minister"

The )o)es are su8cient+' des)otic( and 'et se+dom

)ossess them"

#The sa+e of em)+o'ments is *ood in monarch3

ica+ states( 6ecause it ma5es it the )rofession of )er3

sons of fami+' to underta5e em)+o'ments( $hich the'

$ou+d not fu+J+ from disinterested moti%es a+one"#

Is it 0ontesHuieu $ho $rites these odious +ines M

What : 6ecause the %ices of Francis I" deran*ed the

)u6+ic Jnances( must $e se++ to i*norant 'oun* men

the ri*ht of decidin* u)on the honor( fortune( and

+i%es of the )eo)+eM What: is it *ood in a mon3

arch'( that the o8ce of ma*istrate shou+d 6ecome

a fami+' )ro%isionM If this infam' $as sa+utar'(

some other countr' $ou+d ha%e ado)ted it as $e++

as France 4 6ut there is not another monarch' on

earth $hich has merited the o))ro6rium" This

monstrous anoma+' s)ran* from the )rodi*a+it' of

a ruined and s)endthrift monarch( and the %anit' of

certain citi1ens $hose fathers )ossessed mone' 4

and the $retched a6use has a+$a's 6een $ea5+' at3



tac5ed( 6ecause it $as fe+t that reim6ursement $ou+d

6e di8cu+t" It $ou+d 6e a thousand times 6etter(

said a *reat 9urisconsu+t( to se++ the treasure of

a++ the con%ents( and the )+ate of a++ the churches(

than to se++ 9ustice" When Francis I" sei1ed the si+3

io Phi+oso)hica+

%er *ratin* of St" 0artin( he did harm to no one4

St" 0artin com)+ained not( and )arted %er' easi+'

$ith his screen4 6ut to se++ the )+ace of 9ud*e( and

at the same time ma5e the 9ud*e s$ear that he has

not 6ou*ht it( is a 6ase sacri+e*e"

Let us com)+ain that 0ontesHuieu has dishon3

ored his $or5 6' such )arado7es 6ut at the same

time +et us )ardon him" &is unc+e )urchased the

o8ce of a )ro%incia+ )resident( and 6eHueathed it

to him" &uman nature is to 6e reco*ni1ed in e%er'3

thin*( and there are none of us $ithout $ea5ness"

#!eho+d ho$ industrious+' the 0usco%ite *o%3

ernment see5s to emer*e from des)otism"#



Is it in a6o+ishin* the )atriarchate and the acti%e

mi+itia of the stre+it1es 4 in 6ein* the a6so+ute master

of the troo)s( of the re%enue( and of the church( of

$hich the functionaries are )aid from the )u6+ic

treasur' a+oneM or is it )ro%ed 6' ma5in* +a$s to

render that )o$er as sacred as it is mi*ht'M It is

me+ancho+'( that in so man' citations and so man'

ma7ims( the contrar' of $hat is asserted shou+d 6e

a+most a+$a's the truth"

#The +u7ur' of those $ho )ossess the necessa3

ries of +ife on+'( $i++ 6e 1ero4 the +u7ur' of those

$ho )ossess as much a*ain( $i++ 6e eHua+ to one 4

of those $ho )ossess dou6+e the means of the +atter(

three 4 and so on"#

The +atter $i++ )ossess three times the e7cess 6e3

'ond the necessaries of +ife 4 6ut it 6' no means fo+3

+o$s that he $i++ )ossess three times as man' +u73

Dictionar'" ;=G

uries 4 for he ma' 6e thrice as a%aricious( or ma'

em)+o' the su)eruit' in commerce( or in )ortions



to his dau*hters" These )ro)ositions are not af3

fairs of arithmetic( and such ca+cu+ations are mis3

era6+e Huac5er'"

#The Samnites had a Jne custom( $hich must

ha%e )roduced admira6+e resu+ts" The 'oun* man

dec+ared the most $orth' chose a $ife $here he

)+eased 4 he $ho had the ne7t num6er of sura*es

in his fa%or fo++o$ed( and so on throu*hout"#

The author has mista5en the Sunites( a )eo)+e of

Sc'thia( for the Samnites( in the nei*h6orhood of

Rome" &e Huotes a fra*ment of Nicho+as de De3

mas( )reser%ed 6' Sto6seus - 6ut is the said Nicho+as

a su8cient authorit'M This Jne custom $ou+d

moreo%er 6e %er' in9urious in a $e++3*o%erned coun3

tr'4 for if the 9ud*es shou+d 6e decei%ed in the

'oun* man dec+ared the most $orth'4 if the fe3

ma+e se+ected shou+d not +i5e him 4 or if he $ere o63

9ectiona6+e in the e'es of the *ir+2s )arents( %er'

fata+ resu+ts mi*ht fo++o$"

#On readin* the admira6+e $or5 of Tacitus on

the manners of the ermans( it $i++ 6e seen that

it is from them the En*+ish dre$ the idea of their

)o+itica+ *o%ernment" That admira6+e s'stem ori*3



inated in the $oods"#

The houses of )eers and of commons( and the

En*+ish courts of +a$ and eHuit'( found in the

$oods: Who $ou+d ha%e su))osed itM Without

dou6t( the En*+ish o$e their sHuadrons and their

IOQ Phi+oso)hica+

commerce to the manners of the ermans 4 and the

sermons of Ti++otson to those )ious erman sorcer3

ers $ho sacriJced their )risoners( and 9ud*ed of

their success in $ar 6' the manner in $hich the 6+ood

o$ed" We must 6e+ie%e( a+so( that the En*+ish

are inde6ted for their Jne manufactures to the +aud3

a6+e )ractice of the ermans( $ho( as Tacitus o63

ser%es( )referred ro66er' to toi+"

#Aristot+e ran5ed amon* monarchies the *o%ern3

ments 6oth of Persia and Lacedsemon 4 6ut $ho can3

not )ercei%e that the one $as a des)otism( the other

a re)u6+icM#

Who( on the contrar'( cannot )ercei%e that Lac3



edaemon had a sin*+e 5in* for four hundred 'ears(

and t$o 5in*s unti+ the e7tinction of the &erac+idse(

a )eriod of a6out a thousand 'ears M We 5no$ that

no 5in* $as des)otic of ri*ht( not e%en in Persia4

6ut e%er' 6o+d and dissem6+in* )rince $ho amasses

mone'( 6ecomes des)otic in a +itt+e time( either in

Persia or Laced1emon 4 and( therefore( Aristot+e

distin*uishes e%er' state )ossessin* )er)etua+ and

hereditar' chiefs( from re)u6+ics"

#Peo)+e of $arm c+imates are timid( +i5e o+d men 4

those of co+d countries are coura*eous( +i5e 'oun*

ones"#

We shou+d ta5e *reat care ho$ *enera+ )ro)osi3

tions esca)e us" No one has e%er 6een a6+e to ma5e

a La)+ander or an EsHuimau7 $ar+i5e( $Q9i+e the

Ara6s in fourscore 'ears conHuered a territor'

$hich e7ceeded that of the $ho+e Roman Em)ire"

Dictionar'" ;=

This ma7im of 0" 0ontesHuieu is eHua++' erroneous

$ith a++ the rest on the su69ect of c+imate"



#Louis BIII" $as e7treme+' a%erse to )assin* a

+a$ $hich made the ne*roes of the French co+onies

s+a%es 4 6ut $hen he $as *i%en to understand that

it $as the most certain $a' of con%ertin* them( he

consented"#

Where did the author )ic5 u) this anecdoteM

The Jrst arran*ement for the treatment of the ne3

*roes $as made in ;>G( thirt' 'ears after the death

of Louis BIII" This resem6+es the refusa+ of Fran3

cis I" to +isten to the )ro9ect of Christo)her Co+um3

6us( $ho had disco%ered the Anti++es 6efore Francis

I" $as 6orn"

#The Romans ne%er e7hi6ited an' 9ea+ous' on the

score of commerce" It $as as a ri%a+( not as a com3

mercia+ nation( that the' attac5ed Cartha*e"#

It $as 6oth as a $ar+i5e and as a commercia+

nation( as the +earned &uet )ro%es in his #Commerce

of the Ancients(# $hen he sho$s that the Romans

$ere addicted to commerce a +on* time 6efore the

Jrst Punic $ar"

#The steri+it' of the territor' of Athens esta63



+ished a )o)u+ar *o%ernment there( and the ferti+3

it' of that of Lacedsemon an aristocratic one"#

Whence this chimeraM From ens+a%ed Athens

$e sti++ deri%e cotton( si+5( rice( corn( oi+( and s5ins 4

and from the countr' of Lacedsemon nothin*" Ath3

ens $as t$ent' times richer than Lacedsemon" With

res)ect to the com)arati%e ferti+it' of the soi+( it is

;=> Phi+oso)hica+

necessar' to %isit those countries to a))reciate it4

6ut the form of a *o%ernment is ne%er attri6uted to

the *reater or +ess ferti+it'" Venice had %er' +itt+e

corn $hen her no6+es *o%erned" enoa is assured+'

not ferti+e( and 'et is an aristocrac'" ene%a is a

more )o)u+ar state( and has not the means of e7ist3

in* a fortni*ht u)on its o$n )roductions" S$eden(

$hich is eHua++' )oor( has for a +on* time su6mit3

ted to the 'o5e of a monarch' 4 $hi+e ferti+e Po+and

is aristocratic" I cannot concei%e ho$ *enera+ ru+es

can 6e esta6+ished( $hich ma' 6e fa+siJed u)on the

s+i*htest a))ea+ to e7)erience"



#In Euro)e( em)ires ha%e ne%er 6een a6+e to e73

ist"# ?et the Roman Em)ire e7isted for J%e hun3

dred 'ears( and that of the Tur5s has maintained

itse+f since the 'ear ;QG"

#The duration of the *reat em)ires of Asia is

)rinci)a++' o$in* to the )re%a+ence of %ast )+ains"#

0" 0ontesHuieu for*ets the mountains $hich cross

Nato+ia and S'ria( Caucasus( Taurus( Ararat( Im3

aus( and others( the ramiJcations of $hich e7tend

throu*hout Asia"

After thus con%incin* ourse+%es that errors

a6ound in the #S)irit of La$s# 4 after e%er'6od' is

satisJed that this $or5 $ants method( and )ossesses

neither )+an nor order"it is )ro)er to inHuire into that

$hich rea++' forms its merit( and $hich has +ed to

its *reat re)utation"

In the Jrst )+ace( it is $ritten $ith *reat $it( $hi+e

Dictionar'" ;=



the authors of a++ the other 6oo5s on this su69ect are

tedious" It $as on this account that a +ad'( $ho

)ossessed as much $it as 0ontesHuieu( o6ser%ed(

that his 6oo5 $as #I2es)rit sur +es +ois"# It can

ne%er 6e more correct+' deJned"

A sti++ stron*er reason is that the 6oo5 e7hi6its

*rand %ie$s( attac5s t'rann'( su)erstition( and *rind3

in* ta7ation three thin*s $hich man5ind detest"

The author conso+es s+a%es in +amentin* their fetters(

and the s+a%es in return a))+aud him"

2One of the most 6itter and a6surd of his enemies(

$ho contri6uted most 6' his ra*e to e7a+t the name

of 0ontesHuieu throu*hout Euro)e( $as the 9our3

na+ist of the Con%u+sionaries" &e ca++ed him a S)i3

no1ist and deist 4 that is to sa'( he accused him at

the same time of not 6e+ie%in* in od and of 6e3

+ie%in* in od a+one"

&e re)roaches him $ith his esteem for 0arcus

Aure+ius( E)ictetus( and the Stoics 4 and for not

+o%in* .ansenists the A66e de St" C'ran and Father

uesne+" &e asserts that he has committed an un3

)ardona6+e crime in ca++in* !a'+e a *reat man"



&e )retends that the #S)irit of La$s# is one of

those monstrous $or5s $ith $hich France has 6een

inundated since the !u++ /ni*enitus( $hich has cor3

ru)ted the consciences of a++ )eo)+e"

This tatterdema+ion from his *arret( deri%in* at

+east three hundred )er cent( from his ecc+esiastica+

*a1ette( dec+aimed +i5e a foo+ a*ainst interest u)on

mone' at the +e*a+ rate" &e $as seconded 6' some

io Phi+oso)hica+

)edants of his o$n sort 4 and the $ho+e conc+uded

in their resem6+in* the s+a%es )+aced at the foot of

the statue of Louis BIV"4 the' are crushed( and

*na$ their o$n esh in re%en*e"

0ontesHuieu $as a+most a+$a's in error $ith

the +earned( 6ecause he $as not +earned 4 6ut he

$as a+$a's ri*ht a*ainst the fanatics and )romoters

of s+a%er'" Euro)e o$es him eterna+ *ratitude"

LENT"



SECTION I"

O/R Huestions on Lent $i++ mere+' re*ard the

)o+ice" It a))eared usefu+ to ha%e a time in the

'ear in $hich $e shou+d eat fe$er o7en( ca+%es(

+am6s( and )ou+tr'" ?oun* fo$+s and )i*eons are

not read' in Fe6ruar' and 0arch( the time in $hich

Lent fa++s 4 and it is *ood to cease the carna*e for

some $ee5s in countries in $hich )astures are not

so ferti+e as those of En*+and and &o++and"

The ma*istrates of )o+ice ha%e %er' $ise+'

ordered that meat shou+d 6e a +itt+e dearer at Paris

durin* this time( and that the )roJt shou+d 6e *i%en

to the hos)ita+s" It is an a+most insensi6+e tri6ute

)aid 6' +u7ur' and *+utton' to indi*ence 4 for it is

the rich $ho are not a6+e to 5ee) Lent the )oor

fast a++ the 'ear"

There are %er' fe$ farmin* men $ho eat meat

once a month" If the' ate of it e%er' da'( there

$ou+d not 6e enou*h for the most ourishin* 5in*3

dom" T$ent' mi++ions of )ounds of meat a da'



Dictionar'" ;=<

$ou+d ma5e se%en thousand three hundred mi++ions

of )ounds a 'ear" This ca+cu+ation is a+armin*"

The sma++ num6er of the rich( Jnanciers( )re+3

ates( )rinci)a+ ma*istrates( *reat +ords( and *reat

+adies $ho condescend to ha%e mai*re ser%ed at

their ta6+es( fast durin* si7 $ee5s on so+es( sa+mon(

tur6ots( stur*eons( etc"

One of our most famous Jnanciers had couriers(

$ho for a hundred cro$ns 6rou*ht him fresh sea

Jsh e%er' da' to Paris" This e7)ense su))orted the

couriers( the dea+ers $ho so+d the horses( the Jsh3

ermen $ho furnished the Jsh( the ma5ers of nets(

constructors of 6oats( and the dru**ists from $hom

$ere )rocured the reJned s)ices $hich *i%e to a Jsh

a taste su)erior to that of meat" Lucu++us cou+d

not ha%e 5e)t Lent more %o+u)tuous+'"

It shou+d further 6e remar5ed that fresh sea Jsh(

in comin* to Paris( )a's a considera6+e ta7" The

secretaries of the rich( their %a+ets de cham6re(

+adies2 maids( and ste$ards( )arta5e of the dessert



of Croesus( and fast as de+icious+' as he"

It is not the same $ith the )oor 4 not on+' if

for four sous the' )arta5e of a sma++ )ortion of

tou*h mutton do the' commit a *reat sin( 6ut the'

see5 in %ain for this misera6+e a+iment" What do

the' therefore feed u)onM Chestnuts( r'e 6read(

the cheeses $hich the' ha%e )ressed from the mi+5

of their co$s( *oats or shee)( and some fe$ of the

e**s of their )ou+tr'"

There are churches $hich for6id them the e**s

no Phi+oso)hica+

and the mi+5" What then remains for them to eatM

Nothin*" The' consent to fast4 6ut the' consent

not to die" It is a6so+ute+' necessar' that the' shou+d

+i%e( if it 6e on+' to cu+ti%ate the +ands of the fat

rectors and +a1' mon5s"

We therefore as5( if it 6e+on*s not to the ma*is3

trates of the )o+ice of the 5in*dom( char*ed $ith

$atchin* o%er the hea+th of the inha6itants( to *i%e



them )ermission to eat the cheeses $hich their o$n

hands ha%e formed( and the e**s $hich their fo$+s

ha%e +aid M

It a))ears that mi+5( e**s( cheese( and a++ $hich

can nourish the farmer( are re*u+ated 6' the )o+ice(

and not 6' a re+i*ious ru+e"

We hear not that .esus Christ for6ade ome+ets to

&is a)ost+es 4 &e said to them - #Eat such thin*s as

are set 6efore 'ou"#

The &o+' Church has ordained Lent( 6ut in Hua+3

it' of the Church it commands it on+' to the heart 4 it

can inict s)iritua+ )ains a+one 4 it cannot as for3

mer+' 6urn a )oor man( $ho( ha%in* on+' some rust'

6acon( )ut a s+ice of it on a )iece of 6+ac5 6read

the da' after Shro%e Tuesda'"

Sometimes in the )ro%inces the )astors *o 6e3

'ond their dut'( and for*ettin* the ri*hts of the

ma*istrac'( underta5e to *o amon* the inn5ee)ers

and coo5s( to see if the' ha%e not some otuices of

meat in their sauce)ans( some o+d fo$+s on their

hoo5s( or some e**s in a cu)6oard4 for e**s are

for6idden in Lent" The' intimidate the )oor )eo)+e(



Dictionar'" ; ; ;

and )roceed to %io+ence to$ards the unfortunates(

$ho 5no$ not that it 6e+on*s a+one to the ma*is3

trac' to interfere" It is an odious and )unisha6+e

inHuisition"

The ma*istrates a+one can 6e ri*ht+' informed of

the more or +ess a6undant )ro%isions reHuired 6'

the )oor )eo)+e of the )ro%inces" The c+er*' ha%e

occu)ations more su6+ime" Shou+d it not therefore

6e+on* to the ma*istrates to re*u+ate $hat the )eo)+e

eat in LentM Who shou+d )r' into the +e*a+ con3

sum)tion of a countr' if not the )o+ice of that

countr' M

SECTION II"

Did the Jrst $ho $ere ad%ised to fast )ut them3

se+%es under this re*imen 6' order of the )h'sician(

for indi*estionM The $ant of a))etite $hich $e

fee+ in *rief $as it the Jrst ori*in of fast3da's

)rescri6ed in me+ancho+' re+i*ionsM



Did the .e$s ta5e the custom of fastin* from the

E*')tians( a++ of $hose rites the' imitated( inc+ud3

in* a*e++ation and the sca)e3*oatM Wh' fasted

.esus for fort' da's in the desert( $here &e $as

tem)ted 6' the de%i+ 6' the #Chath6u++#M St"

0atthe$ remar5s that after this Lent &e $as

hun*r'4 &e $as therefore not hun*r' durin* the

fast"

Wh'( in da's of a6stinence( does the Roman

Church consider it a crime to eat terrestria+ anima+s(

and a *ood $or5 to 6e ser%ed $ith so+es and sa+mon M

The rich Pa)ist $ho sha++ ha%e J%e hundred francs2

; ; Phi+oso)hica+

$orth of Jsh u)on his ta6+e sha++ 6e sa%ed( and the

)oor $retch d'in* $ith hun*er( $ho sha++ ha%e

eaten four sous2 $orth of sa+t )or5( sha++ 6e damned"

Wh' must $e as5 )ermission of the 6isho) to

eat e**sM If a 5in* ordered his )eo)+e ne%er to

eat e**s( $ou+d he not 6e thou*ht the most ridicu3



+ous of t'rantsM &o$ stran*e the a%ersion of

6isho)s to ome+ets :

Can $e 6e+ie%e that amon* Pa)ists there ha%e

6een tri6una+s im6eci+e( du++( and 6ar6arous enou*h

to condemn to death )oor citi1ens( $ho had no other

crimes than that of ha%in* eaten of horseesh in

LentM The fact is 6ut too true4 I ha%e in m'

hands a sentence of this 5ind" What renders it

sti++ more stran*e is that the 9ud*es $ho )assed

such sentences 6e+ie%ed themse+%es su)erior to the

IroHuois"

Foo+ish and crue+ )riests( to $hom do 'ou order

LentM Is it to the richM the' ta5e *ood care to

o6ser%e it" Is it to the )oorM the' 5ee) Lent a++

the 'ear" The unha))' )easant scarce+' e%er eats

meat( and has not $here$itha+ to 6u' Jsh" Foo+s

that 'ou are( $hen $i++ 'ou correct 'our a6surd

+a$s M

LEPROS?( ETC"

T&IS artic+e re+ates to t$o )o$erfu+ di%inities(

one ancient and the other modern( $hich ha%e

rei*ned in our hemis)here" The re%erend father



Dictionar'" ;;G

Dom Ca+met( a *reat antiHuarian( that is( a *reat

com)i+er of $hat $as said in former times and

$hat is re)eated at the )resent da'( has confounded

+ues $ith +e)ros'" &e maintains that it $as the

+ues $ith $hich the $orth' .o6 $as aicted( and he

su))oses( after a conJdent and arro*ant commenta3

tor of the name of Pineida( that the +ues and +e)ros'

are )recise+' the same disorder" Ca+met is not a

)h'sician( neither is he a reasoner( 6ut he is a citer

of authorities 4 and in his %ocation of commentator(

citations are a+$a's su6stituted for reasons" When

Astruc( in his histor' of +ues( Huotes authorities that

the disorder came in fact from San Domin*o( and

that the S)aniards 6rou*ht it from America( his

citations are some$hat more conc+usi%e"

There are t$o circumstances $hich( in m'

o)inion( )ro%e that +ues ori*inated in America4

the Jrst is( the mu+titude of authors( 6oth medica+

and sur*ica+( of the si7teenth centur'( $ho attest

the fact 4 and the second is( the si+ence of a++ the





American +ues $as not introduced into Euro)e unti+

the Jfteenth centur'4 and that +e)ros' is as dif3

ferent from those t$o ma+adies( as )a+s' from St"

u'2s or St" Vitus2 dance"

Le)ros' $as a sca6ious disease of a dreadfu+

character" The .e$s $ere more su69ect to it than

an' other )eo)+e +i%in* in hot c+imates( 6ecause the'

had neither +inen( nor domestic 6aths" These )eo)+e

$ere so ne*+i*ent of c+ean+iness and the decencies

of +ife that their +e*is+ators $ere o6+i*ed to ma5e a

+a$ to com)e+ them e%en to $ash their hands"

A++ that $e *ained in the end 6' en*a*in* in the

crusades( $as +e)ros' 4 and of a++ that $e had ta5en(

that $as the on+' thin* that remained $ith us" It

$as necessar' e%er'$here to 6ui+d +a1arettos( in

$hich to conJne the unfortunate %ictims of a disease

at once )esti+entia+ and incura6+e"

Le)ros'( as $e++ as fanaticism and usur'( had

6een a distin*uishin* characteristic of .4he .e$s"

These $retched )eo)+e ha%in* no )h'sicians( the

)riests too5 u)on themse+%es the mana*ement and

re*u+ation of +e)ros'( and made it a concern of re3



Dictionar'" i T

+i*ion" This has occasioned some indiscreet and

)rofane critics to remar5 that the .e$s $ere no

6etter than a nation of sa%a*es under the direction

of their 9u**+ers" Their )riests in fact ne%er cured

+e)ros'( 6ut the' cut o from societ' those $ho

$ere infected 6' it( and thus acHuired a )o$er of

the *reatest im)ortance" E%er' man +a6orin* under

this disease %as im)risoned( +i5e a thief or a ro66er 4

and thus a $oman $ho $as desirous of *ettin* rid

of her hus6and had on+' to secure the sanction of

the )riest( and the unfortunate hus6and $as shut

u) it $as the #+ettre de cachet# of the da'" The

.e$s and those 6' $hom the' $ere *o%erned $ere

so i*norant that the' ima*ined the moth3ho+es in

*arments( and the mi+de$ u)on $a++s( to 6e the

eects of +e)ros'" The' actua++' concei%ed their

houses and c+othes to ha%e +e)ros' 4 thus the )eo)+e

themse+%es( and their %er' ra*s and ho%e+s( $ere

a++ 6rou*ht under the rod of the )riesthood"

One )roof that( at the time of the Jrst introduc3

tion of the +ues( there $as no connection 6et$een



that disorder and +e)ros'( is that the fe$ +e)ers that

remained at the conc+usion of the Jfteenth centur'

$ere oended at an' 5ind of com)arison 6et$een

themse+%es and those $ho $ere aected 6' +ues"

Some of the )ersons thus aected $ere in the

Jrst instance sent to the hos)ita+ for +e)ers( 6ut $ere

recei%ed 6' them $ith indi*nation" The +e)ers )re3

sented a )etition to 6e se)arated from them 4 as

)ersons im)risoned for de6t or aairs of honor

; ; > Phi+oso)hica+

c+aim a ri*ht not to 6e confounded $ith the2 common

herd of crimina+s"

We ha%e a+read' o6ser%ed that the Par+iament of

Paris( on 0arch >( ;Q<>( issued an order( 6' $hich

a++ )ersons +a6orin* under +ues( un+ess the' $ere

citi1ens of Paris( $ere en9oined to de)art $ithin

t$ent'3four hours( under )ain of 6ein* han*ed"

This order $as neither Christian( +e*a+( nor 9udi3

cious 4 6ut it )ro%es that +ues $as re*arded as a ne$

)+a*ue $hich had nothin* in common $ith +e)ros' 4





Dictionar'" ; ;

and J*ure on the sta*e of +ife 4 the' ma5e +o%e at the

ha1ard of destruction4 and intri*ue( carr' on $ar(

and form )ro9ects( 9ust as if the' $ere to +i%e in

+u7ur' and de+i*ht for a thousand a*es"

LETTERS 0EN OF"

IN T&E 6ar6arous times $hen the Fran5s( er3

mans( !retons( Lom6ards( and S)anish 0o1ara6ians

5ne$ neither ho$ to read nor $rite( $e instituted

schoo+s and uni%ersities a+most entire+' com)osed

of ecc+esiastics( $ho( 5no$in* on+' their o$n 9ar*on(

tau*ht this 9ar*on to those $ho $ou+d +earn it"

Academies $ere not founded unti+ +on* after4 the

+atter ha%e des)ised the fo++ies of the schoo+s( 6ut

the' ha%e not a+$a's dared to o))ose them( 6ecause

there are fo++ies $hich $e res)ect $hen the' are

attached to res)ecta6+e thin*s"

0en of +etters $ho ha%e rendered the most

ser%ice to the sma++ num6er of thin5in* 6ein*s scat3

tered o%er the earth are iso+ated scho+ars( true sa*es

shut u) in their c+osets( $ho ha%e neither )u6+ic+'

dis)uted in the uni%ersities( nor said thin*s 6'



ha+%es in the academies 4 and such ha%e a+most a++

6een )ersecuted" Our misera6+e race is so created

that those $ho $a+5 in the 6eaten )ath a+$a's thro$

stones at those $ho $ou+d sho$ them a ne$ one"

0ontesHuieu sa's that the Sc'thians )ut out the

e'es of their s+a%es that the' mi*ht 6e more attenti%e

to the ma5in* of their 6utter" It is thus that the In3

Huisition acts( aod a+most e%er' one is 6+inded in

; ; Phi+oso)hica+

the countries in $hich this monster rei*ns" In

En*+and )eo)+e ha%e had t$o e'es for more than

a hundred 'ears" The French are 6e*innin* to

o)en one e'e 6ut sometimes men in )+ace $i++ not

e%en )ermit us to 6e one3e'ed"

These misera6+e statesmen are +i5e Doctor !a+3

ouard of the Ita+ian comed'( $ho $i++ on+' 6e ser%ed

6' the foo+ &ar+eHuin( and $ho fears to ha%e too

)enetratin* a ser%ant"

Com)ose odes in )raise of Lord Su)er6us Fatus(



madri*a+s for his mistress4 dedicate a 6oo5 of

*eo*ra)h' to his )orter( and 'ou $i++ 6e $e++ re3

cei%ed" En+i*hten men( and 'ou $i++ 6e crushed"

Descartes is o6+i*ed to Huit his countr'4 as3

sendi is ca+umniated4 Arnaud )asses his da's in

e7i+e4 a++ the )hi+oso)hers are treated as the

)ro)hets $ere amon* the .e$s"

Who $ou+d 6e+ie%e that in the ei*hteenth cen3

tur'( a )hi+oso)her has 6een dra**ed 6efore the

secu+ar tri6una+s( and treated as im)ious 6' reason3

in* theo+o*ians( for ha%in* said that men cou+d not

)ractise the arts if the' had no handsM I e7)ect

that the' $i++ soon condemn to the *a++e's the Jrst

$ho sha++ ha%e the inso+ence to sa' that a man cou+d

not thin5 if he had no head4 for a +earned 6ache+or

$i++ sa' to him( the sou+ is a )ure s)irit( the head

is on+' matter4 od can )+ace the sou+ in the hee+

as $e++ as in the 6rain4 therefore I denounce 'ou

as a 6+as)hemer"

The *reat misfortune of a man of +etters is not



Dictionar'" ;;<

)erha)s 6ein* the o69ect of the 9ea+ous' of his

6rothers( the %ictim of ca6a+s( and the contem)t of

the )o$erfu+ of the $or+d it is 6ein* 9ud*ed 6'

foo+s" Foo+s sometimes *o %er' far( )articu+ar+'

$hen fanaticism is 9oined to fo++'( and fo++' to the

s)irit of %en*eance" Further( the *reat misfortune

of a man of +etters is *enera++' to ho+d to nothin*"

A citi1en 6u's a +itt+e situation( and is maintained

6' his fe++o$3citi1ens" If an' in9ustice is done to

him( he soon Jnds defenders" The +iterar' man is

$ithout aid4 he resem6+es the 'in* Jsh4 if he

rises a +itt+e( the 6irds de%our him 4 if he di%es( the

Jshes eat him u)" E%er' )u6+ic man )a's tri6ute

to ma+i*nit' 4 6ut he is re)aid in deniers and honors"

LI!EL"

S0ALL( oensi%e 6oo5s are termed +i6e+s" These

6oo5s are usua++' sma++( 6ecause the authors( ha%in*

fe$ reasons to *i%e( and usua++' $ritin* not to in3

form( 6ut mis+ead( if the' are desirous of 6ein*

read( must necessari+' 6e 6rief" Names are rare+'

used on these occasions( for assassins fear 6ein* de3

tected in the em)+o'ment of for6idden $ea)ons"



In the time of the Lea*ue and the Fronde( )o+iti3

ca+ +i6e+s a6ounded" E%er' dis)ute in En*+and )ro3

duces hundreds 4 and a +i6rar' mi*ht 6e formed of

those $ritten a*ainst Louis BIV"

We ha%e had theo+o*ica+ +i6e+s for si7teen hun3

dred 'ears 4 and $hat is $orse( these are esteemed

ho+' 6' the %u+*ar" On+' see ho$ St" .erome treats

IO Phi+oso)hica+

RuJnus and Vi*i+antius" The +atest +i6e+s are those

of the 0o+inists and .ansenists( $hich amount to

thousands" Of a++ this mass there remains on+'

#The Pro%incia+ Letters"#

0en of +etters ma' dis)ute the num6er of their

+i6e+s $ith the theo+o*ians" !oi+eau and Fontene++e(

$ho attac5ed one another $ith e)i*rams( 6oth said

that their cham6ers $ou+d not contain the +i6e+s

$ith $hich the' had 6een assai+ed" A++ these dis3

a))ear +i5e the +ea%es in autumn" Some )eo)+e

ha%e maintained that an'thin* oensi%e $ritten





+i6e+s a*ainst the em)eror .u+ian( 6ut the' $ere so

*enerous as not to )u6+ish them unti+ after his death"

Nothin* resem6+es +i6e+s more than certain mani3

festoes of so%erei*ns" The secretaries of the su+tan

0usta)ha made a +i6e+ of his dec+aration of $ar"

od has )unished them for it4 6ut the same s)irit

$hich animated Caesar( Cicero( and the secretaries

of 0usta)ha( rei*ns in a++ the re)ti+es $ho s)in +i6e+s

in their *arrets" #Natura est sem)er si6i consona#

Who $ou+d 6e+ie%e that the sou+s of arasse(

Nonnotte( Pau+ian( Freron( and he of Lan*+i%iet(

ca++in* himse+f La !eaume++e( $ere in this res)ect

of the same tem)er as those of Caesar( Cicero( St"

C'ri+( and of the secretar' of the *rand sei*niorM

Nothin* is( ho$e%er( more certain"

LI!ERT?"

EIT&ER I am much decei%ed( or Loc5e has %er'

$e++ deJned +i6ert' to 6e #)o$er"# I am sti++ fur3

ther decei%ed( or Co++ins( a ce+e6rated ma*istrate of

London( is the on+' )hi+oso)her $ho has )rofound+'

de%e+o)ed this idea( $hi+e C+ar5e has on+' ans$ered

him as a theo+o*ian" Of a++ that has 6een $ritten in

France on +i6ert'( the fo++o$in* +itt+e dia+o*ue has



a))eared to me the most com)rehensi%e -

A" A 6atter' of cannon is dischar*ed at our

ears 4 ha%e 'ou the +i6ert' to hear it( or not to hear

it( as 'ou )+ease M

!" /ndou6ted+' I cannot hinder m'se+f from

hearin* it"

; Phi+oso)hica+

A" Are 'ou $i++in* that these cannon sha++ ta5e

o 'our head and those of 'our $ife and dau*hter

$ho $a+5 $ith 'ou M

!" What a Huestion : I cannot( at +east $hi+e I

am in m' ri*ht senses( $ish such a thin* 4 it is im3

)ossi6+e"

A" ood4 'ou necessari+' hear these cannon(

and 'ou necessari+' $ish not for the death of 'our3

se+f and 'our fami+' 6' a dischar*e from them"

?ou ha%e neither the )o$er of not hearin* it( nor

the )o$er of $ishin* to remain here"



!" That is c+ear"

A" ?ou ha%e( I )ercei%e( ad%anced thirt' )aces

to 6e out of the reach of the cannon 4 'ou ha%e had

the )o$er of $a+5in* these fe$ ste)s $ith me"

!" That is a+so %er' c+ear"

A" And if 'ou had 6een )ara+'tic( 'ou cou+d

not ha%e a%oided 6ein* e7)osed to this 6atter' 4 'ou

$ou+d necessari+' ha%e heard( and recei%ed a $ound

from the cannon 4 and 'ou $ou+d ha%e as necessari+'

died"

!" Nothin* is more true"

A" In $hat then consists 'our +i6ert'( if not in

the )o$er that 'our 6od' has acHuired of )erform3

in* that $hich from a6so+ute necessit' 'our $i++

reHuires M

!" ?ou em6arrass me" Li6ert' then is nothin*

more than the )o$er of doin* $hat I $ishM

A" Reect 4 and see $hether +i6ert' can 6e un3



derstood other$ise"

Dictionar'" ; G

!" In this case( m' huntin* do* is as free as

m'se+f 4 he has necessari+' the $i++ to run $hen he

sees a hare 4 and the )o$er of runnin*( if there is

nothin* the matter $ith his +e*s" I ha%e therefore

nothin* a6o%e m' do*4 'ou reduce me to the state

of the 6easts"

A" These are )oor so)hisms( and the' are )oor

so)hists $ho ha%e instructed 'ou" ?ou are un$i++3

in* to 6e free +i5e 'our do*" Do 'ou not eat( s+ee)(

and )ro)a*ate +i5e him( and near+' in the same atti3

tudesM Wou+d 'ou sme++ other$ise than 6' 'our

noseM Wh' $ou+d 'ou )ossess +i6ert' dierent+'

from 'our do* M

!" !ut I ha%e a sou+ $hich reasons( and m'

do* scarce+' reasons at a++" &e has nothin* 6e'ond

sim)+e ideas( $hi+e I ha%e a thousand meta)h'sica+

ideas"



A" We++( 'ou are a thousand times more free

than he is 4 'ou ha%e a thousand times more )o$er

of thin5in* than he has 4 6ut sti++ 'ou are not free

in an' other manner than 'our do* is free"

!" What : am I not free to $i++ $hat I +i5eM

A" What do 'ou understand 6' that M

!" I understand $hat a++ the $or+d understands"

Is it not e%er' da' said that the $i++ is freeM

A" An ada*e is not a reason 4 e7)+ain 'ourse+f

6etter"

!" I understand that I am free to $i++ as I

)+ease"

A" With 'our )ermission( that is nonsense 4 see

; Q Phi+oso)hica+

'ou not that it is ridicu+ous to sa' I $i++ $i++M

ConseHuent+'( 'ou necessari+' $i++ the ideas on+'





and s+ee)in* $ith 'our $ife"

!" &o$ : I cannot $i++ $ithout a moti%e M Then

$hat $i++ 6ecome of the other )ro%er6 #Sit )ro

rationM %o+untas# m' $i++ is m' reason I $i++

6ecause I $i++M

,

A" It is an a6surd one( m' dear friend 4 'ou

$ou+d then ha%e an eect $ithout a cause"

Dictionar'" ;

!" What : $hen I )+a' at odd or e%en( ha%e I

a reason for choosin* e%en rather than oddM

A" /ndou6ted+'"

!" And $hat is the reason( if 'ou )+easeM

A" It is( that the idea of e%en is )resented to

'our mind rather than the o))osite idea" It $ou+d

6e e7traordinar' if there $ere cases in $hich $e



$i++ 6ecause there is a moti%e( and others in $hich

$e $i++ $ithout one" When 'ou $ou+d marr'( 'ou

e%ident+' )ercei%e the )redominant reason for it 4

'ou )ercei%e it not $hen 'ou )+a' at odd or e%en( and

'et there must 6e one"

!" Therefore( once more( I am not free"

A" ?our $i++ is not free( 6ut 'our actions are"

?ou are free to act $hen 'ou ha%e the )o$er of

actin*"

!" !ut a++ the 6oo5s that I ha%e read on the

+i6ert' of indierence

A" What do 'ou understand 6' the +i6ert' of in3

dierence M

!" I understand s)ittin* on the ri*ht or the

+eft hand s+ee)in* on the ri*ht or +eft side $a+53

in* u) and do$n four times or J%e"

A" That $ou+d 6e a )+easant +i6ert'( tru+' : od

$ou+d ha%e made 'ou a Jne )resent( much to 6oast

of( certain+': What use to 'ou $ou+d 6e a )o$er

$hich cou+d on+' 6e e7ercised on such futi+e occa3



sionsM !ut in truth it is ridicu+ous to su))ose the

$i++ of $i++in* to s)it on the ri*ht or +eft" Not

;> Phi+oso)hica+

on+' is the $i++ of $i++in* a6surd( 6ut it is certain

that se%era+ +itt+e circumstances determine these acts

$hich 'ou ca++ indierent" ?ou are no more free

in these acts than in others" ?et 'ou are free at

a++ times( and in a++ )+aces( $hen 'ou can do $hat

'ou $ish to do"

!" I sus)ect that 'ou are ri*ht" I $i++ thin5

u)on it"

LI!ERT? OF OPINION"

TOWARDS the 'ear ;=( the time at $hich the

En*+ish *ained the 6att+e of Sara*ossa( )rotected

Portu*a+( and for some time *a%e a 5in* to S)ain(

Lord !o+dmind( a *enera+ o8cer $ho had 6een

$ounded( $as at the $aters of !are*es" &e there

met $ith Count 0edroso( $ho ha%in* fa++en from

his horse 6ehind the 6a**a*e( at a +ea*ue and a ha+f



from the Je+d of 6att+e( a+so came to ta5e the $aters"

&e $as a fami+iar of the InHuisition( $hi+e Lord

!o+dmind $as on+' fami+iar in con%ersation" One

da' after their $ine( he he+d this dia+o*ue $ith

0edroso -

!OLD0IND" ?ou are then the ser*eant of the

Dominicans M ?ou e7ercise a %i++ainous trade"

0EDROSO" It is true 4 6ut I $ou+d rather 6e their

ser%ant than their %ictim( and I ha%e )referred the

unha))iness of 6urnin* m' nei*h6or to that)f 6ein*

roasted m'se+f"

!OLD0IND" What a horri6+e a+ternati%e: ?ou

$ere a hundred times ha))ier under the 'o5e of the

Dictionar'" ;

0oors( $ho free+' suered 'ou to a6ide in a++ 'our

su)erstitions( and conHuerors as the' $ere( arro3

*ated not to themse+%es the stran*e ri*ht of sendin*

sou+s to he++"



0EDROSO" What $ou+d 'ou ha%e M It is not )er3

mitted us either to $rite( s)ea5( or e%en to thin5"

If $e s)ea5( it is eas' to misinter)ret our $ords(

and sti++ more our $ritin*s 4 and as $e cannot 6e

condemned in an auto3da3fe for our secret thou*hts(

$e are menaced $ith 6ein* 6urned eterna++' 6' the

order of od himse+f( if $e thin5 not +i5e the .aco3

6ins" The' ha%e )ersuaded the *o%ernment that

if $e had common sense the entire state $ou+d 6e in

com6ustion( and the nation 6ecome the most mis3

era6+e u)on earth"

!OLD0IND" Do 'ou 6e+ie%e that $e En*+ish

$ho co%er the seas $ith %esse+s( and $ho *o to *ain

6att+es for 'ou in the south of Euro)e( can 6e so

unha))'M Do 'ou )ercei%e that the Dutch( $ho

ha%e ra%ished from 'ou a+most a++ 'our disco%eries

in India( and $ho at )resent are ran5ed as 'our )ro3

tectors( are cursed of od for ha%in* *i%en entire

+i6ert' to the )ress( and for ma5in* commerce of

the thou*hts of men M &as the Roman Em)ire 6een

+ess )o$erfu+ 6ecause Tu++ius Cicero has $ritten

$ith freedomM

0EDROSO" Who is this Tu++ius CiceroM I ha%e

ne%er heard his name )ronounced at St" &erman3



dad"

