The only distinct meaning of the word "natural" is stated, fixed, or settled; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so, i.e. to effect it continually or at stated times, as what… — Joseph Butler Copy Share Image
Men are impatient, and for precipitating things; but the Author of Nature appears deliberate throughout His operations, accomplishing His natural ends by slow, successive steps. And there is a plan of things beforehand laid out, which, from the nature of… — 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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
Virtue, as such, naturally procures considerable advantages to the virtuous. — Joseph Butler Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
