In all common ordinary cases, we see intuitively at first view what is out duty, what is the honest part. This is the ground of the observation, that the first thought is often the best. In these cases, doubt and… — Joseph Butler Copy Share Image
Every man is to be considered in two capacities, the private and public; as designed to pursue his own interest, and likewise to contribute… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects. — Joseph Butler Copy Share
The principle we call self-love never seeks anything external for the sake of the thing, but only as a means of happiness or good:… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
However, without considering this connection, there is no doubt but that more good than evil, more delight than sorrow, arises from compassion itself; there… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
There is a much more exact correspondence between the natural and moral world than we are apt to take notice of. — Joseph Butler Copy Share
Virtue, as such, naturally procures considerable advantages to the virtuous. — Joseph Butler Copy Share
Remember likewise there are persons who love fewer words, an inoffensive sort of people, and who deserve some regard, though of too still and… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
This was the man, this Balaam, I say, was the man, who desired to die the death of the righteous, and that his last… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
Love of our neighbour, then, has just the same respect to, is no more distant from, self-love, than hatred of our neighbour, or than… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
Pain and sorrow and misery have a right to our assistance: compassion puts us in mind of the debt, and that we owe it… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
The object of self-love is expressed in the term self; and every appetite of sense, and every particular affection of the heart, are equally… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
The love of liberty that is not a real principle of dutiful behavior to authority is as hypocritical as the religion that is not… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
It is not at all incredible, that a book which has been so long in the possession of mankind should contain many truths as… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
As this world was not intended to be a state of any great satisfaction or high enjoyment, so neither was it intended to be… — Joseph Butler Copy Share