!OLD0IND" &e $as a 6ache+or of the uni%ersit'

; Phi+oso)hica+

of Rome( $ho $rote that $hich he thou*ht( +i5e

.u+ius Csesar( 0arcus Aure+ius( Titus Lucretius

Carus( P+inius( Seneca( and other sa*es"

0EDROSO" I 5no$ none of them 4 6ut I am to+d

that the Catho+ic re+i*ion( !isca'an and Roman( is

+ost if $e 6e*in to thin5"

!OLD0IND" It is not for 'ou to 6e+ie%e it 4 for

'ou are sure that 'our re+i*ion is di%ine( and that

the *ates of he++ cannot )re%ai+ a*ainst it" If that

is the case( nothin* $i++ e%er destro' it"

0EDROSO" No4 6ut it ma' 6e reduced to %er'

+itt+e 4 and it is throu*h ha%in* thou*ht( that S$e3

den( Denmar5( a++ 'our is+and( and the ha+f of er3

man' *roan under the fri*htfu+ misfortune of not

6ein* su69ects of the )o)e" It is e%en said that(



if men continue to fo++o$ their fa+se +i*hts( the' $i++

soon ha%e mere+' the sim)+e adoration of od and

of %irtue" If the *ates of he++ e%er )re%ai+ so far(

$hat $i++ 6ecome of the ho+' o8ce M

!OLD0IND" If the Jrst Christians had not the

+i6ert' of thou*ht( does it not fo++o$ that there

$ou+d ha%e 6een no Christianit' M

0EDROSO" I understand 'ou not"

!OLD0IND" I readi+' 6e+ie%e it" I $ou+d sa'(

that if Ti6erius and the Jrst em)erors had fostered

.aco6ins( the' $ou+d ha%e hindered the Jrst Chris3

tians from ha%in* )ens and in54 and had it not

6een a +on* time )ermitted in the Roman Em)ire

to thin5 free+'( it $ou+d 6e im)ossi6+e for the Chris3

tians to esta6+ish their do*mas" If( therefore( Chris3

Dictionar'" ;<

tianit' $as on+' formed 6' +i6ert' of o)inion( 6'

$hat contradiction( 6' $hat in9ustice( $ou+d 'ou

no$ destro' the +i6ert' on $hich a+one it is founded M



When some aair of interest is )ro)osed to us(

do $e not e7amine it for a +on* time 6efore $e con3

c+ude u)on itM What interest in the $or+d is so

*reat as our eterna+ ha))iness or miser'M There

are a hundred re+i*ions on earth $hich a++ condemn

us if $e 6e+ie%e 'our do*mas( $hich the' ca++ im3

)ious and a6surd 4 $h'( therefore( not e7amine these

do*mas M

0EDROSO" &o$ can I e7amine themM I am

not a .aco6in"

!OLD0IND" ?ou are a man( and that is suf3

Jcient"

0EDROSO" A+as : 'ou are more of a man than

I am"

!OLD0IND" ?ou ha%e on+' to teach 'ourse+f to

thin5 4 'ou are 6orn $ith a mind( 'ou are a 6ird

in the ca*e of the InHuisition( the ho+' o8ce has

c+i))ed 'our $in*s( 6ut the' $i++ *ro$ a*ain" &e

$ho 5no$s not *eometr' can +earn it - a++ men can

instruct themse+%es" Is it not shamefu+ to )ut 'our

sou+ into the hands of those to $hom 'ou $ou+d not



intrust 'our mone'M Dare to thin5 for 'ourse+f"

0EDROSO" It is said that if the $or+d thou*ht

for itse+f( it $ou+d )roduce stran*e confusion"

!OLD0IND" uite the contrar'" When $e as3

sist at a s)ectac+e( e%er' one free+' te++s his o)inion

of it( and the )u6+ic )eace is not there6' distur6ed 4

Vo+" ii <

;G= Phi+oso)hica+

6ut if some inso+ent )rotector of a )oet $ou+d force

a++ )eo)+e of taste to )roc+aim that to 6e *ood $hich

a))ears to them 6ad( 6+o$s $ou+d fo++o$( and the

t$o )arties $ou+d thro$ a))+es of discord at one

another2s heads( as once ha))ened at London" T'3

rants o%er mind ha%e caused a )art of the misfor3

tunes of the $or+d" We are ha))' in En*+and on+'

6ecause e%er' one free+' en9o's the ri*ht of s)ea53

in* his o)inion"

0EDROSO" We are a++ %er' tranHui+ at Lis6on(



$here no )erson dares s)ea5 his"

!OLD0IND" ?ou are tranHui+( 6ut 'ou are not

ha))'- it is the tranHui++it' of *a++e'3s+a%es( $ho

ro$ in cadence and in si+ence"

0EDROSO" ?ou 6e+ie%e( then( that m' sou+ is

at the *a++e's M

!OLD0IND" ?es( and I $ou+d de+i%er it"

0EDROSO" !ut if I Jnd m'se+f $e++ at the *a+3

+e'sM

!OLD0IND" Wh'( then( 'ou deser%e to 6e there"

LI!ERT? OF T&E PRESS"

W&AT harm can the )rediction of .ean .acHues

do to Russia M An' M We a++o$ him to e7)+ain it in

a m'stica+( t')ica+( a++e*orica+ sense( accordin* to

custom" The nations $hich $i++ destro' the Rus3

sians $i++ )ossess the 6e++es3+ettres( mat3hematics(

$it( and )o+iteness( $hich de*rade man and )er%ert

nature"



From J%e to si7 thousand )am)h+ets ha%e 6een

Dictionar'" ;G;

)rinted in &o++and a*ainst Louis BIV"( nore of

$hich contri6uted to ma5e him +ose the 6att+es of

!+enheim( Turin( and Rami++ies"

In *enera+( $e ha%e as natura+ a ri*ht to ma5e

use of our )ens as our +an*ua*e( at our )eri+( ris5(

and fortune" I 5no$ man' 6oo5s $hich fati*ue(

6ut I 5no$ of none $hich ha%e done rea+ e%i+" The3

o+o*ians( or )retended )o+iticians( cr' - #Re+i*ion is

destro'ed( the *o%ernment is +ost( if 'ou )rint certain

truths or certain )arado7es" Ne%er attem)t to

thin5( ti++ 'ou ha%e demanded )ermission from a

mon5 or an o8cer" It is a*ainst *ood order for a

man to thin5 for himse+f" &omer( P+ato( Cicero(

Vir*i+( P+in'( &orace( ne%er )u6+ished an'thin* 6ut

$ith the a))ro6ation of the doctors of the Sor6onne

and of the ho+' InHuisition"#

#See into $hat horri6+e deca' the +i6ert' of the

)ress 6rou*ht En*+and and &o++and" It is true that



the' )ossess the commerce of the $ho+e $or+d( and

that En*+and is %ictorious on sea and +and4 6ut it

is mere+' a fa+se *reatness( a fa+se o)u+ence- the'

hasten $ith +on* strides to their ruin" An en+i*ht3

ened )eo)+e cannot e7ist"#

None can reason more 9ust+'( m' friends 4 6ut +et

us see( if 'ou )+ease( $hat state has 6een +ost 6' a

6oo5" The most dan*erous( the most )ernicious

of a++( is that of S)ino1a" Not on+' in the character

of a .e$ he attac5s the Ne$ Testament( 6ut in the

character of a scho+ar he ruins the O+d 4 his s'stem

)f atheism is a thousand times 6etter com)osed and

;G Phi+oso)hica+

reasoned than those of Straton and of E)icurus"

We ha%e need of the most )rofound sa*acit' to

ans$er to the ar*uments 6' $hich he endea%ors to

)ro%e that one su6stance cannot form another"

Li5e 'ourse+f( I detest this 6oo5( $hich I )erha)s

understand 6etter than 'ou( and to $hich 'ou ha%e

%er' 6ad+' re)+ied4 6ut ha%e 'ou disco%ered that



this 6oo5 has chan*ed the face of the $or+d M &as

an' )reacher +ost a orin of his income 6' the )u6+i3

cation of the $or5s of S)ino1aM Is there a 6isho)

$hose rents ha%e diminishedM On the contrar'(

their re%enues ha%e dou6+ed since his time - a++ the

i++ is reduced to a sma++ num6er of )eacea6+e read3

ers( $ho ha%e e7amined the ar*uments of S)ino1a(

in their c+osets( and ha%e $ritten for or a*ainst them

$or5s 6ut +itt+e 5no$n"

For 'ourse+%es( it is of +itt+e conseHuence to ha%e

caused to 6e )rinted #ad usum De+)hini(# the athe3

ism of Lucretius as 'ou ha%e a+read' 6een re3

)roached $ith doin* no trou6+e( no scanda+( has

ensued from it - so +ea%e S)ino1a to +i%e in )eace

in &o++and" Lucretius $as +eft in re)ose at Rome"

!ut if there a))ears amon* 'ou an' ne$ 6oo5(

the ideas of $hich shoc5 'our o$n su))osin* 'ou

ha%e an' or of $hich the author ma' 6e of a )art'

contrar' to 'ours or $hat is $orse( of $hich the

author ma' not 6e of an' )art' at a++ then 'ou

cr' out #Fire :# and +et a++ 6e noise( scanda+( and u)3

roar in 'our sma++ corner of the earth" There is an

a6omina6+e man $ho has )rinted that if $e had



Dictionar'"

no hands $e cou+d not ma5e shoes nor stoc5in*s"

De%otees cr' out( furred doctors assem6+e( a+arms

mu+ti)+' from co++e*e to co++e*e( from house to

house( and $h'M For J%e or si7 )a*es( a6out

$hich there no +on*er $i++ 6e a Huestion at the end

of three months" Does a 6oo5 dis)+ease 'ouM re3

fute it" Does it tire 'ou M read it not"

Oh : sa' 'ou to me( the 6oo5s of Luther and Ca+3

%in ha%e destro'ed the Roman Catho+ic re+i*ion in

one3ha+f of Euro)eM Wh' sa' not a+so( that the

6oo5s of the )atriarch Photius ha%e destro'ed this

Roman re+i*ion in Asia( Africa( reece( and Russia M

?ou decei%e 'ourse+f %er' *ross+'( $hen 'ou

tiiin5 that 'ou ha%e 6een ruined 6' 6oo5s" The em3

)ire of Russia is t$o thousand +ea*ues in e7tent(

and there are not si7 men $ho are a$are of the

)oints dis)uted 6' the ree5 and Latin Church"

If the mon5 Luther( .ohn Ca+%in( and the %icar

@uin*+ius had 6een content $ith $ritin*( Rome

$ou+d 'et su69u*ate a++ the states that it has +ost 4



6ut these )eo)+e and their adherents ran from to$n

to to$n( from house to house( e7citin* the $omen(

and $ere maintained 6' )rinces" Fur'( $hich tor3

mented Amata( and $hich( accordin* to Vir*i+(

$hi))ed her +i5e a to)( $as not more tur6u+ent"

Kno$( that one enthusiastic( factious( i*norant( su)3

)+e( %ehement Ca)uchin( the emissar' of some am3

6itious mon5s( )reachin*( confessin*( communica3

tin*( and ca6a++in*( $i++ much sooner o%erthro$ a

)ro%ince than a hundred authors can en+i*hten it"

;GQ Phi+oso)hica+

It $as not the Koran $hich caused 0ahomet to suc3

ceed- it $as 0ahomet $ho caused the success of

the Koran"

No: Rome has not 6een %anHuished 6' 6oo5s4

it has 6een so 6' ha%in* caused Euro)e to re%o+t

at its ra)acit' 4 6' the )u6+ic sa+e of indu+*ences 4

for ha%in* insu+ted men( and $ishin* to *o%ern them

+i5e domestic anima+s 4 for ha%in* a6used its )o$er

to such an e7tent that it is astonishin* a sin*+e %i+3

+a*e remains to it" &enr' VIII"( E+i1a6eth( the du5e





Dictionar'" ;G

We ma'( ho$e%er( +i%e $ithout actua+ sensation 4

for $e fee+ nothin* in a com)+ete a)o)+e7'( in a

+ethar*'( or in a sound s+ee) $ithout dreams 4 6ut

'et )ossess the ca)acit' of sensation" 0an' )ersons(

it is too $e++ 5no$n( ha%e 6een 6uried a+i%e( +i5e

Roman %esta+s( and it is $hat ha))ens after e%er'

6att+e( es)ecia++' in co+d countries" A so+dier +ies

$ithout motion( and 6reath+ess( $ho( if he $ere du+'

assisted( mi*ht reco%er4 6ut to sett+e the matter

s)eedi+'( the' 6ur' him"

What is this ca)acit' of sensationM Former+'(

+ife and sou+ meant the same thin*( and the one $as

no 6etter understood than the other4 at 6ottom( is

it more understood at )resent M

In the sacred 6oo5s of the .e$s( sou+ is a+$a's

used for +ife"

#Di7it etiam Deus( )roducant a*ues re)ti+e ani3

mce %i%entis"# And od said( +et the $aters 6rin*

forth a6undant+' the mo%in* creature $hich hath

a +i%in* sou+"



#Crea%it Deus cete *randia( et omnem animam

%i%entem( atHue mota6i+em Huam )ro du7 er ant

aHua"# And od created *reat dra*ons tanni3

tiim( and e%er' +i%in* sou+ that mo%eth( $hich the

$aters 6rou*ht forth" It is di8cu+t to e7)+ain the

creation of these $ater' dra*ons( 6ut such is the

te7t( and it is for us to su6mit to it"

#Producat terra animam %i%entem in *enere suo(

9umenta et re)ti+ia"# Let the earth )roduce the

+i%in* sou+ after its 5ind( catt+e and cree)in* thin*s"

;G> Phi+oso)hica+

#Et in Hui6us est anima %i%ens( ad %esccndum#

And to e%er'thin* $herein there is a +i%in* sou+

e%er' *reen her6U( for meat"

#Et ins)ira%it in faciem e9us s)iracu+um %ita-( et

factus est homo in animam %i%entem"# And

6reathed into his nostri+s the 6reath of +ife( and man

6ecame a +i%in* sou+"

#San*uinem enim animarum %estrarum reHui3



ram de manu cunctar$n 6etiarum( et de manu horn3

inis(# etc" I sha++ reHuire 6ac5 'our sou+s from the

hands of man and 6east"

Sou+s here e%ident+' si*nif' +i%es" The sacred

te7t certain+' did not mean that 6easts had s$a+3

+o$ed the sou+s of men( 6ut their 6+ood( $hich is

their +ife 4 and as to the hands *i%en 6' this te7t

to 6easts( it si*niJes their c+a$s"

In short( more than t$o hundred )assa*es ma'

6e Huoted in $hich the sou+ is used for the +ife( 6oth

of 6easts and man 4 6ut not one $hich e7)+ains

either +ife or sou+"

If +ife 6e the facu+t' of sensation( $hence this

facu+t'M In re)+' to this Huestion( a++ the +earned

Huote s'stems( and these s'stems are destructi%e of

one another" !ut $h' the an7iet' to ascertain the

source of sensation M It is as di8cu+t to concei%e the

)o$er $hich 6inds a++ thin*s to a common centre

as to concei%e the cause of anima+ sensat9on" The

direction of the need+e to$ards the )o+e( the )aths

of comets( and a thousand other )henomena are

eHua++' incom)rehensi6+e"



Dictionar'" ;G

Pro)erties of matter e7ist( the )rinci)+e of $hich

$i++ ne%er 6e 5no$n to us 4 and that of sensation(

$ithout $hich there cannot 6e +ife( is amon* the

num6er"

Is it )ossi6+e to +i%e $ithout e7)eriencin* sensa3

tion M No" An infant $hich dies in a +ethar*' that

has +asted from its 6irth has e7isted( 6ut not +i%ed"

Let us ima*ine an idiot una6+e to form com)+e7

ideas( 6ut $ho )ossesses sensation 4 he certain+' +i%es

$ithout thin5in*( formin* sim)+e ideas from his

sensations" Thou*ht( therefore( is not necessar' to

+ife( since this idiot has +i%ed $ithout thin5in*"

&ence( certain thin5ers thin5 that thou*ht is not

of the essence of man" The' maintain that man'

idiots $ho thin5 not( are men 4 and so decided+'

men as to )roduce other men( $ithout the )o$er of

constructin* a sin*+e ar*ument"

The doctors $ho maintain the essentia+it' of



thou*ht( re)+' that these idiots ha%e certain ideas

from their sensation" !o+d reasoners re9oin( that

a $e++3tau*ht mind )ossesses more consecuti%e ideas(

and is %er' su)erior to these idiots( $hence has

s)run* a *rand dis)ute u)on the sou+( of $hich $e

sha++ s)ea5 )ossi6+' at too *reat a +en*th in the

artic+e on #Sou+"#

LOVE"

T&ERE are so man' 5inds of +o%e( that in order

to deJne it( $e scarce+' 5no$ $hich to direct our

attention to" Some 6o+d+' a))+' the name of #+o%e#

;G Phi+oso)hica+

to a ca)rice of a fe$ da's( a connection $ithout at3

tachment( )assion $ithout aection( the aecta3

tions of cicis6eism( a co+d usa*e( a romantic fanc'(

a taste s)eedi+' fo++o$ed 6' a distaste" The' a))+'

the name to a thousand chimeras"

Shou+d an' )hi+oso)hers 6e inc+ined )rofound+'

to in%esti*ate a su69ect in itse+f so +itt+e )hi+oso)h3



ica+( the' ma' recur to the 6anHuet of P+ato( in $hich

Socrates( the decent and honora6+e +o%er of A+ci3

6iades and A*athon( con%erses $ith them on the

meta)h'sics of +o%e"

Lucretius s)ea5s of it more as a natura+ )hi+os3

o)her 4 and Vir*i+ fo++o$s the e7am)+e of Lucretius"

22Amor omni6us idem"#

It is the em6roider' of ima*ination on the stu

of nature" If 'ou $ish to form an idea of +o%e( +oo5

at the s)arro$s in 'our *arden 4 6eho+d 'our do%es 4

contem)+ate the 6u++ $hen introduced to the heifer 4

+oo5 at that )o$erfu+ and s)irited horse $hich t$o

of 'our *rooms are conductin* to the mare that

Huiet+' a$aits him( and is e%ident+' )+eased at his

a))roach 4 o6ser%e the ashin* of his e'es( notice

the stren*th and +oudness of his nei*hin*s( the

6oundin*s( the cur%etin*s( the ears erect( the mouth

o)enin* $ith con%u+si%e *as)in*s( the distended nos3

tri+s( the 6reath of Jre( the raised and $a%in* mane(

and the im)etuous mo%ement $ith $hich he rushes

to$ards the o69ect $hich nature has destined for

him 4 do not( ho$e%er( 6e 9ea+ous of his ha))iness 4

6ut reect on the ad%anta*es of the human s)ecies 4



Dictionar'" ;G<

the' aord am)+e com)ensation in +o%e for a++ those

$hich nature has conferred on mere anima+s

stren*th( 6eaut'( +i*htness( and ra)idit'"

There are some c+asses( ho$e%er( e%en of ani3

ma+s tota++' unacHuainted $ith se7ua+ association"

Fishes are destitute of this en9o'ment" The fema+e

de)osits her mi++ions of e**s on the s+ime of the

$aters( and the ma+e that meets them )asses o%er

them and communicates the %ita+ )rinci)+e( ne%er

consortin* $ith( or )erha)s e%en )ercei%in* the fe3

ma+e to $hom the' 6e+on*"

The *reater )art of those anima+s $hich co)u+ate

are sensi6+e of the en9o'ment on+' 6' a sin*+e sense 4

and $hen a))etite is satisJed( the $ho+e is o%er"

No anima+( 6esides man( is acHuainted $ith em3

6races 4 his $ho+e frame is susce)ti6+e 4 his +i)s )ar3

ticu+ar+' e7)erience a de+i*ht $hich ne%er $earies(

and $hich is e7c+usi%e+' the )ortion of his s)ecies 4

Jna++'( he can surrender himse+f at a++ seasons to

the endearments of +o%e( $hi+e mere anima+s )ossess



on+' +imited )eriods" If 'ou reect on these hi*h

)re3eminences( 'ou $i++ readi+' 9oin in the ear+ of

Rochester2s remar5( that +o%e $ou+d im)e+ a $ho+e

nation of atheists to $orshi) the di%init'"

As men ha%e 6een endo$ed $ith the ta+ent of

)erfectin* $hate%er nature has 6esto$ed u)on them(

the' ha%e accordin*+' )erfected the *ift of +o%e"

C+ean+iness( )ersona+ attention( and re*ard to hea+th

render the frame more sensiti%e( and conseHuent+'

increase its ca)acit' of *ratiJcation" A++ the other

;Q= Phi+oso)hica+

amia6+e and %a+ua6+e sentiments enter after$ards

into that of +o%e( +i5e the meta+s $hich ama+*amate

$ith *o+d4 friendshi) and esteem readi+' ' to its

su))ort 4 and ta+ents 6oth of 6od' and of mind are

ne$ and stren*thenin* 6onds"

Namfacit i)sa suis inter dum femina factis(

0ori*erisHue modis( et mundo cor)ore cu+tu

/t faci+e insuescat secum %ir de*ere %itam"



L/CRETI/S( i%( ;"

Se+f3+o%e( a6o%e a++( dra$s c+oser a++ these %arious

ties" 0en )ride themse+%es in the choice the' ha%e

made4 and the num6er+ess i++usions that cro$d

around constitute the ornament of the $or5( of

$hich the foundation is so Jrm+' +aid 6' nature"

Such are the ad%anta*es )ossessed 6' man a6o%e

the %arious tri6es of anima+s" !ut( if he en9o's de3

+i*hts of $hich the' are i*norant( ho$ man' %e7a3

tions and dis*usts( on the other hand( is he e7)osed

to( from $hich the' are free : The most dreadfu+

of these is occasioned 6' nature2s ha%in* )oisoned

the )+easures of +o%e and sources of +ife o%er three3

Huarters of the $or+d 6' a terri6+e disease( to $hich

man a+one is su69ect4 nor is it $ith this )esti+ence

as $ith %arious other ma+adies( $hich are the nat3

ura+ conseHuences of e7cess" It $as not introduced

into the $or+d 6' de6aucher'" The Phr'nes and

Laises( the F+oras and 0essa+inas( $ere ne%er at3

tac5ed 6' it" It ori*inated in is+ands $here "man5ind

d$e+t to*ether in innocence( and has thence 6een

s)read throu*hout the O+d Wor+d"

If nature cou+d in an' instance 6e accused of





o++ectionM is it friendshi)M It is a somethin* com3

)ounded of a++ these" It is a confused fee+in*( re3

sem6+in* the fantastic )assions $hich the dead re3

tained in the E+'sian Fie+ds" The heroes $ho $hi+e

+i%in* had shone in the chariot races( *uided ima*3

inar' chariots after death- &e+oise +i%ed $ith 'ou

on i++usions and su))+ements" She sometimes ca3

ressed 'ou( and $ith so much the more )+easure as(

after %o$in* at Parac+et that she $ou+d +o%e 'ou no

more( her caresses $ere 6ecome more )recious to

her in )ro)ortion as the' had 6ecome more cu+)a6+e"

;Q Phi+oso)hica+

A $oman can ne%er form a )assion for a eunuch(

6ut she ma' retain her )assion for her +o%er after

his 6ecomin* one( if he sti++ remains amia6+e"

The case is dierent $ith res)ect to a +o%er *ro$n

o+d in the ser%ice4 the e7terna+ a))earance is no

+on*er the same 4 $rin5+es ari*ht( *ri11+' e'e6ro$s

re)e+( deca'in* teeth dis*ust( inJrmities dri%e

a$a' 4 a++ that can 6e done or e7)ected is to ha%e the

%irtue of 6ein* a )atient and 5ind nurse( and 6ear3



in* $ith the man that $as once 6e+o%ed( a++ $hich

amounts to 6ur'in* the dead"

LOVE OF OD"

T&E dis)utes that ha%e occurred a6out the +o%e

of od ha%e 5ind+ed as much hatred as an' theo+o*3

ica+ Huarre+" The .esuits and .ansenists ha%e 6een

contendin* for a hundred 'ears as to $hich )art'

+o%ed od in the most suita6+e and a))ro)riate man3

ner( and $hich shou+d at the same time most com3

)+ete+' harass and torment their nei*h6or"

When the author of #Te+emachus(# $ho $as in

hi*h re)utation at the court of Louis BIV"( recom3

mended men to +o%e od in a manner $hich did not

ha))en to coincide $ith that of the author of the

#Funera+ Orations(# the +atter( $ho $as a com)+ete

master of the $ea)ons of contro%ers'( dec+ared o)en

$ar a*ainst him( and )rocured his condemnation

in the ancient cit' of Romu+us( $here od $as the

%er' o69ect most +o%ed( after domination( ease( +u73

ur'( )+easure( and mone'"



Dictionar'" ;QG

If 0adame u'on had 6een acHuainted $ith the

stor' of the *ood o+d $oman( $ho 6rou*ht a chaJn*3

dish to 6urn )aradise( and a )itcher of $ater to e73

tin*uish he++( that od mi*ht 6e +o%ed for &imse+f

a+one( she $ou+d not )erha)s ha%e $ritten so much

as she did" She must ine%ita6+' ha%e fe+t that she

cou+d herse+f ne%er sa' an'thin* 6etter than that4

6ut she +o%ed od and nonsense so sincere+' that

she $as im)risoned for four months( on account of

her aectionate attachment 4 treatment decided+'

ri*orous and un9ust" Wh' )unish as a crimina+ a

$oman $hose on+' oence $as com)osin* %erse in

the st'+e of the A66e Cotin( and )rose in the taste

of the )o)u+ar fa%orite Punchine++oM It is stran*e

that the author of #Te+emachus# and the fri*id

+o%es of Eucharis shou+d ha%e said in his #0a7ims

of Saints(# after the 6+essed Francis de Sa+es - #I

ha%e scarce+' an' desires 4 6ut( $ere I to 6e 6orn

a*ain( I shou+d not ha%e an' at a++" If od came to

me( I $ou+d a+so *o to &im 4 if it $ere not &is

$i++ to come to me( I $ou+d sta' $here I $as( and

not *o to &im"#

&is $ho+e $or5 turns u)on this )ro)osition"



Francis de Sa+es $as not condemned( 6ut Fene+on

$as" Wh' shou+d that ha%e 6een M the reason is(

that Francis de Sa+es had not a 6itter enem' at

the court of Turin( and that Fene+on had one at

Versai++es"

The most sensi6+e thin* that $as $ritten u)on

this m'stica+ contro%ers' is to 6e found )erha)s in

;QQ Phi+oso)hica+

!oi+eau2s satire( #On the Lo%e of od(# a+thou*h

that is certain+' 6' no means his 6est $or5"

uifait e7actement ce Hue( ma +oi commande(

A )our mot( dit ce Dieu( I2 amour Hue9e demande"

EP" 7ii" <<"

Attend e7act+' to m' +a$2s command(

Such( sa's this od( the $orshi) I demand"

If $e must )ass from the thorns of theo+o*' to

those of )hi+oso)h'( $hich are not so +on* and are



+ess )iercin*( it seems c+ear that an o69ect ma' 6e

+o%ed 6' an' one $ithout an' reference to se+f( $ith3

out an' mi7ture of interested se+f3+o%e" We cannot

com)are di%ine thin*s to earth+' ones( or the +o%e

of od to an' other +o%e" We ha%e an inJnit' of

ste)s to mount a6o%e our *ro%e++in* human inc+i3

nations 6efore $e can reach that su6+ime +o%e"

Since( ho$e%er( $e ha%e nothin* to rest u)on e73

ce)t the earth( +et us dra$ our com)arisons from

that" We %ie$ some master)iece of art( in )aintin*(

scu+)ture( architecture( )oetr'( or e+oHuence 4 $e hear

a )iece of music that a6so+ute+' enchants our ears

and sou+s 4 $e admire it( $e +o%e it( $ithout an'

return of the s+i*htest ad%anta*e to ourse+%es from

this attachment4 it is a )ure and reJned fee+in*4

$e )roceed sometimes so far as to entertain %en3

eration or friendshi) for the author4 and $ere he

)resent shou+d cordia++' em6race him"

This is a+most the on+' $a' in $hich $ can e73

)+ain our )rofound admiration and the im)u+ses of

our heart to$ards the eterna+ architect of the $or+d"

We sur%e' the $or5 $ith an astonishment made u)



Dictionar'" ;Q

of res)ect and a sense of our o$n nothin*ness( and

our heart $arms and rises as much as )ossi6+e to3

$ards the di%ine artiJcer"

!ut $hat is this fee+in* M A somethin* %a*ue and

indeterminate an im)ression that has no connection

$ith our ordinar' aections" A sou+ more susce)t3

i6+e than another( more $ithdra$n from $or+d+'

6usiness and cares( ma' 6e so aected 6' the s)ec3

tac+e of nature as to fee+ the most ardent as $e++ as

)ious as)irations to$ards the eterna+ Lord $ho

formed it" Cou+d such an amia6+e aection of the

mind( cou+d so )o$erfu+ a charm( so stron* an e%i3

dence 3of fee+in*( incur censure M Was it )ossi6+e

in rea+it' to condemn the aectionate and *ratefu+

dis)osition of the arch6isho) of Cam6ra'M Not3

$ithstandin* the e7)ressions of St" Francis de Sa+es(

a6o%e *i%en( he adhered steadi+' to this assertion(

that the author ma' 6e +o%ed mere+' and sim)+' for

the 6eaut' of his $or5s" With $hat heres' cou+d

he 6e re)roached M The e7tra%a*ances of st'+e of a

+ad' of 0ontar*is( and a fe$ un*uarded e7)ressions

of his o$n( $ere not a +itt+e in9urious to him"



Where $as the harm that he had doneM Noth3

in* at )resent is 5no$n a6out the matter" This dis3

)ute( +i5e num6er+ess others( is com)+ete+' annihi3

+ated" Were e%er' do*matist to sa' to himse+f - #A

fe$ 'ears hence no one $i++ care a stra$ for m'

do*mas(# there $ou+d 6e far +ess do*mati1in* in the

$or+d than there is : Ah : Louis the Fourteenth :

Louis the Fourteenth : $hen t$o men of *enius had

Vo+" ii ;=

;Q> Phi+oso)hica+

de)arted so far from the natura+ sco)e and direction

of their ta+ents( as to $rite the most o6scure and tire3

some $or5s e%er $ritten in 'our dominions( ho$

much 6etter $ou+d it ha%e 6een to ha%e +eft them to

their o$n $ran*+in*s :

PourJnir tous ces d6ats3+a(

Tu n a%ais Hu2 a +es +aisser faire "

To end de6ates in such a tone

2T$as 6ut to +ea%e the men a+one"



It is o6ser%a6+e under a++ the artic+es of mora+it'

and histor'( 6' $hat an in%isi6+e chain( 6' $hat un3

5no$n s)rin*s( a++ the ideas that distur6 our minds

and a++ the e%ents that )oison our da's are 6ound to3

*ether and 6rou*ht to co3o)erate in the formation

of our destinies" Fene+on dies in e7i+e in conse3

Huence of ho+din* t$o or three m'stica+ con%ersa3

tions $ith a )ious 6ut fancifu+ $oman" Cardina+

!oui++on( ne)he$ of the *reat Turenne( is )ersecuted

in conseHuence of not himse+f )ersecutin* at Rome

the arch6isho) of Cam6ra'( his friend- he is com3

)e++ed to Huit France( and he a+so +oses his $ho+e

fortune"

!' a +i5e chain of causes and eects( the son of a

so+icitor at Vire detects( in a do1en of o6scure

)hrases of a 6oo5 )rinted at Amsterdam( $hat is

su8cient to J++ a++ the dun*eons of France $it& %ic3

tims 4 and at +en*th( from the de)th of those dun3

*eons arises a cr' for redress and %en*eance( the

echo of $hich +a's )rostrate on the earth an a6+e

and t'rannica+ societ' $hich had 6een esta6+ished

6' an i*norant madman"





that this %ice $as recommended 6' the +a$s of Per3

sia" Let them cite the te7t of such a +a$ 4 +et them

e7hi6it the code of the Persians4 and if such an

a6omination 6e e%en found there( sti++ I $ou+d dis3

6e+ie%e it( and maintain that the thin* $as not true(

6ecause it is im)ossi6+e" No 4 it is not in human na3

ture to ma5e a +a$ $hich contradicts and outra*es

nature itse+f a +a$ $hich $ou+d annihi+ate man3

5ind( if it $ere +itera++' o6ser%ed" 0oreo%er( I $i++

;Q Phi+oso)hica+

sho$ 'ou the ancient +a$ of the Persians as *i%en in

the #Sadder"# It sa's( in artic+e or *ate <( that

the *reatest sin must not 6e committed" It is in %ain

that a modern $riter see5s to 9ustif' Se7tus Em)ir3

icus and )ederast'" The +a$s of @oroaster( $ith

$hich he is unacHuainted( incontro%erti6+' )ro%e

that this %ice $as ne%er recommended to the Per3

sians" It mi*ht as $e++ 6e said that it is recom3

mended to the Tur5s" The' 6o+d+' )ractise it( 6ut

their +a$s condemn it"

&o$ man' )ersons ha%e mista5en shamefu+ )rac3



tices( $hich are on+' to+erated in a countr'( for its

+a$s" Se7tus Em)iricus( $ho dou6ted e%er'thin*(

shou+d ha%e dou6ted this )iece of 9uris)rudence" If

he had +i%ed in our da's( and $itnessed the )ro3

ceedin*s of t$o or three 'oun* .esuits $ith their

)u)i+s( $ou+d he ha%e 6een 9ustiJed in the assertion

that such )ractices $ere )ermitted 6' the institutes

of I*natius Lo'o+aM

It $i++ 6e )ermitted to me here to a++ude to the

Socratic +o%e of the re%erend father Po+'car)( a

Carme+ite( $ho $as dri%en a$a' from the sma++

to$n of e7 in ;;( in $hich )+ace he tau*ht re3

+i*ion and Latin to a6out a do1en scho+ars" &e $as

at once their confessor( tutor( and somethin* more"

Fe$ ha%e had more occu)ations( s)iritua+ and tem3

)ora+" A++ $as disco%ered4 and he retired into

S$it1er+and( a countr' %er' distant from reece"

The mon5s char*ed $ith the education of 'outh

ha%e a+$a's e7hi6ited a +itt+e of this tendenc'(

Dictionar'" ;Q<



$hich is a necessar' conseHuence of the ce+i6ac' to

$hich the )oor men are condemned"

This %ice $as so common at Rome that it $as im3

)ossi6+e to )unish a crime $hich a+most e%er' one

committed" Octa%ius Au*ustus( that murderer( de3

6auchee( and co$ard( $ho e7i+ed O%id( thou*ht it

ri*ht in Vir*i+ to sin* the charms of A+e7is" &orace(

his other )oetica+ fa%orite( constructed sma++ odes on

Li*urinus 4 and this same &orace( $ho )raised Au3

*ustus for reformin* manners( s)ea5 in his satires

in much the same $a' of 6oth 6o's and *ir+s" ?et

the ancient +a$ #Scantinia(# $hich for6ade )eder3

ast'( a+$a's e7isted( and $as )ut in force 6' the em3

)eror Phi+i)( $ho dro%e a$a' from Rome the 6o's

$ho made a )rofession of it" If( ho$e%er( Rome

had $itt' and +icentious students( +i5e Petronius( it

had a+so such )rece)tors as uinti+ian 4 and attend

to the )recautions he +a's do$n in his cha)ter of

#The Prece)tor(# in order to )reser%e the )urit' of

ear+' 'outh" #Ca%endum non so+um crimine tur)i3

tudinis( sed etiam sus)icione"# We must not on+'

6e$are of a shamefu+ crime 6ut e%en of the sus)icion

of it" To conc+ude( I Jrm+' 6e+ie%e that no ci%i+i1ed

nation e%er e7isted $hich made forma+ +a$s a*ainst

mora+s"



O6ser%ations 6' Another &and"

We ma' 6e )ermitted to ma5e a fe$ additiona+

reections on an odious and dis*ustin* su69ect(

$hich ho$e%er( unfortunate+'( forms a )art of the

histor' of o)inions and manners"

; = Phi+oso)hica+

This oence ma' 6e traced to the remotest )e3

riods of ci%i+i1ation" ree5 and Roman histor' in

)articu+ar a++o$s us not to dou6t it" It $as common

6efore )eo)+e formed re*u+ar societies( and $ere

*o%erned 6' $ritten +a$s"

The +atter fact is the reason that the +a$s ha%e

treated it $ith so much indu+*ence" Se%ere +a$s

cannot 6e )ro)osed to a free )eo)+e a*ainst a %ice(

$hate%er it ma' 6e( $hich is common and ha6itua+"

For a +on* time man' of the erman nations had

$ritten +a$s $hich admitted of com)osition and

murder" So+on contented himse+f $ith for6iddin*

these odious )ractices 6et$een the citi1ens and



s+a%es" The Athenians mi*ht )ercei%e the )o+ic' of

this interdiction( and su6mit to it4 es)ecia++' as it

o)erated a*ainst the s+a%es on+'( and $as enacted

to )re%ent them from corru)tin* the 'oun* free men"

Fathers of fami+ies( ho$e%er +a7 their mora+s( had

no moti%e to o))ose it"

The se%erit' of the manners of $omen in reece(

the use of )u6+ic 6aths( and the )assion for *ames in

$hich men a))eared a+to*ether na5ed( fostered this

tur)itude( not$ithstandin* the )ro*ress of societ'

and mora+s" L'cur*us( 6' a++o$in* more +i6ert' to

the $omen( and 6' certain other institutions( suc3

ceeded in renderin* this %ice +ess common in S)arta

than in the other to$ns of reece"

When the manners of a )eo)+e 6ecome +es#s rustic(

as the' im)ro%e in arts( +u7ur'( and riches( if the'

retain their former %ices( the' at +east endea%or to

Dictionar'" ;;

%ei+ them" Christian mora+it'( 6' attachin* shame

to connections 6et$een unmarried )eo)+e( 6' render3



in* marria*e indisso+u6+e( and )roscri6in* concu3

6ina*e 6' ecc+esiastica+ censures( has rendered adu+3

ter' common" E%er' sort of %o+u)tuousness ha%in*

6een eHua++' made sinfu+( that s)ecies is natura++'

)referred $hich is necessari+' the most secret4 and

thus( 6' a sin*u+ar contradiction( a6so+ute crimes

are often made more freHuent( more to+erated( and

+ess shamefu+ in )u6+ic o)inion( than sim)+e $ea53

nesses" When the $estern nations 6e*an a course

of reJnement( the' sou*ht to concea+ adu+ter' under

the %ei+ of $hat is ca++ed *a++antr'" Then men +oud+'

a%o$ed a )assion in $hich it $as )resumed the

$omen did not share" The +o%ers dared demand

nothin*4 and it $as on+' after more than ten 'ears

of )ure +o%e( of com6ats and %ictories at tournaments

that a ca%a+ier mi*ht ho)e to disco%er a moment of

$ea5ness in the o69ect of his adoration" There re3

mains a su8cient num6er of records of these times

to con%ince us that the state of manners fostered this

s)ecies of h')ocris'" It $as simi+ar amon* the

ree5s( $hen the' had 6ecome )o+ished" Connec3

tions 6et$een ma+es $ere not shamefu+ 4 'oun* )eo3

)+e united themse+%es to each other 6' oaths( 6ut it

$as to +i%e and die for their countr'" It $as usua+

for a )erson of ri)e a*e to attach himse+f to a 'oun*

man in a state of ado+escence( ostensi6+' to form( in3







the' had com6ated- #I $i++ ne%er 6e+ie%e(# he e73

c+aimed( #that such 6ra%e men ha%e committed or

suered an'thin* shamefu+"# This e7)ression from

a man himse+f soi+ed $ith this infam' furnishes an

indis)uta6+e )roof of the *enera+ o)inion of reece"

At Rome( this o)inion $as sti++ stron*er" 0an'

ree5 heroes( re*arded as %irtuous men( ha%e 6een

su))osed addicted to the %ice4 6ut amon* the Ro3

mans it $as ne%er attri6uted to an' of those char3

acters in $hom *reat %irtue $as ac5no$+ed*ed" It

on+' seems( that $ith these t$o nations no idea of

crime or e%en dishonor $as attached to it un+ess car3

ried to e7cess( $hich renders e%en a )assion for

$omen dis*racefu+" Pederast' is rare amon* us(

and $ou+d 6e un5no$n( 6ut for the defects of )u6+ic

education"

0ontesHuieu )retends that it )re%ai+s in certain

0ahometan nations( in conseHuence of the faci+it' of

)ossessin* $omen" In our o)inion( for #faci+it'#

$e shou+d read #di8cu+t'"#

; Q Phi+oso)hica+



L/B/R?"

