As you sometimes swear by him that made you, I conclude…
“As you sometimes swear by him that made you, I conclude your sentiments do not correspond with his, in that which is the basis of the doctrine you both agree in: and this makes it impossible to imagine whence this congruity between you arises. "To grant that there is a supreme intelligence who rules the world and has established laws to regulate the actions of his creatures; and still to assert that man, in a state of nature, may be considered as perfectly free from all restraints of law and government, appears to a common understanding altogether irreconcilable.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Supreme intelligence and natural liberty conflict with the idea of a law‑governed world, making the doctrine contradictory.
In simple terms: Belief in a ruler and absolute freedom clash.
Key Takeaway
Question how divine order and human freedom coexist.
Themes
politics
philosophy
law
theology
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
theoretical
debate
When to use this quote
- government formation
- legal theory
- religious debate
- human rights
- education
Key Concepts
natural law
sovereignty
human freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- Can law exist without a higher authority?
- How does freedom function under divine rule?
A Different Perspective
May overlook practical governance needs.