SECTION I"

IN A countr' $here a++ the inha6itants $ent 6are3

footed( cou+d +u7ur' 6e im)uted to the Jrst man

$ho made a )air of shoes for himse+fM Or rather(

$as he not a man of sense and industr' M

Is it not 9ust the same $ith him $ho )rocured the

Jrst shirtM With res)ect to the man $ho had it

$ashed and ironed( I consider him as an a6so+ute

*enius( a6undant in resources( and Hua+iJed to *o%3

ern a state" Those ho$e%er $ho $ere not used to

$ear c+ean shirts( considered him as a rich( eemi3

nate co7com6 $ho $as +i5e+' to corru)t the nation"

#!e$are of +u7ur'(# said Cato to the Romans4

#'ou ha%e conHuered the )ro%ince of Phasis( 6ut

ne%er eat an' )heasants" ?ou ha%e su69u*ated the

countr' in $hich cotton *ro$s 4 sti++ ho$e%er con3

tinue to s+ee) on the 6are *round" ?ou ha%e )+un3

dered the *o+d( and si+%er( and 9e$e+s of innumera6+e

nations( 6ut ne%er 6ecome such foo+s as to use them"

After ta5in* e%er'thin*( remain destitute of e%er'3





for5s M Is it not shamefu+ for a sensi6+e Dutchman

to s+ee) in a 6ed of damas5 M#

#o to !ata%ia(# re)+ied the Amsterdammer 4

#*ain( as I ha%e done( ten tons of *o+d4 and then

see if 'ou ha%e not some inc+ination to 6e $e++

c+othed( $e++ fed( and $e++ +od*ed"#

Since this con%ersation( t$ent' %o+umes ha%e

6een $ritten a6out +u7ur'( and these 6oo5s ha%e

neither increased nor diminished it"

SECTION II"

Lu7ur' has 6een dec+aimed a*ainst for the s)ace

of t$o thousand 'ears( 6oth in %erse and )rose 4 and

'et it has 6een a+$a's +i5ed"

What has not 6een said of the Romans M When(

in the ear+ier )eriods of their histor'( these 6anditti

ra%a*ed and carried o their nei*h6or2s har%ests 4

$hen( in order to au*ment their o$n $retched %i+3

+a*e( the' destro'ed the )oor %i++a*es of the Vo+sci



;> Phi+oso)hica+

and Samnites( the' $ere( $e are to+d( men disin3

terested and %irtuous" The' cou+d not as 'et( 6e it

remem6ered( carr' a$a' *o+d( and si+%er( and 9e$e+s(

6ecause the to$ns $hich the' sac5ed and )+undered

had none 4 nor did their $oods and s$am)s )roduce

)artrid*es or )heasants4 'et )eo)+e( forsooth( e73

to+ their tem)erance :

When( 6' a succession of %io+ences( the' had

)i++a*ed and ro66ed e%er' countr' from the recesses

of the Adriatic to the Eu)hrates( and had sense

enou*h to en9o' the fruit of their ra)ine 4 $hen the'

cu+ti%ated the arts( and tasted a++ the )+easures of

+ife( and communicated them a+so to the nations

$hich the' conHuered4 then( $e are to+d( the'

ceased to 6e $ise and *ood"

A++ such dec+amations tend 9ust to )ro%e this

that a ro66er ou*ht not to eat the dinner he has

ta5en( nor $ear the ha6it he has sto+en( nor orna3

ment his Jn*er $ith the rin* he has )+undered from

another" A++ this( it is said( shou+d 6e thro$n into

the ri%er( in order to +i%e +i5e *ood )eo)+e 4 6ut ho$

much 6etter $ou+d it 6e to sa'( ne%er ro6 it is



'our dut' not to ro6 M Condemn the 6ri*ands $hen

the' )+under 4 6ut do not treat them as foo+s or mad3

men for en9o'in* their )+under" After a num6er

of En*+ish sai+ors ha%e o6tained their )ri1e mone'

for the ca)ture of Pondicherr'( or &a%anacan the'

toe 6+amed for )urchasin* a +itt+e )+easure In Lon3

don( in return for the +a6or and )ain the' ha%e suf3

fered in the uncon*enia+ c+imes of Asia or America M

Dictionar'" ;

The dec+aimers $e ha%e mentioned $ou+d $ish

men to 6ur' the riches that mi*ht 6e accumu+ated

6' the fortune of $ar( or 6' a*ricu+ture( commerce(

and industr' in *enera+" The' cite Lacedaemon4

$h' do the' not a+so cite the re)u6+ic of San 0a3

rino M What 6eneJt did S)arta do to reece M &ad

she e%er a Demosthenes( a So)hoc+es( an A)e++es( or

a PhidiasM The +u7ur' of Athens formed *reat

men of e%er' descri)tion" S)arta had certain+'

some *reat ca)tains( 6ut e%en these in a sma++er

num6er than other cities" !ut a++o$in* that a sma++

re)u6+ic +i5e Lacedaemon ma' maintain its )o%ert'(

men uniform+' die( $hether the' are in $ant of



e%er'thin*( or en9o'in* the %arious means of render3

in* +ife a*reea6+e" The sa%a*e of Canada su6sists

and attains o+d a*e( as $e++ as the En*+ish citi1en

$ho has Jft' thousand *uineas a 'ear" !ut $ho

$i++ e%er com)are the countr' of the IroHuois to

En*+and M

Let the re)u6+ic of Ra*usa and the canton of

@u* enact sum)tuar' +a$s 4 the' are ri*ht in so

doin*" The )oor must not e7)end 6e'ond their

means 4 6ut I ha%e some$here read( that if )ar3

tia++' in9urious( +u7ur' 6eneJts a *reat nation u)on

the $ho+e"

Sache1 surtout Hue +e +u7e enrichit

/n *rand etat( s2i+ en )erd un )etit"

If 6' +u7ur' 'ou mean e7cess( $e 5no$ that e73

cess is uni%ersa++' )ernicious( in a6stinence as $e++

as *+utton'( in )arsimon' or )rofusion" I 5no$ not

; Phi+oso)hica+

ho$ it has ha))ened( that in m' o$n %i++a*e( $here



the soi+ is )oor and mea*re( the im)osts hea%'( and

the )rohi6ition a*ainst a man2s e7)ortin* the corn

he has himse+f so$n and rea)ed( into+era6+e( there

is hard+' a sin*+e cu+ti%ator $ho is not $e++ c+othed(

and $ho has not an am)+e su))+' of $armth and

food" Shou+d this cu+ti%ator *o to )+ou*h in his

6est c+othes and $ith his hair dressed and )o$dered(

there $ou+d in that case e7ist the *reatest and most

a6surd +u7ur' 4 6ut $ere a $ea+th' citi1en of Paris

or London to a))ear at the )+a' in the dress of this

)easant( he $ou+d e7hi6it the *rossest and most

ridicu+ous )arsimon'"

Est modus in re6us( sunt certi deniHue Jnes(

uos u+tra citraHue neHuit consistere rectum"

&ORACE( i" sat" i" %" ;=>"

Some certain mean in a++ thin*s ma' 6e found(

To mar5 our %irtues( and our %ices( 6ound"

FRANCIS"

On the in%ention of scissors( $hich are certain+'

not of the %er' hi*hest antiHuit'( $hat $as not said

of those $ho )ared their nai+s and cut o some of



their hair that $as han*in* do$n o%er their nosesM

The' $ere undou6ted+' considered as )rodi*a+s and

co7com6s( $ho 6ou*ht at an e7tra%a*ant )rice an

instrument 9ust ca+cu+ated to s)oi+ the $or5 of the

Creator" What an enormous sin to )are the horn

$hich od &imse+f made to *ro$ at otrr Jn*ers2

ends : It $as a6so+ute+' an insu+t to the Di%ine !e3

in* &imse+f" When shirts and soc5s $ere in%ented(

Dictionar'" ;<

it $as far $orse" It is $e++ 5no$n $ith $hat $rath

and indi*nation the o+d counse++ors( $ho had ne%er

$orn soc5s( e7c+aimed a*ainst the 'oun* ma*is3

trates $ho encoura*ed so dreadfu+ and fata+ a

+u7ur'"

0ADNESS"

W&AT is madnessM To ha%e erroneous )erce)3

tions( and to reason correct+' from themM Let the

$isest man( if he $ou+d understand madness( attend

to the succession of his ideas $hi+e he dreams" If

he 6e trou6+ed $ith indi*estion durin* the ni*ht( a



thousand incoherent ideas torment him4 it seems

as if nature )unished him for ha%in* ta5en too much

food( or for ha%in* in9udicious+' se+ected it( 6' su)3

)+'in* in%o+untar' conce)tions4 for $e thin5 6ut

+itt+e durin* s+ee)( e7ce)t $hen anno'ed 6' a 6ad

di*estion" /nHuiet dreams are in rea+it' a transient

madness"

0adness is a ma+ad' $hich necessari+' hinders

a man from thin5in* and actin* +i5e other men" Not

6ein* a6+e to mana*e )ro)ert'( the madman is $ith3

he+d from it4 inca)a65 of ideas suita6+e to societ'(

he is shut out from it4 if he 6e dan*erous( he is

conJned a+to*ether 4 and if he 6e furious( the' 6ind

him" Sometimes he is cured 6' 6aths( 6' 6+eedin*(

and 6' re*imen"

This man is not( ho$e%er( de)ri%ed of ideas 4 he

freHuent+' )ossesses them +i5e other men( and often

; >= Phi+oso)hica+"

$hen he s+ee)s" We mi*ht inHuire ho$ the s)ir3

itua+ and immorta+ sou+( +od*ed in his 6rain( recei%es



a++ its ideas correct+' and distinct+'( $ithout the ca3

)acit' of 9ud*ment" It )ercei%es o69ects( as the

sou+s of Aristot+e( of P+ato( of Loc5e( and of Ne$3

ton( )ercei%ed them" It hears the same sounds( and

)ossesses the same sense of fee+in* ho$ therefore(

recei%in* im)ressions +i5e the $isest( does the sou+

of the madman connect them e7tra%a*ant+'( and

)ro%e una6+e to dis)erse them M

If this sim)+e and eterna+ su6stance en9o's the

same )ro)erties as the sou+s $hich are +od*ed in

the sa*est 6rains( it ou*ht to reason +i5e them" Wh'

does it not M If m' madman sees a thin* red( $hi+e

the $ise men see it 6+ue4 if $hen m' sa*es hear

music( m' madman hears the 6ra'in* of an ass4

if $hen the' attend a sermon( he ima*ines himse+f

to 6e +istenin* to a comed'4 if $hen the' under3

stand 'es( he understands no4 then I concei%e

c+ear+' that his sou+ ou*ht to thin5 contrar' to theirs"

!ut m' madman ha%in* the same )erce)tions as

the' ha%e( there is no a))arent reason $h' his sou+(

ha%in* recei%ed a++ the necessar' materia+s( cannot

ma5e a )ro)er use of them" It is )ure( the' sa'(

and su69ect to no inJrmit'4 6eho+d it )ro%ided $ith

a++ the necessar' assistance 4 nothin* $hich )asses

in the 6od' can chan*e its essence 4 'et 3it is shut



u) in a c+ose carria*e( and con%e'ed to Charenton"

This reection ma' +ead us to sus)ect that the

facu+t' of thou*ht( 6esto$ed 6' od u)on man( is

Dictionar'" ; > .

su69ect to deran*ement +i5e the other senses" A

madman is an in%a+id $hose 6rain is diseased( $hi+e

the *out' man is one $ho suers in his feet and

hands" Peo)+e thin5 6' means of the 6rain( and

$a+5 on their feet( $ithout 5no$in* an'thin* of the

source of either this incom)rehensi6+e )o$er of

$a+5in*( or the eHua++' incom)rehensi6+e )o$er of

thin5in*4 6esides( the *out ma' 6e in the head( in3

stead of the feet" In short( after a thousand ar*u3

ments( faith a+one can con%ince us of the )ossi6i+it'

of a sim)+e and immateria+ su6stance +ia6+e to dis3

ease"

The +earned ma' sa' to the madman- #0'

friend( a+thou*h de)ri%ed of common sense( th' sou+

is as )ure( as s)iritua+( and as immorta+( as our o$n 4

6ut our sou+s are ha))i+' +od*ed( and thine not so"



The $indo$s of its d$e++in* are c+osed4 it $ants

air( and is stied"#

The madman( in a +ucid inter%a+( $i++ re)+' to

them - #0' friends( 'ou 6e* the Huestion( as usua+"

0' $indo$s are as $ide o)en as 'our o$n( since I

can )ercei%e the same o69ects and +isten to the same

sounds" It necessari+' fo++o$s that m' sou+ ma5es

a 6ad use of m' senses 4 or that m' sou+ is a %itiated

sense( a de)ra%ed facu+t'" In a $ord( either m'

sou+ is itse+f diseased( or I ha%e no sou+"#

One of the doctors ma' re)+'- #0' 6rother(

od has )ossi6+' created foo+ish sou+s( as $e++ as

$ise ones"#

The madman $i++ ans$er - #If I 6e+ie%ed $hat

Vo+" ii ii

; > Phi+oso)hica+

'ou sa'( I shou+d 6e a sti++ *reater madman than I

am" &a%e the 5indness( 'ou $ho 5no$ so much( to

te++ me $h' I am madM#



Su))osin* the doctors to retain a +itt+e sense(

the' $ou+d sa' - #We 5no$ nothin* a6out the mat3

ter"#

Neither are the' more a6+e to com)rehend ho$ a

6rain )ossesses re*u+ar ideas( and ma5es a due use

of them" The' ca++ themse+%es sa*es( and are as

$ea5 as their )atient"

If the inter%a+ of reason of the madman +asts +on*

enou*h( he $i++ sa' to them- #0isera6+e morta+s(

$ho neither 5no$ the cause of m' ma+ad'( nor ho$

to cure it: Trem6+e( +est 'e 6ecome a+to*ether +i5e

me( or e%en sti++ $orse than I am: ?ou are not of

the hi*hest ran5( +i5e Char+es VI" of France( &enr'

VI" of En*+and( and the erman em)eror Win3

cens+aus( $ho a++ +ost their reason in the same cen3

tur'" ?ou ha%e not near+' so much $it as !+aise

Pasca+( .ames A6adie( or .onathan S$ift( $ho a++

6ecame insane" The +ast of them founded a hos3

)ita+ for us 4 sha++ I *o there and retain )+aces for

'ouM#

N" !" I re*ret that &i))ocrates shou+d ha%e

)rescri6ed the 6+ood of an ass2s co+t for madness4



and I am sti++ more sorr' that the #0anue+ des

Dames# asserts that it ma' 6e cured 6' catchin* the

itch" P+easant )rescri)tions these( and a))arent+'

in%ented 6' those $ho $ere to ta5e them :

Dictionar'" ;>G

0AIC"

0AIC is a more )+ausi6+e science than astro+o*'

and the doctrine of *enii" As soon as $e 6e*an to

thin5 that there $as in man a 6ein* Huite distinct

from matter( and that the understandin* e7ists after

death( $e *a%e this understandin* a Jne( su6ti+e(

aeria+ 6od'( resem6+in* the 6od' in $hich it $as

+od*ed" T$o Huite natura+ reasons introduced this

o)inion 4 the Jrst is( that in a++ +an*ua*es the sou+ $as

ca++ed s)irit( 6reath( $ind" This s)irit( this 6reath(

this $ind( $as therefore %er' Jne and de+icate" The

second is( that if the sou+ of a man had not retained

a form simi+ar to that $hich it )ossessed durin* its

+ife( $e shou+d not ha%e 6een a6+e after death to

distin*uish the sou+ of one man from that of another"

This sou+( this shade( $hich e7isted( se)arated from



its 6od'( mi*ht %er' $e++ sho$ itse+f u)on occasion(

re%isit the )+ace $hich it had inha6ited( its )arents

and friends( s)ea5 to them and instruct them" In

a++ this there is no incom)ati6i+it'"

As de)arted sou+s mi*ht %er' $e++ teach those

$hom the' came to %isit the secret of con9urin*

them( the' fai+ed not to do so4 and the $ord

#A6ra7a(# )ronounced $ith some ceremonies(

6rou*ht u) sou+s $ith $hom he $ho )ronounced it

$ished to s)ea5" I su))ose an E*')tian sa'in* to

a )hi+oso)her- #I descend in a ri*ht +ine from the

ma*icians of P+iaraoh( $ho chan*ed rods into ser3

)ents( and the $aters of the Ni+e into 6+ood 4 one of

; >Q Phi+oso)hica+

m' ancestors married the $itch of Endor( $ho con3

9ured u) the sou+ of Samue+ at the reHuest of Sau+ 4

she communicated her secrets to her hus6and( $ho

made her the conJdant of his o$n 4 I )ossess this in3

heritance from m' father and mother4 m' *enea+3

o*' is $e++ attested 4 I command the s)irits and e+e3

ments"#



The )hi+oso)her( in re)+'( $i++ ha%e nothin* to do

6ut to demand his )rotection4 for if dis)osed to

den' and dis)ute( the ma*ician $i++ shut his mouth

6' sa'in* - #?ou cannot den' the facts 4 m' ances3

tors ha%e 6een incontesta6+' *reat ma*icians( and

'ou dou6t it not 4 'ou ha%e no reason to 6e+ie%e that

I am inferior to them( )articu+ar+' $hen a man of

honor +i5e m'se+f assures 'ou that he is a sorcerer"#

The )hi+oso)her( to 6e sure( mi*ht sa' to him-

#Do me the )+easure to con9ure u) a shade4 a++o$

me to s)ea5 to a sou+ 4 chan*e this $ater into 6+ood(

and this rod into a ser)ent"#

The ma*ician $i++ ans$er - #I $or5 not for )hi3

+oso)hers 4 6ut I ha%e sho$n s)irits to %er' res)ec3

ta6+e +adies( and to sim)+e )eo)+e $ho ne%er dis)ute 4

'ou shou+d at +east 6e+ie%e that it is %er' )ossi6+e

for me to ha%e these secrets4 since 'ou are forced to

confess that m' ancestors )ossessed them" What

$as done former+' can 6e done no$ 4 and 'ou ou*ht

to 6e+ie%e in ma*ic $ithout m' 6ein* o6+i*,ed to e73

ercise m' art 6efore 'ou"#

These reasons are so *ood that a++ nations ha%e



had sorcerers" The *reatest sorcerers $ere )aid 6'

Dictionar'" ;>

the state( in order to disco%er the future c+ear+' in

the heart and +i%er of an o7" Wh'( therefore( ha%e

others so +on* 6een )unished $ith deathM The'

ha%e done more mar%e++ous thin*s 4 the' shou+d(

therefore( 6e more honored4 a6o%e a++( their )o$er

shou+d 6e feared" Nothin* is more ridicu+ous than

to condemn a true ma*ician to 6e 6urned 4 for $e

shou+d )resume that he can e7tin*uish the Jre and

t$ist the nec5s of his 9ud*es" A++ that $e can do

is to sa' to him - #0' friend( $e do not 6urn 'ou as

a true sorcerer( 6ut as a fa+se one 4 'ou 6oast of an

admira6+e art $hich 'ou )ossess not 4 $e treat 'ou

as a man $ho utters fa+se mone'4 the more $e

+o%e the *ood( the more se%ere+' $e )unish those

$ho *i%e us counterfeits 4 $e 5no$ %er' $e++ that

there $ere former+' %enera6+e con9urors( 6ut $e

ha%e reason to 6e+ie%e that 'ou are not one( since 'ou

suer 'ourse+f to 6e 6urned +i5e a foo+"#

It is true( that the ma*ician so )ushed mi*ht sa' -



#0' conscience e7tends not so far as to e7tin*uish a

)i+e $ithout $ater( and to 5i++ m' 9ud*es $ith

$ords" I can on+' ca++ u) s)irits( read the future(

and chan*e certain su6stances into others4 m'

)o$er is 6ounded 4 6ut 'ou shou+d not for that rea3

son 6urn me at a s+o$ Jre" It is as if 'ou caused a

)h'sician to 6e han*ed $ho cou+d cure fe%er( and

not a )ara+'sis"#

The 9ud*es mi*ht( ho$e%er( sti++ reasona6+' o63

ser%e- #Sho$ us then some secret of 'our art( or

consent to 6e 6urned $ith a *ood *race"#

; >> Phi+oso)hica+

0ALAD? 0EDICINE"

I WILL su))ose that a fair )rincess $ho ne%er

heard s)ea5 of anatom' is i++ either from ha%in*

eaten or danced too much( or ha%in* done too much

of $hat se%era+ )rincesses occasiona++' do" I su)3

)ose the fo++o$in* contro%ers' ta5es )+ace -

P&?SICIAN"



0adam( for 'our hea+th to 6e *ood( it is neces3

sar' for 'our cere6rum and cere6e++um to distri6ute

a Jne( $e++3conditioned marro$( in the s)ine of 'our

6ac5 do$n to 'our hi*hness2s rum) 4 and that this

marro$ shou+d eHua++' animate Jfteen )airs of

ner%es( each ri*ht and +eft" It is necessar' that 'our

heart shou+d contract and di+ate itse+f $ith a con3

stant+' eHua+ force4 and that a++ the 6+ood $hich it

forces into 'our arteries shou+d circu+ate in a++ these

arteries and %eins a6out si7 hundred times a da'"

This 6+ood( in circu+atin* $ith a ra)idit' $hich sur3

)asses that of the Rhone( ou*ht to dis)ose on its

)assa*e of that $hich continua++' forms the +'m)h(

urine( 6i+e( etc"( of 'our hi*hness of that $hich

furnishes a++ these secretions( $hich insensi6+' ren3

der 'our s5in soft( fresh( and fair( that $ithout them

$ou+d 6e 'e++o$( *ra'( dr'( and shri%e++ed( +i5e o+d

)archment"

PRINCESS"

We++( sir( the 5in* )a's 'ou to attend to a++ this -

fai+ not to )ut a++ thin*s in their )+ace( and to ma5e



Dictionar'" ;>

m' +iHuids circu+ate so that I ma' 6e comforta6+e"

I $arn 'ou that I $i++ not suer $ith im)unit'"

P&?SICIAN"

0adam( address 'our orders to the Author of na3

ture" The so+e )o$er $hich made mi++ions of )+an3

ets and comets to re%o+%e round mi++ions of suns has

directed the course of 'our 6+ood"

PRINCESS"

What : are 'ou a )h'sician( and can 'ou )rescri6e

nothin* M

P&?SICIAN"

No( madam4 $e can on+' ta5e a$a' from( $e

can add nothin* to nature" ?our ser%ants c+ean

'our )a+ace( 6ut the architect 6ui+t it" If 'our hi*h3

ness has eaten *reedi+'( I can c+eanse 'our entrai+s

$ith cassia( manna( and )ods of senna 4 it is a 6room

$hich I introduce to c+eanse 'our inside" If 'ou



ha%e a cancer( I must cut o 'our 6reast( 6ut I can3

not *i%e 'ou another" &a%e 'ou a stone in 'our

6+adderM I can de+i%er 'ou from it" I can cut o a

*an*rened foot( +ea%in* 'ou to $a+5 on the other" In

a $ord( $e )h'sicians )erfect+' resem6+e teeth3

dra$ers( $ho e7tract a deca'ed tooth( $ithout the

)o$er of su6stitutin* a sound one( Huac5s as the'

are"

PRINCESS"

?ou ma5e me trem6+e 4 I 6e+ie%ed that )h'sicians

cured a++ ma+adies"

; > Phi+oso)hica+

P&?SICIAN"

We infa++i6+' cure a++ those $hich cure them3

se+%es" It is *enera++'( and $ith %er' fe$ e7ce)3

tions( $ith interna+ ma+adies as $ith e7terna+

$ounds" Nature a+one cures those $hich are not

morta+" Those $hich are so $i++ Jnd no resource

in it"



PRINCESS"

What: a++ these secrets for )urif'in* the 6+ood(

of $hich m' +adies ha%e s)o5en to me 4 this !aume

de Vie of the Sieur de Lie%re 4 these )ac5ets of the

Sieur Arnau+d4 a++ these )i++s so much )raised 6'

famines de cham6re

P&?SICIAN"

Are so man' in%entions to *et mone'( and to at3

ter )atients( $hi+e nature a+one acts"

PRINCESS"

!ut there are s)eciJcs M

P&?SICIAN"

?es( madam( +i5e the $ater of 'outh in romances"

PRINCESS"

In $hat( then( consists medicineM

P&?SICIAN"



I ha%e a+read' to+d 'ou( in c+eanin* and 5ee)in*

in order the house $hich $e cannot re6ui+d"

PRINCESS"

There are( ho$e%er( sa+utar' thin*s( and others

hurtfu+ M

Dictionar'" ;><

P&?SICIAN"

?ou ha%e *uessed a++ the secret" Eat moderate+'

that $hich 'ou 5no$ 6' e7)erience $i++ a*ree $ith

'ou" Nothin* is *ood for the 6od' 6ut $hat is

easi+' di*ested" What medicine $i++ 6est assist di3

*estionM E7ercise" What 6est recruit 'our

stren*thM S+ee)" What $i++ diminish incura6+e

i++sM Patience" What chan*e a 6ad constitutionM

Nothin*" In a++ %io+ent ma+adies( $e ha%e on+' the

reci)e of 0o+iere( #sei)nare( )ur *ar e# 4 and( if $e

$i++( #c+isterium donare"# There is not a fourth"

A++( I ha%e to+d 'ou amounts on+' to 5ee)in* a house



in order( to $hich $e cannot add a )e*" A++ art con3

sists in ada)tation"

PRINCESS"

?ou )u not 'our merchandise" ?ou are an

honest man" When I am Hueen( I $i++ ma5e 'ou

m' Jrst )h'sician"

P&?SICIAN"

Let nature 6e 'our Jrst )h'sician" It is she $ho

made a++" Of those $ho ha%e +i%ed 6e'ond a hun3

dred 'ears( none $ere of the facu+t'" The 5in* of

France has a+read' 6uried fort' of his )h'sicians(

as man' chief )h'sicians( 6esides )h'sicians of the

esta6+ishment( and others"

PRINCESS"

And( tru+'( I ho)e to 6ur' 'ou a+so"

; = Phi+oso)hica+



0AN"

To KNOW the natura+ )hi+oso)h' of the human

race( it is necessar' to read $or5s of anatom'( or

rather to *o throu*h a course of anatom'"

To 6e acHuainted $ith the man $e ca++ #mora+(#

it is a6o%e a++ necessar' to ha%e +i%ed and reected"

Are not a++ mora+ $or5s contained in these $ords of

.o6 M #0an that is 6orn of a $oman hath 6ut a fe$

da's to +i%e( and is fu++ of trou6+e" &e cometh forth

+i5e a o$er( and is cut do$n - he eeth as a shado$(

and continued: not"#

We ha%e a+read' seen that the human race has not

a6o%e t$o3and3t$ent' 'ears to +i%e( rec5onin* those

$ho die at their nurses2 6reasts( and those $ho for

a hundred 'ears dra* on the remains of a misera6+e

and im6eci+e +ife"

It is a Jne a)o+o*ue( that ancient fa6+e of the Jrst

man $ho $as at Jrst destined to +i%e t$ent' 'ears

at most( and $ho reduced it to J%e 'ears 6' esti3

matin* one +ife $ith another" The man $as in de3

s)air( and had near him a cater)i++ar( a 6utter'( a

)eacoc5( a horse( a fo7( and an a)e"



#Pro+on* m' +ife(# said he to .u)iter4 #I am

more $orth' than these anima+s4 it is 9ust that I

and m' fami+' shou+d +i%e +on* to command a++

6easts"# #Wi++in*+'(# said .u)iter4 #6ut I ha%e

on+' a certain num6er of da's to di%ide amon* the

$ho+e of the 6ein*s to $hom I ha%e *ranted +ife"

I can on+' *i%e to thee 6' ta5in* a$a' from others 4

T&E DREA0 OR &/0AN LIRE

Dictionar'" ;;

for ima*ine not( that 6ecause I am .u)iter( I am in3

Jnite and a++3)o$erfu+4 I ha%e m' nature and m'

+imits" No$ I $i++ *rant thee some 'ears more( 6'

ta5in* them from these si7 anima+s( of $hich thou

art 9ea+ous( on condition that thou sha+t successi%e+'

assume their manner of +i%in*" 0an sha++ Jrst 6e a

cater)i++ar( dra**in* himse+f a+on* in his ear+iest

infanc'" /nti+ Jfteen( he sha++ ha%e the +i*htness

of a 6utter' 4 in his 'outh( the %anit' of a )eacoc5"



In manhood he must under*o the +a6ors of a horse"

To$ards Jft'( he sha++ ha%e the tric5s of a fo7 4

and in his o+d a*e( 6e u*+' and ridicu+ous +i5e an

a)e" This( in *enera+( is the destin' of man"#

Remar5 further( that not$ithstandin* these 6oun3

ties of .u)iter( the anima+ man has sti++ 6ut t$o or

three and t$ent' 'ears to +i%e( at most" Ta5in*

man5ind in *enera+( of this a third must 6e ta5en

a$a' for s+ee)( durin* $hich $e are in a certain

sense dead4 thus there remain Jfteen( and from

these Jfteen $e must ta5e at +east ei*ht for our Jrst

infanc'( $hich is( as it has 6een ca++ed( the %esti6u+e

of +ife" The c+ear )roduct $i++ 6e se%en 'ears( and

of these se%en 'ears the ha+f at +east is consumed in

*rief of a++ 5inds" Ta5e three 'ears and a ha+f for

+a6or( fati*ue( and dissatisfaction( and $e sha++ ha%e

none remainin*" We++( )oor anima+( $i++ 'ou sti++

6e )roudM

/nfortunate+'( in this fa6+e .u)iter for*ot to

dress this anima+ as he c+othed the ass( horse( )ea3

coc5( and e%en the cater)i++ar" 0an had on+' his





not hands( the' cou+d not 6ui+d houses and $or5

ta)estr'" A))arent+'( those $ho ha%e condemned

this )ro)osition( ha%e disco%ered a secret for cuttin*

stones and $ood( and $or5in* at the need+e $ith

their feet"

I +i5ed the author of the $or5 #On 0ind2 This

man $as $orth more than a++ his enemies to*ether 4

6ut I ne%er a))ro%ed either the errors of his 6oo5(

Dictionar'" ;G

or the tri%ia+ truths $hich he so em)hatica++' en3

forced" I ha%e( ho$e%er( 6o+d+' ta5en his )art $hen

a6surd men ha%e condemned him for these same

truths"

I ha%e no terms to e7)ress the e7cess of m' con3

tem)t for those $ho( for e7am)+e2s sa5e( $ou+d ma*3

isteria++' )roscri6e this )assa*e - #The Tur5s can

on+' 6e considered deists"# &o$ then( )edant:

$ou+d 'ou ha%e them re*arded as atheists( 6ecause

the' adore on+' one od :



?ou condemn this other )ro)osition - #The man

of sense 5no$s that men are $hat the' must 6e4

that a++ hatred a*ainst them is un9ust4 that a foo+

commits foo+eries as a $i+d stoc5 6ears 6itter fruits"#

So( cra66ed stoc5s of the schoo+s( 'ou )ersecute

a man 6ecause he hates 'ou not: Let us( ho$e%er(

+ea%e the schoo+s( and )ursue our su69ect"

Reason( industrious hands( a head ca)a6+e of *en3

era+i1in* ideas( a +an*ua*e )+iant enou*h to e7)ress

them these are *reat 6eneJts *ranted 6' the Su3

)reme !ein* to man( to the e7c+usion of other ani3

ma+s"

The ma+e in *enera+ +i%es rather a shorter time

than the fema+e" &e is a+so *enera++' +ar*er in )ro3

)ortion" A man of the +oftiest stature is common+'

t$o or three inches hi*her than the ta++est $oman"

&is stren*th is a+most a+$a's su)erior4 he is

more acti%e 4 and ha%in* a++ his or*ans stron*er( he

is more ca)a6+e of a J7ed attention" A++ arts ha%e

6een in%ented 6' him( and not 6' $oman" We



;Q Phi+oso)hica+

shou+d remar5( that it is not the Jre of ima*ination(

6ut )erse%erin* meditation and com6ination of ideas

$hich ha%e in%ented arts( as mechanics( *un)o$der(

)rintin*( dia++in*( etc"

0an a+one 5no$s that he must die( and 5no$s

it on+' 6' e7)erience" A chi+d 6rou*ht u) a+one(

and trans)orted into a desert is+and( $ou+d dream of

death no more than a )+ant or a cat"

A sin*u+ar man has $ritten that the human 6od'

is a fruit( $hich is *reen unti+ o+d a*e( and that the

moment of death is that of maturit'" A stran*e ma3

turit'( ashes and )utrefaction: The head of this

)hi+oso)her $as not ri)e" &o$ man' e7tra%a*ances

has the ra*e for te++in* no%e+ties )roduced M

The )rinci)a+ occu)ations of our race are the

)ro%ision of food( +od*in*( and c+othin* 4 a++ the rest

are near+' accessor'4 and it is this )oor accessor'

$hich has )roduced so man' ra%a*es and murders"

Dierent Races of 0en"



We ha%e e+se$here seen ho$ man' dierent races

of men this *+o6e contains( and to $hat de*rees the

Jrst ne*ro and the Jrst $hite $ho met $ere aston3

ished at one another"

It is +i5e+' enou*h that se%era+ $ea5+' s)ecies of

men and anima+s ha%e )erished" It is thus that $e

no +on*er disco%er an' of the mure7( of $hich the

s)ecies has )ro6a6+' 6een de%oured 6' other ani3

ma+s $ho se%era+ a*es after %isited the shores in3

ha6ited 6' this +itt+e she++Jsh"

Dictionar'" ;

St" .erome( in his #&istor' of the Father of the

Desert(# s)ea5s of a centaur $ho had a con%ersation

$ith St" Anthon' the hermit" &e after$ards *i%es

an account of a much +on*er discourse that the same

Anthon' had $ith a sat'r"

St" Au*ustine( in his thirt'3third sermon( ad3

dressed #To his !rothers in the Desert(# te++ thin*s

as e7traordinar' as .erome" #I $as a+read' 6isho)



of &i))o( $hen I $ent into Ethio)ia $ith some ser%3

ants of Christ( there to )reach the *os)e+" In this

countr' $e sa$ man' men and $omen $ithout

heads( $ho had t$o *reat e'es in their 6reasts" In

countries sti++ more souther+'( $e sa$ a )eo)+e $ho

had 6ut one e'e in their foreheads(# etc"

A))arent+'( Au*ustine and .erome then s)o5e

#$ith econom'4# the' au*mented the $or5s of

creation to raise *reater admiration of the $or5s of

od" The' sou*ht to astonish men 6' fa6+es( to

render them more su6missi%e to the 'o5e of faith"

We can 6e %er' *ood Christians $ithout 6e+ie%in*

in centaurs( men $ithout heads( or $ith on+' one e'e(

one +e*( etc" !ut can $e dou6t that the interior

structure of a ne*ro ma' 6e dierent to that of a

$hite( since the mucous netted mem6rane 6eneath

the s5in is $hite in the one( and 6+ac5 in the otherM

I ha%e a+read' to+d 'ou so( 6ut 'ou are deaf"

The A+6inos and the Darians the Jrst ori*ina++'

of Africa( and the second of the midd+e of America

are as dierent from us as from the ne*roes"

There are 'e++o$( red( and *ra' races" We ha%e a+3



;> Phi+oso)hica+

read' seen that a++ the Americans are $ithout

6eards or hair on their 6odies( e7ce)t the head and

e'e6ro$s" A++ are eHua++' men( 6ut on+' as a Jr( an

oa5( and a )ear tree are eHua++' trees 4 the )ear tree

comes not from the Jr( nor the Jr from the oa5"

!ut $hence comes it( that in the midst of the Pa3

ciJc Ocean( in an is+and named Otaheite( the men

are 6eardedM It is to as5 $h' $e are so( $hi+e the

Peru%ians( 0e7icans( and Canadians are not" It

is to as5( $h' a)es ha%e tai+s( and $h' nature has

refused us an ornament $hich( at +east amon* us(

is an e7treme rarit'"

The inc+inations and characters of men dier as

much as their c+imates and *o%ernments" It has

ne%er 6een )ossi6+e to com)ose a re*iment of La)3

+anders and Samo'eds( $hi+st the Si6erians( their

nei*h6ors( 6ecome intre)id so+diers"

Neither can 'ou ma5e *ood *renadiers of a )oor

Darian or an A+6ino" It is not 6ecause the' ha%e



)artrid*e e'es( or that their hair and e'e6ro$s are

+i5e the Jnest and $hitest si+5 4 6ut it is 6ecause their

6odies( and conseHuent+' their coura*e( )arta5e of

the most e7treme $ea5ness" There is none 6ut a

6+ind man( and e%en an o6stinate 6+ind man( $ho can

den' the e7istence of a++ these dierent s)ecies" It

is as *reat and remar5a6+e as that of a)es"

That A++ Races of 0en &a%e Constant+' 2Li%ed in

Societ'"

A++ the men $hom $e ha%e disco%ered in the

most uncu+ti%ated and fri*htfu+ countries herd to3

Dictionar'" ;

*ather +i5e 6ea%ers( ants( 6ees( and se%era+ other s)e3

cies of anima+s"

We ha%e ne%er seen countries in $hich the' +i%ed

se)arate 4 or in $hich the ma+e on+' 9oined $ith the

fema+e 6' chance( and a6andoned her the moment

after in dis*ust 4 or in $hich the mother estran*ed



herse+f from her chi+dren( after ha%in* 6rou*ht them

u)4 or in $hich human 6ein*s +i%ed $ithout fam3

i+' and societ'" Some )oor 9esters ha%e a6used their

understandin*s so far as to ha1ard the astonishin*

)arado7( that man is ori*ina++' created to +i%e a+one(

and that it is societ' $hich has de)ra%ed his nature"

The' mi*ht as $e++ sa' that herrin*s $ere created

to s$im a+one in the sea 4 and that it is 6' an e7cess

of corru)tion( that the' )ass in a troo) from the

Fro1en Ocean to our shores 4 that former+' cranes

e$ in the air sin*+'( and that( 6' a %io+ation of

their natura+ instinct( the' ha%e su6seHuent+' chosen

to tra%e+ in com)an'"

E%er' anima+ has its instinct( and the instinct of

man( fortiJed 6' reason( dis)oses him to$ards so3

ciet'( as to$ards eatin* and drin5in*" So far from

the $ant of societ' ha%in* de*raded man( it is es3

tran*ement from societ' $hich de*rades him" Who3

e%er +i%ed a6so+ute+' a+one( $ou+d soon +ose the fac3

u+t' of thin5in* and e7)ressin* himse+f 4 he $ou+d

6e a 6urden to himse+f( and it $ou+d on+' remain to

metamor)hose him into a 6east" An e7cess of )o$3

er+ess )ride( $hich rises u) a*ainst the )ride of oth3

ers( ma' induce a me+ancho+' man to ' from his





A++ this is e7ecra6+e 4 6ut ha))i+' nothin* is more

fa+se" If this 6ar6arous indierence $as the true

instinct of nature( man5ind $ou+d a+$a's ha%e

acted thus" Instinct is unchan*ea6+e( its inconsist3

encies are %er' rare 4 the father $ou+d a+$a's a6an3

don the mother( and the mother $ou+d a6andon her

chi+d" There $ou+d ha%e 6een much fe$er men on

earth than %oracious anima+s 4 for the $i+d 6easts

6etter )ro%ided and 6etter armed( ha%e a more

)rom)t instinct( more sure means of +i%in*( ancf a

more certain nourishment than man5ind"

Dictionar'" ;3<

Our nature is %er' dierent from the fri*htfu+

romance $hich this man( )ossessed of the de%i+(

has made of it" E7ce)t some 6ar6arous sou+s en3

tire+' 6rutish( or )erha)s a )hi+oso)her more 6ruta+

sti++( the rou*hest man( 6' a )re%ai+in* instinct( +o%es

the chi+d $hich is not 'et 6orn( the $om6 $hich

6ears it 4 and the mother redou6+es her +o%e for him

from $hom she has recei%ed the *erm of a 6ein*

simi+ar to himse+f"



The instinct of the co++iers of the !+ac5 Forest

s)ea5s to them as +oud+'( and animates them as

stron*+' in fa%or of their chi+dren as the instinct of

)i*eons and ni*htin*a+es induces them to feed their

+itt+e ones" Time has therefore 6een sad+' +ost in

$ritin* these a6omina6+e a6surdities"

The *reat fau+t of a++ these )arado7ica+ 6oo5s +ies

in a+$a's su))osin* nature %er' dierent from $hat

it is" If the satires on man and $oman $ritten 6'

!oi+eau $ere not )+easantries( the' $ou+d sin in

the essentia+ )oint of su))osin* a++ men foo+s and a++

$omen coHuettes"

The same author( an enem' to societ'( +i5e the

fo7 $ithout a tai+ $ho $ou+d ha%e his com)anions

cut o theirs( thus in a ma*isteria+ st'+e e7)resses

himse+f -

#The Jrst $ho( ha%in* enc+osed an estate( too5

u)on himse+f to sa'- 2This is mine(2 and found

)eo)+e sim)+e enou*h to 6e+ie%e him( $as the true

founder of societ'" What crimes( $ars( murders(

miseries( and horrors( mi*ht ha%e 6een s)ared to



; = Phi+oso)hica+

man5ind if some one( sei1in* the sta5es( or J++in* u)

the )it( had cried to his com)anions - 2Ta5e care ho$

'ou +isten to this im)ostor 4 'ou are +ost if 'ou for3

*et that the fruits are common to a++( and that the

earth 6e+on*s to no6od' :2 #

Thus( accordin* to this Jne )hi+oso)her( a thief(

a destro'er( $ou+d ha%e 6een the 6enefactor of man3

5ind( and $e shou+d )unish an honest man $ho

sa's to his chi+dren - #Let us imitate our nei*h6or 4

he has enc+osed his Je+d( the 6easts $i++ no +on*er

ra%a*e it( his +and $i++ 6ecome more ferti+e 4 +et us

$or5 ours as he has +a6ored his 4 it $i++ aid us( and

$e sha++ im)ro%e it" Each fami+' cu+ti%atin* its

o$n enc+osure( $e sha++ 6e 6etter fed( more hea+th'(

more )eacea6+e( and +ess unha))'" We $i++ en3

dea%or to esta6+ish a distri6uti%e 9ustice( $hich $i++

conso+e our unha))' race 4 and $e sha++ 6e raised

a6o%e the fo7es and )o+ecats( to $hom this 6a66+er

$ou+d com)are us"#

Wou+d not this discourse 6e more sensi6+e and



honest than that of the sa%a*e foo+ $ho $ou+d de3

stro' the *ood man2s orchardM What )hi+oso)h'

therefore is that $hich sa's thin*s that common

sense disc+aims from China to CanadaM Is it not

that of a 6e**ar( $ho $ou+d ha%e a++ the rich ro66ed

6' the )oor( in order that fraterna+ union mi*ht 6e

6etter esta6+ished amon* menM

It is true( that if a++ the hed*es( forests( and )+ains

$ere co%ered $ith $ho+esome and de+icious fruits(

Dictionar'" ;;

it $ou+d 6e im)ossi6+e( un9ust( and ridicu+ous( to

*uard them"

If there are an' is+ands in $hich nature )roduces

food and a++ necessaries $ithout trou6+e( +et us *o

and +i%e there( far from the trash of our +a$s 4 6ut

as soon as 'ou ha%e )eo)+ed them( $e must return

to meum and tunm( and to +a$s $hich are often %er'

6ad( 6ut $hich $e cannot rationa++' a6o+ish"

Is 0an !orn Wic5edM



Is it not demonstrated that man is not 6orn )er3

%erse and the chi+d of the de%i+M If such $as his

nature( he $ou+d commit enormous crimes and 6ar3

6arities as soon as he cou+d $a+5 4 he $ou+d use the

Jrst 5nife he cou+d Jnd( to $ound $hoe%er dis3

)+eased him" &e $ou+d necessari+' resem6+e +itt+e

$o+%es and fo7es( $ho 6ite as soon as the' can"

On the contrar'( throu*hout the $or+d( he )ar3

ta5es of the nature of the +am6( $hi+e he is an infant"

Wh'( therefore( and ho$ is it( that he so often 6e3

comes a $o+f and fo7M Is it not that( 6ein* 6orn

neither *ood nor $ic5ed( education( e7am)+e( the

*o%ernment into $hich he is thro$n in short( oc3

casion of e%er' 5ind determines him to %irtue or

%iceM

Perha)s human nature cou+d not 6e other$ise"

0an cou+d not a+$a's ha%e fa+se thou*hts( nor a+3

$a's true aections 4 6e a+$a's s$eet( or a+$a's

crue+"

; Phi+oso)hica+



It is demonstra6+e that $oman is e+e%ated 6e'ond

men in the sca+e of *oodness" We see a hundred

6rothers enemies to each other( to one C+'temnestra"

There are )rofessions $hich necessari+' render

the sou+ )iti+ess those of the so+dier( the 6utcher(

the o8cer of 9ustice( and the 9ai+er4 and a++ trades

$hich are founded on the anno'ance of others"

The o8cer( the so+dier( the 9ai+er( for e7am)+e(

are on+' ha))' in ma5in* others misera6+e" It is

true( the' are necessar' a*ainst ma+efactors( and so

far usefu+ to societ' 4 6ut of a thousand men of the

5ind( there is not one $ho acts from the moti%e of

the )u6+ic *ood( or $ho e%en reects that it is a )u63

+ic *ood"

It is a6o%e a++ a curious thin* to hear them s)ea5

of their )ro$ess as the' count the num6er of their

%ictims 4 their snares to entra) them( the i++s $hich

the' ha%e made them suer( and the mone' $hich

the' ha%e *ot 6' it"

Whoe%er has 6een a6+e to descend to the su6a+3

tern detai+ of the 6ar 4 $hoe%er has on+' heard +a$3



'ers reason fami+iar+' amon* themse+%es( and a)3

)+aud themse+%es for the miseries of their c+ients(

must ha%e a %er' )oor o)inion of human nature"

There are more fri*htfu+ )ossessions sti++( $hich

are( ho$e%er( can%assed for +i5e a canonshi)" There

are some $hich chan*e an honest man 9nto a

ro*ue( and $hich accustom him to +ie in s)ite of him3

se+f( to decei%e a+most $ithout )ercei%in* it( to )ut

a 6+ind 6efore the e'es of others( to )rostrate himse+f

Dictionar'" ; G

6' the interest and %anit' of his situation( and $ith3

out remorse to )+un*e man5ind into stu)id 6+indness"

Women( incessant+' occu)ied $ith the education

of their chi+dren( and shut u) in their domestic cares(

are e7c+uded from a++ these )rofessions( $hich )er3

%ert human nature and render it atrocious" The'

are e%er'$here +ess 6ar6arous than men"

Ph'sics 9oin $ith mora+s to )re%ent them from

*reat crimes4 their 6+ood is mi+der4 the' are +ess



addicted to stron* +iHuors( $hich ins)ire ferocit'"

An e%ident )roof is( that of a thousand %ictims of

9ustice in a thousand e7ecuted assassins( $e scarce+'

rec5on four $omen" It is a+so )ro%ed e+se$here( I

6e+ie%e( that in Asia there are not t$o e7am)+es of

$omen condemned to a )u6+ic )unishment" It a)3

)ears( therefore( that our customs and ha6its ha%e

rendered the ma+e s)ecies %er' $ic5ed"

If this truth $as *enera+ and $ithout e7ce)tions(

the s)ecies $ou+d 6e more horri6+e than s)iders(

$o+%es( and )o+ecats are to our e'es" !ut ha))i+'(

)rofessions $hich harden the heart and J++ it $ith

odious )assions( are %er' rare" O6ser%e( that in a

nation of t$ent' mi++ions( there are at most t$o

hundred thousand so+diers" This is 6ut one so+dier

to t$o hundred indi%idua+s" These t$o hundred

thousand so+diers are he+d in the most se%ere dis3

ci)+ine( and there are amon* them %er' honest )eo)+e(

$ho return to their %i++a*es and Jnish their o+d a*e

as *ood fathers and hus6ands"

The num6er of other trades $hich are dan*erous



; Q Phi+oso)hica+

to manners( is 6ut sma++" La6orers( artisans( 3and ar3

tists are too much occu)ied often to de+i%er them3

se+%es u) to crime" The earth $i++ a+$a's 6ear de3

testa6+e $retches( and 6oo5s $i++ a+$a's e7a**erate

the num6er( $hich( rather than 6ein* *reater( is +ess

than $e sa'"

If man5ind had 6een under the em)ire of the

de%i+( there $ou+d 6e no +on*er an' )erson u)on

earth" Let us conso+e ourse+%es - $e ha%e seen( and

$e sha++ a+$a's see( Jne minds from Pe5in to +a

Roche++e 4 and $hate%er +icentiates and 6ache+ors

ma' sa'( the Tituses( Tra9ans( Antoninuses( and

Peter !a'+es $ere %er' honest men"

Of 0an in the State of Pure Nature"

What $ou+d man 6e in the state $hich $e ca++

that of )ure natureM An anima+ much 6e+o$ the

Jrst IroHuois $hom $e found in the north of Amer3

ica" &e $ou+d 6e %er' inferior to these IroHuois(

since the' 5ne$ ho$ to +i*ht Jres and ma5e ar3

ro$s" &e $ou+d reHuire a*es to arri%e at these

t$o arts"



0an( a6andoned to )ure nature( $ou+d ha%e( for

his +an*ua*e( on+' a fe$ inarticu+ate sounds4 the

s)ecies $ou+d 6e reduced to a %er' sma++ num6er(

from the di8cu+t' of *ettin* nourishment and the

$ant of he+)( at +east in our harsh c+imates" &e

$ou+d ha%e no more 5no$+ed*e of od and the

sou+( than of mathematics 4 these ideas $ou+d 6e

+ost in the care of )rocurin* food" The race of 6ea%3

ers $ou+d 6e inJnite+' )refera6+e"

Dictionar'" ;

0an $ou+d then 6e on+' )recise+' +i5e a ro6ust

chi+d 4 and $e ha%e seen man' men $ho are not

much a6o%e that state( as it is" The La)+anders( the

Samo'eds( the inha6itants of Kamchat5a( the Kaf3

Jrs( and &ottentots are $ith res)ect to an in a

state of )ure nature that $hich the courts of C'3

rus and Semiramis $ere in com)arison $ith the in3

ha6itants of the Ce%ennes" ?et the inha6itants of

Kamchat5a and the &ottentots of our da's( so su3

)erior to men entire+' sa%a*e( are anima+s $ho +i%e

si7 months of the 'ear in ca%erns( $here the' eat



the %ermin 6' $hich the' are eaten"

In *enera+( man5ind is not a6o%e t$o or three de3

*rees more ci%i+i1ed than the Kamchat5ans" The

mu+titude of 6rute 6easts ca++ed men( com)ared $ith

the +itt+e num6er of those $ho thin5( is at +east in

the )ro)ortion of a hundred to one in man' nations"

It is )+easant to contem)+ate on one side( Father

0a+e6ranche( $ho treats fami+iar+' of #the Word# 4

and on the other( these mi++ions of anima+s simi+ar

to him( $ho ha%e ne%er heard s)ea5 of #the Word(#

and $ho ha%e not one meta)h'sica+ idea"

!et$een men of )ure instinct and men of *enius

oats this immense num6er occu)ied so+e+' $ith su63

sistin*"

This su6sistence costs us so much )ains( that in

the north of America an ima*e of od often runs

J%e or si7 +ea*ues to *et a dinner4 $hi+st amon*

us the ima*e of od 6ede$s the *round $ith the

s$eat of his 6ro$( in order to )rocure 6read"



; > Phi+oso)hica+

Add to this 6read or the eHui%a+ent a hut( and

a )oor dress( and 'ou $i++ ha%e man such as he is

in *enera+( from one end of the uni%erse to the other -

and it is on+' in a mu+titude of a*es that he has 6een

a6+e to arri%e at this hi*h de*ree of attainment"

Fina++'( after other a*es( thin*s *ot to the )oint

at $hich $e see them" &ere $e re)resent a tra*3

ed' in music 4 there $e 5i++ one another on the hi*h

seas of another hemis)here( $ith a thousand )ieces

of cannon" The o)era and a shi) of $ar of the Jrst

ran5 a+$a's astonish m' ima*ination" I dou6t

$hether the' can 6e carried much farther in an'

of the *+o6es $ith $hich the hea%ens are studded"

0ore than ha+f the ha6ita6+e $or+d( ho$e%er( is

sti++ )eo)+ed $ith t$o3footed anima+s( $ho +i%e in the

horri6+e state a))roachin* to )ure nature( e7istin*

and c+othin* themse+%es $ith di8cu+t'( scarce+' en3

9o'in* the *ift of s)eech( scarce+' )ercei%in* that

the' are unfortunate( and +i%in* and d'in* a+most

$ithout 5no$in* it"

E7amination of a Thou*ht of Pasca+ on 0an"





It is therefore thou*ht $hich ma5es the 6ein* of

a man" In this case( thou*ht $ou+d 6e his essence(

as e7tent and so+idit' are the essence of matter" 0an

$ou+d thin5 essentia++' and a+$a's( as matter is a+3

$a's e7tended and so+id" &e $ou+d thin5 in a )ro3

found s+ee) $ithout dreams( in a Jt( in a +ethar*'(

in the $om6 of his mother" I $e++ 5no$ that I ne%er

thou*ht in an' of these states4 I confess it often4

and I dou6t not that others are +i5e m'se+f"

If thou*ht $as as essentia+ to man as e7tent is

to matter( it $ou+d fo++o$ that od cannot de)ri%e

this anima+ of understandin*( since he cannot de3

)ri%e matter of e7tent for then it $ou+d 6e no

+on*er matter" No$( if understandin* 6e essentia+

to man( he is a thin5in* 6ein* 6' nature( as od is

od 6' nature"

If desirous to deJne od( as such )oor 6ein*s as

ourse+%es can deJne &im( I shou+d sa'( that thou*ht

is &is 6ein*( &is essence 4 6ut as to man :

We ha%e the facu+ties of thin5in*( $a+5in*( ta+53



; Phi+oso)hica+

in*( eatin*( and s+ee)in*( 6ut $e do not a+$a's use

these facu+ties( it is not in our nature"

Thou*ht( $ith us( is it not an attri6uteM and so

much an attri6ute that it is sometimes $ea5( some3

times stron*( sometimes reasona6+e( and sometimes

e7tra%a*antM It hides itse+f( sho$s itse+f( ies( re3

turns( is nothin*( is re)roduced" Essence is Huite

another thin* 4 it ne%er %aries 4 it 5no$s nothin* of

more or +ess"

What( therefore( $ou+d 6e the anima+ su))osed

6' Pasca+M A 6ein* of reason" &e mi*ht 9ust as

$e++ ha%e su))osed a tree to $hich od mi*ht ha%e

*i%en thou*ht( as it is said that the *ods *ranted

%oices to the trees of Dodona"

O)eration of od on 0an"

Peo)+e $ho ha%e founded s'stems on the commu3

nication of od $ith man ha%e said that od acts

direct+' )h'sica++' on man in certain cases on+'(

$hen od *rants certain )articu+ar *ifts 4 and the'

ha%e ca++ed this action #)h'sica+ )remotion"# Dio3



c+es and Ero)hi+es( those t$o *reat enthusiasts(

maintain this o)inion( and ha%e )artisans"

No$ $e reco*ni1e a od Huite as $e++ as these

)eo)+e( 6ecause $e cannot concei%e that an' one of

the 6ein*s $hich surround us cou+d 6e )roduced of

itse+f" !' the fact a+one that somethin* f 7ists( the

necessar' Eterna+ !ein* must 6e necessari+' the

cause of a++" With these reasoners( $e admit the

)ossi6i+it' of od ma5in* himse+f understood to

Dictionar'" ;<

some fa%orites 4 6ut $e *o farther( $e 6e+ie%e that

&e ma5es &imse+f understood 6' a++ men( in a++

)+aces( and in a++ times( since to a++ he *i%es +ife( mo3

tion( di*estion( thou*ht( and instinct"

Is there in the %i+est of anima+s( and in the most

su6+ime )hi+oso)hers( a 6ein* $ho can $i++ motion(

di*estion( desire( +o%e( instinct( or thou*htM No4

6ut $e act( $e +o%e( $e ha%e instincts 4 as for e7am3

)+e( an in%inci6+e +i5in* to certain o69ects( an insu)3

)orta6+e a%ersion to others( a )rom)titude to e7e3



cute the mo%ements necessar' to our )reser%ation(

as those of suc5in* the 6reasts of our nurses( s$im3

min* $hen $e are stron* and our 6osoms +ar*e

enou*h( 6itin* our 6read( drin5in*( stoo)in* to

a%oid a 6+o$ from a stone( co++ectin* our force to

c+ear a ditch( etc" We accom)+ish a thousand such

actions $ithout thin5in* of them( thou*h the' are

a++ )rofound+' mathematica+" In short( $e thin5

and fee+ $ithout 5no$in* ho$"

In *ood earnest( is it more di8cu+t for od to

$or5 a++ $ithin us 6' means of $hich $e are i*no3

rant( than to stir us interna++' sometimes( 6' the

e8cacious *race of .u)iter( of $hich these *ent+e3

men ta+5 to us unceasin*+'M

Where is the man $ho( $hen he +oo5s into him3

se+f( )ercei%es not that he is a )u))et of Pro%idence M

I thin5 6ut can I *i%e m'se+f a thou*ht M A+as : if

I thou*ht of m'se+f( I shou+d 5no$ $hat ideas I

mi*ht entertain the ne7t moment a thin* $hich

no6od' 5no$s"

;<= Phi+oso)hica+



I acHuire a 5no$+ed*e( 6ut I cou+d not *i%e it to

m'se+f" 0' inte++i*ence cannot 6e the cause of it 4

for the cause must contain the eect- No$( m' Jrst

acHuired 5no$+ed*e $as not in m' understandin*4

6ein* the Jrst( it $as *i%en to me 6' him $ho

formed me( and $ho *i%es a++( $hate%er it ma' 6e"

I am astonished( $hen I am to+d that m' Jrst

5no$+ed*e cannot a+one *i%e me a second4 that it

must contain it"

The )roof that $e *i%e ourse+%es no ideas is that

$e recei%e them in our dreams 4 and certain+'( it is

neither our $i++ nor attention $hich ma5es us thin5

in dreams" There are )oets $ho ma5e %erses s+ee)3

in*4 *eometricians $ho measure trian*+es" A++

)ro%es to us that there is a )o$er $hich acts $ithin

us $ithout consu+tin* us"

A++ our sentiments( are the' not in%o+untar'M

&earin*( taste( and si*ht are nothin* 6' them3

se+%es" We fee+( in s)ite of ourse+%es - $e do noth3

in* of ourse+%es- $e are nothin* $ithout a Su3

)reme Po$er $hich enacts a++ thin*s"



The most su)erstitious a++o$ these truths( 6ut

the' a))+' them on+' to )eo)+e of their o$n c+ass"

The' a8rm that od acts )h'sica++' on certain

)ri%i+e*ed )ersons" We are more re+i*ious than

the'4 $e 6e+ie%e that the reat !ein* acts on a++

+i%in* thin*s( as on a++ matter" Is it therefore more

di8cu+t for &im to stir a++ men than to stir some of

them M Wi++ od 6e od for 'our +itt+e sect a+one M

&e is eHua++' so for me( $ho do not 6e+on* to it"

Dictionar'" ;<;

A ne$ )hi+oso)her *oes further than 'ou 4 it

seemed to him that od a+one e7ists" &e )retends

that $e are a++ in &im 4 and $e sa' that it is od

$ho sees and acts in a++ that has +ife" #.u)iter est

HuodcumHue %ides4 HuodcumHue mo%eris"#

To )roceed" ?our )h'sica+ )remotion introduces

od actin* in 'ou" What need ha%e 'ou then of a

sou+ M Of $hat *ood is this +itt+e un5no$n and in3

com)rehensi6+e 6ein*M Do 'ou *i%e a sou+ to the

sun( $hich en+i*htens so man' *+o6es M And if this

star so *reat( so astonishin*( and so necessar'( has



no sou+( $h' shou+d man ha%e oneM od $ho made

us( does &e not su8ce for usM What( therefore( is

6ecome of the a7iomM Eect not that 6' man'(

$hich can 6e accom)+ished 6' one"

This sou+( $hich 'ou ha%e ima*ined to 6e a su63

stance( is therefore rea++' on+' a facu+t'( *ranted 6'

the reat !ein*( and not 6' a )erson" It is a )ro)3

ert' *i%en to our or*ans( and not a su6stance" 0an(

his reason uncorru)ted 6' meta)h'sics( cou+d ne%er

ima*ine that he $as dou6+e 4 that he $as com)osed

of t$o 6ein*s( the one morta+( %isi6+e( and )a+)a6+e

the other immorta+( in%isi6+e( and im)a+)a6+e"

Wou+d it not reHuire a*es of contro%ers' to arri%e at

this e7)edient of 9oinin* to*ether t$o su6stances so

dissimi+ar 4 tan*i6+e and intan*i6+e( sim)+e and com3

)ound( in%u+nera6+e and suerin*( eterna+ and eet3

in*M

0en ha%e on+' su))osed a sou+ 6' the same

error $hich made them su))ose in us a 6ein* ca++ed

;< Phi+oso)hica+



memor'( $hich 6ein* the' after$ards made a

di%init'"

The' made this memor' the mother of the 0uses 4

the' em6odied the %arious ta+ents of nature in so

man' *oddesses( the dau*hters of memor'" The'

a+so made a *od of the secret )o$er 6' $hich na3

ture forms the 6+ood of anima+s(( and ca++ed it the

*od of san*uiJcation" The Roman )eo)+e indeed

had simi+ar *ods for the facu+ties of eatin* and

drin5in*( for the act of marria*e( for the act of

%oidin* e7crements" The' $ere so man' )articu+ar

sou+s( $hich )roduced in us a++ these actions" It

$as the meta)h'sics of the )o)u+ace" This shame3

fu+ and ridicu+ous su)erstition $as e%ident+' de3

ri%ed from that $hich ima*ined in man a sma++ di3

%ine su6stance( dierent from man himse+f"

This su6stance is sti++ admitted in a++ the schoo+s 4

and $ith condescension $e *rant to the reat !ein*(

to the Eterna+ 0a5er( to od( the )ermission of

9oinin* &is concurrence to the sou+" Thus $e su)3

)ose( that for $i++ and deed( 6oth od and our sou+s

are necessar'"



!ut to concur si*niJes to aid( to )artici)ate" od

therefore is on+' second $ith us 4 it is de*radin*

&im 4 it is )uttin* &im on a +e%e+ $ith us( or ma53

in* &im )+a' the most inferior )art" Ta5e not from

&im &is ran5 and )re3eminence - ma5e ne of the

So%erei*n of Nature the mere ser%ant of man5ind"

T$o s)ecies of reasoners( $e++ credited in the

Dictionar'" ; <G

$or+d atheists and theo+o*ians $i++ o))ose our

dou6ts"

The atheists $i++ sa'( that in admittin* reason in

man and instinct in 6rutes( as )ro)erties( it is %er'

use+ess to admit a 3od into this s'stem 4 that od is

sti++ more incom)rehensi6+e than a sou+ 4 that it is

un$orth' a sa*e to 6e+ie%e that $hich he concei%es

not" The' +et ' a*ainst us a++ the ar*uments of

Straton and Lucretius" We $i++ ans$er them 6'

one $ord on+'- #?ou e7ist4 therefore there is a

od"#



Theo+o*ians $i++ *i%e us more trou6+e" The'

$i++ Jrst te++ us - #We a*ree $ith 'ou that od is

the Jrst cause of a++ 4 6ut &e is not the on+' one"#

A hi*h )riest of 0iner%a sa's e7)ress+' - #The

second a*ent o)erates 6' %irtue of the Jrst 4 the Jrst

induces a second 4 the second in%o+%es a third 4 a++

are actin* 6' %irtue of od( and &e is the cause of

a++ actions actin*"#

We $i++ ans$er( $ith a++ the res)ect $e o$e to

this hi*h )riest - #There is( and there can on+' e73

ist( one true cause" A++ the others( $hich are su6se3

Huent( are 6ut instruments" I disco%er a s)rin* I

ma5e use of it to mo%e a machine 4 I disco%ered the

s)rin* and made the machine" I am the so+e cause"

That is undou6ted"#

The hi*h )riest $i++ re)+' - #?ou ta5e +i6ert'

a$a' from men"# I re)+'- #Bo4 +i6ert' consists

in the facu+t' of $i++in*( and in that of doin* $hat

'ou $i++( $hen nothin* )re%ents 'ou" od has made

Vo+" ii ;G



;<Q Phi+oso)hica+

man u)on these conditions( and he must 6e con3

tented $ith them"#

0' )riest $i++ )ersist( and sa'( that $e ma5e od

the author of sin" Then $e sha++ ans$er him - #I

am sorr' for it 4 6ut od is made the author of sin

in a++ s'stems( e7ce)t in that of the atheists" For

if &e concurs $ith the actions of )er%erse men( as

$ith those of the 9ust( it is e%ident that to concur is

to do( since &e $ho concurs is a+so the creator

of a++"#

If od a+one )ermits sin( it is &e $ho commits

it 4 since to )ermit and to do is the same thin* to the

a6so+ute master of a++" If &e foresees that men $i++

do e%i+( he shou+d not form men" We ha%e ne%er

e+uded the force of these ancient ar*uments4 $e

ha%e ne%er $ea5ened them" Whoe%er has )roduced

a++( has certain+' )roduced *ood and e%i+" The s's3

tem of a6so+ute )redestination( the doctrine of con3

currence( eHua++' )+un*e us into this +a6'rinth(

from $hich $e cannot e7tricate ourse+%es"



A++ that $e can sa' is( that e%i+ is for us( and not

for od" Nero assassinates his )rece)tor and his

mother 4 another murders his re+ations and nei*h3

6ors 4 a hi*h )riest )oisons( stran*+es( and 6eheads

t$ent' Roman +ords( on risin* from the 6ed of his

dau*hter" This is of no more im)ortance to the

!ein*( the /ni%ersa+ Sou+ of the Wor+d( Qhan shee)

eaten 6' the $o+%es or 6' us( or than ies de%oured

6' s)iders" There is no e%i+ for the reat !ein*4

to &im it is on+' the )+a' of the *reat machine $hich

Dictionar'" ;<

incessant+' mo%es 6' eterna+ +a$s" If the $ic5ed

6ecome $hether durin* their +i%es or su6seHuent+'

more unha))' than those $hom the' ha%e sacri3

Jced to their )assions 4 if the' suer as the' ha%e

made others suer( it is sti++ an ine%ita6+e conse3

Huence of the immuta6+e +a$s 6' $hich the reat

!ein* necessari+' acts" We 5no$ 6ut a %er' sma++

)art of these +a$s 4 $e ha%e 6ut a %er' $ea5 )ortion

of understandin*4 $e ha%e on+' resi*nation in our

)o$er" Of a++ s'stems( is not that $hich ma5es us

acHuainted $ith our insi*niJcance the most reason3



a6+eM 0en as a++ )hi+oso)hers of antiHuit' ha%e

said made od in their o$n ima*e 4 $hich is the

reason $h' the Jrst Ana7a*oras( as ancient as Or3

)heus( e7)resses himse+f thus in his %erses - #If the

6irds J*ured to themse+%es a od( he $ou+d ha%e

$in*s 4 that of horses $ou+d run $ith four +e*s"#

The %u+*ar ima*ine od to 6e a 5in*( $ho ho+ds

his seat of 9ustice in his court" Tender hearts re)3

resent him as a father $ho ta5es care of his chi+3

dren" The sa*e attri6utes to &im no human af3

fection" &e ac5no$+ed*es a necessar' eterna+

)o$er $hich animates a++ nature( and resi*ns him3

se+f to it"

enera+ Reection on 0an"

It reHuires t$ent' 'ears to raise man from the

state of a )+ant( in $hich he a6ides in his mother2s

$om6( and from the )ure anima+ state( $hich is the

+ot of his ear+iest infanc'( to that in $hich the ma3

turit' of reason 6e*ins to da$n" &e has reHuired

; <> Phi+oso)hica+



thirt' a*es to 6ecome a +itt+e acHuainted $ith his

o$n 6odi+' structure" &e $ou+d reHuire eternit'

to 6ecome acHuainted $ith his sou+" &e reHuires 6ut

an instant to 5i++ himse+f"

0ARRIAE"

SECTION I"

I ONCE met $ith a reasoner $ho said - #Induce

'our su69ects to marr' as ear+' as )ossi6+e" Let

them 6e e7em)t from ta7es the Jrst 'ear4 and +et

their )ortion 6e assessed on those $ho at the same

a*e are in a state of ce+i6ac'"

#The more married men 'ou ha%e( the fe$er

crimes there $i++ 6e" E7amine the fri*htfu+ co+3

umns of 'our crimina+ ca+endars 4 'ou $i++ there Jnd

a hundred 'ouths e7ecuted for one father of a

fami+'"

#0arria*e renders men more %irtuous and more

$ise" The father of a fami+' is not $i++in* to 6+ush

6efore his chi+dren 4 he is afraid to ma5e shame their

inheritance"



#Let 'our so+diers marr'( and the' $i++ no +on*er

desert" !ound to their fami+ies( the' $i++ 6e 6ound

to their countr'" An unmarried so+dier is fre3

Huent+' nothin* 6ut a %a*a6ond( to $hom it mat3

ters not $hether he ser%es the 5in* of Na)+es or

the 5in* of 0orocco"#

The Roman $arriors $ere married - the' fou*ht

for their $i%es and their chi+dren4 and the' made

Dictionar'" ;<

s+a%es of the $i%es and the chi+dren of other

nations"

A *reat Ita+ian )o+itician( $ho $as( 6esides(

+earned in the Eastern ton*ues( a thin* rare amon*

our )o+iticians( said to me in m' 'outh- #Caro

J*+io(# remem6er thaf the .e$s ne%er had 6ut one

*ood institution that of a6horrin* %ir*init'" If

that +itt+e nation of su)erstitious 9o66ers had not re3

*arded marria*e as the Jrst of the human o6+i*ations

if there had 6een amon* them con%ents of nuns



the' $ou+d ha%e 6een ine%ita6+' +ost"#

The 0arria*e Contract"

0arria*e is a contract in the +a$ of nations( of

$hich the Roman Catho+ics ha%e made a sacrament"

!ut the sacrament and the contract are t$o %er'

dierent thin*s 4 $ith the one are connected the ci%i+

eects( $ith the other the *races of the church"

So $hen the contract is conforma6+e to the +a$

of nations( it must )roduce e%er' ci%i+ eect" The

a6sence of the sacrament can o)erate on+' in the )ri3

%ation of s)iritua+ *races"

Such has 6een the 9uris)rudence of a++ a*es( and

of a++ nations( e7ce)tin* the French" Such $as the

o)inion of the most accredited fathers of the

Church" o throu*h the Theodosian and .ustinian

codes( and 'ou $i++ Jnd no +a$ )roscri6in* the mar3

ria*es of )ersons of another creed( not e%en $hen

contracted 6et$een them and Catho+ics"

It is true( that Constantius that son of Con3



;< Phi+oso)hica+

stantine as crue+ as his father for6ade the .e$s(

on )ain of death( to marr' Christian $omen4 and

that Va+entinian( Theodosius( and Arcadius made

the same )rohi6ition( under the +i5e )ena+t'( to the

.e$ish $omen" !ut under the em)eror 0arcian

these +a$s had ceased to 6e o6ser%ed 4 and .ustinian

re9ected them from his code" !esides( the' $ere

made a*ainst the .e$s on+'4 no one e%er thou*ht

of a))+'in* them to the marria*e of )a*ans or her3

etics $ith the fo++o$ers of the )re%ai+in* re+i*ion"

Consu+t St" Au*ustine( and he $i++ te++ 'ou that

in his time the marria*es of 6e+ie%ers $ith un6e3

+ie%ers $ere not considered i++icit( 6ecause no *os)e+

te7t had condemned them- #ua matrimonia cum

in Jde+i6us( nostris tem)ori6us( 9am non )utantur

esse )eccata4 Huoniam in No%o Testamento nihi+

inde )rece)tum est( et idea aut +ie ere creditum est(

aut re+ut du6ium dere+ictum"#

Au*ustine sa's( moreo%er( that these marria*es

often $or5 the con%ersion of the un6e+ie%in* )art'"



&e" cites the e7am)+e of his o$n father( $ho em3

6raced the Christian re+i*ion 6ecause his $ife( 0an3

ica( )rofessed Christianit'" C+oti+da( 6' the con%er3

sion of C+o%is( and Theo+inda( 6' that of A*i+u+f(

5in* of the Lom6ards( rendered *reater ser%ice to

the Church than if the' had married orthodo7

)rinces"

Consu+t the dec+aration of Po)e !enedict BIV"

of No%" Q( ;Q;" ?ou $i++ Jnd in it these $ords-

#uod %ero s)ecia+ ad ea con9u*ia Hua( a6sHue

Dictionar'" ; <<

forma a Tridentino statuta( contrahuntur a catho+icis

cum hcereticis( si%e catho+icus %ir hariticam feminam

ducat( si%e catho+ica famina heretico %iro nu6at4 si

hu9usmodi matrimonium sit contractua+ aut in )os3

terum contracts contin*at( Tridentini forma non ser3

%ata( dec+arat Sanctitas sua( a+io non concurrente

im)edimenta( %a+idum ha6endum esse( sciat con9u7

catho+icus se istius matrimonii %incu+o )er)etuo +i3

*atum"# #With res)ect to such marria*es as( trans3

*ressin* the enactment of the Counci+ of Trent( are



contracted 6' Catho+ics $ith heretics 4 $hether 6'

a Catho+ic man $ith a heretica+ $oman( or 6' a Cath3

o+ic $oman $ith a heretica+ man4 if such matri3

mon' a+read' is( or hereafter sha++ 6e contracted( the

ru+es of the counci+ not 6ein* o6ser%ed( his ho+iness

dec+ares( that if there 6e no other im)ediment( it

sha++ 6e he+d %a+id( the Catho+ic man or $oman un3

derstandin* that he or she is 6' such matrimon'

6ound unti+ death"#

!' $hat astonishin* contradiction is it( that the

French +a$s in this matter are more se%ere than

those of the ChurchM The Jrst +a$ 6' $hich this

se%erit' $as esta6+ished in France $as the edict of

Louis BIV"( of No%em6er( ;>=( $hich deser%es to

6e re)eated"

#Louis( """" The canons of the counci+s ha%in*

for6idden marria*es of Catho+ics $ith heretics( as a

)u6+ic scanda+ and a )rofanation of the sacrament(

$e ha%e deemed it the more necessar' to )re%ent

them for the future( as $e ha%e found that the to+3

OO Phi+oso)hica+



eration of such marria*es e7)oses Catho+ics to the

continua+ tem)tation of )er%ertin* it( etc" For

these causes( """" it is our $i++ and )+easure(

that in future our su69ects of the Roman Catho+ic

and A)osto+ic re+i*ion ma' not( under an' )rete7t

$hatsoe%er( contract marria*e $ith those of the )re3

tended reformed re+i*ion( dec+arin* such marria*es

to 6e in%a+id( and the issue of them i++e*itimate"#

It is sin*u+ar enou*h( that the +a$s of the Church

shou+d ha%e 6een made the foundation for annu++in*

marria*es $hich the Church ne%er annu++ed" In this

edict $e Jnd the sacrament confounded $ith the

ci%i+ contract4 and from this confusion ha%e )ro3

ceeded the stran*e +a$s in France concernin* mar3

ria*e"

St" Au*ustine a))ro%ed marria*es of the ortho3

do7 $ith heretics( for he ho)ed that the faithfu+

s)ouse $ou+d con%ert the other4 and Louis BIV"

condemns them( +est he heterodo7 shou+d )er%ert

the 6e+ie%er"

In Franche3Comte there e7ists a 'et more crue+

+a$" This is an edict of the archdu5e A+6ert and his



$ife Isa6e++a( of Dec" =( ;<<( $hich for6ids Catho3

+ics to marr' heretics( on )ain of conJscation of

6od' and *oods"

The same edict )ronounces the same )ena+t' on

such as sha++ 6e con%icted of eatin* mutton( on Fri3

da' or Saturda'" What +a$s : and $hat +a$3*i%3

ers : #A Hue+s maitres( *rand Dieu( +i%res3%ous

I2uni%ers:#

Dictionar'" =;

SECTION II"

If our +a$s re)ro%e marria*es of Catho+ics $ith

)ersons of a dierent re+i*ion( do the' *rant the

ci%i+ eects at +east to marria*es of French Protest3

ants $ith French )ersons of the same sect M

There are no$ in the 5in*dom a mi++ion of

Protestants 4 'et the %a+idit' of their marria*e is

sti++ a Huestion in the tri6una+s"

&ere a*ain is one of those cases in $hich our



9uris)rudence is contradictor' to the decisions of

the Church( and a+so to itse+f"

In the )a)a+ dec+aration( Huoted in the fore*oin*

section( !enedict BIV" decides that marria*es of

Protestants( contracted accordin* to their rites( are

no +ess %a+id than if the' had 6een )erformed ac3

cordin* to the forms esta6+ished 6' the Counci+ of

Trent4 and that a hus6and $ho turns Catho+ic

cannot 6rea5 this tie and form a ne$ one $ith a

)erson of his ne$ re+i*ion"

!ara5 Le%i( 6' 6irth a .e$( and a nati%e of

&a*uenan( had there married 0ende+ Cerf( of the

same to$n and the same re+i*ion"

This .e$ came to Paris in ;4 and on 0a'

;G( ;Q( he $as 6a)ti1ed" &e sent a summons to

his $ife at &a*uenan to come and 9oin him at Paris"

In a second summons he consented that this $ife(

$hen she had come to 9oin him( shou+d continue to

+i%e in her o$n .e$ish sect"

To these summonses 0ende+ Cerf re)+ied that

she $ou+d not return $ith him( and that she re3



O Phi+oso)hica+

Huired him to send her( accordin* to the .e$ish

forms( a 6i++ of di%orce( in order that she mi*ht

marr' another .e$"

Le%i $as not satisJed $ith this ans$er 4 he sent

no 6i++ of di%orce 4 6ut he caused his $ife to a))ear

6efore the o8cia+ of Stras6ur*( $ho( 6' a sentence

of Se)t" ( ;Q( dec+ared that( in the si*ht of the

Church( he $as at +i6ert' to marr' a Catho+ic

$oman"

Furnished $ith this sentence( the Christiani1ed

.e$ came into the diocese of Soissons( and there

made )romise of marria*e to a 'oun* $oman of

Vi++eneu%e" The c+er*'man refused to )u6+ish

the 6anns" Le%i communicated to him the sum3

monses he had sent to his $ife( the sentence

of the o8cia+ of Stras6ur*( and a certiJcate from

the secretar' of the 6isho)ric of that )+ace( attestin*(

that in that diocese 6a)ti1ed .e$s had at a++ times

6een )ermitted to contract ne$ marria*es $ith

Catho+ics( and that this usa*e had constant+' 6een



reco*ni1ed 6' the Su)reme Counci+ of Co+mar"

!ut these documents a))eared to the )arson of Vi+3

+eneu%e to 6e insu8cient" Le%i $as o6+i*ed to sum3

mon him 6efore the o8cia+ of Soissons"

This o8cia+ did not thin5( +i5e him of Stras6ur*(

that the marria*e of Le%i $ith 0ende+ Cerf $as

nu++ or disso+u6+e" !' his sentence of Fe6 A ( ;>(

he dec+ared the .e$2s c+aim to 6e inadmissi6+e" The

+atter a))ea+ed from this sentence to the Par+ia3

ment of Paris( $here he $as not on+' o))osed 6'

Dictionar'" =G

the )u6+ic ministr'( 6ut( 6' a decree of .an" ( ;(

the sentence $as conJrmed( and Le%i $as a*ain

for6idden to contract an' marria*e durin* the +ife

of 0ende+ Cerf"

&ere( then( a marria*e contracted 6et$een

French .e$s( accordin* to the .e$ish rites( $as

dec+ared %a+id 6' the Jrst court in the 5in*dom"

!ut( some 'ears after$ards( the same Huestion



$as decided dierent+' in another )ar+iament( on

the su69ect of a marria*e contracted 6et$een t$o

French Protestants( $ho had 6een married in the

)resence of their )arents 6' a minister of their o$n

communion" The Protestant s)ouse had( +i5e the

.e$( chan*ed his re+i*ion4 and after he had con3

c+uded a second marria*e $ith a Catho+ic( the Par3

+iament of reno6+e conJrmed this second mar3

ria*e( and dec+ared the Jrst to 6e nu++"

If $e )ass from 9uris)rudence to +e*is+ation( $e

sha++ Jnd it as o6scure on this im)ortant matter as

on so man' others"

A decree of the counci+( of Se)t" ;( ;>( sa's-

#Protestants ma' marr'( )ro%ided( ho$e%er( that it

6e in the )resence of the )rinci)a+ o8cer of 9ustice(

and that the )u6+ication )recedin* such marria*es

sha++ 6e made at the ro'a+ see nearest the )+ace of

a6ode of each of the Protestants desirous of marr'3

in*( and at the audience on+'"#

This decree $as not re%o5ed 6' the edict $hich(

three $ee5s after( su))ressed the Edict of Nantes"

!ut after the dec+aration of 0a' ;Q( ;Q( dra$n



=Q Phi+oso)hica+

u) 6' Cardina+ F+eur'( the 9ud*es $ou+d no +on*er

)reside o%er the marria*es of Protestants( nor )er3

mit their 6anns to 6e )u6+ished in their audiences"

!' Artic+e BV" of this +a$( the forms )rescri6ed

6' the canons are to 6e o6ser%ed in marria*es( as

$e++ of ne$ con%erts as of a++ the rest of the 5in*2s

su69ects"

This *enera+ e7)ression( #a++ the rest of the

5in*2s su69ects(# has 6een thou*ht to com)rehend

the Protestants( as $e++ as the Catho+ics( and on

this inter)retation( such marria*es of Protestants

as $ere not so+emni1ed accordin* to the canonica+

forms ha%e 6een annu++ed"

Ne%erthe+ess( it seems that the marria*es of

Protestants ha%in* 6een authori1ed 6' an e7)ress

+a$( the' cannot no$ 6e admitted 6ut 6' another

e7)ress +a$ carr'in* $ith it this )ena+t'" !esides(

the term #ne$ con%erts(# mentioned in the dec+ara3

tion( a))ears to indicate that the term that fo++o$s



re+ates to the Catho+ics on+'" In short( $hen the

ci%i+ +a$ is o6scure or am6i*uous( ou*ht not the

9ud*es to decide accordin* to the natura+ and the

mora+ +a$ M

Does it not resu+t from a++ this that +a$s often

ha%e need of reformation( and )rinces of consu+tin*

6etter informed counse++ors( re9ectin* )riest+' min3

isters( and distrustin* courtiers in the *ar6 of con3

fessors M

Dictionar'" =

0AR? 0ADALEN"

I 0/ST o$n that I 5no$ not $here the author

uf the #Critica+ &istor' of .esus Christ# found

that #St" 0ar' 0a*da+en had a crimina+ intimac'

des com)+aisances crimine++es $ith the Sa%iour

of the $or+d"# &e sa's )a*e ;G=( +ine n of the

note that this is an assertion of the A+6i*enses"

I ha%e ne%er read this horri6+e 6+as)hem' either in

the histor' of the A+6i*enses( or in their )rofession

of faith" It is one of the *reat man' thin*s of



$hich I am i*norant" I 5no$ that the A+6i*enses

had the dire misfortune of not 6ein* Roman Catho3

+ics 4 6ut( other$ise( it seems to me( the' had the

most )rofound re%erence for the )erson of .esus"

This author of the #Critica+ &istor' of .esus

Christ# refers us to the #Christiade# a sort of

)oem in )rose *rantin* that there are such thin*s

as )oems in )rose" I ha%e( therefore( 6een o6+i*ed

to consu+t the )assa*e of the #Christiade# in

$hich this accusation is made" It is in the fourth

6oo5 or canto( )a*e GG( note I 4 the )oet of the

#Christiade# cites no authorit'" In an e)ic )oem(

indeed( citations ma' 6e s)ared 4 6ut *reat au3

thorities are reHuisite in )rose( $hen so *ra%e an

assertion is made one $hich ma5es e%er' Chris3

tian2s hair stand erect"

Whether the A+6i*enses ad%anced this im)iet'

or not( the on+' resu+t is that the author of the

#Christiade# s)orts on the 6rin5 of crimina+it'" &e

=> Phi+oso)hica+



some$hat imitates the famous sermon of 0enot"

&e introduces us to 0ar' 0a*da+en( the sister of

0artha and La1arus( 6ri++iant $ith a++ the charms

of 'outh and 6eaut'( 6urnin* $ith e%er' desire( and

immersed in e%er' %o+u)tuousness" Accordin* to

him( she is a +ad' at court( e7a+ted in 6irth and in

riches 4 her 6rother La1arus $as count of !ethan'(

and herse+f marchioness of 0a*da+et" 0artha had

a s)+endid )ortion( 6ut he does not te++ us $here

her estates +a'" #She had(# sa's the man of the

#Christiade(# #a hundred ser%ants( and a cro$d of

+o%ers 4 she mi*ht ha%e threatened the +i6ert' of the

$ho+e $or+d" !ut riches( di*nities( am6itions( *ran3

deur( ne%er $ere so dear to 0a*da+en as the seduc3

ti%e error $hich caused her to 6e named the sinner"

Such $as the so%erei*n 6eaut' of the ca)ita+ $hen

the 'oun* and di%ine hero arri%ed there from the

e7tremities of a+i+ee" &er other )assions 'ie+ded

to the am6ition of su6duin* the hero of $hom she

had heard"#

The author of the #Christiade# then imitates

Vir*i+" The marchioness of 0a*da+et con9ures her

)ortioned sister to furnish her coHuettish desi*ns

u)on her 'oun* hero( as Dido em)+o'ed her sister

Anna to *ain the )ious .Eneas"





the hair of a 'oun* and 6eautifu+ s+a%e" &e must

himse+f ha%e fe+t that his )ictures mi*ht 6e fancied

too *+o$in*4 for he antici)ates criticism 6' *i%in*

some )ieces from a sermon of 0assi++on2s on 0a*3

da+en" One )assa*e is as fo++o$s -

#0a*da+en had sacriJced her re)utation to the

$or+d" &er 6ashfu+ness and her 6irth at Jrst de3

fended her a*ainst the emotions of her )assion4

and it is most +i5e+'( that to the Jrst shaft $hich

assai+ed her( she o))osed the 6arrier of her modest'

and her )ride 4 6ut $hen she had +ent her ear to

the ser)ent( and consu+ted her o$n $isdom( her

heart $as o)en to a++ assau+ts of )assion" 0a*da+en

+o%ed the $or+d( and thencefor$ard a++ $as sacri3

Jced to this +o%e 4 neither the )ride that s)rin*s

from 6irth( nor the modest' $hich is the ornament

= Phi+oso)hica+

of her se7( is s)ared in this sacriJce 4 nothin* can

$ithho+d her4 neither the rai++eries of $or+d+in*s(

nor the inJde+ities of her infatuated +o%ers( $hom

she fain $ou+d )+ease( 6ut 6' $hom she cannot



ma5e herse+f esteemed for %irtue on+' is estima6+e 4

nothin* can ma5e her ashamed 4 and +i5e the )rosti3

tute in the #A)oca+')se(# she 6ears on her forehead

the name of m'ster' 4 that is( she $as %ei+ed( and

$as no +on*er 5no$n 6ut in the character of the

foo+ish )assion"#

I ha%e sou*ht this )assa*e in 0assi++on2s ser3

mons( 6ut it certain+' is not in the edition $hich I

)ossess" I $i++ %enture to sa' more it is not in

his st'+e"

The author of the #Christiade# shou+d ha%e in3

formed us $here he )ic5ed u) this rha)sod' of

0assi++on2s( as he shou+d ha%e to+d us $here he

read that the A+6i*enses dared to im)ute to .esus

Christ an un$orth' intercourse $ith 0ar' 0a*3

da+en"

As for the marchioness( she is not a*ain men3

tioned in the $or5" The author s)ares us her

%o'a*e to 0arsei++es $ith La1arus( and the rest of

her ad%entures"

What cou+d induce a man of +earnin*( and some3

times of e+oHuence( as the author of the #Christiade#



a))ears to 6e( to com)ose this )retended 9oem M

It $as( as he te++s us in his )reface( the e7am)+e

of 0i+ton 4 6ut $e $e++ 5no$ ho$ deceitfu+ are

e7am)+es" 0i+ton( $ho 6e it o6ser%ed did not

Dictionar'" =<

ha1ard that $ea5+' monstrosit'( a )oem in )rose

0i+ton( $ho in his #Paradise Lost(# has( amid the

mu+titude of harsh and o6scure +ines of $hich it is

fu++( scattered some %er' Jne 6+an5 %erse cou+d

not )+ease an' 6ut fanatica+ Whi*s( as the A66e

recourt sa's -

En chantant runi%ers )erdu )our une )omme(

Rt Dieu )our +e damner creant +e )remier homme"

!' sin*in*

&o$ od made man on )ur)ose for he++3Jre(

And ho$ a sto+en a))+e damned us a++"

&e mi*ht de+i*ht the Pres6'terians 6' ma5in*

Sin coha6it $ith Death4 6' Jrin* o t$ent'3four



)ounders in hea%en 4 6' ma5in* dr'ness J*ht $ith

dam)( and heat $ith co+d 4 6' c+ea%in* an*e+s in

t$o( $hose ha+%es immediate+' 9oined a*ain 4 6'

6ui+din* a 6rid*e o%er chaos 4 6' re)resentin* the

0essiah ta5in* from a chest in hea%en a *reat )air

of com)asses to descri6e the circuit of the earth(

etc" Vir*i+ and &orace $ou+d( )erha)s( ha%e

thou*ht these ideas rather stran*e" !ut if the'

succeeded in En*+and 6' the aid of some %er'

ha))' +ines( the author of the #Christiade# $as

mista5en in e7)ectin* his romance to succeed $ith3

out the assistance of Jne %erses( $hich are indeed

%er' di8cu+t to ma5e"

!ut( sa's our author( one .erome Vida( 6isho)

of A+6a( once $rote a %er' )o$erfu+ Christiade

in Latin %erse( in $hich he transcri6es man' +ines

from Vir*i+" We++( m' friend( $h' did 'ou $rite

Vo+" ii ;Q

io Phi+oso)hica+

'ours in French )roseM Wh' did not 'ou( too(



imitate Vir*i+M

!ut the +ate 0" d2Escor6iac( of Tou+ouse( a+so

$rote a Christiade" A+as : $h' $ere 'ou so un3

fortunate as to 6ecome the a)e of 0" d2Escor6iacM

!ut 0i+ton( too( $rote his romance of the Ne$

Testament( his #Paradise Re*ained(# in 6+an5 %erse(

freHuent+' resem6+in* the $orst )rose" Lea%e it(

then( to 0i+ton to set Satan and .esus constant+'

at $ar" Let it 6e his to cause a dro%e of s$ine to

6e dri%en a+on* 6' a +e*ion of de%i+s4 that is( 6'

si7 thousand se%en hundred( $ho ta5e )ossession of

these s$ine there 6ein* three de%i+s and se%en3

t$entieths )er )i* and dro$n them in a +a5e" It

$e++ 6ecomes 0i+ton to ma5e the de%i+ )ro)ose to

od that the' sha++ ta5e a *ood su))er to*ether"

In 0i+ton( the de%i+ ma' at his ease co%er the ta6+e

$ith orto+ans( )artrid*es( so+es( stur*eons( and

ma5e &e6e and an'mede hand $ine to .esus

Christ" In 0i+ton( the de%i+ ma' ta5e od u) a

+itt+e hi++( from the to) of $hich he sho$s him the

ca)ita+( the 0o+ucca Is+ands( and the Indian cit'4

the 6irth)+ace of the 6eauteous An*e+ica( $ho

turned Or+ando2s 6rain 4 after $hich he ma' oer

to od a++ this( )ro%ided that od $i++ adore him"



!ut e%en 0i+ton +a6ored in %ain 4 )eo)+e ha%e

+au*hed at him" The' ha%e +au*hed at )oof" 6rother

!erru'er( the .esuit" The' ha%e +au*hed at 'ou"

!ear it $ith )atience :

Dictionar'" ; ;

0ART?RS"

SECTION I"

0ART?R( #$itness#4 mart'rdom( testimon'"

The ear+' Christian communit' at Jrst *a%e the

name of #mart'rs# to those $ho announced ne$

truths to man5ind( $ho *a%e testimon' to .esus4

$ho confessed .esus 4 in the same manner as the'

*a%e the name of #saints# to the )res6'ters( to

the su)er%isors of the communit'( and to their

fema+e 6enefactors4 this is the reason $h' St"

.erome( in his +etters( often ca++s his initiated Pau+(

St" Pau+" A++ the Jrst 6isho)s $ere ca++ed saints"

Su6seHuent+'( the name of mart'rs $as *i%en

on+' to deceased Christians( or to those $ho had



6een tortured for )unishment 4 and the +itt+e cha)e+s

that $ere erected to them recei%ed after$ards the

name of #mart'rion"#

It is a *reat Huestion( $h' the Roman Em)ire

a+$a's to+erated in its 6osom the .e$ish sect( e%en

after the t$o horri6+e $ars of Titus and Adrian 4

$h' it to+erated the $ors+ii) of Isis at se%era+ times 4

and $h' it freHuent+' )ersecuted Christianit'" It

is e%ident that the .e$s( $ho )aid dear+' for their

s'na*o*ues( denounced the Christians as morta+

foes( and e7cited the )eo)+e a*ainst them" It is

moreo%er e%ident that the .e$s( occu)ied $ith

the trade of 6ro5ers and usurers( did not )reach

a*ainst the ancient re+i*ion of the em)ire( and that

the Christians( $ho $ere a++ 6us' in contro%ers'(

; Phi+oso)hica+

)reached a*ainst the )u6+ic $orshi)( sou*ht to de3

stro' it( often 6urned the tem)+es( and 6ro5e the

consecrated statues( as St" Theodosius did at

Amasia( and St" Po+'euctus in 0it'+ene"



The orthodo7 Christians( sure that their re+i*ion

$as the on+' true one( did not to+erate an' other,"

In conseHuence( the' themse+%es $ere hard+' to+er3

ated" Some of them $ere )unished and died for

the faith and these $ere the mart'rs"

This name is so res)ecta6+e that it shou+d not 6e

)rodi*a++' 6esto$ed4 it is not ri*ht to assume the

name and arms of a fami+' to $hich one does not

6e+on*" Ver' hea%' )ena+ties ha%e 6een esta6+ished

a*ainst those $ho ha%e the audacit' to decorate

themse+%es $ith the cross of 0a+ta or of St" Louis(

$ithout 6ein* che%a+iers of those orders"

The +earned Dod$e++( the de7terous 0idd+eton(

the 9udicious !+onde+( the e7act Ti++emont( the

scrutini1in* Launo'( and man' others( a++ 1ea+ous

for the *+or' of the true mart'rs( ha%e e7c+uded

from their cata+o*ue an o6scure mu+titude on $hom

this *reat tit+e had 6een 2+a%ished" We ha%e re3

mar5ed that these +earned men $ere sanctioned 6'

the direct ac5no$+ed*ment of Ori*en( $ho( in his

#Refutation of Ce+sus(# confesses that there are

%er' fe$ mart'rs( and those at a *reat distance of

time( and that it is eas' to rec5on them" 3"



Ne%erthe+ess( the !enedictine Ruinart $ho ca++s

himse+f Don Ruinart( a+thou*h he $as no S)an3

iard has contradicted a++ these +earned )ersons:

Dictionar'" ;G

&e has candid+' *i%en us man' stories of mart'rs

$hich ha%e a))eared to the critics %er' sus)icious"

0an' sensi6+e )ersons ha%e dou6ted %arious anec3

dotes re+atin* to the +e*ends recounted 6' Don

Ruinart( from 6e*innin* to end"

I" Of Saint S'm)horosia and her Se%en Chi+dren"

Their scru)+es commence $ith St" S'm)horosia

and her se%en chi+dren $ho suered mart'rdom

$ith her4 $hich a))ears( at Jrst si*ht( too much

imitated from the se%en 0acca6ees" It is not

5no$n $hence this +e*end comes4 and that is at

once a *reat cause of s5e)ticism"

It is therein re+ated that the em)eror Adrian

himse+f $ished to interro*ate the un5no$n S'm3

)horosia( to ascertain if she $as a Christian" This



$ou+d ha%e 6een more e7traordinar' than if Louis

BIV" had su69ected a &u*uenot to an interro*a3

tor'" ?ou $i++ further o6ser%e that Adrian( far

from 6ein* a )ersecutor of the Christians( $as their

*reatest )rotector"

&e had then a +on* con%ersation $ith S'm3

)horosia( and )uttin* himse+f in a )assion( he said

to her - #I $i++ sacriJce 'ou to the *ods# 4 as if the

Roman em)erors sacriJced $omen in their de%o3

tions" In the seHue+( he caused her to 6e thro$n

into the Anio $hich $as not a usua+ mode of

immo+ation" &e after$ards had one of her sons

c+o%en in t$o from the to) of his head to his mid3

d+e 4 3a second from side to side 4 a third $as 6ro5en

; ; Q Phi+oso)hica+

on the $hee+4 a fourth $as on+' sta66ed in the

stomach 4 a Jfth ri*ht to the heart 4 a si7th had his

throat cut 4 the se%enth died of a )arce+ of need+es

thrust into his 6reast" The em)eror Adrian $as

fond of %ariet'" &e commanded that the' shou+d

6e 6uried near the tem)+e of &ercu+es a+thou*h no



one is e%er 6uried in Rome( much +ess near the tem3

)+es( $hich $ou+d ha%e 6een a horri6+e )rofanation"

The +e*end adds that the chief )riest of the tem)+e

named the )+ace of their interment #the Se%en !io3

tanates"#

If it $as e7traordinar' that a monument shou+d

6e erected at Rome to )ersons thus treated( it $as

no +ess so that a hi*h )riest shou+d concern him3

se+f $ith the inscri)tion4 and further( that this

Roman )riest shou+d ma5e a ree5 e)ita)h for

them" !ut $hat is sti++ more stran*e is that it is

)retended that this $ord #6iotanates# si*niJes the

se%en tortured" #!iotanates# is a fa6ricated $ord(

$hich one does not meet $ith in an' author4

and this si*niJcation can on+' 6e *i%en to it 6' a

)+a' u)on $ords( fa+se+' usin* the $ord #thenon"#

There is scarce+' an' fa6+e $orse constructed" The

$riters of +e*ends 5ne$ ho$ to +ie( 6ut none of

them 5ne$ ho$ to +ie s5i+fu++'"

The +earned Lacro1e( +i6rarian to Frederic5 the

reat( 5in* of Prussia( o6ser%ed- #I 5no$ not

$hether Ruinart is sincere( 6ut I am afraid he is

si++'"#



Dictionar'" ;

" Of St" Fe+icita and Se%en 0ore Chi+dren"

It is from Surius that this +e*end is ta5en" This

Surius is rather notorious for his a6surdities" &e

$as a mon5 of the si7teenth centur'( $ho $rites

a6out the mart'rs of the second as if he had 6een

)resent"

&e )retends that that $ic5ed man( that t'rant(

0arcus Aure+ius Antoninus Pius( ordered the )re3

fect of Rome to institute a )rocess a*ainst St"

Fe+icita( to ha%e her and her se%en chi+dren )ut to

death( 6ecause there $as a rumor that she $as a

Christian"

The )refect he+d his tri6una+ in the Cam)us

0artius( $hich( ho$e%er( $as at that time used

on+' for the re%ie$in* of troo)s 4 and the Jrst thin*

the )refect did $as to cause a 6+o$ to 6e *i%en her

in fu++ assem6+'"

The +on* discourses of the ma*istrates and the



accused are $orth' of the historian" &e Jnishes 6'

)uttin* the se%en 6rothers to death 6' dierent )un3

ishments( +i5e the se%en chi+dren of St" S'm)hor3

osia" This is on+' a du)+icate aair" !ut as for St"

Fe+icita( he +ea%es her there( and does not sa'

another $ord a6out her"

" Of Saint Po+'car)"

Euse6ius re+ates that St" Po+'car)( 6ein* in3

formed in a dream that he shou+d 6e 6urned in three

da's( made it 5no$n to his friends" The +e*end3

ma5er adds that the +ieutenant of )o+ice at Sm'rna(

; > Phi+oso)hica+

$hose name $as &erodius( had him sei1ed 6' his

archers 4 that he $as a6andoned to the $i+d 6easts

in the am)hitheatre4 that the s5' o)ened( and a

hea%en+' %oice cried to him - #!e of *ood coura*e(

Po+'car)#4 that the hour of +ettin* +oose the +ions

in the am)hitheatre ha%in* )assed( the )eo)+e $ent

a6out co++ectin* $ood from a++ the houses to 6urn

him $ith4 that the saint addressed himse+f to the



od of the #archan*e+s# a+thou*h the $ord arch3

an*e+ $as not then 5no$n that the ames formed

themse+%es round him into a trium)ha+ arch $ithout

touchin* him 4 that his 6od' had the sme++ of 6a5ed

6read 4 6ut that( ha%in* resisted the Jre( he cou+d not

)reser%e himse+f a*ainst a sa6re3cut 4 that his 6+ood

)ut out the 6urnin* )i+e( and that there s)run* from

it a do%e $hich e$ strai*ht to hea%en" To $hich

)+anet is not )recise+' 5no$n"

Q" Of Saint Pto+omais"

We fo++o$ the order of Don Ruinart4 6ut $e

ha%e no $ish to ca++ in Huestion the mart'rdom of

St" Pto+omais( $hich is e7tracted from #St" .ustin2s

A)o+o*'"#

We cou+d ma5e some di8cu+ties $ith re*ard to

the $oman $ho $as accused 6' her hus6and of

6ein* a Christian( and $ho 6aed him 6' *i%in*

him a 6i++ of di%orce" We mi*ht as5 $h'( in this

histor'( there is no further mention of this 3$omanM

We mi*ht ma5e it manifest that in the time of

0arcus Aure+ius( $omen $ere not )ermitted to de3



Dictionar'" ;

mand di%orces of their hus6ands 4 that this )ermis3

sion $as on+' *ranted them under the em)eror

.u+ian 4 and that this so much re)eated stor' of the

Christian $oman $ho re)udiated her hus6and

$hi+e no )a*an $ou+d ha%e dared to ima*ine such

a thin* cannot $e++ 6e other than a fa6+e" !ut

$e do not desire to raise un)+easant dis)utes" As

for the +itt+e )ro6a6i+it' there is in the com)i+ation

of Don Ruinart( $e ha%e too much res)ect for the

su69ect he treats of to start o69ections"

We ha%e not made an' to the #Letter of the

Churches of Vienna and L'ons(# 6ecause there is

sti++ a *reat dea+ of o6scurit' connected $ith it 4 6ut

$e sha++ 6e )ardoned for defendin* the memor' of

the *reat 0arcus Aure+ius( thus outra*ed in the +ife

of #St" S'm)horian of Autun(# $ho $as )ro6a6+'

a re+ation of St" S'm)horosia"

" Of St" S'm)horian of Autun"

This +e*end( the author of $hich is un5no$n( 6e3

*ins thus - #The em)eror 0arcus Aure+ius had 9ust



raised a fri*htfu+ tem)est a*ainst the Church( and

his fu+minatin* edicts assai+ed on a++ sides the re3

+i*ion of .esus Christ( at the time $hen St" S'm3

)horian +i%ed at Autun in a++ the s)+endor that hi*h

6irth and uncommon %irtue can confer" &e $as of

a Christian fami+'( one of the most considera6+e of

the cit'(# etc"

0arcus Aure+ius issued no san*uinar' edicts

a*ainst the Christians" It is a %er' crimina+ ca+3

; Phi+oso)hica+

umn'" Ti++emont himse+f admits that #he $as the

6est )rince the Romans e%er had4 that his rei*n

$as a *o+den a*e4 and that he %eriJed $hat he

often Huoted from P+ato( that nations $ou+d on+'

6e ha))' $hen 5in*s $ere )hi+oso)hers"#

Of a++ the em)erors( this $as the one $ho )ro3

mu+*ated the 6est +a$s 4 he )rotected the $ise( 6ut

)ersecuted no Christians( of $hom he had a *reat

man' in his ser%ice"



The $riter of the +e*end re+ates that St" S'm3

)horian ha%in* refused to adore C'6e+e( the cit'

9ud*e inHuired- #Who is this manM# No$ it is

im)ossi6+e that the 9ud*e of Autun shou+d not ha%e

5no$n the most considera6+e )erson in Autun"

&e $as dec+ared 6' the sentence to 6e *ui+t' of

treason( #di%ine and human"# The Romans ne%er

em)+o'ed this formu+a4 and that a+one shou+d de3

)ri%e the )retended mart'r of Autun of a++ credit"

In order the 6etter to refute this ca+umn'

a*ainst the sacred memor' of 0arcus Aure+ius( +et

us 6rin* under %ie$ the discourse of 0e+iton(

6isho) of Sardis( to this 6est of em)erors( re)orted

%er6atim 6' Euse6ius -

#The continua+ succession of *ood fortune $hich

has attended the em)ire( $ithout its ha))iness

6ein* distur6ed 6' a sin*+e dis*race( since our re3

+i*ion( $hich $as 6orn $ith it( has *ro$n in its

6osom( is an e%ident )roof that it contri6utes emi3

nent+' to its *reatness and *+or'" Amon* a++ the

em)erors( Nero and Domitian a+one( decei%ed 6'



Dictionar'" ;<

certain im)ostors( ha%e s)read ca+umnies a*ainst

us( $hich( as usua+( ha%e found some )artia+ cre3

dence amon* the )eo)+e" !ut 'our )ious ancestors

ha%e corrected the )eo)+e2s i*norance( and 6' )u63

+ic edicts ha%e re)ressed the audacit' of those $ho

attem)ted to treat us i++" ?our *randfather Adrian

$rote in our fa%or to Fundanus( *o%ernor of Asia(

and to man' other )ersons" The em)eror( 'our

father( durin* the )eriod $hen 'ou di%ided $ith

him the cares of *o%ernment( $rote to the inha6it3

ants of Larissa( of Thessa+onica( of Athens( and in

short to a++ the )eo)+e of reece( to re)ress the

seditions and tumu+ts $hich ha%e 6een e7cited

a*ainst us"#

This dec+aration 6' a most )ious( +earned( and

%eracious 6isho) is su8cient to confound fore%er

a++ the +ies and +e*ends $hich ma' 6e re*arded as

the Ara6ian ta+es of Christianit'"

>" Of Another Saint Fe+icita( and of Saint Per3

)etua"



If it $ere an o69ect to dis)ute the +e*end of

Fe+icita and Per)etua( it $ou+d not 6e di8cu+t to

sho$ ho$ sus)icious it is" These Cartha*inian

mart'rs are on+' 5no$n 6' a $ritin*( $ithout date(

of the church of Sa+16ur*" No$( it is a2 *reat

$a' from this )art of !a%aria to o+etta" We are

not informed under $hat em)eror this Fe+icita and

this Per)etua recei%ed the cro$n of mart'rdom"

The astoundin* si*hts $ith $hich this histor' is

= Phi+oso)hica+

J++ed do not disco%er a %er' )rofound historian" A

+adder entire+' of *o+d( 6ordered $ith +ances and

s$ords 4 a dra*on at the to) of the +adder 4 a +ar*e

*arden near the dra*on 4 shee) from $hich an o+d

man dre$ mi+5 4 a reser%oir fu++ of $ater 4 a 6ott+e

of $ater $hence the' dran5 $ithout diminishin*

the +iHuid4 St" Per)etua J*htin* entire+' na5ed

a*ainst a $ic5ed E*')tian 4 some handsome 'oun*

men( a++ na5ed( $ho too5 her )art 4 herse+f at +ast

6ecome a man and a %i*orous $rest+er4 these are(

it a))ears to me( conceits $hich shou+d not ha%e

)+ace in a res)ecta6+e 6oo5"



There is one other reection %er' im)ortant to

ma5e" It is that the st'+e of a++ these stories of

mart'rdom( $hich too5 )+ace at such dierent

)eriods( is e%er'$here a+i5e( e%er'$here eHua++'

)ueri+e and 6om6astic" ?ou Jnd the same turns of

e7)ression( the same )hrases( in the histor' of a

mart'r under Domitian and of another under a+3

erius" There are the same e)ithets( the same e73

a**erations" !' the +itt+e $e understand of st'+e(

$e )ercei%e that the same hand has com)i+ed

them a++"

I do not here )retend to ma5e a 6oo5 a*ainst

Don Ruinart 4 and $hi+e I a+$a's res)ect( admire(

and in%o5e the true mart'rs $ith the &o+' Church(

I conJne m'se+f to ma5in* it )ercei%ed( 6' one or

t$o stri5in* e7am)+es( ho$ dan*erous it is 2to mi7

$hat is )ure+' ridicu+ous $ith $hat ou*ht to 6e

%enerated"

Dictionar'" ;

" Of Saint Theodotus of the Cit' of Anc'ra( and



of the Se%en Vir*ins4 Written 6' Nisus( an

E'e3Witness( and E7tracted from !o++andus"

0an' critics( as eminent for $isdom as for true

)iet'( ha%e a+read' *i%en us to understand that the

+e*end of St" Theodotus the Pu6+ican is a )rofana3

tion and a s)ecies of im)iet' $hich ou*ht to ha%e

6een su))ressed" The fo++o$in* is the stor' of

Theodotus" We sha++ often em)+o' the e7act $ords

of the #enuine Acts(# com)i+ed 6' Don Ruinart"

#&is trade of )u6+ican su))+ied him $ith the

means of e7ercisin* his e)isco)a+ functions" I++us3

trious ta%ern : consecrated to )iet' instead of de3

6aucher' Sometimes Theodotus $as a

)h'sician( sometimes he furnished tit36its to the

faithfu+" A ta%ern $as seen to 6e to the Christians

$hat Noah2s ar5 $as to those $hom od $ished to

sa%e from the de+u*e"#

This )u6+ican Theodotus( $a+5in* 6' the ri%er

&a+is $ith his com)anions to$ards a to$n ad9acent

to the cit' of Anc'ra( #a fresh and soft )+ot of turf

oered them a de+icious couch 4 a s)rin* $hich

issued a fe$ ste)s o( from the foot of the roc5(

and $hich 6' a channe+ cro$ned $ith o$ers came



runnin* )ast them in order to Huench their thirst(

oered them c+ear and )ure $ater" Trees 6earin*

fruit( mi7ed $ith $i+d ones( furnished them $ith

shade and fruits 4 and an assem6+a*e of s5i+fu+

ni*htin*a+es( $hom the *rassho))ers re+ie%ed e%er'

no$ and then( formed a charmin* concert(# etc"

Phi+oso)hica+

The c+er*'man of the )+ace( named Fronton(

ha%in* arri%ed( and the )u6+ican ha%in* drun5 $ith

him on the *rass( #the fresh *reen of $hich $as

re+ie%ed 6' the %arious *radations of co+or in the

o$ers( he said to the c+er*'man- 2Ah( father:

$hat a )+easure it $ou+d 6e to 6ui+d a cha)e+ here"2

2?es said Fronton( 26ut it $ou+d 6e necessar' to

ha%e some re+ics to 6e*in $ith"2 2We++( $e++ re)+ied

St" Theodotus( 2'ou sha++ ha%e some soon( I *i%e 'ou

m' $ord4 here is m' rin*( $hich I *i%e 'ou as a

)+ed*e 4 6ui+d 'our cha)e+ Huic5+'"2 #

The )u6+ican had the *ift of )ro)hec'( and 5ne$

$e++ $hat he "$as sa'in*" &e $ent a$a' to the

cit' of Anc'ra( $hi+e the c+er*'man Fronton set



himse+f a6out 6ui+din*" &e found there the most

horri6+e )ersecution( $hich +asted %er' +on*" Se%en

Christian %ir*ins( of $hom the 'oun*est $as se%3

ent' 'ears o+d( had 9ust 6een condemned( accordin*

to custom( to +ose their %ir*init'( throu*h the a*enc'

of a++ the 'oun* men of the cit'" The 'outh of

Anc'ra( $ho had )ro6a6+' more ur*ent aairs(

$ere in no hurr' to e7ecute the sentence" One

on+' cou+d 6e found o6edient to 9ustice" &e a)3

)+ied himse+f to St" Thecusa( and carried her into

a c+oset $ith sur)risin* coura*e" Thecusa thre$

herse+f on her 5nees( and said to him( #For od2s

sa5e( m' son( a +itt+e shame: !eho+d thfcse +ac53

+ustre e'es( this ha+f3dead esh( these *reas' $rin3

5+es( $hich se%ent' 'ears ha%e )+ou*hed in m' fore3

head( this face of the co+or of the earth4 a6andon

Dictionar'" G

thou*hts so un$orth' of a 'oun* man +i5e 'ou

.esus Christ entreats 'ou 6' m' mouth" &e as5s

it of 'ou as a fa%or( and if 'ou *rant it &im( 'ou

ma' e7)ect &is entire *ratitude"# The discourse

of the o+d $oman( and her countenance made the



e7ecutioner reco++ect himse+f" The se%en %ir*ins

$ere not deo$ered"

The irritated *o%ernor sou*ht for another )un3

ishment 4 he caused them to 6e initiated forth$ith in

the m'steries of Diana and 0iner%a" It is true

that *reat feasts had 6een instituted in honor of

those di%inities( 6ut the m'steries of Diana and

0iner%a $ere not 5no$n to antiHuit'" St" Ni+( an

intimate friend of the )u6+ican Theodotus( and the

author of this mar%e++ous stor'( $as not Huite cor3

rect"

Accordin* to him( these se%en )rett' +asses $ere

)+aced Huite na5ed on the car $hich carried the

*reat Diana and the $ise 0iner%a to the 6an5s of a

nei*h6orin* +a5e" The Thuc'dides St" Ni+ sti++ a)3

)ears to 6e %er' i++3informed here" The )riestesses

$ere a+$a's co%ered $ith %ei+s4 and the Roman

ma*istrates ne%er caused the *oddesses of chastit'

and $isdom to 6e attended 6' *ir+s $ho sho$ed

themse+%es 6oth 6efore and 6ehind to the )eo)+e"

St" Ni+ adds that the car $as )receded 6' t$o

choirs of )riestesses of !acchus( $ho carried the

th'rses in their hands" St" Ni+ has here mista5en



the )riestesses of 0iner%a for those of !acchus"

&e $as not %ersed in the +itur*' of Anc'ra"

Q Phi+oso)hica+

Enterin* the cit'( the )u6+ican sa$ this sad

s)ectac+e the *o%ernor( the )riestesses( the car(

0iner%a( and the se%en maidens" &e runs to thro$

himse+f on his 5nees in a hut( a+on* $ith a ne)he$

of St" Thecusa" &e 6eseeches hea%en that the se%en

+adies shou+d 6e dead rather than na5ed" &is

)ra'er is heard4 he +earns that the se%en damse+s(

instead of 6ein* deo$ered( ha%e 6een thro$n into

the +a5e $ith stones round their nec5s( 6' order of

the *o%ernor" Their %ir*init' is in safe35ee)in*"

At this ne$s the saint( raisin* himse+f from the

*round and )+acin* himse+f u)on his 5nees( turned

his e'es to$ards hea%en4 and in the midst of the

%arious emotions he e7)erienced of +o%e( 9o'( and

*ratitude( he said( #I *i%e Thee than5s( O Lord,

that Thou has not re9ected the )ra'er of Th'

ser%ant"#

&e s+e)t4 and durin* his s+ee)( St" Thecusa( the



'oun*est of the dro$ned $omen( a))eared to him"

#&o$ no$( son Theodotus :# she said( #'ou are

s+ee)in* $ithout thin5in* of us - ha%e 'ou for*otten

so soon the care I too5 of 'our 'outh M Do not( dear

Theodotus( suer our 6odies to 6e de%oured 6' the

Jshes" o to the +a5e( 6ut 6e$are of a traitor"#

This traitor $as( in fact( the ne)he$ of St" The3

cusa"

I omit here a mu+titude of miracu+ous ad%entures

that ha))ened to the )u6+ican( in order to come to

the most im)ortant" A ce+estia+ ca%a+ier( armed ca)3

a3)ie( )receded 6' a ce+estia+ am6eau( descends

Dictionar'"

from the hei*ht of the em)'rean( conducts the )u63

+ican to the +a5e in the midst of storms( dri%es a$a'

a++ the so+diers $ho *uard the shore( and *i%es

Theodotus time to Jsh u) the se%en o+d $omen and

to 6ur' them"

The ne)he$ of St" Thecusa unfortunate+' $ent

and to+d a++" Theodotus $as sei1ed( and for three



da's a++ sorts of )unishments $ere tried in %ain to

5i++ him" The' cou+d on+' attain their o69ect 6'

c+ea%in* his s5u++ 4 an o)eration $hich saints are

ne%er )roof a*ainst"

&e $as sti++ to 6e 6uried" &is friend the minis3

ter Fronton to $hom Theodotus( in his ca)acit' of

)u6+ican( had *i%en t$o +eathern 6ott+es J++ed $ith

$ine made the *uards drun5( and carried o the

6od'" Theodotus then a))eared in 6od' and s)irit

to the minister - #We++( m' friend(# he said to him(

#did I not sa' $e++( that 'ou shou+d ha%e re+ics for

'our cha)e+ M#

Such is $hat is narrated 6' St" Ni+( an e'e3$it3

ness( $ho cou+d neither 6e decei%ed nor decei%e4

such is $hat Don Ruinart has Huoted as a *enuine

act" No$ e%er' man of sense( e%er' inte++i*ent

Christian( $i++ as5 himse+f( $hether a 6etter mode

cou+d 6e ado)ted of dishonorin* the most ho+' and

%enerated re+i*ion in the $or+d( and of turnin* it

into ridicu+eM

I sha++ not s)ea5 of the E+e%en Thousand Vir*ins 4

I sha++ not discuss the fa6+e of the The6an +e*ion(

com)osed sa's the author of si7 thousand si7



Vo+" ;;;

;;> Phi+oso)hica+

hundred men( a++ Christians comin* from the East

6' 0ount St" !ernard( suerin* mart'rdom in the

'ear >( the )eriod of the most )rofound )eace as

re*arded the Church( and in the *or*e of a mountain

$here it is im)ossi6+e to )+ace G== men a6reast4

a fa6+e $ritten more than = 'ears after the e%ent4

a fa6+e in $hich a 5in* of !ur*und' is s)o5en of

$ho ne%er e7isted4 a fa6+e( in short( ac5no$+ed*ed

to 6e a6surd 6' a++ the +earned $ho ha%e not +ost

their reason"

!eho+d $hat Don Ruinart narrates serious+':

Let us )ra' to od for the *ood sense of Don

Ruinart :

SECTION II"

&o$ does it ha))en that( in the en+i*htened a*e

in $hich $e +i%e( +earned and usefu+ $riters are sti++



found $ho ne%erthe+ess fo++o$ the stream of o+d

errors( and $ho corru)t man' truths 6' admitted

fa6+esM The' rec5on the era of the mart'rs from

the Jrst 'ear of the em)ire of Dioc+etian( $ho $as

then far enou*h from inictin* mart'rdom on an'3

6od'" The' for*et that his $ife Prisca $as a Chris3

tian( that the )rinci)a+ o8cers of his househo+d $ere

Christians4 that he )rotected them constant+' dur3

in* ei*hteen 'ears 4 that the' 6ui+t at Nicomedia a

church more sum)tuous than his )a+ace 4 and that

the' $ou+d ne%er ha%e 6een )ersecuted if the' had

not outra*ed the Caesar Va+erius"

Is it )ossi6+e that an' one shou+d sti++ dare to

assert #that Dioc+etian died of a*e( des)air( and

Dictionar'"

miser'#4 he $ho $as seen to Huit +ife +i5e a )hi3

+oso)her( as he had Huitted the em)ire4 he $ho(

so+icited to resume the su)reme )o$er +o%ed 6etter

to cu+ti%ate his Jne *ardens at Sa+onica( than to

rei*n a*ain o%er the $ho+e of the then 5no$n $or+d M



Oh( 'e com)i+ers: $i++ 'ou ne%er cease to com3

)i+eM ?ou ha%e usefu++' em)+o'ed 'our three Jn3

*ers 4 em)+o' sti++ more usefu++' 'our reason"

What: 'ou re)eat to me that St" Peter rei*ned

o%er the faithfu+ at Rome for t$ent'3J%e 'ears( and

that Nero had him )ut to death to*ether $ith St"

Pau+( in order to a%en*e the death of Simon the

0a*ician( $hose +e*s the' had 6ro5en 6' their

)ra'ers M

To re)ort such fa6+es( thou*h $ith the 6est mo3

ti%e( is to insu+t Christianit'"

The )oor creatures $ho sti++ re)eat these a6surdi3

ties are co)'ists $ho rene$ in octa%o and duodecimo

o+d stories that honest men no +on*er read( and $ho

ha%e ne%er o)ened a 6oo5 of $ho+esome criticism"

The' ra5e u) the antiHuated ta+es of the Church4

the' 5no$ nothin* of either 0idd+eton( or Dod$e++(

or !ru5er( or Dumou+in( or Fa6ricius( or ra6ius(

or e%en Du)in( or of an' one of those $ho ha%e

+ate+' carried +i*ht into the dar5ness"

SECTION III"



We are foo+ed $ith mart'rdoms that ma5e us

6rea5 out into +au*hter" The Tituses( the Tra9ans(

the 0arcus Aure+iuses( are )ainted as monsters of

Phi+oso)hica+

crue+t'" F+eur'( a66e of Loc Dieu( has dis*raced

his ecc+esiastica+ histor' 6' ta+es $hich a sensi6+e

o+d $oman $ou+d not te++ to +itt+e chi+dren"

Can it 6e serious+' re)eated( that the Romans

condemned se%en %ir*ins( each se%ent' 'ears o+d( to

)ass throu*h the hands of a++ the 'oun* men of the

cit' of Anc'ra those Romans $ho )unished the

Vesta+s $ith death for the +east *a++antr'M

A hundred ta+es of this sort are found in the mar3

t'ro+o*ies" The narrators ha%e ho)ed to render the

ancient Romans odious( and the' ha%e rendered

themse+%es ridicu+ous" Do 'ou $ant *ood( $e++3au3

thenticated 6ar6arities *ood and $e++3attested mas3

sacres( ri%ers of 6+ood $hich ha%e actua++' o$ed

fathers( mothers( hus6ands( $i%es( infants at the

6reast( $ho ha%e in rea+it' had their throats cut(



and 6een hea)ed on one another M Persecutin* mon3

sters : see5 these truths on+' in 'our o$n anna+s -

'ou $i++ Jnd them in the crusades a*ainst the A+6i3

*enses( in the massacres of 0erindo+ and Ca6riere(

in the fri*htfu+ da' of St" !artho+ome$( in the mas3

sacres of Ire+and( in the %a++e's of the Pa's de Vaud"

It 6ecomes 'ou $e++( 6ar6arians as 'ou are( to im3

)ute e7tra%a*ant crue+ties to the 6est of em)erors4

'ou $ho ha%e de+u*ed Euro)e $ith 6+ood( and co%3

ered it $ith cor)ses( in order to )ro%e that the same

6od' can 6e in a thousand )+aces at once(,and that

the )o)e can se++ indu+*ences : Cease to ca+umniate

the Romans( 'our +a$3*i%ers( and as5 )ardon of

od for the a6ominations of 'our forefathers :

Dictionar'" <

It is not the torture( 'ou sa'( $hich ma5es mar3

t'rdom4 it is the cause" We++: I a*ree $ith 'ou

that 'our %ictims ou*ht not to 6e desi*nated 6' the

name of mart'r( $hich si*niJes $itness4 6ut $hat

name sha++ $e *i%e to 'our e7ecutionersM Pha+aris

and !usiris $ere the *ent+est of men in com)arison

$ith 'ou" Does not 'our InHuisition( $hich sti++



remains( ma5e reason( nature( and re+i*ion 6oi+ $ith

indi*nation : reat od : if man5ind shou+d reduce

to ashes that inferna+ tri6una+( $ou+d the' 6e unac3

ce)ta6+e in th' a%en*in* e'esM

0ASS"

T&E mass( in ordinar' +an*ua*e( is the *reatest

and most au*ust of the ceremonies of the Church"

Dierent names are *i%en to it( accordin* to the

rites )ractised in the %arious countries $here it is

ce+e6rated 4 as the 0o1ara6ian or othic mass( the

ree5 mass( the Latin mass" Durandus and Ec5ius

ca++ those masses dr'( in $hich no consecration is

made( as that $hich is a))ointed to 6e said in )artic3

u+ar 6' as)irants to the )riesthood 4 and Cardina+

!ona re+ates( on the authorit' of Wi++iam of Nan*is(

that St" Louis( in his %o'a*e a6road( had it said in

this manner( +est the motion of the %esse+ shou+d

s)i++ the consecrated $ine" &e a+so Huoted ene3

6rard( $ho sa's that he assisted at Turin( in ;(

at a simi+ar mass( ce+e6rated in a church( 6ut after

dinner and %er' +ate( for the funera+ of a )erson of

ran5"



G= Phi+oso)hica+

Pierre +e Chantre a+so s)ea5s of the t$o3fo+d(

three3fo+d( and e%en four3fo+d mass( in $hich the

)riest ce+e6rated the mass of the da' or the feast(

as far as the oertor'( then 6e*an a second( third(

and sometimes a fourth( as far as the same )+ace4

after $hich he said as man' secretas as he had 6e3

*un masses 4 he recited the canon on+' once for the

$ho+e 4 and at the end he added as man' co++ects as

he had 9oined to*ether masses"

It $as not unti+ a6out the c+ose of the fourth cen3

tur' that the $ord #mass# 6e*an to si*nif' the ce+e3

6ration of the eucharist" The +earned !eatus Rhe3

nanus( in his notes on Tertu++ian( o6ser%es( that St"

Am6rose consecrated this )o)u+ar e7)ression(

#missa# ta5en from the sendin* out of the catechu3

mens( after the readin* of the *os)e+"

In the #A)osto+ica+ Constitutions(# $e Jnd a

+itur*' in the name of St" .ames( 6' $hich it a)3

)ears( that instead of in%o5in* the saints in the

canon of the mass( the )rimiti%e Church )ra'ed for

them" #We a+so oer to Thee( O Lord(# said the



ce+e6rator( #this 6read and this cha+ice for a++ the

saints that ha%e 6een )+easin* in Th' si*ht from the

6e*innin* of a*es - for the )atriarchs( the )ro)hets(

the 9ust( the a)ost+es( the mart'rs( the confessors(

6isho)s( )riests( deacons( su6deacons( readers(

chanters( %ir*ins( $ido$s( +a'men( nd a++ $hose

names are 5no$n unto Thee"# !ut St" C'ri+ of .eru3

sa+em( $ho +i%ed in the fourth centur'( su6stituted

this e7)+anation - #After $hich(# sa's he( #$e com3

ANOIENT RO0I

Dictionar'" G ;

memorate those $ho die 6efore us( and Jrst the )a3

triarchs( a)ost+es( and mart'rs( that od ma' re3

cei%e our )ra'ers throu*h their intercession"# This

)ro%es as $i++ 6e said in the artic+e on #Re+ics#

that the $orshi) of the saints $as then 6e*innin*

to 6e introduced into the Church"

Noe+ A+e7ander cites acts of St" Andre$( in





G Phi+oso)hica+

moreo%er( that .esus san* a h'mn" St" .ohn( $ho

in his *os)e+ mentions neither the distri6ution of the

6read and $ine( nor the h'mn( s)ea5s of the +atter

at *reat +en*th in his Acts( of $hich $e *i%e the

te7t( as Huoted 6' the Second Counci+ of Nice -

#!efore our Lord $as ta5en 6' the .e$s(# sa's

this $e++36e+o%ed a)ost+e of .esus( #&e assem6+ed us

a++ to*ether( and said to us - 2Let us sin* a h'mn in

honor of the Father( after $hich $e $i++ e7ecute the

desi*n $e ha%e concei%ed"2 &e ordered us therefore

to form a circ+e( ho+din* one another 6' the hand4

then( ha%in* )+aced &imse+f in the midd+e of the

circ+e( &e said to us - 2Amen 4 fo++o$ me"2 Then &e

6e*an the cantic+e( and said - 2+or' 6e to Thee( O

Father:2 We a++ ans$ered( 2Amen"2 .esus contin3

ued( sa'in*( 2+or' to the Word(2 etc" 2+or' to the

S)irit(2 etc" 2+or' to race(2 etc"( and the a)ost+es

constant+' ans$ered( 2Amen"2 #

After some other do7o+o*ies( .esus said( #I $i++

sa%e( and I $i++ 6e sa%ed( Amen" I $i++ un6ind( and



I $i++ 6e un6ound( Amen" I $i++ 6e $ounded( and

I $i++ $ound( Amen" I $i++ 6e 6orn( and I $i++ 6e3

*et( Amen" I $i++ eat( and I $i++ 6e consumed(

Amen" I $i++ 6e hear5ened to( and I $i++ hear5en(

Amen" I $i++ 6e com)rehended 6' the s)irit( 6ein*

a++ s)irit( a++ understandin*( Amen" I $i++ 6e $ashed(

and I $i++ $ash( Amen" race 6rin*s dancin*4 I

$i++ )+a' on the ute4 a++ of 'ou dance( Amen" I

$i++ sin* sorro$fu+ airs 4 no$ a++ of 'ou +ament(

Amen"#

Dictionar'" GG

St" Au*ustine( $ho 6e*ins a )art of this h'mn in

his #E)ist+e to Ceretius(# *i%es a+so the fo++o$in*-

#I $i++ dec5( and I $i++ 6e dec5ed" I am a +am) to

those $ho see me and 5no$ me" I am the door for

a++ $ho $i++ 5noc5 at it" Do 'ou( $ho see $hat I

do( 6e carefu+ not to s)ea5 of it"#

This dance of .esus and the a)ost+es is e%ident+'

imitated from that of the E*')tian Thera)eutae(

$ho danced after su))er in their assem6+ies( at Jrst

di%ided into t$o choirs( then united the men and



the $omen to*ether( as at the feast of !acchus( after

s$a++o$in* )+ent' of ce+estia+ $ine as Phi+o sa's"

!esides $e 5no$( that accordin* to the .e$ish

tradition( after their comin* out of E*')t( and )ass3

in* the Red Sea( $hence the so+emnit' of the Pass3

o%er too5 its name( 0oses and his sister assem6+ed

t$o musica+ choirs( one com)osed of men( the other

of $omen( $ho( $hi+e dancin*( san* a cantic+e of

than5s*i%in*" These instruments instantaneous+'

assem6+ed( these choirs arran*ed $ith so much

)rom)titude( the faci+it' $ith $hich the son*s and

dances are e7ecuted( su))ose a trainin* in these

t$o e7ercises much anterior to the moment of e7e3

cution"

The usa*e $as after$ards )er)etrated amon* the

.e$s" The dau*hters of Shi+oh $ere dancin* ac3

cordin* to custom( at the so+emn feast of the Lord(

$hen the 'oun* men of the tri6e of !en9amin( to

$hom the' had 6een refused for $i%es( carried them

GQ Phi+oso)hica+



o 6' the counse+ of the o+d men of Israe+" And at

this da'( in Pa+estine( the $omen( assem6+ed near

the tom6s of their re+ati%es( dance in a mournfu+

manner( and utter cries of +amentation"

We a+so 5no$ that the Jrst Christians he+d amon*

themse+%es a*a)ce( or feasts of charit'( in memor'

of the +ast su))er $hich .esus ce+e6rated $ith his

a)ost+es( from $hich the Pa*ans too5 occasion to

6rin* a*ainst them the most odious char*es 4 on

$hich( to 6anish e%er' shado$ of +icentiousness( the

)astors for6ade the 5iss of )eace( that conc+uded

the ceremon' to 6e *i%en 6et$een )ersons of dier3

ent se7es" !ut %arious a6uses( $hich $ere e%en

then com)+ained of 6' St" Pau+( and $hich the

Counci+ of an*res( in the 'ear GQ( %ain+' under3

too5 to reform( at +en*th caused the a*a)ce to 6e

a6o+ished in G<( 6' the Third Counci+ of Cartha*e(

of $hich the fort'3Jrst canon ordained( that the ho+'

m'steries shou+d 6e ce+e6rated fastin*"

It $i++ not 6e dou6ted that these feastin*s $ere

accom)anied 6' dances( $hen it is reco++ected that(

accordin* to Sca+i*er( the 6isho)s $ere ca++ed in the

Latin Church #)rasu+es# from )rsi+iendo on+'

6ecause the' +ed o the dance" &e+iot( in his #&is3



tor' of the 0onastic Orders(# sa's a+so( that durin*

the )ersecutions $hich distur6ed the )eace of the

Jrst Christians( con*re*ations $ere formed of men

and $omen( $ho( after the manner of th Thera3

)eutas( retired into the deserts( $here the' assem6+ed

Dictionar'" G

in the ham+ets on Sunda's and feast da's( and

danced )ious+'( sin*in* the )ra'ers of the Church"

In Portu*a+( in S)ain( and in Roussi++on( so+emn

dances are sti++ )erformed in honor of the m'steries

of Christianit'" On e%er' %i*i+ of a feast of the

Vir*in( the 'oun* $omen assem6+e 6efore the doors

of the churches dedicated to her( and )ass the ni*ht

in dancin* round( and sin*in* h'mns and cantic+es

in honor of her" Cardina+ Bimenes restored in his

time( in the cathedra+ of To+edo( the ancient usa*e

of the 0o1ara6ian mass( durin* $hich dances are

)erformed in the choir and the na%e( $ith eHua+

order and de%otion" In France too( a6out the mid3

d+e of the +ast centur'( the )riests and a++ the )eo)+e

of the Limo*es mi*ht 6e seen dancin* round in the



co++e*iate church( sin*in*- #Sant 0artian )re*as

)ernous et nous e)in*aren )er 6ous# that is( #St"

0artian( )ra' for us( and $e $i++ dance for 'ou"#

And +ast+'( the .esuit 0enestrier( in the )reface

to his #Treatise on !a++ets(# )u6+ished in ;>( sa's(

that he had himse+f seen the canons of some

churches ta5e the sin*in* 6o's 6' the hand on

Easter da'( and dance in the choir( sin*in* h'mns of

re9oicin*" What has 6een said in the artic+e on

#Ca+ends(# of the e7tra%a*ant dances of the feast of

foo+s( e7hi6its a )art of the a6uses $hich ha%e

caused dancin* to 6e discontinued in the ceremonies

of the mass( $hich( the *reater their *ra%it'( are the

6etter ca+cu+ated to im)ose on the sim)+e"

G> Phi+oso)hica+

0ASSACRES"

IT is )erha)s as di8cu+t as it is use+ess to ascer3

tain $hether #ma11acrium(# a $ord of the +o$

Latin( is the root of #massacre(# or $hether #mas3

sacre# is the root of #ma11acrium22



A massacre si*niJes a num6er of men 5i++ed"

There $as 'esterda' a *reat massacre near Warsa$

near Craco$" We ne%er sa' - #There has 6een

a massacre of a man# 4 'et $e do sa' - #A man has

6een massacred#- in that case it is understood that

he has 6een 5i++ed 6ar6arous+' 6' man' 6+o$s"

Poetr' ma5es use of the $ord #massacred# for

5i++ed( assassinated- #ue )ar ses )ro)res mains

son )ere massacre"# Cinna"

An En*+ishman has made a com)i+ation of a++

the massacres )er)etrated on account of re+i*ion

since the Jrst centuries of our %u+*ar era" I ha%e

6een %er' much tem)ted to $rite a*ainst the En*+ish

author4 6ut his memoir not a))earin* to 6e e7a*3

*erated( I ha%e restrained m'se+f" For the future

I ho)e there $i++ 6e no more such ca+cu+ations to

ma5e" !ut to $hom sha++ $e 6e inde6ted for thatM

0ASTER"

SECTION I"

X



#&o$ unfortunate am I to ha%e 6een 6orn:# said

Ardassan Ou*+i( a 'oun* ico*+an of the *rand su+3

tan of the Tur5s" #?et if I de)ended on+' on the

Dictionar'" G

su+tan 6ut I am a+so su69ect to the chief of m'

oda( to the cassi*i 6achi4 and $hen I recei%e m'

)a'( I must )rostrate m'se+f 6efore a c+er5 of the

teftardar( $ho 5ee)s 6ac5 ha+f of it" I $as not se%en

'ears o+d( $hen( in s)ite of m'se+f( I $as circum3

cised $ith *reat ceremon'( and $as i++ for a fort3

ni*ht after it" The der%ish $ho )ra's to us is a+so

m' master4 an iman is sti++ more m' master( and

the mu++ah sti++ more so than the iman" The cadi is

another master( the 5ades+es5er a *reater 4 the mufti

a *reater than a++ these to*ether" The 5iaia of the

*rand %i1ier $ith one $ord cou+d cause me to 6e

thro$n into the cana+ 4 and Jna++'( the *rand %i1ier

cou+d ha%e me 6eheaded( and the s5in of m' head

stri))ed o( $ithout an' )erson carin* a6out the

matter"



#reat od( ho$ man' masters : If I had as

man' sou+s and 6odies as I ha%e duties to fu+J+( I

cou+d not 6ear it" Oh A++ah: $h' hast thou not

made me an o$+ M I shou+d +i%e free in m' ho+e and

eat mice at m' ease( $ithout masters or ser%ants"

This is assured+' the true destin' of man 4 there

$ere no masters unti+ it $as )er%erted 4 no man

$as made to ser%e another continua++'" If thin*s

$ere in order( each shou+d charita6+' he+) his nei*h3

6or" The Huic53si*hted $ou+d conduct the 6+ind(

the acti%e $ou+d 6e crutches to the +ame" This $ou+d

6e the )aradise of 0ahomet( instead of the he++

$hich is formed )recise+' under the inconcei%a6+'

narro$ 6rid*e"#

G Phi+oso)hica+

Thus s)o5e Ardassan Ou*+i( after 6ein* 6astina3

doed 6' one of his masters"

Some 'ears after$ards( Ardassan Ou*+i 6ecame

a )asha $ith three tai+s" &e made a )rodi*ious for3

tune( and Jrm+' 6e+ie%ed that a++ men e7ce)t the

*rand Tur5 and the *rand %i1ier $ere 6orn to ser%e



him( and a++ $omen to *i%e him )+easure accordin*

to his $ishes"

SECTION II"

&o$ can one man 6ecome the master of another M

And 6' $hat 5ind of incom)rehensi6+e ma*ic has

he 6een a6+e to 6ecome the master of se%era+ other

menM A *reat num6er of *ood %o+umes ha%e 6een

$ritten on this su69ect( 6ut I *i%e the )reference to

an Indian fa6+e( 6ecause it is short( and fa6+es e73

)+ain e%er'thin*"

Adimo( the father of a++ the Indians( had t$o sons

and t$o dau*hters 6' his $ife Pocriti" The e+dest

$as a %i*orous *iant( the 'oun*est $as a +itt+e

hunch6ac5( the t$o *ir+s $ere )rett'" As soon as

the *iant $as stron* enou*h( he +a' $ith his t$o

sisters( and caused the +itt+e hunch6ac5 to ser%e him"

Of his t$o sisters( the one $as his coo5( the other

his *ardener" When the *iant $ou+d s+ee)( he 6e3

*an 6' chainin* his +itt+e 6rother to a tree4 and

$hen the +atter ed from him( he cau*ht him in four

strides( and *a%e him t$ent' 6+o$s $ith the, stren*th

of an o7"



The d$arf su6mitted and 6ecame the 6est su63

9ect in the $or+d" The *iant( satisJed $ith seein*

Dictionar'" G<

him fu+J+ the duties of a su69ect( )ermitted him to

s+ee) $ith one of his sisters( $ith $hom he $as dis3

*usted" The chi+dren $ho s)ran* from this mar3

ria*e $ere not Huite hunch6ac5s( 6ut the' $ere su83

cient+' deformed" The' $ere 6rou*ht u) in the fear

of od and of the *iant" The' recei%ed an e7ce++ent

education4 the' $ere tau*ht that their unc+e $as

a *iant 6' di%ine ri*ht( $ho cou+d do $hat he

)+eased $ith a++ his fami+'4 that if he had some

)rett' niece or *rand3niece( he shou+d ha%e her $ith3

out di8cu+t'( and not one shou+d marr' her un+ess

he )ermitted it"

The *iant d'in*( his son( $ho $as neither so

stron* or so *reat as he $as( 6e+ie%ed himse+f to

6e +i5e his father( a *iant 6' di%ine ri*ht" &e )re3

tended to ma5e a++ the men $or5 for him( and s+e)t

$ith a++ the *ir+s" The fami+' +ea*ued a*ainst him -

he $as 5i++ed( and the' 6ecame a re)u6+ic"



The Siamese )retend( that on the contrar' the

fami+' commenced 6' 6ein* re)u6+ican 4 and that

the *iant e7isted not unti+ after a *reat man' 'ears

and dissensions - 6ut a++ the authors of !enares and

Siam a*ree that men +i%ed an inJnit' of a*es 6efore

the' had the $it to ma5e +a$s( and the' )ro%e it

6' an unans$era6+e ar*ument( $hich is that e%en

at )resent( $hen a++ the $or+d )iHues itse+f u)on

ha%in* $it( $e ha%e not 'et found the means of

ma5in* a score of +a$s )assa6+' *ood"

It is sti++( for e7am)+e( an inso+u6+e Huestion in

India( $hether re)u6+ics $ere esta6+ished 6efore or

Q= Phi+oso)hica+

after monarchies4 if confusion has a))eared more

horri6+e to men than des)otism : I am i*norant ho$

it ha))ened in order of time( 6ut in that of nature

$e must a*ree that men are a++ 6orn eHua+ - %io+ence

and a6i+it' made the Jrst masters4 +a$s ha%e made

the )resent"



0ATTER"

SECTION I"

A Po+ite Dia+o*ue !et$een a Demoniac and a Phi3

+oso)her"

DE0ONIAC"

?ES( thou enem' of od and man( $ho 6e+ie%est

that od is a++3)o$erfu+( and is at +i6ert' to confer

the *ift of thou*ht on e%er' 6ein* $hom &e sha++

%ouchsafe to choose( I $i++ *o and denounce thee to

the inHuisitor4 I $i++ ha%e thee 6urned" !e$are(

I $arn thee for the +ast time"

P&ILOSOP&ER"

Are these 'our ar*umentsM Is it thus 'ou teach

man5indM I admire 'our mi+dness"

DE0ONIAC"

Come( I $i++ 6e )atient for a moment $hi+e the

fa*ots are )re)arin*" Ans$er me - What is s)irit M



P&ILOSOP&ER"

I 5no$ not"

DE0ONIAC" ,(

What is matterM

P&ILOSOP&ER"

I scarce+' 5no$" I 6e+ie%e it to ha%e e7tent(

Dictionar'" Q;

so+idit'( resistance( *ra%it'( di%isi6i+it'( mo6i+it'"

od ma' ha%e *i%en it a thousand other Hua+ities of

$hich I am i*norant"

DE0ONIAC"

A thousand other Hua+ities( traitor: I see $hat

thou $ou+dst 6e at 4 thou $ou+dst te++ me that od

can animate matter( that &e has *i%en instinct to

anima+s( that &e is the 0aster of a++"



P&ILOSOP&ER"

!ut it ma' %er' $e++ 6e( that &e has *ranted to

this matter man' )ro)erties $hich 'ou cannot com3

)rehend"

DE0ONIAC"

Which I cannot com)rehend( %i++ain :

P&ILOSOP&ER"

?es" &is )o$er *oes much further than 'our

understandin*"

DE0ONIAC"

&is )o$er: &is )o$er: thou ta+5est +i5e a true

atheist"

P&ILOSOP&ER"

&o$e%er( I ha%e the testimon' of man' ho+'

fathers on m' side"

DE0ONIAC"



o to( *o to - neither od nor the' sha++ )re%ent

us from 6urnin* thee a+i%e the death inicted on

)arricides and on )hi+oso)hers $ho are not of our

o)inion"

Vo+" ii ;>

Q Phi+oso)hica+

P&ILOSOP&ER"

Was it the de%i+ or 'ourse+f that in%ented this

method of ar*uin*M

DE0ONIAC"

Vi+e $retch : darest thou to cou)+e m' name $ith

the de%i+2sM

&ere the demoniac stri5es the )hi+oso)her( $ho

returns him the 6+o$ $ith interest"

P&ILOSOP&ER"



&e+): )hi+oso)hers:

DE0ONIAC"

&o+' 6rotherhood: he+):

&ere ha+f a do1en )hi+oso)hers arri%e on one

side( and on the other rush in a hundred Dominicans(

$ith a hundred Fami+iars of the InHuisition( and a

hundred a+*ua1i+s" The contest is too uneHua+"

SECTION II"

When $ise men are as5ed $hat is the sou+ the'

ans$er that the' 5no$ not" If the' are as5ed $hat(

matter is( the' ma5e the same re)+'" It is true that

there are )rofessors( and )articu+ar+' scho+ars( $ho

5no$ a++ this )erfect+' 4 and $hen the' ha%e re3

)eated that matter has e7tent and di%isi6i+it'( the'

thin5 the' ha%e said a++4 6ein* )ressed( ho$e%er(

to sa' $hat this thin* is $hich is e7tended( the'

Jnd themse+%es considera6+' em6arrassed:3 It is

com)osed of )arts( sa' the'" And of $hat are these

)arts com)osedM Are the e+ements of the )arts



Dictionar'" QG

di%isi6+e M Then the' are mute( or the' ta+5 a *reat

dea+4 $hich are eHua++' sus)icious" Is this a+most

un5no$n 6ein* ca++ed matter( eterna+M Such $as

the 6e+ief of a++ antiHuit'" &as it of itse+f forceM

0an' )hi+oso)hers ha%e thou*ht so" &a%e those

$ho den' it a ri*ht to den' itM ?ou concei%e not

that matter can ha%e an'thin* of itse+f4 6ut ho$

can 'ou 6e assured that it has not of itse+f the )ro)3

erties necessar' to itM ?ou are i*norant of its na3

ture( and 'ou refuse it the modes $hich ne%erthe3

+ess are in its nature - for it can no sooner ha%e

6een( than it has 6een in a certain fashion it has

had J*ure( and ha%in* necessari+' J*ure( is it im3

)ossi6+e that it shou+d not ha%e had other modes at3

tached to its conJ*urationM 0atter e7ists( 6ut 'ou

5no$ it on+' 6' 'our sensations" A+as : of $hat

a%ai+ ha%e 6een a++ the su6t+eties of the mind since

man Jrst reasonedM eometr' has tau*ht us man'

truths( meta)h'sics %er' fe$" We $ei*h matter(

$e measure it( $e decom)ose it 4 and if $e see5 to ad3

%ance one ste) 6e'ond these *ross o)erations( $e

Jnd ourse+%es )o$er+ess( and 6efore us an immeas3



ura6+e a6'ss"

Pra' for*i%e a++ man5ind $ho $ere decei%ed in

thin5in* that matter e7isted 6' itse+f" Cou+d the'

do other$ise M &o$ are $e to ima*ine that $hat is

$ithout succession has not a+$a's 6eenM If it $ere

not necessar' for matter to e7ist( $h' shou+d it

e7istM And if it $ere necessar' that it shou+d 6e(

$h' shou+d it not ha%e 6een fore%erM No a7iom

QQ Phi+oso)hica+

has e%er 6een more uni%ersa++' recei%ed than this -

#Of nothin*( nothin* comes"# Indeed the contrar'

is incom)rehensi6+e" With e%er' nation( chaos )re3

ceded the arran*ement $hich a di%ine hand made

of the $ho+e $or+d" The eternit' of matter has

$ith no )eo)+e 6een in9urious to the $orshi) of the

Di%init'" Re+i*ion $as ne%er start+ed at the reco*3

nition of an eterna+ od as the master of an eterna+

matter" We of the )resent da' are so ha))' as to

5no$ 6' faith that od 6rou*ht matter out of noth3

in*4 6ut no nation has e%er 6een instructed in this

do*ma4 e%en the .e$s $ere i*norant of it" The



Jrst %erse of enesis sa's( that the ods E+o2im(

not E+oi made hea%en and earth" It does not sa'(

that hea%en and earth $ere created out of nothin*"

Phi+o( $ho +i%ed at the on+' time $hen the .e$s

had an' erudition( sa's( in his #Cha)ter on the Crea3

tion(# #od( 6ein* *ood 6' nature( 6ore no en%'

a*ainst su6stance( matter 4 $hich of itse+f had noth3

in* *ood( ha%in* 6' nature on+' inertness( confu3

sion( and disorder 4 it $as 6ad( and &e %ouchsafed

to ma5e it *ood"#

The idea of chaos )ut into order 6' a od( is to

6e found in a++ ancient theo*onies" &esiod re)eated

the o)inion of the Orienta+s( $hen he said in his

#Theo*on'(# #Chaos $as that $hich Jrst e7isted"#

The $ho+e Roman Em)ire s)o5e in these $ords of

O%id - #Sic u6i dis )osit am HuisHiiis fuit &ie Deo3

rum Con*eriem secuit"#

0atter then( in the hands of od( $as considered

Dictionar'" Q



+i5e c+a' under the )otter2s $hee+( if these fee6+e

ima*es ma' 6e used to e7)ress &is di%ine )o$er"

0atter( 6ein* eterna+( must ha%e had eterna+

)ro)erties as conJ*uration( the %is inertia-( motion(

and di%isi6i+it'" !ut this di%isi6i+it' is on+' a con3

seHuence of motion 4 for $ithout motion nothin* is

di%ided( nor se)arated( nor arran*ed" 0otion there3

fore $as re*arded as essentia+ to matter" Chaos

had 6een a confused motion( and the arran*ement

of the uni%erse $as a re*u+ar motion( communicated

to a++ 6odies 6' the 0aster of the $or+d" !ut ho$

can matter ha%e motion 6' itse+f( as it has( accordin*

to a++ the ancients( e7tent and di%isi6i+it' M

!ut it cannot 6e concei%ed to 6e $ithout e7tent(

and it ma' 6e concei%ed to 6e $ithout motion"

To this it $as ans$ered - It is im)ossi6+e that

matter shou+d not 6e )ermea6+e 4 and 6ein* )erme3

a6+e( somethin* must 6e continua++' )assin* throu*h

its )ores" Wh' shou+d there 6e )assa*es( if noth3

in* )assesM

Re)+' and re9oinder mi*ht thus 6e continued for3

e%er" The s'stem of the eternit' of matter( +i5e a++

other s'stems( has %er' *reat di8cu+ties" That of



the formation of matter out of nothin* is no +ess

incom)rehensi6+e" We must admit it( and not at3

ter ourse+%es $ith accountin* for it 4 )hi+oso)h'

does not account for e%er'thin*" &o$ man' incom3

)rehensi6+e thin*s are $e not o6+i*ed to admit( e%en

in *eometr' : Can an' one concei%e t$o +ines con3

stant+' a))roachin* each other( 'et ne%er meetin*M

Q> Phi+oso)hica+

eometricians indeed $i++ te++ 'ou( the )ro)er3

ties of as'm)totes are demonstrated4 'ou cannot

he+) admittin* them 6ut creation is not 4 $h' then

admit it M Wh' is it hard for 'ou to 6e+ie%e( +i5e a++

the ancients( in the eternit' of matterM The theo+o3

*ian $i++ )ress 'ou on the other side( and sa'-

#If 'ou 6e+ie%e in the eternit' of matter then 'ou

ac5no$+ed*e t$o )rinci)+es od and matter4 'ou

fa++ into the error of @oroaster and of 0anes"#

No ans$er can 6e *i%en to the *eometricians( for

those fo+5s 5no$ of nothin* 6ut their +ines( their

su)erJcies( and their so+ids 4 6ut 'ou ma' sa' to the

theo+o*ians- #Wherein am I a 0anichseanM &ere



are stones $hich an architect has not made( 6ut

of $hich he has erected an immense 6ui+din*" I do

not admit t$o architects4 the rou*h stones ha%e

o6e'ed )o$er and *enius"#

&a))i+'( $hate%er s'stem a man em6races( it is

in no $a' hurtfu+ to mora+it' 4 for $hat im)orts it

$hether matter is made or arran*edM od is sti++

an a6so+ute master" Whether chaos $as created out

of nothin*( or on+' reduced to order( it is sti++ our

dut' to 6e %irtuous 4 scarce+' an' of these meta3

)h'sica+ Huestions aect the conduct of +ife" It is

$ith dis)utes as $ith ta6+e ta+54 each one for*ets

after dinner $hat he has said( and *oes $hitherso3

e%er his interest or his inc+ination ca++s him"

Dictionar'" Q

0EETINS P/!LIC"

0EETIN( #assem6+es(# is a *enera+ term a))+i3

ca6+e to an' co++ection of )eo)+e for secu+ar( sacred(

)o+itica+( con%ersationa+( festi%e( or cor)orate )ur3

)oses4 in short( to a++ occasions on $hich num6ers



meet to*ether"

It is a term $hich )re%ents a++ %er6a+ dis)utes(

and a++ a6usi%e and in9urious im)+ications 6' $hich

men are in the ha6it of sti*mati1in* societies to

$hich the' do not themse+%es 6e+on*"

The +e*a+ meetin* or assem6+' of the Athenians

$as ca++ed the #church"# This $ord #church(# 6e3

in* )ecu+iar+' a))ro)riated amon* us to e7)ress a

con%ocation of Catho+ics in one )+ace( $e did not

in the Jrst instance a))+' it to the )u6+ic assem6+'

of Protestants 4 6ut used indeed the e7)ression #a

oc5 of &u*uenots"# Po+iteness ho$e%er( $hich in

time e7)+odes a++ no7ious terms( at +en*th em)+o'ed

for the )ur)ose the term #assem6+'# or #meetin*(#

$hich oends no one" In En*+and the dominant

Church a))+ies the name of #meetin*# to the

churches of a++ the non3conformists"

The $ord #assem6+'# is )articu+ar+' suita6+e to

a co++ection of )ersons in%ited to *o and )ass their

e%enin* at a house $here the host recei%es them

$ith courtes' and 5indness( and $here )+a'( con%er3

sation( su))er( and dancin*( constitute their amuse3

ments" If the num6er in%ited 6e sma++( it is not



Q Phi+oso)hica+

ca++ed an #assem6+'(# 6ut a #rende1%ous of friends# 4

and friends are ne%er %er' numerous"

Assem6+ies are ca++ed( in Ita+ian( #con%ersa3

1ione(# #ridotto# The $ord #ridotto# is )ro)er+'

$hat $e once si*niJed 6' the $ord #reduit(# in3

trenchment4 6ut #reduit# ha%in* sun5 into a term

of contem)t amon* us( our editors trans+ated

#ridout# 6' #redou6t# The )a)ers informed us(

amon* the im)ortant inte++i*ence contained in them

re+atin* to Euro)e( that man' no6+emen of the hi*h3

est consideration $ent to ta5e choco+ate at the house

of the )rincess !or*hese 4 and that there $as a re3

dou6t there" It $as announced to Euro)e( in an3

other )ara*ra)h( that there $ou+d 6e a redou6t on

the fo++o$in* Tuesda' at the house of her e7ce+3

+enc' the marchioness of SantaJor"

It $as found( ho$e%er( that in re+atin* the e%ents

of $ar( it $as necessar' to s)ea5 of rea+ redou6ts(

$hich in fact im)+ied thin*s actua++' redou6ta6+e



and formida6+e( from $hich cannon $ere dis3

char*ed" The $ord $as( therefore( in such circum3

stances( o6%ious+' unsuita6+e to the #ridotti )aci3

Jci# the )aciJc redou6ts of mere amusement4 and

the o+d term #assem6+'# $as restored( $hich is in3

deed the on+' )ro)er one" #Rende1%ous# is occa3

siona++' used( 6ut it is more ada)ted to a sma++ com3

)an'( and most of a++ for t$o indi%idua+s"

Dictionar'" Q<

0ESSIA&"

Ad%ertisement"

T&IS artic+e is 6' 0" Po+ier de !ottens( of an o+d

French fami+'( sett+ed for t$o hundred 'ears in

S$it1er+and" &e is Jrst )astor of Lausanne( and

his 5no$+ed*e is eHua+ to his )iet'" &e com)osed

this artic+e for the *reat #Enc'c+o)aedia(# in $hich

it $as inserted" On+' those )assa*es $ere su)3

)ressed $hich the e7aminers thou*ht mi*ht 6e

a6used 6' the Catho+ics( +ess +earned and +ess )ious

than the author" It $as recei%ed $ith a))+ause 6'



a++ the $ise"

It $as )rinted at the same time in another sma++

dictionar'( and $as attri6uted in France to a man

$hom there $as no re+uctance to mo+est" The arti3

c+e $as su))osed to 6e im)ious( 6ecause it $as su)3

)osed to 6e 6' a +a'man 4 and the $or5 and its )re3

tended author $ere %io+ent+' attac5ed" The man

thus accused contented himse+f $ith +au*hin* at the

mista5e" &e 6ehe+d $ith com)assion this instance

of the errors and in9ustices $hich men are e%er' da'

committin* in their 9ud*ments 4 for he had the $ise

and +earned )riest2s manuscri)t( $ritten 6' his o$n

hand" It is sti++ in his )ossession( and $i++ 6e sho$n

to $hoe%er ma' choose to e7amine it" In it $i++ 6e

found the %er' erasures made 6' this +a'man him3

se+f( to )re%ent ma+i*nant inter)retations"

No$ $e re)rint this artic+e in a++ the inte*rit' of

the ori*ina+" We ha%e contracted it on+' to )re%ent

= Phi+oso)hica+

re)eatin* $hat $e ha%e )rinted e+se$here4 6ut $e



ha%e not added a sin*+e $ord"

The 6est of this aair is( that one of the %enera6+e

author2s 6rethren $rote the most ridicu+ous thin*s

in the $or+d a*ainst this artic+e of his re%erend

6rother2s( thin5in* that he $as $ritin* a*ainst a

common enem'" This is +i5e J*htin* in the dar5(

$hen one is attac5ed 6' one2s o$n )art'"

It has a thousand times ha))ened that contro%er3

sia+ists ha%e condemned )assa*es in St" Au*ustine

and St" .erome( not 5no$in* that the' $ere 6' those

fathers" The' $ou+d anathemati1e a )art of the

Ne$ Testament if the' had not heard 6' $hom it

$as $ritten" Thus it is that men too often 9ud*e"

0essiah( #0essias"# This $ord comes from the

&e6re$( and is s'non'mous $ith the ree5 $ord

#Christ"# !oth are terms consecrated in re+i*ion(

$hich are no$ no +on*er *i%en to an' 6ut the

anointed 6' eminence the So%erei*n De+i%erer

$hom the ancient .e$ish )eo)+e e7)ected( for

$hose comin* the' sti++ si*h( and $hom the Chris3

tians Jnd in the )erson of .esus the Son of 0ar'(



$hom the' consider as the anointed of the Lord( the

0essiah )romised to humanit'" The ree5s a+so

use the $ord #E+cimmeros# meanin* the same thin*

as #Christ os"#

X

In the O+d Testament $e see that the $ofd #0es3

siah(# far from 6ein* )ecu+iar to the De+i%erer( for

$hose comin* the )eo)+e of Israe+ si*hed( $as not

Dictionar'" ;

e%en so to the true and faithfu+ ser%ants of od( 6ut

that this name $as often *i%en to ido+atrous 5in*s

and )rinces( $ho $ere( in the hands of the Eterna+(

the ministers of &is %en*eance( or instruments for

e7ecutin* the counse+s of &,is $isdom" So the au3

thor of #Ecc+esiasticus# sa's of E+isha - #ui un*is

re*es ad )enitentiam# 4 or( as it is rendered 6' the

#Se)tua*int(# #ad %indictam# #?ou anoint 5in*s

to e7ecute the %en*eance of the Lord"# Therefore

&e sent a )ro)het to anoint .ehu( 5in* of Israe+( and



announced sacred unction to &a1ae+( 5in* of Damas3

cus and S'ria 4 those t$o )rinces 6ein* the 0es3

siahs of the 0ost &i*h( to re%en*e the crimes and

a6ominations of the house of Aha6"

!ut in Isaiah( 7+%"( i( the name of 0essiah is

e7)ress+' *i%en to C'rus - #Thus saith the Lord to

C'rus( &is anointed( &is 0essiah( $hose ri*ht hand

I ha%e ho+den to su6due nations 6efore him"# etc"

E1e5ie+( in his Re%e+ations( 77%iii"( ;Q( *i%es the

name of 0essiah to the 5in* of T're( $hom he a+so

ca++s Cheru6in( and s)ea5s of him and his *+or' in

terms fu++ of an em)hasis of $hich it is easier to

fee+ the 6eauties than to catch the sense" #Son of

man(# sa's the Eterna+ to the )ro)het( #ta5e u) a

+amentation u)on the 5in* of T're( and sa' unto him(

Thus saith the Lord od 4 thou sea+est u) the sun(

fu++ of $isdom( and )erfect in 6eaut'" Thou hast

6een the Lord2s arden of Eden# or( accordin* to

other %ersions( #Thou $ast a++ the Lord2s de+i*ht#

#e%er' )recious stone $as th' co%erin* 4 the sardius(

Phi+oso)hica+



to)a1( and the diamond9 the 6er'+( the on'7( and the

9as)er4 the sa))hire( the emera+d( and the car6unc+e

and *o+d- the $or5manshi) of th' ta6rets and th'

)i)es $as )re)ared in thee in the da' that thou

$ast created" Thou $ast a Cheru6in( a 0essiah(

for )rotection( and I set thee u)4 thou hast 6een

u)on the ho+' mountain of od4 thou hast $a+5ed

u) and do$n in the midst of the stones of Jre"

Thou $ast )erfect in th' $a's from the da' that

thou $as created ti++ iniHuit' $as found in thee"#

And the name of 0essiah( in ree5( Christ( $as

*i%en to the 5in*( )ro)hets( and hi*h )riests of the

&e6re$s" We read( in I" Kin*s( 7ii"( - #The Lord

is $itness a*ainst 'ou( and his 0essiah is $itness# 4

that is( the 5in* $hom he has set u)" And e+se3

$here - #Touch not m' Anointed 4 do no e%i+ to m'

)ro)hets # Da%id( animated 6' the S)irit of

od( re)eated+' *i%es to his father3in3+a$ Sau+(

$hom he had no cause to +o%e he *i%es( I sa'( to

this re)ro6ate 5in*( from $hom the S)irit of the

Eterna+ $as $ithdra$n( the name and tit+e of

Anointed( or 0essiah of the Lord" #od )reser%e



me(# sa's he freHuent+'( #from +a'in* m' hand u)on

the Lord2s Anointed( u)on od2s 0essiah"#

If the Jne tit+e of 0essiah( or Anointed of the

Eterna+( $as *i%en to ido+atrous 5in*s( to crue+ and

t'rannica+ )rinces( it %er' often indeed( in" our an3

cient orac+es( desi*nated the rea+ Anointed of the

Lord( the 0essiah 6' eminence4 the o69ect of the

desire and e7)ectation of a++ the faithfu+ of Israe+"

Dictionar'" G

Thus &annah( the mother of Samue+( conc+uded her

cantic+e $ith these remar5a6+e $ords( $hich cannot

a))+' to an' 5in*( for $e 5no$ that at that time the

.e$s had not one - #The Lord sha++ 9ud*e the ends

of the earth 4 and &e sha++ *i%e stren*th unto &is

5in*( and e7a+t the horn of &is 0essiah"# We Jnd

the same $ord in the fo++o$in* orac+es - Psa+m n(

4 .eremiah( Lamentations( i%( =4 Danie+( i7( 4

&a6a55u5( iii( ;G"

If $e com)are a++ these dierent orac+es( and in

*enera+ a++ those ordinari+' a))+ied to the 0essiah(



there $i++ resu+t contradictions( a+most irreconci+3

a6+e( 9ustif'in* to a certain )oint the o6stinac' of

the )eo)+e to $hom these orac+es $ere *i%en"

&o$ indeed cou+d these 6e concei%ed( 6efore the

e%ent had so $e++ 9ustiJed it in the )erson of .esus(

Son of 0ar' M &o$( I sa'( cou+d there 6e concei%ed

an inte++i*ence in some sort di%ine and human to3

*ether4 a 6ein* 6oth *reat and +o%e+'( trium)hin*

o%er the de%i+( 'et tem)ted and carried a$a' 6' that

inferna+ s)irit( that )rince of the )o$ers of the air(

and made to tra%e+ in s)ite of himse+f4 at once

master and ser%ant( 5in* and su69ect( sacriJcer and

%ictim( morta+ and immorta+( rich and )oor( a *+ori3

ous conHueror( $hose rei*n sha++ ha%e no end( $ho

is to su6due a++ nature 6' )rodi*ies( and 'et a man

of sorro$s( $ithout the con%eniences( often $ithout

the a6so+ute necessaries of this +ife( of $hich he ca++s

himse+f 5in* 4 and that he comes( co%ered $ith *+or'

and honor( terminatin* a +ife of innocence and

Q Phi+oso)hica+

$retchedness( of incessant crosses and contradic3



tions( 6' a death a+i5e shamefu+ and crue+( Jndin*

in this %er' humi+iation( this e7traordinar' a6ase3

ment( the source of an un)ara++e+ed e+e%ation( $hich

raises him to the summit of *+or'( )o$er( and fe3

+icit' 4 that is( to the ran5 of the Jrst of creatures M

A++ Christians a*ree in Jndin* these character3

istics( a))arent+' so incom)ati6+e( in the )erson of

.esus of Na1areth( $hom the' ca++ the #Christ# 4 &is

fo++o$ers *a%e &im this tit+e 6' eminence( not that

&e had 6een anointed in a sensi6+e and materia+

manner( as some 5in*s( )ro)hets( and sacriJcers an3

cient+' $ere( 6ut 6ecause the Di%ine S)irit had

desi*nated &im for those *reat o8ces( and &e had

recei%ed the s)iritua+ unction necessar' thereunto"

We had )roceeded thus far on so com)etent an

artic+e( $hen a Dutch )reacher( more ce+e6rated for

this disco%er' than for the indierent )roductions

of a *enius other$ise fee6+e and i++3formed( sho$ed

to us that our Lord .esus Christ( the 0essiah of

od( $as anointed at the three *rand )eriods of &is

+ife( as our Kin*( our Pro)het( and our SacriJcer"

At the time of &is 6a)tism( the %oice of the So%3

erei*n 0aster of nature dec+ared &im to 6e &is



Son( &is on+'( &is $e++36e+o%ed Son( and for that

%er' reason &is re)resentati%e"

When on 0ount Ta6or &e $as transJ*ured and

associated $ith 0oses and E+iasY( the same su)er3

natura+ %oice announces &im to humanit' as the

Son of &im $ho +o%es and $ho sends the )ro)hets 4

Dictionar'"

as &e $ho is to 6e hear5ened to in )reference to

a++ others"

In ethsemane( an an*e+ comes do$n from

hea%en to su))ort &im in the e7treme an*uish occa3

sioned 6' the a))roach of &is torments( and

stren*then &im a*ainst the terri6+e a))rehensions

of a death $hich &e cannot a%oid( and ena6+e &im

to 6ecome a sacriJcer the more e7ce++ent( as &imse+f

is the )ure and innocent %ictim that &e is a6out to

oer"

The 9udicious Dutch )reacher( a disci)+e of the i+3

+ustrious Cocceius( Jnds the sacramenta+ oi+ of these



dierent ce+estia+ unctions in the %isi6+e si*ns $hich

the )o$er of od caused to a))ear on &is anointed 4

in &is 6a)tism( #the shado$ of the do%e(# re)resent3

in* the &o+' host comin* do$n from &im 4 on

Ta6or( the #miracu+ous c+oud(# $hich en%e+o)ed

&im 4 in ethsemane( the #6+ood' s$eat(# $hich

co%ered &is $ho+e 6od'"

After this( it $ou+d indeed 6e the hei*ht of in3

credu+it' not to reco*ni1e 6' these mar5s the Lord2s

Anointed 6' eminence the )romised 0essiah4 nor

dou6t+ess cou+d $e su8cient+' de)+ore the incon3

cei%a6+e 6+indness of the .e$ish )eo)+e( 6ut that it

$as )art of the )+an of od2s inJnite $isdom( and

$as( in &is mercifu+ %ie$s( essentia+ to the accom3

)+ishment of &is $or5 and the sa+%ation of hu3

manit'"

!ut it must a+so 6e ac5no$+ed*ed( that in the

state of o))ression in $hich the .e$ish )eo)+e $ere

> Phi+oso)hica+

*roanin*( and after a++ the *+orious )romises $hich



the Eterna+ had so often made them( the' must ha%e

+on*ed for the comin* of a 0essiah( and +oo5ed

to$ards it as the )eriod of their ha))' de+i%erance 4

and that the' are therefore to an e7tent e7cusa6+e

for not ha%in* reco*ni1ed a de+i%erer in the )erson

of the Lord .esus( since it is in man2s nature to care

more for the 6od' than for the s)irit( and to 6e more

sensi6+e to )resent $ants than attered 6' ad%an3

ta*es #to come(# and for that %er' reason( a+$a's

uncertain"

It must indeed 6e 6e+ie%ed that A6raham( and

after him a %er' sma++ num6er of )atriarchs and

)ro)hets( $ere ca)a6+e of formin* an idea of the na3

ture of the s)iritua+ rei*n of the 0essiah 4 6ut these

ideas $ou+d necessari+' 6e +imited to the narro$ cir3

c+e of the ins)ired( and it is not astonishin* that(

6ein* un5no$n to the mu+titude( these notions $ere

so far a+tered that(( $hen the Sa%iour a))eared in

.udaea( the )eo)+e( their doctors( and e%en their

)rinces( e7)ected a monarch a conHueror $ho(

6' the ra)idit' of his conHuests $as to su6due the

$ho+e $or+d" And ho$ cou+d these atterin* ideas

6e reconci+ed $ith the a69ect and a))arent+' miser3

a6+e condition of .esus ChristM So( fee+in* scanda3

+i1ed 6' &is announcin* &imse+f as the 0essiah(



the' )ersecuted &im( re9ected &im( and )ut &im to

the most i*nominious death" &a%in* #since then

found nothin* tendin* to the fu+J+ment of their

orac+es( and 6ein* un$i++in* to renounce them( the'

Dictionar'"

indu+*e in a++ sorts of ideas( each one more chimeri3

ca+ than the one )recedin*"

Thus( $hen the' 6ehe+d the trium)hs of the

Christian re+i*ion( and found that most of their an3

cient orac+es mi*ht 6e e7)+ained s)iritua++'( and a)3

)+ied to .esus Christ( the' thou*ht )ro)er( a*ainst

the o)inion of their fathers( to den' that the )assa*es

$hich $e a++e*e a*ainst them are to 6e understood

of the 0essiah( thus torturin* our &o+' Scri)tures

to their o$n +oss"

Some of them maintain that their orac+es ha%e

6een misunderstood4 that it is in %ain to +on* for

the comin* of a 0essiah( since &e has a+read' come

in the )erson of E1echias" Such $as the o)inion of

the famous &i++e+" Others more +a7( or )o+ite+'



'ie+din* to times and circumstances( assert that the

6e+ief in the comin* of a 0essiah is not a funda3

menta+ artic+e of faith( and that the den'in* of this

do*ma either does not in9ure the inte*rit' of the

+a$( or in9ures it 6ut s+i*ht+'" Thus the .e$ A+6o

said to the )o)e( that #to den' the comin* of the

0essiah $as on+' to cut o a 6ranch of the tree

$ithout touchin* the root"#

The ce+e6rated ra66i( So+omon .archi or Raschi(

$ho +i%ed at the commencement of the t$e+fth cen3

tur'( sa's( in his #Ta+mudes(# that the ancient &e3

6re$s 6e+ie%ed the 0essiah to ha%e 6een 6orn on

the da' of the +ast destruction of .erusa+em 6' the

Roman armies" This is indeed ca++in* in the )h'si3

cian $hen the man is dead"

Vo+" ;;;

Phi+oso)hica+

The ra66i Kimchi( $ho a+so +i%ed in the t$e+fth

centur'( announced that the 0essiah( $hose comin*

he 6e+ie%ed to 6e %er' near( $ou+d dri%e the Chris3



tians out of .udaea( $hich $as then in their )os3

session4 and it is true that the Christians +ost the

&o+' Land4 6ut it $as Sa+adin $ho %anHuished

them" &ad that conHueror 6ut )rotected the .e$s(

and dec+ared for them( it is not un+i5e+' that in their

enthusiasm the' $ou+d ha%e made him their 0es3

siah"

Sacred $riters( and our Lord .esus &imse+f(

often com)are the rei*n of the 0essiah and eterna+

6eatitude to a nu)tia+ festi%a+ or a 6anHuet 4 6ut the

Ta+mudists ha%e stran*e+' a6used these )ara6+es 4

accordin* to them( the 0essiah $i++ *i%e to his )eo3

)+e( assem6+ed in the +and of Canaan( a re)ast in

$hich the $ine $i++ 6e that $hich $as made 6'

Adam himse+f in the terrestria+ )aradise( and $hich

is 5e)t dr'( in %ast ce++ars( 6' the an*e+s at the

centre of the earth"

At the Jrst course $i++ 6e ser%ed u) the famous

Jsh ca++ed the *reat Le%iathan( $hich s$a++o$s u)

at once a sma++er Jsh( $hich sma++er Jsh is ne%erthe3

+ess three hundred +ea*ues +on* 4 the $ho+e mass of

the $aters is +aid u)on Le%iathan" In the 6e*innin*

od created a ma+e and a fema+e of this Jsh 4 6ut

+est the' shou+d o%erturn the +and( and J++ the $or+d



$ith their 5ind( od 5i++ed the fema+e( a#hd sa+ted

her for the 0essiah2s feast"

The ra66is add( that there $i++ a+so 6e 5i++ed for

Dictionar'" <

this re)ast the 6u++ !ehemoth( $hich is so +ar*e that

he eats each da' the ha' from a thousand mountains"

The fema+e of this 6u++ $as 5i++ed in the 6e*innin*

of the $or+d( that so )rodi*ious a s)ecies mi*ht not

mu+ti)+'( since this cou+d on+' ha%e in9ured the

other creatures 4 6ut the' assure us that the Eterna+

did not sa+t her( 6ecause dried co$ is not so *ood as

she3Le%iathan" The .e$s sti++ )ut such faith in

these ra66inica+ re%eries that the' often s$ear 6'

their share of the 6u++ !ehemoth( as some im)ious

Christians s$ear 6' their share of )aradise"

After such *ross ideas of the comin* of the 0es3

siah( and of &is rei*n( is it astonishin* that the

.e$s( ancient as $e++ as modern( and a+so some of

the )rimiti%e Christians unha))i+' tinctured $ith

a++ these re%eries( cou+d not e+e%ate themse+%es to



the idea of the di%ine nature of the Lord2s Anointed(

and did not consider the 0essiah as odM O6ser%e

ho$ the .e$s e7)ress themse+%es on this )oint in

the $or5 entit+ed #.udcei Lusitani ustiones ad

Christianas#" #To ac5no$+ed*e a od3man(# sa'

the'( #is to a6use 'our o$n reason( to ma5e to 'our3

se+f a monster a centaur the stran*e com)ound

of t$o natures $hich cannot coa+esce"# The' add(

that the )ro)hets do not teach that the 0essiah is

od3man 4 that the' e7)ress+' distin*uish 6et$een

od and Da%id( dec+arin* the former to 6e 0aster(

the +atter ser%ant"

When the Sa%iour a))eared( the )ro)hecies(

thou*h c+ear( $ere unfortunate+' o6scured 6' the

;>= Phi+oso)hica+

)re9udices im6i6ed e%en at the mother2s 6reast" .e3

sus Christ &imse+f( either from deference to$ards

or for fear of shoc5in*( the )u6+ic o)inion( seems to

ha%e 6een %er' reser%ed concernin* &is di%init'"

#&e $ished(# sa's St" Chr'sostom( #insensi6+' to

accustom &is auditors to the 6e+ief of a m'ster' so



far a6o%e their reason" If &e ta5es u)on &im the

authorit' of a od( 6' )ardonin* sin( this action

raises u) a*ainst &im a++ $ho are $itnesses of it"

&is most e%ident mirac+es cannot e%en con%ince of

&is di%init' those in $hose fa%or the' are $or5ed"

When( 6efore the tri6una+ of the So%erei*n Sacri3

Jcer( &e ac5no$+ed*es( 6' a modest intimation( that

&e is the Son of od( the hi*h )riest tears his ro6e

and cries( 2!+as)hem' :2 !efore the sendin* of the

&o+' host( the a)ost+es did not e%en sus)ect the

di%init' of their dear 0aster" &e as5s them $hat

the )eo)+e thin5 of &im4 and the' ans$er( that

some ta5e &im for E+ias( other for .eremiah( or

some other )ro)het" A )articu+ar re%e+ation is nec3

essar' to ma5e 5no$n to St" Peter( that .esus is the

Christ( the Son of the +i%in* od"#

The .e$s( re%o+tin* a*ainst the di%init' of Christ(

ha%e resorted to a++ sorts of e7)edients to destro'

this *reat m'ster' 4 the' distort the meanin* of

their o$n orac+es( or do not a))+' them to the

0essiah 4 the' assert that the name of od( #E+o2i(#

is not )ecu+iar to the Di%init'( 6ut is *i%en( 2e%en 6'

sacred $riters( to 9ud*es( to ma*istrates( and in

*enera+ to such as are hi*h in authorit'4 the' do(



Dictionar'" >;

indeed( cite a *reat man' )assa*es of the &o+'

Scri)tures that 9ustif' this o6ser%ation( 6ut $hich

do not in the +east aect the e7)ress terms of the

ancient orac+es concernin* the 0essiah"

Last+'( the' assert( that if the Sa%iour( and after

&im the e%an*e+ists( the a)ost+es( and the Jrst Chris3

tians( ca++ .esus the Son of od( this au*ust term

did not in the e%an*e+ica+ times si*nif' an'thin* 6ut

the o))osite of son of !e+ia+ that is( a *ood man(

a ser%ant of od( in o))osition to a $ic5ed man( one

$ithout the fear of od"

If the .e$s ha%e dis)uted $ith .esus Christ &is

Hua+it' of 0essiah and &is di%init'( the' ha%e a+so

used e%er' endea%or to 6rin* &im into contem)t(

6' castin* on &is 6irth( &is +ife( and &is death(

a++ the ridicu+e and o))ro6rium that their crimina+

ma+e%o+ence cou+d ima*ine"

Of a++ the $or5s $hich the 6+indness of the .e$s

has )roduced( there is none more odious and more



e7tra%a*ant than the ancient 6oo5 entit+ed #Se)her

To+dos .eschu(# 6rou*ht to +i*ht 6' Wa*ensei+( in

the second %o+ume of his $or5 entit+ed #Te+a I*3

nea(# etc"

In this #Se)her To+dos .eschu(# $e Jnd a mon3

strous histor' of the +ife of our Sa%iour( for*ed $ith

the utmost )assion and disin*enuousness" For in3

stance( the' ha%e dared to $rite that one Panther(

or Pandera( an inha6itant of !eth+ehem( fe++ in +o%e

$ith a 'oun* $oman married to .o5anam" !' this

im)ure commerce he had a son ca++ed .esua or .esu"

> Phi+oso)hica+

The father of this chi+d $as o6+i*ed to '( and re3

tired to !a6'+on" As for 'oun* .esu( he $as not

sent to the schoo+s 4 6ut adds our author he had

the inso+ence to raise his 3head and unco%er himse+f

6efore the sacriJcers( instead of a))earin* 6efore

them $ith his head 6ent do$n and his face co%ered(

as $as the custom a )iece of eronter' $hich $as

$arm+' re6u5ed4 this caused his 6irth to 6e in3

Huired into( $hich $as found to 6e im)ure( and soon



e7)osed him to i*nomin'"

This detesta6+e 6oo5( #Se)her To Idas .eschu(#

$as 5no$n in the second centur' - Ce+sus conJdent+'

cites it and Ori*en refutes it in his ninth cha)ter"

There is another 6oo5 a+so entit+ed #To+dos

.eschu (# )u6+ished 6' &u+dric in ;=G( $hich more

c+ose+' fo++o$s the #os)e+ of the Infanc'(# 6ut

$hich is fu++ of the *rossest anachronisms" It )+aces

6oth the 6irth and death of .esus Christ in the rei*n

of &erod the reat( statin* that com)+aints $ere

made of the adu+ter' of Panther and 0ar'( the

mother of .esus( to that )rince"

The author( $ho ta5es the name of .onathan( and

ca++s himse+f a contem)orar' of .esus Christ( +i%in*

at .erusa+em( )retends that &erod consu+ted( in the

aair of .esus Christ( the senators of a cit' in the

+and of esarea" ?e $i++ not fo++o$ so a6surd an

author throu*h a++ his contradictions"

?et it is under co%er of a++ these ca+umnies that

the .e$s 5ee) u) their im)+aca6+e hatred a*ainst

the Christians and the *os)e+" The' ha%e done their



Dictionar'" >G

utmost to a+ter the chrono+o*' of the O+d Testament(

and to raise dou6ts and di8cu+ties res)ectin* the

time of our Sa%iour2s comin*"

Ahmed36en3Cassum3+a3Andacous'( a 0oor of

ranada( $ho +i%ed a6out the c+ose of the si73

teenth centur'( cites an ancient Ara6ian manuscri)t(

$hich $as found( to*ether $ith si7teen )+ates of

+ead en*ra%ed $ith Ara6ian characters( in a *rotto

near ranada" Don Pedro ' uinones( arch6isho)

of ranada( has himse+f 6orne testimon' to this fact"

These +eaden )+ates( ca++ed those of ranada( $ere

after$ards carried to Rome( $here( after se%era+

'ears2 in%esti*ation( the' $ere at +ast condemned

as a)ocr')ha+( in the )ontiJcate of A+e7ander VII" 4

the' contain on+' fa6u+ous stories re+atin* to the

+i%es of 0ar' and her Son"

The time of 0essiah( cou)+ed $ith the e)ithet

#fa+se(# is sti++ *i%en to those im)ostors $ho( at %a3

rious times( ha%e sou*ht to a6use the credu+it' of

the .e$ish nation" There $ere some of these fa+se



0essiahs e%en 6efore the comin* of the true

Anointed of od" The $ise ama+ie+ mentions one

Theodas( $hose histor' $e read in .ose)hus2 #.e$3

ish AntiHuities(# 6oo5 77" cha)" " &e 6oasted of

crossin* the .ordan $ithout $ettin* his feet 4 he

dre$ man' )eo)+e after him 4 6ut the Romans( ha%3

in* fa++en u)on his +itt+e troo)( dis)ersed them( cut

o the head of their unfortunate chief( and e7)osed

it in .erusa+em"

ama+ie+ a+so s)ea5s of .udas the a+i+ean( $ho

Phi+oso)hica+

is dou6t+ess the same of $hom .ose)hus ma5es men3

tion in the second cha)ter of the second 6oo5 of the

22.e$ish War"# &e sa's that this fa+se )ro)het had

*athered to*ether near+' thirt' thousand men 4 6ut

h')er6o+e is the .e$ish historian2s characteristic"

In the a)osto+ic times( there $as Simon( sur3

named the 0a*ician( $ho contri%ed to 6e$itch the

)eo)+e of Samaria( so that the' considered him as

#the *reat )o$er of od"#



In the fo++o$in* centur'( in the 'ears ; and

;< of the Christian era( in the rei*n of Adrian( a)3

)eared the fa+se 0essiah( !arcoche6as( at the head

of an arm'" The em)eror sent a*ainst them .u+ius

Se%erus( $ho( after se%era+ encounters( enc+osed

them in the to$n of Either 4 after an o6stinate de3

fence it $as carried( and !arcoche6as ta5en and

)ut to death" Adrian thou*ht he cou+d not 6etter

)re%ent the continua+ re%o+t of the .e$s than 6' is3

suin* an edict( for6iddin* them to *o to .erusa+em 4

he a+so had *uards stationed at the *ates of the cit'(

to )re%ent the rest of the )eo)+e of Israe+ from en3

terin* it"

We read in Socrates( an ecc+esiastica+ historian(

that in the 'ear QGQ( there a))eared in the is+and of

Candia a fa+se 0essiah ca++in* himse+f 0oses" &e

said he $as the ancient de+i%erer of the &e6re$s(

raised from the dead to de+i%er them a*ain""

A centur' after$ards( in G=( there $as in Pa+3

estine a fa+se 0essiah named .u+ian 4 he announced

himse+f as a *reat conHueror( $ho( at the head of his



Dictionar'" >

nation( shou+d destro' 6' arms the $ho+e Christian

)eo)+e" Seduced 6' his )romises( the armed .e$s

6utchered man' of the Christians" The em)eror

.ustinian sent troo)s a*ainst him 4 6att+e $as *i%en

to the fa+se Christ 4 he $as ta5en( and condemned to

the most i*nominious death"

At the 6e*innin* of the ei*hth centur'( Serenus(

a S)anish .e$( *a%e himse+f out as a 0essiah(

)reached( had some disci)+es( and( +i5e them( died

in miser'"

Se%era+ fa+se 0essiahs arose in the t$e+fth cen3

tur'" One a))eared in France in the rei*n of Louis

the ?oun*4 he and a++ his adherents $ere han*ed(

$ithout its e%er 6ein* 5no$n $hat $as the name

of the master or of the disci)+es"

The thirteenth centur' $as fruitfu+ in fa+se 0es3

siahs 4 there a))eared se%en or ei*ht in Ara6ia( Per3

sia( S)ain( and 0ora%ia 4 one of them( ca++in* him3

se+f Da%id e+ Ro'( )assed for a %er' *reat ma*ician 4

he reduced the .e$s( and $as at the head of a con3



sidera6+e )art' 4 6ut this 0essiah $as assassinated"

.ames @ei*+er( of 0ora%ia( $ho +i%ed in the mid3

d+e of the si7teenth centur'( announced the a)3

)roachin* manifestation of the 0essiah( 6orn( as

he dec+ared( fourteen 'ears 6efore 4 he had seen him(

he said( at Stras6ur*( and he 5e)t 6' him $ith *reat

care a s$ord and a sce)tre( to )+ace them in his

hands as soon as he shou+d 6e o+d enou*h to teach"

In the 'ear ;>Q( another @ei*+er conJrmed the )re3

diction of the former"

>> Phi+oso)hica+

In the 'ear ;>>>( Sa6atei Se%i( 6orn at A+e))o(

ca++ed himse+f the 0essiah foreto+d 6' the @ei*+ers"

&e 6e*an $ith )reachin* on the hi*h$a's and in

the Je+ds( the Tur5s +au*hin* at him( $hi+e his dis3

ci)+es admired him" It a))ears that he did not

*ain o%er the mass of the .e$ish nation at Jrst4

for the chiefs of the s'na*o*ue of Sm'rna )assed

sentence of death a*ainst him 4 6ut he esca)ed $ith

the fear on+'( and $ith 6anishment"



&e contracted three marria*es( of $hich it is as3

serted he did not consummate one( sa'in* that it

$as 6eneath him so to do" &e too5 into )artnershi)

one Nathan Le%i 4 the +atter )ersonated the )ro)het

E+ias( $ho $as to *o 6efore the 0essiah" The' re3

)aired to .erusa+em( and Nathan there announced

Sa6atei Se%i as the de+i%erer of nations" The .e$3

ish )o)u+ace dec+ared for them( 6ut such as had an'3

thin* to +ose anathemati1ed them"

To a%oid the storm( Se%i ed to Constantino)+e(

and thence to Sm'rna( $hither Nathan Le%i sent to

him four am6assadors( $ho ac5no$+ed*ed and )u63

+ic+' sa+uted him as the 0essiah" This em6ass' im3

)osed on the )eo)+e( and a+so on some of the doctors(

$ho dec+ared Sa6atei Se%i to 6e the 0essiah( and

5in* of the &e6re$s" !ut the s'na*o*ue of Sm'r3

na condemned its 5in* to 6e im)a+ed"

Sa6atei )ut himse+f under the )rotection of the

cadi of Sm'rna( and soon had the $ho+e .e$ish )eo3

)+e on his side 4 he had t$o thrones )re)ared( one

for himse+f( the other for his fa%orite $ife 4 he too5



Dictionar'" >

the tit+e of 5in* of 5in*s( and *a%e to his 6rother(

.ose)h Se%i( that of 5in* of .udah" &e )romised

the .e$s the certain conHuest of the Ottoman Em3

)ire 4 and e%en carried his inso+ence so far as to ha%e

the em)eror2s name struc5 out of the .e$ish +itur*'(

and his o$n su6stituted"

&e $as thro$n into )rison at the Dardane++es4

and the .e$s *a%e out that his +ife $as s)ared on+'

6ecause the Tur5s $e++ 5ne$ he $as immorta+" The

*o%ernor of the Dardane++es *re$ rich 6' the )res3

ents $hich the .e$s +a%ished( in order to %isit their

5in*( their im)risoned 0essiah( $ho( thou*h in

irons( retained a++ his di*nit'( and made them 5iss

his feet"

0ean$hi+e the su+tan( $ho $as ho+din* his court

at Adriano)+e( reso+%ed to )ut an end to this farce -

he sent for Se%i( and to+d him that if he $as the

0essiah he must 6e in%u+nera6+e 4 to $hich Se%i

assented" The *rand si*ner then had him )+aced

as a mar5 for the arro$s of his ico*+ans" The 0es3

siah confessed that he $as not in%u+nera6+e( and

)rotested that od sent him on+' to 6ear testimon'



to the ho+' 0ussu+man re+i*ion" !ein* 6eaten 6'

the ministers of the +a$( he turned 0ahometan 4 he

+i%ed and died eHua++' des)ised 6' the .e$s and

0ussu+mans 4 $hich cast such discredit on the )ro3

fession of fa+se 0essiah( that Se%i $as the +ast

that a))eared"

> Phi+oso)hica+

0ETA0ORP&OSIS"

IT 0A? %er' natura++' 6e su))osed that the met3

amor)hoses $ith $hich our earth a6ounds su*3

*ested the ima*ination to the Orienta+s $ho ha%e

ima*ined e%er'thin* that the sou+s of men )assed

from one 6od' to another" An a+most im)erce)ti6+e

)oint 6ecomes a *ru6( and that *ru6 6ecomes a 6ut3

ter' 4 an acorn is transformed into an oa5 4 an e**

into a 6ird4 $ater 6ecomes c+oud and thunder4

$ood is chan*ed into Jre and ashes 4 e%er'thin*(

in short( in nature( a))ears to 6e metamor)hosed"

What $as thus o6%ious+' and distinct+' )erce)ti6+e

in *rosser 6odies $as soon concei%ed to ta5e )+ace

$ith res)ect to sou+s( $hich $ere considered s+i*ht(



shado$'( and scarce+' materia+ J*ures" The idea

of metem)s'chosis is )erha)s the most ancient do*3

ma of the 5no$n $or+d( and )re%ai+s sti++ in a *reat

)art of India and of China"

It is hi*h+' )ro6a6+e( a*ain( that the %arious met3

amor)hoses $hich $e $itness in nature )roduced

those ancient fa6+es $hich O%id has co++ected and

em6e++ished in his admira6+e $or5" E%en the .e$s

had their metamor)hoses" If Nio6e $as chan*ed

into a stone( Edith( the $ife of Lot( $as chan*ed

into a statue of sa+t" If Eur'dice remained in he++

for ha%in* +oo5ed 6ehind her( it $as for )recise+'

the same indiscretion that this $ife of Lot $as

de)ri%ed of her human nature" The %i++a*e in

$hich !aucis and Phi+emon resided in Phr'*ia is

Dictionar'" ><

chan*ed into a +a5e4 the same e%ent occurs to

Sodom" The dau*hters of Anius con%erted $ater

into oi+ 4 $e ha%e in Scri)ture a metamor)hosis %er'

simi+ar( 6ut more true and more sacred" Cadmus

$as chan*ed into a ser)ent 4 the rod of Aaron 6e3



comes a ser)ent a+so"

The *ods freHuent+' chan*e themse+%es into

men 4 the .e$s ne%er sa$ an*e+s 6ut in the form of

men 4 an*e+s ate $ith A6raham" Pau+( in his Sec3

ond E)ist+e to the Corinthians( sa's that an an*e+

of Satan has 6ueted him- #An*e+us Satance me

co+a)hiset"#

0ETAP&?SICS"

#Trans naturam(# 6e'ond nature" !ut $hat

is that $hich is 6e'ond natureM !' nature( it is to

6e )resumed( is meant matter( and meta)h'sics re3

+ates to that $hich is not matter"

For e7am)+e - to 'our reasonin*( $hich is neither

+on*( nor $ide( nor hi*h( nor so+id( nor )ointed 4

'our sou+( to 'ourse+f un5no$n( $hich )roduces

'our reasonin*"

S)irits( $hich the $or+d has a+$a's ta+5ed of(

and to $hich man5ind a))ro)riated( for a +on* )e3

riod( a 6od' so attenuated and shado$'( that it

cou+d scarce+' 6e ca++ed 6od' 4 6ut from $hich( at

+en*th( the' ha%e remo%ed e%er' shado$ of 6od'(



$ithout 5no$in* $hat it $as that $as +eft"

The manner in $hich these s)irits )ercei%e( $ith3

out an' em6arrassment( from the J%e senses4 in

= Phi+oso)hica+

$hich the' thin5( $ithout a head4 and in $hich

the' communicate their thou*hts( $ithout $ords

and si*ns"

Fina++'( od( $hom $e 5no$ 6' &is $or5s( 6ut

$hom our )ride im)e+s us to deJne4 od( $hose

)o$er $e fee+ to 6e immense 4 od( 6et$een $hom

and ourse+%es e7ists the a6'ss of inJnit'( and 'et

$hose nature $e dare to attem)t to fathom"

These are the o69ects of meta)h'sics" We

mi*ht further add to these the )rinci)+es of )ure

mathematics( )oints $ithout e7tension( +ines $ith3

out $idth( su)erJcies $ithout thic5ness( units inJ3

nite+' di%isi6+e( etc"

!a'+e himse+f considered these o69ects as those



$hich $ere denominated #entia rationis(# 6ein*s of

reason 4 the' are( ho$e%er( in fact( on+' materia+

thin*s considered in their masses( their su)erJcies(

their sim)+e +en*ths and 6readths( and the e7tremi3

ties of these sim)+e +en*ths and 6readths" A++ meas3

ures are )recise and demonstrated" 0eta)h'sics has

nothin* to do $ith *eometr'"

Thus a man ma' 6e a meta)h'sician $ithout

6ein* a *eometrician" 0eta)h'sics is more enter3

tainin*4 it constitutes often the romance of the

mind" In *eometr'( on the contrar'( $e must ca+3

cu+ate and measure 4 this is a )er)etua+ trou6+e( and

most minds had rather dream )+easant+' than fa3

ti*ue themse+%es $ith hard $or5"

Dictionar'" ;

0IND LI0ITS OF T&E &/0AN"

NEWTON $as one da' as5ed $h' he ste))ed for3



$ard $hen he $as so inc+ined 4 and from $hat cause

his arm and his hand o6e'ed his $i++ M &e honest+'

re)+ied( that he 5ne$ nothin* a6out the matter" !ut

at +east( said the' to him( 'ou $ho are so $e++ ac3

Huainted $ith the *ra%itation of )+anets( $i++ te++ us

$h' the' turn one $a' sooner than another M Ne$3

ton sti++ a%o$ed his i*norance"

Those $ho teach that the ocean $as sa+ted for

fear it shou+d corru)t( and that the tides $ere created

to conduct our shi)s into )ort( $ere a +itt+e ashamed

$hen to+d that the 0editerranean has )orts and no

tide" 0uschem6roc5 himse+f has fa++en into this

error"

Who has e%er 6een a6+e to determine )recise+'

ho$ a 6i++et of $ood is chan*ed into red3hot char3

coa+( and 6' $hat mechanism +ime is heated 6' co+d

$aterM

The Jrst motion of the heart in anima+s is that

accounted for M &as it 6een e7act+' disco%ered ho$

the 6usiness of *eneration is arran*edM &as an'

one di%ined the cause of sensation( ideas( and mem3

or'M We 5no$ no more of the essence of matter

than the chi+dren $ho touch its su)erJcies"



Who $i++ instruct us in the mechanism 6' $hich

the *rain of corn( $hich $e cast into the earth(

dis)oses itse+f to )roduce a sta+5 surmounted $ith

an ear4 or $h' the sun )roduces an a))+e on one

Phi+oso)hica+

tree and a chestnut on the ne7t to it M 0an' doctors

ha%e said - #What 5no$ I not M# 0ontai*ne said -

#What 5no$ IM#

/n6endin* decider : )eda*o*ue in )hrases :

furred reasoner: thou inHuirest after the +imits of

the human mind the' are at the end of th' nose"

0IRACLES"

SECTION I"

A 0IRACLE( accordin* to the true meanin* of the

$ord( is somethin* admira6+e4 and a*reea6+e to

this( a++ is mirac+e" The stu)endous order of na3

ture( the re%o+ution of a hundred mi++ions of $or+ds



around a mi++ion of suns( the acti%it' of +i*ht( the

+ife of anima+s( a++ are *rand and )er)etua+ mirac+es"

Accordin* to common acce)tation( $e ca++ a mir3

ac+e the %io+ation of these di%ine and eterna+ +a$s"

A so+ar ec+i)se at the time of the fu++ moon( or a dead

man $a+5in* t$o +ea*ues and carr'in* his head in

his arms( $e denominate a mirac+e"

0an' natura+ )hi+oso)hers maintain( that in this

sense there are no mirac+es4 and ad%ance the fo+3

+o$in* ar*uments -

A mirac+e is the %io+ation of mathematica+( di3

%ine( immuta6+e( eterna+ +a$s" !' the %er' e7)osi3

tion itse+f( a mirac+e is a contradiction in terms- a

+a$ cannot at the same time 6e immuta6+e and %io3

+ated" !ut the' are as5ed( cannot a +a$( esta6+ished

6' od &imse+f( 6e sus)ended 6' its author M

Dictionar'" G

The' ha%e the hardihood to re)+' that it cannot 4

and that it is im)ossi6+e a 6ein* inJnite+' $ise can



ha%e made +a$s to %io+ate them" &e cou+d not(

the' sa'( deran*e the machine 6ut $ith a %ie$ of

ma5in* it $or5 6etter4 6ut it is e%ident that od(

a++3$ise and omni)otent( ori*ina++' made this im3

mense machine( the uni%erse( as *ood and )erfect as

&e $as a6+e4 if &e sa$ that some im)erfections

$ou+d arise from the nature of matter( &e )ro%ided

for that in the 6e*innin* 4 and( accordin*+'( &e $i++

ne%er chan*e an'thin* in it" 0oreo%er( od can do

nothin* $ithout reason 4 6ut $hat reason cou+d in3

duce him to disJ*ure for a time &is o$n $or5M

It is done( the' are to+d( in fa%or of man5ind"

The' re)+' - We must )resume( then( that it is

in fa%or of a++ man5ind 4 for it is im)ossi6+e to con3

cei%e that the di%ine nature shou+d occu)' itse+f

on+' a6out a fe$ men in )articu+ar( and not for the

$ho+e human race 4 and e%en the $ho+e human race

itse+f is a %er' sma++ concern 4 it is +ess than a sma++

ant3hi++( in com)arison $ith a++ the 6ein*s inha6itin*

immensit'" !ut is it not the most a6surd of a++ e73

tra%a*ances to ima*ine that the InJnite Su)reme

shou+d( in fa%or of three or four hundred emmets

on this +itt+e hea) of earth( deran*e the o)eration of

the %ast machiner' that mo%es the uni%erseM



!ut( admittin* that od chose to distin*uish a

sma++ num6er of men 6' )articu+ar fa%ors( is there

an' necessit' that( in order to accom)+ish this o69ect(

&e shou+d chan*e $hat &e esta6+ished for a++ )e3

Vo+" ii ;

Q Phi+oso)hica+

riods and for a++ )+aces M &e certain+' can ha%e no

need of this inconstanc' in order to 6esto$ fa%ors

on an' of &is creatures - &is fa%ors consist in &is

+a$s themse+%es - he has foreseen a++ and arran*ed

a++( $ith a %ie$ to them" A++ in%aria6+' o6e' the

force $hich &e has im)ressed fore%er on nature"

For $hat )ur)ose $ou+d od )erform a mirac+e M

To accom)+ish some )articu+ar desi*n u)on +i%in*

6ein*s M &e $ou+d then( in rea+it'( 6e su))osed to

sa' - #I ha%e not 6een a6+e to eect 6' m' construc3

tion of the uni%erse( 6' m' di%ine decrees( 6' m'

eterna+ +a$s( a )articu+ar o69ect4 I am no$ *oin*

to chan*e m' eterna+ ideas and immuta6+e +a$s( to

endea%or to accom)+ish $hat I ha%e not 6een a6+e



to do 6' means of them"# This $ou+d 6e an a%o$a+

of &is $ea5ness( not of &is )o$er 4 it $ou+d a))ear

in such a 6ein* an inconcei%a6+e contradiction" Ac3

cordin*+'( therefore( to dare to ascri6e mirac+es to

od is( if man can in rea+it' insu+t od( actua++' of3

ferin* &im that insu+t" It is sa'in* to &im - #?ou

are a $ea5 and inconsistent !ein*"# It is( therefore(

a6surd to 6e+ie%e in mirac+es 4 it is( in fact( dishon3

orin* the di%init'"

These )hi+oso)hers( ho$e%er( are not suered

thus to dec+aim $ithout o))osition" ?ou ma' e7to+(

it is re)+ied( as much as 'ou )+ease( the immuta6i+it'

of the Su)reme !ein*( the eternit' of &is +a$s(

and the re*u+arit' of &is inJnitude of $or+ds4 6ut

our +itt+e hea) of earth has( not$ithstandin* a++ that

'ou ha%e ad%anced( 6een com)+ete+' co%ered o%er

Dictionar'"

$ith mirac+es in e%er' )art and time" &istories re3

+ate as man' )rodi*ies as natura+ e%ents" The

dau*hters of the hi*h )riest Anius chan*ed $hat3

e%er the' )+eased to corn( $ine( and oi+4 Atha+ide(



the dau*hter of 0ercur'( re%i%ed a*ain se%era+

times 4 "Escu+a)ius resuscitated &i))o+'tus 4 &er3

cu+es rescued A+cestes from the hand of death 4 and

&eres returned to the $or+d after ha%in* )assed Jf3

teen da's in he++" Romu+us and Remus $ere the o3

s)rin* of a *od and a %esta+" The Pa++adium de3

scended from hea%en on the cit' of Tro' 4 the hair

of !erenice $as chan*ed into a conste++ation4 the

cot of !aucis and Phi+emon $as con%erted into a

su)er6 tem)+e 4 the head of Or)heus de+i%ered ora3

c+es after his death 4 the $a++s of The6es s)onta3

neous+' constructed themse+%es to the sound of a

ute( in the )resence of the ree5s 4 the cures ef3

fected in the tem)+e of iscu+a)ius $ere a6so+ute+'

innumera6+e( and $e ha%e monuments sti++ e7istin*

containin* the %er' names of )ersons $ho $ere e'e3

$itnesses of his mirac+es"

0ention to me a sin*+e nation in $hich the most

incredi6+e )rodi*ies ha%e not 6een )erformed( and

es)ecia++' in those )eriods in $hich the )eo)+e

scarce+' 5ne$ ho$ to $rite or read"

The )hi+oso)hers ma5e no ans$er to these o63

9ections( 6ut 6' s+i*ht+' raisin* their shou+ders and

6' a smi+e 4 6ut the Christian )hi+oso)hers sa' -



#We are 6e+ie%ers in the mirac+es of our ho+' re3

+i*ion4 $e 6e+ie%e them 6' faith and not 6' our

9> Phi+oso)hica+

reason( $hich $e are %er' cautious ho$ $e +isten to 4

for $hen faith s)ea5s( it is $e++ 5no$n that reason

ou*ht to 6e si+ent" We ha%e a Jrm and entire faith

in the mirac+es of .esus Christ and the a)ost+es( 6ut

)ermit us to entertain some dou6t a6out man' oth3

ers - )ermit us( for e7am)+e( to sus)end our 9ud*3

ment on $hat is re+ated 6' a %er' sim)+e man( a+3

thou*h he has o6tained the tit+e of *reat" &e as3

sures us( that a certain mon5 $as so much in the

ha6it of )erformin* mirac+es( that the )rior at +en*th

for6ade him to e7ercise his ta+ent in that +ine" The

mon5 o6e'ed 4 6ut seein* a )oor ti+er fa++ from the

to) of a house( he hesitated for a moment 6et$een

the desire to sa%e the unfortunate man2s +ife( and

the sacred dut' of o6edience to his su)erior" &e

mere+' ordered the ti+er to sta' in the air ti++ he

shou+d recei%e further instructions( and ran as fast

as his +e*s $ou+d carr' him to communicate the

ur*enc' of the circumstances to the )rior" The )rior



a6so+%ed him from the sin he had committed in 6e3

*innin* the mirac+e $ithout )ermission( and *a%e

him +ea%e to Jnish it( )ro%ided he sto))ed $ith the

same( and ne%er a*ain re)eated his fau+t"# The

)hi+oso)hers ma' certain+' 6e e7cused for enter3

tainin* a +itt+e dou6t of this +e*end"

!ut ho$ can 'ou den'( the' are as5ed( that St"

er%ais and St" Protais a))eared in a dream to St"

Am6rose( and informed him of the s)ot In $hich

$ere de)osited their re+icsM that St" Am6rose had

them disinterred M and that the' restored si*ht to a

Dictionar'"

man that $as 6+indM St" Au*ustine $as at 0i+an

at the %er' time( and it is he $ho re+ates the mirac+e(

usin* the e7)ression( in the t$ent'3second 6oo5 of

his $or5 ca++ed the #Cit' of od(# #immenso )o)u+o

teste# in the )resence of an immense num6er of

)eo)+e" &ere is one of the %er' 6est attested and

esta6+ished mirac+es" The )hi+oso)hers( ho$e%er(

sa' that the' do not 6e+ie%e one $ord a6out er%ais

and Protais a))earin* to an' )erson $hate%er 4 that



it is a matter of %er' +itt+e conseHuence to man5ind

$here the remains of their carcasses +ie 4 that the'

ha%e no more faith in this 6+ind man than in Ves3

)asian2s 4 that it is a use+ess mirac+e( and that od

does nothin* that is use+ess 4 and the' adhere to the

)rinci)+es the' 6e*an $ith" 0' res)ect for St" er3

%ais and St" Protais )re%ents me from 6ein* of the

same o)inion as these )hi+oso)hers - I mere+' state

their incredu+it'" The' +a' *reat stress on the $e++3

5no$n )assa*e of Lucian( to 6e found in the death

of Pere*rinus - #When an e7)ert 9u**+er turns

Christian( he is sure to ma5e his fortune"# !ut as

Lucian is a )rofane author( $e ou*ht sure+' to set

him aside as of no authorit'"

These )hi+oso)hers cannot e%en ma5e u) their

minds to 6e+ie%e the mirac+es )erformed in the sec3

ond centur'" E%en e'e3$itnesses to the facts ma'

$rite and attest ti++ the da' of doom( that after the

6isho) of Sm'rna( St" Po+'car)( $as condemned to

6e 6urned( and actua++' in the midst of the ames(

the' heard a %oice from hea%en e7c+aimin* - #Cour3

Phi+oso)hica+



a*e( Po+'car): 6e stron*( and sho$ 'ourse+f a

man# 4 that( at the %er' instant( the ames Huitted

his 6od'( and formed a )a%i+ion of Jre a6o%e his

head( and from the midst of the )i+e there e$ out a

do%e 4 $hen( at +en*th( Po+'car)2s enemies ended

his +ife 6' cuttin* o his head" A++ these facts and

attestations are in %ain" For $hat *ood( sa' these

unim)ressi6+e and incredu+ous men( for $hat *ood

$as this mirac+eM Wh' did the ames +ose their

nature( and the a7e of the e7ecutioner retain a++ its

)o$er of destructionM Whence comes it that so

man' mart'rs esca)ed unhurt out of 6oi+in* oi+( 6ut

$ere una6+e to resist the ed*e of the s$ordM It is

ans$ered( such $as the $i++ of od" !ut the )hi+os3

o)hers $ou+d $ish to see and hear a++ this them3

se+%es( 6efore the' 6e+ie%e it"

Those $ho stren*then their reasonin*s 6' +earn3

in* $i++ te++ 'ou that the fathers of the Church ha%e

freHuent+' dec+ared that mirac+es $ere in their da's

)erformed no +on*er" St" Chr'sostom sa's e73

)ress+' - 22The e7traordinar' *ifts of the s)irit $ere

6esto$ed e%en on the un$orth'( 6ecause the Church

at that time had need of mirac+es 4 6ut no$( the'

are not 6esto$ed e%en on the $orth'( 6ecause the



Church has need of them no +on*er"# &e after$ards

dec+ares( that there is no one no$ $ho raises the

dead( or e%en $ho hea+s the sic5"

St" Au*ustine himse+f( not$ithstandin* 2the mir3

ac+es of er%ais and Protais( sa's( in his #Cit' of

od# - #Wh' are not such mirac+es as $ere $rou*ht

Dictionar'" <

former+' $rou*ht no$M# and he assi*ns the same

reason as St" Chr'sostom for it"

#Cur inHuiunt( nunc i+ia miracu+a Hua )radicatis

fact a esse non &untM Possem Huidem die ere neces3

saria )rins fuisse( Huam crederet mundus( ad hoc ut

crederet mundus#

It is o69ected to the )hi+oso)hers( that St" Au3

*ustine( not$ithstandin* this a%o$a+( mentions ne%3

erthe+ess an o+d co66+er of &i))o( $ho( ha%in* +ost

his *arment( $ent to )ra' in the cha)e+ of the t$ent'

mart'rs( and on his return found a Jsh( in the 6od'

of $hich $as a *o+d rin*4 and that the coo5 $ho





at a++ to do $ith the mirac+es of our Lord and &is

a)ost+es" 0an' *ood Christians ha%e contested the

#&istor' of St" Simeon St'+ites(# $ritten 6' Theo3

doret4 man' mirac+es considered authentic 6' the

ree5 Church ha%e 6een ca++ed in Huestion 6' man'

Latins( 9ust as the Latin mirac+es ha%e 6een sus3

)ected 6' the ree5 Church" After$ards( the Prot3

estants a))eared on the sta*e( and treated the mir3

ac+es of 6oth churches certain+' $ith %er' +itt+e re3

s)ect or ceremon'"

A +earned .esuit( $ho $as +on* a )reacher in the

Indies( de)+ores that neither his co++ea*ues nor him3

se+f cou+d e%er )erform a mirac+e" Ba%ier +aments(

in man' of his +etters( that he has not the *ift of

+an*ua*es" &e sa's( that amon* the .a)anese he

is mere+' +i5e a dum6 statue - 'et the .esuits ha%e

$ritten that he resuscitated ei*ht )ersons" That

$as certain+' no triin* matter 4 6ut it must 6e rec3

o++ected that he resuscitated them si7 thousand

+ea*ues distant" Persons ha%e since 6een found(

$ho ha%e )retended that the a6o+ition of the .es3

uits in France is a much *reater mirac+e than an'

)erformed 6' Ba%ier and I*natius"

&o$e%er that ma' 6e( a++ Christians a*ree that



the mirac+es of .esus Christ and the a)ost+es are in3

contesta6+' true 4 6ut that $e ma' certain+' 6e )er3

mitted to dou6t some stated to ha%e 6een )erformed

in our o$n times( and $hich ha%e not 6een com3

)+ete+' authenticated"

Dictionar'" ;

It $ou+d certain+'( for e7am)+e( 6e %er' desira6+e(

in order to the Jrm and c+ear esta6+ishment of a mir3

ac+e( that it shou+d 6e )erformed in the )resence of

the Academ' of Sciences of Paris( or the Ro'a+ So3

ciet' of London( and the Facu+t' of 0edicine( as3

sisted 6' a detachment of *uards to 5ee) in due or3

der and distance the )o)u+ace( $ho mi*ht 6' their

rudeness or indiscretion )re%ent the o)eration of the

mirac+e"

A )hi+oso)her $as once as5ed $hat he shou+d sa'

if he sa$ the sun stand sti++( that is( if the motion of

the earth around that star $ere to cease 4 if a++ the

dead $ere to rise a*ain 4 and if the mountains $ere

to *o and thro$ themse+%es to*ether into the sea(

a++ in order to )ro%e some im)ortant truth( +i5e that(



for instance( of %ersati+e *raceM #What shou+d I

sa'M# ans$ered the )hi+oso)her4 #I shou+d 6ecome

a 0anichsean 4 I shou+d sa' that one )rinci)+e coun3

teracted the )erformance of another"#

SECTION II"

DeJne 'our terms( 'ou $i++ )ermit me a*ain to

sa'( or $e sha++ ne%er understand one another"

#0iracu+um res miranda( )rodi*ium( )ortentum(

monstrum"# 0irac+e( somethin* admira6+e4 )rod3

i*'( im)+'in* somethin* astonishin*4 )ortentous(

6earin* $ith it no%e+t'4 monster( somethin* to

sho$ a montrer on account of its %ariet'" Such

are the Jrst ideas that men formed of mirac+es"

As e%er'thin* is reJned and im)ro%ed u)on(

Phi+oso)hica+

such a+so $ou+d 6e the case $ith this deJnition" A

mirac+e is said to 6e that $hich is im)ossi6+e to na3

ture" !ut it $as not considered that this $as in fact

sa'in* a++ mirac+e is a6so+ute+' im)ossi6+e" For



$hat is natureM ?ou understand 6' it the eterna+

order of thin*s" A mirac+e $ou+d therefore 6e im3

)ossi6+e in such an order" In this sense od cou+d

not $or5 a mirac+e"

If 'ou mean 6' mirac+e an eect of $hich 'ou

cannot )ercei%e the cause( in that sense a++ is mirac+e"

The attraction and direction of the ma*net are con3

tinua+ mirac+es" A snai+ $hose head is rene$ed is

a mirac+e" The 6irth of e%er' anima+( the )roduc3

tion of e%er' %e*eta6+e( are mirac+es of e%er' da'"

!ut $e are so accustomed to these )rodi*ies( that

the' ha%e +ost their name of admira6+e of miracu3

+ous" The Indians are no +on*er astonished 6' can3

non"

We ha%e therefore formed for ourse+%es another

idea of a mirac+e" It is( accordin* to the common

o)inion( $hat ne%er has ha))ened and ne%er $i++

ha))en" Such is the idea formed of Samson2s 9a$3

6one of an ass 4 of the con%ersation 6et$een the ass

and !a+aam( and that 6et$een a ser)ent and E%e4

of the chariot $ith four horses that con%e'ed a$a'

E+i9ah4 of the Jsh that 5e)t .onah in its 6e++' se%3

ent'3t$o hours 4 of the ten )+a*ues of E*')t 4 of the



$a++s of .ericho( and of the sun and moon2standin*

sti++ at mid3da'( etc"

In order to 6e+ie%e a mirac+e( it is not enou*h

Dictionar'" G

mere+' to ha%e seen it 4 for a man ma' 6e decei%ed"

A foo+ is often ca++ed a dea+er in $onders 4 and not

mere+' do man' e7ce++ent )ersons thin5 that the'

ha%e seen $hat the' ha%e not seen( and heard $hat

$as ne%er said to them 4 not on+' do the' thus 6e3

come $itnesses of mirac+es( 6ut the' 6ecome a+so

su69ects of mirac+es" The' ha%e 6een sometimes dis3

eased( and sometimes cured 6' su)ernatura+ )o$er 4

the' ha%e 6een chan*ed into $o+%es 4 the' ha%e tra%3

e++ed throu*h the air on 6roomstic5s 4 the' ha%e 6e3

come 6oth incu6+ and succu6i"

It is necessar' that the mirac+e shou+d ha%e 6een

seen 6' a *reat num6er of %er' sensi6+e )eo)+e( in

sound hea+th( and )erfect+' disinterested in the af3

fair" It is a6o%e a++ necessar'( that it shou+d ha%e

6een so+emn+' attested 6' them 4 for if so+emn forms



of authentication are deemed necessar' $ith res)ect

to transactions of %er' sim)+e character( such as the

)urchase of a house( a marria*e contract( or a $i++(

$hat )articu+ar and minute cautionar' forma+ities

must not 6e deemed reHuisite in order to %erif'

thin*s natura++' im)ossi6+e( on $hich the destin' of

the $or+d is to de)endM

E%en $hen an authentic mirac+e is )erformed( it

in fact )ro%es nothin*4 for Scri)ture te++s 'ou( in

a *reat %ariet' of )+aces( that im)ostors ma' )er3

form mirac+es( and that if an' man( after ha%in* )er3

formed them( shou+d )roc+aim another od than

that of the .e$s( he ou*ht to 6e stoned "to death" It

is reHuisite( therefore( that the doctrine shou+d 6e

Q Phi+oso)hica+

conJrmed 6' the mirac+es( and the mirac+es 6' the

doctrine"

E%en this( ho$e%er( is not su8cient" As im)os3

tors ma' )reach a %er' correct and )ure mora+it'(

the 6etter to decei%e( and it is admitted that im)os3





A theocrac' can 6e founded on+' u)on mirac+es"

E%er'thin* in it must 6e di%ine" The reat So%er3

Dictionar'"

ei*n s)ea5s to men on+' in )rodi*ies" These are his

ministers and +etters )atent" &is orders are inti3

mated 6' the ocean2s co%erin* the earth to dro$n

nations( or o)enin* a $a' throu*h its de)ths( that

the' ma' )ass u)on dr' +and"

Accordin*+' 'ou )ercei%e( that in the .e$ish his3

tor' a++ is mirac+e 4 from the creation of Adam( and

the formation of E%e( $ho $as made of one of the

ri6s of Adam( to the time of the insi*niJcant 5in*3

+in* Sau+"

E%en in the time of this same Sau+( theocrac'

)artici)ates in )o$er $ith ro'a+t'" There are sti++(

conseHuent+'( mirac+es )erformed from time to time 4

6ut there is no +on*er that s)+endid train of )rodi*ies

$hich continua++' astonishes and interru)ts nature"

The ten )+a*ues of E*')t are not rene$ed 4 the

sun and moon do not stand sti++ at mid3da'( in order



to *i%e a commander time to e7terminate a fe$ run3

a$a's( a+read' near+' destro'ed 6' a sho$er of

stones from the c+ouds" No Samson a*ain e7tir)ates

a thousand Phi+istines 6' the 9a$36one of an ass"

Asses no +on*er ta+5 rationa++' $ith men 4 $a++s no

+on*er fa++ )rostrate at the mere sound of trum)ets 4

cities are not s$a++o$ed u) in a +a5e 6' the Jre of

hea%en 4 the race of man is not a second time de3

stro'ed 6' a de+u*e" !ut the Jn*er of od is sti++

manifested 4 the shade of Sau+ is )ermitted to a)3

)ear at the in%ocation of the sorceress( and od

&imse+f )romises Da%id that he $i++ defeat the Phi+3

istines at !aa+3)era1im"

> Phi+oso)hica+

#od *athers to*ether &is ce+estia+ arm' in the

rei*n of Aha6( and as5s the s)irits - Who $i++ *o and

decei%e Aha6( and )ersuade him to *o u) to $ar

a*ainst Ramoth i+eadM And there came forth a

+'in* s)irit and stood 6efore the Lord and said( I

$i++ )ersuade him"# !ut the )ro)het 0icaiah a+one

heard this con%ersation( and he recei%ed a 6+o$ on

the chee5 from another )ro)het( ca++ed @ede5iah(



for ha%in* announced the i++3omened )rodi*'"

Of mirac+es )erformed in the si*ht of the $ho+e

nation( and chan*in* the +a$s of a++ nature( $e see

no more unti+ the time of E+i9ah( for $hom the Lord

des)atched a chariot of Jre and horses of Jre( $hich

con%e'ed him ra)id+' from the 6an5s of the .ordan

to hea%en( a+thou*h no one 5ne$ $here hea%en $as"

From the commencement of historica+ times( that

is( from the time of the conHuests of A+e7ander( $e

see no more mirac+es amon* the .e$s"

When Pom)e' comes to ma5e himse+f master of

.erusa+em $hen Crassus )+unders the tem)+e

$hen Pom)e' )uts to death the 5in* of the .e$s 6'

the hands of the e7ecutioner $hen Anthon' con3

fers the 5in*dom of .udaea on the Ara6ian &erod

$hen Titus ta5es .erusa+em 6' assau+t( and $hen

it is ra1ed to the *round 6' Arian not a sin*+e

mirac+e is e%er )erformed" Thus it is $ith e%er'

nation u)on earth" The' 6e*in $ith theocrac'4

the' end in a manner sim)+' and natura++' human"

The *reater the )ro*ress made in societ' and 5no$+3

ed*e( the fe$er there are of )rodi*ies"



Dictionar'"

We $e++ 5no$ that the theocrac' of the .e$s $as

the on+' true one( and that those of other nations

$ere fa+se 4 6ut in a++ other res)ects( the case $as

)recise+' the same $ith them as $ith the .e$s"

In E*')t( in the time of Vu+can( and in that of

Isis and Osiris( e%er'thin* $as out of the +a$s of

nature 4 under the Pto+emies e%er'thin* resumed

its natura+ course"

In the remote )eriods of Phos( Chr'sos( and

E)hestes( *ods and morta+s con%ersed in Cha+dee

$ith the most interestin* fami+iarit'" A *od $arned

Kin* Bissuter that there $ou+d 6e a de+u*e in Ar3

menia( and that it $as necessar' he shou+d( as soon

as )ossi6+e( 6ui+d a %esse+ J%e stadii in +en*th and

t$o in $idth" Such thin*s do not ha))en to the

Dariuses and the A+e7anders"

The Jsh Cannes( in former times( came e%er' da'

out of the Eu)hrates to )reach u)on its 6an5s 4 6ut

there is no )reachin* Jsh no$" It is true that St"



Anthon' of Padua $ent and )reached to the Jshes 4

ho$e%er( such thin*s ha))en so %er' rare+' that the'

are scarce+' to 6e ta5en an' account of"

Numa he+d +on* con%ersations $ith the n'm)h

E*eria 4 6ut $e ne%er read that Csesar had an' $ith

Venus( a+thou*h he $as descended from her in the

direct +ine" The $or+d( $e see( is constant+' ad%anc3

in* a +itt+e( and reJnin* *radua++'"

!ut after 6ein* e7tricated out of one s+ou*h for

a time( man5ind are soon )+un*ed into another" To

a*es of ci%i+i1ation succeed a*es of 6ar6arism 4 that

Phi+oso)hica+

6ar6arism is a*ain e7)e++ed( and a*ain rea))ears-

it is the re*u+ar a+ternation of da' and ni*ht"

Of Those Who &a%e !een so Im)ious+' Rash as to

Den' the 0irac+es of .esus Christ"

Amon* the moderns( Thomas Woo+ston( a

+earned mem6er of the /ni%ersit' of Cam6rid*e( a)3



)ears to me to ha%e 6een the Jrst $ho %entured to in3

ter)ret the os)e+s mere+' in a t')ica+( a++e*orica+(

and s)iritua+ sense( and 6o+d+' maintained that not

one of the mirac+es of .esus $as actua++' )erformed"

&e $rote $ithout method or art( and in a st'+e

confused and coarse( 6ut not destitute of %i*or"

&is si7 discourses a*ainst the mirac+es of .esus

Christ $ere )u6+ic+' so+d at London( in his o$n

house" In the course of t$o 'ears( from ;G to

;G<( he had three editions of them )rinted( of

t$ent' thousand co)ies each( and 'et it is no$ %er'

di8cu+t to )rocure one from the 6oo5se++ers"

Ne%er $as Christianit' so darin*+' assai+ed 6'

an' Christian" Fe$ $riters entertain +ess a$e or

res)ect for the )u6+ic( and no )riest e%er dec+ared

himse+f more o)en+' the enem' of )riests" &e e%en

dared to 9ustif' this hatred 6' that of .esus Christ

a*ainst the Pharisees and Scri6es 4 and he said that

he shou+d not( +i5e .esus Christ( 6ecome their %ic3

tim( 6ecause he had come into the $or+d in a more

en+i*htened a*e"

&e certain+' ho)ed to 9ustif' his rashness 6'



Dictionar'" <

his ado)tion of the m'stica+ sense 4 6ut he em)+o's

e7)ressions so contem)tuous and a6usi%e that e%er'

Christian ear is shoc5ed at them"

If $e ma' 6e+ie%e him( $hen .esus sent the de%i+

into the herd of t$o thousand s$ine( &e did neither

more nor +ess than commit a ro66er' on their o$n3

ers" If the stor' had 6een to+d of 0ahomet( he

$ou+d ha%e 6een considered as #an a6omina6+e $i13

ard( and a s$orn s+a%e to the de%i+"# And if the )ro3

)rietor of the s$ine( and the merchants $ho in the

outer court of the tem)+e so+d 6easts for sacriJces(

and $hom .esus dro%e out $ith a scour*e( came to

demand 9ustice $hen he $as a))rehended( it is c+ear

that he $as deser%ed+' condemned( as there ne%er

$as a 9ur' in En*+and that $ou+d not ha%e found

him *ui+t'"

&e te++s her fortune to the $oman of Samaria(

9ust +i5e a $anderin* !ohemian or ')s'" This

a+one $as su8cient to cause &is 6anishment( $hich

$as the )unishment inicted u)on fortune3te++ers(

or di%iners( 6' Ti6erius" #I am astonished(# sa's



he( #that the *')sies do not )roc+aim themse+%es

the *enuine disci)+es of .esus( as their %ocation is

the same" &o$e%er( I am *+ad to see that &e did

not e7tort mone' from the Samaritan $oman( dif3

ferin* in this res)ect from our c+er*'( $ho ta5e

care to 6e $e++ )aid for their di%inations"#

I fo++o$ the order of the )a*es in his 6oo5" The

author *oes on to the entrance of .esus Christ into

Vo+" ii ;<

<= Phi+oso)hica+

.erusa+em" It is not c+ear( he sa's( $hether &e $as

mounted on a ma+e or fema+e ass( or u)on the foa+

of an ass( or u)on a++ three to*ether"

&e com)ares .esus( $hen tem)ted 6' the de%i+(

to St" Dunstan( $ho sei1ed the de%i+ 6' the nose4

and he *i%es the )reference to St" Dunstan"

At the artic+e of the J*3tree( $hich $as cursed

$ith 6arrenness for not )roducin* J*s out of season



for them( he descri6es .esus as a mere %a*a6ond( a

mendicant friar( $ho 6efore &e turned Je+d3

)reacher $as #no 6etter than a 9ourne'man car3

)enter"# It is sur)risin*( he sa's( that the court of

Rome has not amon* a++ its re+ics some +itt+e fanc'3

6o7 or 9oint3stoo+ of &is $or5manshi)" In a $ord(

it is di8cu+t to carr' 6+as)hem' further"

After di%ertin* himse+f $ith the )ro6ationar'

Jsh3)oo+ of !ethesda( the $aters of $hich $ere

trou6+ed or stirred once in e%er' 'ear 6' an an*e+(

he inHuires ho$ it cou+d $e++ 6e( that neither F+a3

%ins .ose)hus( nor Phi+o shou+d e%er mention this

an*e+ 4 $h' St" .ohn shou+d 6e the so+e historian of

this mirac+e 4 and 6' $hat other mirac+e it ha))ened

that no Roman e%er sa$ this an*e+( or e%er e%en

heard his name mentioned M

The $ater chan*ed into $ine at the marria*e of

Cana( accordin* to him( e7cites the +au*hter and

contem)t of a++ $ho are not im6ruted 6' su)ersti3

tion"

#What :# sa's he( #.ohn e7)ress+' sa's that the

*uests $ere a+read' into7icated( 2methus tosi 4 and



Dictionar'" <;

od comes do$n to earth and )erforms &is Jrst

mirac+e to ena6+e them to drin5 sti++ more :#

od( made man( commences &is mission 6' as3

sistin* at a %i++a*e $eddin*" #Whether .esus and

&is mother $ere drun5( as $ere others of the com3

)an'( is not certain" The fami+iarit' of the +ad' $ith

a so+dier +eads to the )resum)tion that she $as fond

of her 6ott+e 4 that her Son( ho$e%er( $as some$hat

aected 6' the $ine( a))ears from &is ans$erin*

&is mother so 2$as)ish+' and sna))ish+'2 as &e did(

$hen &e said( 2Woman( $hat ha%e I to do $ith

theeM2 It ma' 6e inferred from these $ords that

0ar' $as not a %ir*in( and that .esus $as not her

son 4 had it 6een other$ise( &e $ou+d not ha%e

thus insu+ted &is father and mother in %io+ation of

one of the most sacred commandments of the +a$"

&o$e%er( &e com)+ied $ith &is mother2s reHuest 4

&e J++s ei*hteen 9ars $ith $ater( and ma5es )unch

of it"# These are the %er' $ords of Thomas

Woo+ston( and must J++ e%er Christian sou+ $ith

indi*nation"



It is $ith re*ret( and e%en $ith trem6+in*( that

I Huote these )assa*es 4 6ut there ha%e 6een si7t'

thousand co)ies of this $or5 )rinted( a++ 6earin*

the name of the author( and a++ )u6+ic+' so+d at his

house" It can ne%er 6e said that I ca+umniate him"

It is to the dead raised a*ain 6' .esus Christ

that he )rinci)a++' directs his attention" &e con3

tends that a dead man restored to +ife $ou+d ha%e

6een an o69ect of attention and astonishment to the

< Phi+oso)hica+

uni%erse 4 that a++ the .e$ish ma*istrac'( and more

es)ecia++' Pi+ate( $ou+d ha%e made the most minute

in%esti*ations and o6tained the most authentic de3

)ositions4 that Ti6erius en9oined a++ )roconsu+s(

)raetors( and *o%ernors of )ro%inces to inform him

$ith e7actness of e%er' e%ent that too5 )+ace 4 that

La1arus( $ho had 6een dead four $ho+e da's( $ou+d

ha%e 6een most strict+' interro*ated 4 and that no

+itt+e curiosit' $ou+d ha%e 6een e7cited to 5no$

$hat had 6ecome( durin* that time( of his sou+"



With $hat ea*er interest $ou+d Ti6erius and

the $ho+e Roman senate ha%e Huestioned him( and

not indeed on+' him( 6ut the dau*hter of .airus

and the son of the $ido$ of NamM Three dead

)ersons restored to +ife $ou+d ha%e 6een three at3

testations to the di%init' of .esus( $hich a+most in

a sin*+e moment $ou+d ha%e made the $ho+e $or+d

Christian" !ut instead of a++ this( the $ho+e $or+d(

for more than t$o hundred 'ears( 5ne$ nothin*

a6out these res)+endent and decisi%e e%idences" It

is not ti++ a hundred 'ears ha%e ro++ed a$a' from

the date of the e%ents that some o6scure indi%idua+s

sho$ one another the $ritin*s that contain the re3

+ation of those mirac+es" Ei*ht'3nine em)erors

rec5onin* those $ho had on+' the name of #t'rants(#

ne%er hear the s+i*htest mention of these resurrec3

tions( a+thou*h the' must ine%ita6+' ha%e he+d a++

nature in ama1ement" Neither the .e$isJ3 historian

.ose)hus( nor the +earned Phi+o( nor an' ree5 or

Roman historian at a++ notices these )rodi*ies" In

Dictionar'" <G



short( Woo+ston has the im)rudence to sa' that the

histor' of La1arus is so 6rimfu+ of a6surdities that

St" .ohn( $hen he $rote it( had out+i%ed his senses"

Su))osin*( sa's Woo+ston( that od shou+d in

our o$n times send an am6assador to London to

con%ert the hire+in* c+er*'( and that am6assador

shou+d raise the dead( $hat $ou+d the c+er*' sa' M

&e 6+as)hemes the incarnation( the resurrection(

and the ascension of .esus Christ( 9ust u)on the

same s'stem 4 and he ca++s these mirac+es - #The

most manifest and the most 6arefaced im)osture

that e%er $as )ut u)on the $or+d :#

What is )erha)s more sin*u+ar sti++ is that each

of his discourses is dedicated to a 6isho)" &is

dedications are certain+' not e7act+' in the French

st'+e" &e 6esto$s no atter' nor com)+iments"

&e u)6raids them $ith their )ride and a%arice( their

am6ition and faction( and smi+es $ith trium)h at

the thou*ht of their 6ein* no$( +i5e e%er' other

c+ass of citi1ens( in com)+ete su69ection to the +a$s

of the state"

At +ast these 6isho)s( tired of 6ein* insu+ted 6'



an undi*niJed mem6er of the /ni%ersit' of Cam3

6rid*e( determined u)on a forma+ a))ea+ to the +a$s"

The' instituted a )rosecution a*ainst Woo+ston in

the Kin*2s !ench( and he $as tried 6efore Chief3

.ustice Ra'mond( in ;<( $hen he $as im)risoned(

condemned to )a' a Jne( and o6+i*ed to *i%e se3

curit' to the amount of a hundred and Jft' )ounds

ster+in*" &is friends furnished him $ith the se3

<Q Phi+oso)hica+

curit'( and he did not in fact die in )rison( as in

some of our care+ess and i++3com)i+ed dictionaries

he is stated to ha%e done" &e died at his o$n

house in London( after ha%in* uttered these $ords -

#This is a )ass that e%er' man must come to"#

Some time 6efore his death( a fema+e 1ea+ot meetin*

him in the street $as *ross enou*h to s)it in his

face4 he ca+m+' $i)ed his face and 6o$ed to her"

&is manners $ere mi+d and )+easin*" &e $as o63

stinate+' infatuated $ith the m'stica+ meanin*( and

6+as)hemed the +itera+ one 4 6ut +et us ho)e that he

re)ented on his death36ed( and that od has sho$ed

him merc'"



A6out the same )eriod there a))eared in France

the $i++ of .ohn 0es+ier( c+er*'man cure of !ut

and Entre)i*ni( in Cham)a*ne( of $hom $e ha%e

a+read' s)o5en( under the artic+e on #Contradic3

tions"#

It $as 6oth a $onderfu+ and a me+ancho+' s)ec3

tac+e to see t$o )riests at the same time $ritin*

a*ainst the Christian re+i*ion" 0es+ier is sti++ more

%io+ent than Woo+ston" &e %entures to treat the

de%i+2s carr'in* o our Lord to the to) of a moun3

tain( the marria*e of Cana( and the +oa%es and Jshes(

as a6surd ta+es( in9urious to the Su)reme !ein*(

$hich for three hundred 'ears $ere un5no$n to the

$ho+e Roman Em)ire( and at +ast ad%anced from

the dre*s of the communit' to the throne of the

em)erors( $hen )o+ic' com)e++ed them to ado)t the

nonsense of the )eo)+e( in order to 5ee) them the

Dictionar'" <

6etter in su69ection" The dec+amations of the

En*+ish )riest do not a))roach in %ehemence those



of the )riest of Cham)a*ne" Woo+ston occasion3

a++' sho$ed discretion" 0es+ier ne%er has an' 4 he

is a man so sensiti%e+' sore to the crimes to $hich

he has 6een $itness that he renders the Christian

re+i*ion res)onsi6+e for them( for*ettin* that it

condemns them" There is not a sin*+e mirac+e

$hich is not $ith him an o69ect of scorn or horror4

no )ro)hec' $hich he does not com)are $ith the

)ro)hecies of Nostradamus" &e e%en *oes so far

as to com)are .esus Christ to Don ui7ote( and St"

Peter to Sancho Pan1a 4 and $hat is most of a++ to

6e de)+ored is( that he $rote these 6+as)hemies

a*ainst .esus Christ( $hen he mi*ht 6e said to 6e

in the %er' arms of death at a moment $hen the

most deceitfu+ are sincere( and the most intre)id

trem6+e" Too stron*+' im)ressed 6' some in9uries

that had 6een done him 6' his su)eriors in author3

it' 4 too dee)+' aected 6' the *reat di8cu+ties

$hich he met $ith in the Scri)ture( he 6ecame e73

as)erated a*ainst it more than Acosta and a++ the

.e$s 4 more than Por)h'r'( Ce+sus( +am6+ichus(

.u+ian( Li6anius( 0a7imus( Simmachus( or an'

other $hate%er of the )artisans of human reason

a*ainst the di%ine incom)rehensi6i+ities of our re3

+i*ion" 0an' a6rid*ments of his $or5 ha%e 6een

)rinted 4 6ut ha))i+' the )ersons in authorit' su)3



)ressed them as fast as the' a))eared"

A )riest of !onne3Nou%e++e( near Paris( $rote

Phi+oso)hica+

a+so on the same su69ect4 and it thus ha))ened

that at the %er' time the a66e !echeran and the

rest of the Con%u+sionaries $ere )erformin* mira3

c+es( three )riests $ere $ritin* a*ainst the *enuine

os)e+ mirac+es"

The most c+e%er $or5 that has 6een $ritten

a*ainst the mirac+es and )ro)hecies is that of m'

Lord !o+in*6ro5e" !ut ha))i+' it is so %o+uminous(

so destitute of method( so %er6ose( and so a6ound3

in* in +on* and sometimes com)+icated sentences(

that it reHuires a *reat dea+ of )atience to read him"

There ha%e 6een some minds so constituted that

the' ha%e 6een enchanted 6' the mirac+es of 0oses

and .oshua( 6ut ha%e not entertained for those of

.esus Christ the res)ect to $hich the' are entit+ed"

Their ima*ination raised 6' the *rand s)ectac+e



of the sea o)enin* a )assa*e throu*h its de)ths( and

sus)endin* its $a%es that a horde of &e6re$s

mi*ht safe+' *o throu*h 4 6' the ten )+a*ues of

E*')t( and 6' the stars that sto))ed in their course

o%er i6eon and A9a+on( etc" cou+d not $ith ease

and satisfaction 6e +et do$n a*ain( so as to admire

the com)arati%e+' )ett' mirac+es of the $ater

chan*ed into $ine( the $ithered J*3tree( and the

s$ine dro$ned in the +itt+e +a5e of adara" Va*hen3

sei+ said that it $as +i5e hearin* a rustic ditt' after

attendin* a *rand concert"

The Ta+mud )retends that there ha%e 6een

man' Christians $ho( after com)arin* the mirac+es

Dictionar'" <

of the O+d Testament $ith those of the Ne$

Testament( em6raced .udaism 4 the' consider it im3

)ossi6+e that the So%erei*n Lord of Nature shou+d

ha%e $rou*ht such stu)endous )rodi*ies for a re3

+i*ion &e intended to annihi+ate" What: the' e73

c+aim( can it )ossi6+' 6e( that for a series of a*es &e

shou+d ha%e e7hi6ited a train of astonishin* and



tremendous mirac+es in fa%or of a true re+i*ion that

$as to 6ecome a fa+se oneM What: can it 6e that

od &imse+f has recorded that this re+i*ion sha++

ne%er )erish( and that those $ho attem)t to destro'

it sha++ 6e stoned to death( and 'et that &e has

ne%erthe+ess sent &is o$n Son( Who is no other than

&imse+f( to annihi+ate $hat &e $as em)+o'ed so

man' a*es in erectin*M

There is much more to 6e added to these re3

mar5s4 this Son( the' continue( this Eterna+ od(

ha%in* made &imse+f a .e$( adheres to the .e$ish

re+i*ion durin* the $ho+e of &is +ife 4 &e )erforms

a++ the functions of it( &e freHuents the .e$ish

tem)+e( &e announces nothin* contrar' to the .e$3

ish +a$( and a++ &is disci)+es are .e$s and o6ser%e

the .e$ish ceremonies" It most certain+' is not &e

$ho esta6+ished the Christian re+i*ion" It $as es3

ta6+ished 6' the dissident .e$s $ho united $ith the

P+atonists" There is not a sin*+e do*ma of Chris3

tianit' that $as )reached 6' .esus Christ"

Such is the reasonin* of these rash men( $ho(

$ith minds at once h')ocritica+ and audacious( dare





$as )astor( he $ent to 6e recei%ed as a .e$ at

Venice( to*ether $ith a 'oun* a))rentice in theo+3

o*' $hom he had )ersuaded to ado)t his o$n )rin3

ci)+es( 6ut $ho after$ards a6andoned him( not e73

)eriencin* an' ca++ to mart'rdom"

At Jrst the minister( Nicho+as Anthon'( a63

stained from utterin* the name of .esns Christ in

his sermons and )ra'ers 4 in a short time( ho$e%er(

6ecomin* animated and em6o+dened 6' the e7am)+e

Dictionar'" <<

of the .e$ish saints( $ho conJdent+' )rofessed

.udaism 6efore the )rinces of T're and !a6'+on(

he tra%e++ed 6arefooted to ene%a( to confess 6efore

the 9ud*es and ma*istrates that there is on+' one

re+i*ion u)on earth( 6ecause there is on+' one od 4

that that re+i*ion is the .e$ish 4 that it is a6so+ute+'

necessar' to 6ecome circumcised 4 and that it is a

horri6+e crime to eat 6acon and 6+ood )uddin*" &e

)athetica++' e7horted a++ the )eo)+e of ene%a( $ho

cro$ded to hear him( no +on*er to continue chi+dren

of !e+ia+( 6ut to 6ecome *ood .e$s( in order to de3



ser%e the 5in*dom of hea%en" &e $as a))re3

hended( and )ut in chains"

The +itt+e Counci+ of ene%a( $hich at that )eriod

did nothin* $ithout consu+tin* the counci+ of

)reachers( as5ed their ad%ice in this emer*enc'"

The most sensi6+e of them recommended that )oor

Anthon' shou+d 6e 6+ed in the ce)ha+ic %ein( use the

6ath( and 6e 5e)t u)on *rue+ and 6roths 4 after $hich

he mi*ht )erha)s *radua++' 6e induced to )ronounce

the name of .esus Christ( or at +east to hear it )ro3

nounced( $ithout *rindin* his teeth( as had hitherto

6een his )ractice" The' added( that the +a$s 6ore

$ith .e$s 4 that there $ere ei*ht thousand of them

e%en in Rome itse+f 4 that man' merchants are true

.e$s( and therefore that as Rome admitted $ithin

its $a++s ei*ht thousand chi+dren of the s'na*o*ue(

ene%a mi*ht $e++ to+erate one" At the sound of

#to+eration# the rest of the )astors( $ho $ere the

ma9orit'( *nashin* their teeth sti++ more than An3

G== Phi+oso)hica+

thon' did at the name of .esus Christ( and a+so



ea*er to Jnd an o))ortunit' to 6urn a man( $hich

cou+d not 6e done e%er' da'( ca++ed )erem)tori+'

for the 6urnin*" The' reso+%ed that nothin* cou+d

ser%e more to esta6+ish *enuine Christianit'4 that

the S)aniards had o6tained so much re)utation in

the $or+d on+' 6' 6urnin* the .e$s e%er' 'ear( and

that after a++( if the O+d Testament must )re%ai+

o%er the Ne$ Testament( od $ou+d not fai+ 2to

come and e7tin*uish the ames of the )i+e( as he

did at !a6'+on for Shadrach( 0eshac( and A6ed3

ne*o 4 in $hich case a++ must *o 6ac5 a*ain to the

O+d Testament 4 6ut that( in the meantime( it $as

indis)ensa6+e to 6urn Nicho+as Anthon'" On the

6rea5in* u) of the meetin*( the' conc+uded $ith the

o6ser%ation - #We must )ut the $ic5ed out of the

$a'# the %er' $ords the' used"

The +on*3headed s'ndics( Sarasin and odefroi(

a*reed that the reasonin* of the Ca+%inistic sanhe3

drim $as admira6+e( and 6' the ri*ht of the stron*3

est )art'( condemned Nicho+as Anthon'( the $ea53

est of men( to die the same death as Ca+anus and

the counse++or Du6our*" This sentence $as carried

into e7ecution on A)ri+ =( ;>G( in a %er' 6eautifu+

+a$n or meado$( ca++ed P+ain3Pa+ais( in the )resence

of t$ent' thousand )ersons( $ho 6+essed the ne$



+a$( and the $onderfu+ sense of the s'ndics Sarasin

and odefroi"

The od of A6raham( Isaac( and .aco6 did not

Dictionar'" G=;

rene$ the mirac+e of the furnace of !a6'+on in

fa%or of )oor Anthon'"

A6au1it( an author of *reat %eracit'( re+ates in

his notes( that he died in the *reatest constanc'( and

)ersisted in his o)inions e%en at the sta5e on the

)i+e4 he 6ro5e out into no )assionate in%ecti%e

a*ainst his 9ud*es $hen the e7ecutioner $as t'in*

him to the sta5e4 he dis)+a'ed neither )ride nor

)usi++animit' 4 he neither $e)t nor si*hed 4 he $as

resi*ned" Ne%er did mart'r consummate his sacri3

Jce $ith a more +i%e+' faith 4 ne%er did )hi+oso)her

contem)+ate a death of horror $ith *reater Jrmness"

This c+ear+' )ro%es that his fo++' or madness $as

at a++ e%ents attended $ith sincere con%iction" Let

us im)+ore of the od of 6oth the O+d and the Ne$

Testaments that he $i++ *rant him merc'"



I $ou+d sa' as much for the .esuit 0a+a*rida(

$ho $as sti++ more infatuated and mad than

Nicho+as Anthon'4 as I $ou+d a+so for the e73

.esuits Patoui++et and Pau+ian( shou+d the' e%er 6e

6rou*ht to the sta5e"

A *reat num6er of $riters( $hose misfortune it

$as to 6e )hi+oso)hers rather than Christians( ha%e

6een 6o+d enou*h to den' the mirac+es of our Lord 4

6ut after the four )riests a+read' noticed( there is

no necessit' to enumerate other instances" Let us

+ament o%er these four unfortunate men( +ed astra'

6' their o$n deceitfu+ reason( and )reci)itated 6'

the *+oom of their fee+in*s into an a6'ss so dreadfu+

and so fata+"

GO Phi+oso)hica+

0ISSION"

IT is far from our o69ect in this artic+e to reect

u)on the 1ea+ of our missionaries( or the truth of

our re+i*ion 4 these are su8cient+' 5no$n in Chris3



tian Euro)e( and du+' res)ected"

0' o69ect is mere+' to ma5e some remar5s on the

%er' curious and edif'in* +etters of the re%erend

fathers( the .esuits( $ho are not eHua++' res)ecta6+e"

Scarce+' do the' arri%e in India 6efore the' com3

mence )reachin*( con%ert mi++ions of Indians( and

)erform mi++ions of mirac+es" Far 6e it from me

to contradict their assertions" We a++ 5no$ ho$

eas' it must 6e for a !isca'an( a !er*amas5( or

a Norman to +earn the Indian +an*ua*e in a fe$

da's( and )reach +i5e an Indian"

With re*ard to mirac+es( nothin* is more eas'

than to )erform them at a distance of si7 thousand

+ea*ues( since so man' ha%e 6een )erformed at

Paris( in the )arish of St" 0edard" The su8cin*

*race of the 0o+inists cou+d undou6ted+' o)erate

on the 6an5s of the an*es( as $e++ as the e8cacious

*race of the .ansenists on those of the ri%er of the

o6e+ins" We ha%e( ho$e%er( said so much a+read'

a6out mirac+es that $e sha++ )ursue the su69ect no

further"

A re%erend father .esuit arri%ed in the course of

the )ast 'ear at De+hi( at the court of the *reat



0o*u+" &e $as not a man )rofound+' s5i++ed in

mathematics( or hi*h+' *ifted in mind( $ho had

Dictionar'" G=G

come to correct the ca+endar( or to esta6+ish his for3

tune( 6ut one of those )oor( honest( 1ea+ous .esuits(

one of those so+diers $ho are des)atched on )ar3

ticu+ar dut' 6' their *enera+( and $ho o6e' orders

$ithout reasonin* a6out them"

0" Andrais( m' factor( as5ed him $hat his 6usi3

ness mi*ht 6e at De+hi" &e re)+ied that he had

orders from the re%erend father Ricci to de+i%er

the reat 0o*u+ from the )a$s of the de%i+( and

con%ert his $ho+e court"

T&E .ES/IT"

I ha%e a+read' 6a)ti1ed t$ent' infants in tKe

street( $ithout their 5no$in* an'thin* at a++ a6out

the matter( 6' thro$in* a fe$ dro)s of $ater u)on

their heads" The' are no$ 9ust so man' an*e+s(

)ro%ided the' are ha))' enou*h to die direct+'" I



cured a )oor o+d $oman of the me*rims 6' ma5in*

the si*n of the cross 6ehind her" I ho)e in a short

time to con%ert the 0ahometans of the court and the

entoos amon* the )eo)+e" ?ou $i++ see in De+hi(

A*ra( and !enares( as man' *ood Catho+ics( adorers

of the Vir*in 0ar'( as 'ou no$ do ido+aters( ador3

in* the de%i+"

0" ANDRAIS"

?ou thin5 then( m' $orth' father( that the in3

ha6itants of these countries adore ido+s and the

de%i+ M

T&E .ES/IT"

/ndou6ted+'( as the' are not of m' re+i*ion"

G=Q Phi+oso)hica+ Dictionar'"

0" ANDRAIS"

Ver' $e++" !ut $hen there are as man' Catho3

+ics in India as ido+aters( are 'ou not afraid that



the' $i++ J*ht a*ainst one another 4 that 6+ood $i++

o$ for a +on* )eriod( and the $ho+e countr' 6e a

scene of )i++a*e and de%astationM This has ha)3

)ened in e%er' countr' in $hich 'ou ha%e o6tained

a footin* hitherto"

T&E .ES/IT"

?ou ma5e one )ause for a moment 4 6ut nothin*

cou+d ha))en 6etter than that $hich 'ou su**est as

6ein* so )ro6a6+e" The s+au*htered Catho+ics

$ou+d *o to )aradise to the *arden and the

entoos to the e%er+astin* Jre of he++ created for

them from a++ eternit'( accordin* to the *reat merc'

of od( and for &is *reat *+or' 4 " for od is e7ceed3

in*+' *+orious"

Documents

Voltaire XI