--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is visible then that it was not any…" description: "\"It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png" --- # It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or… ![“It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature, the more we shall be…” quote by Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png) > “It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature, the more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.” [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political manipulation shapes moral virtues, suggesting that flattery and pride, not religion, drive human behavior. **In simple terms:** Politics influences morality more than religion. Key Takeaway Beware of political rhetoric that masquerades as virtue. Themes politics morality flattery pride religion Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - campaign speeches - policy debates - public persuasion - religious discourse Key Concepts social control ethical development power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What virtues are most vulnerable to political misuse? - How can individuals discern genuine morality from political spin? A Different Perspective Moral virtues can be co-opted for political gain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appetite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Heathen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heathen/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-virtues/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Among the popular and representative systems of government I do not approve of the federal system: it is too perfect; and it requires virtues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-bolivar/among-the-popular-and-representative-systems-of-government-i-do-not/) [Simon Bolivar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-bolivar/) > [The most dangerous diminutions of freedom come from those who are convinced of their moral rectitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-hannan/the-most-dangerous-diminutions-of-freedom-come-from-those-who-are/) [Daniel Hannan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-hannan/) > [“It is not trivial to lie in a report. . . . At the time I wrote it I actually believed what I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marlantes/it-is-not-trivial-to-lie-in-a-report-at-the-time-i-wrote-it-i/) [Karl Marlantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marlantes/) > [“Barron is convinced that the moral teachings of Catholicism are true, and that people who strive to practice them will live healthier, happier, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barron/barron-is-convinced-that-the-moral-teachings-of-catholicism-are-true/) [Robert Barron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barron/) > [Israel is much more effective when the Israelis are convinced that we are on the moral high ground: that we are acting not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-barak/israel-is-much-more-effective-when-the-israelis-are-convinced-that-we/) [Ehud Barak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-barak/) > [Complaisance, though in itself it be scarce reckoned in the number of moral virtues, is that which gives a lustre to every talent a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/complaisance-though-in-itself-it-be-scarce-reckoned-in-the-number-of/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Our western science is a child of moral virtues; and it must now become the father of further moral virtues if its extraordinary material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/our-western-science-is-a-child-of-moral-virtues-and-it-must-now/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Just as the commander of an army pitches his camp, studies the strength and defenses of a fortress, and then attacks it on its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/just-as-the-commander-of-an-army-pitches-his-camp-studies-the/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [ \[Prudence\] is the virtue of that part of the intellect \[the calculative\] to which it belongs; and . . . our choice of actions… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/prudence-is-the-virtue-of-that-part-of-the-intellect-the-calculative/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/of-all-the-dispositions-and-habits-which-lead-to-political-prosperity-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [ \[V\]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/v-irtue-or-morality-is-a-necessary-spring-of-popular-government/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [One of the most annoying habits of liberals is their tendency to confuse their political agenda with moral virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stacy-mccain/one-of-the-most-annoying-habits-of-liberals-is-their-tendency-to/) [Robert Stacy McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stacy-mccain/) > [We assume therefore that moral virtue is the quality of acting in the best way in relation to pleasures and pains, and that vice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/we-assume-therefore-that-moral-virtue-is-the-quality-of-acting-in-the/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Some empirical feelings, such as sympathy, are indispensable parts of certain moral virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/some-empirical-feelings-such-as-sympathy-are-indispensable-parts-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## More by Bernard de Mandeville > [What a vast Traffick is drove, what a variety of Labour is performed in the World to the Maintenance of Thousands of Families that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/what-a-vast-traffick-is-drove-what-a-variety-of-labour-is-performed/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/we-seldom-call-anybody-lazy-but-such-as-we-reckon-inferior-to-us-and/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [No habit or quality is more easily acquired than hypocrisy, nor any thing sooner learned than to deny the sentiments of our hearts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/no-habit-or-quality-is-more-easily-acquired-than-hypocrisy-nor-any/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [I don't believe that there is a human creature in his senses, arrived to maturity, that at some time or other has not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/i-don-t-believe-that-there-is-a-human-creature-in-his-senses-arrived/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [Some People are not to be persuaded to taste of any Creatures they have daily seen and been acquainted with, while they were alive;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/some-people-are-not-to-be-persuaded-to-taste-of-any-creatures-they/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [If laying aside all worldly Greatness and Vain-Glory, I should be ask'd where I thought it was most probable that Men might enjoy true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/if-laying-aside-all-worldly-greatness-and-vain-glory-i-should-be-ask/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [One good Man may take another's Word, if they so agree, but a whole Nation ought never to trust to any Honesty, but what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/one-good-man-may-take-another-s-word-if-they-so-agree-but-a-whole/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [People of substance may sin without being exposed for their stolen pleasure; but servants and the poorer sort of women have seldom an opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/people-of-substance-may-sin-without-being-exposed-for-their-stolen/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [Because impudence is a vice, it does not follow that modesty is a virtue; it is built upon shame, a passion in our nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/because-impudence-is-a-vice-it-does-not-follow-that-modesty-is-a/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [Those who get their living by their daily labor . . . have nothing to stir them up to be serviceable but their wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/those-who-get-their-living-by-their-daily-labor-have-nothing-to-stir/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [They that examine into the Nature of Man, abstract from Art and Education, may observe, that what renders him a Sociable Animal, consists not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/they-that-examine-into-the-nature-of-man-abstract-from-art-and/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [The only thing of weight that can be said against modern honor is that it is directly opposite to religion. The one bids you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/the-only-thing-of-weight-that-can-be-said-against-modern-honor-is/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [There are many examples of women that have excelled in learning, and even in war, but this is no reason we should bring em…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/there-are-many-examples-of-women-that-have-excelled-in-learning-and/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [Knowledge both enlarges and multiplies our Desires, and the fewer things a Man wishes for, the more easily his Necessities may be supply'd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/knowledge-both-enlarges-and-multiplies-our-desires-and-the-fewer/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) > [Ye children of promise who are awaiting your call to glory, take possession of the inheritance that now is yours. By faith take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/ye-children-of-promise-who-are-awaiting-your-call-to-glory-take/) [Bernard de Mandeville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) [Explore all 22 Bernard de Mandeville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/) ## More Appetite quotes > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [the appetite for thinking must be regulated, as all sensible people know, for it may stifle one's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/the-appetite-for-thinking-must-be-regulated-as-all-sensible-people/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [“if you cannot control your hunger and appetite, good luck managing your blood chemistry, metabolism, waistline, and, in the bigger picture, the prospect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/if-you-cannot-control-your-hunger-and-appetite-good-luck-managing/) [David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [My curiosity and my appetite for evolving as an actor is one of the main components of me still working today in the business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-cattrall/my-curiosity-and-my-appetite-for-evolving-as-an-actor-is-one-of-the/) [Kim Cattrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-cattrall/) > [I have a strong appetite and its not for food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-strong-appetite-and-its-not-for-food/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The plain fact is that education is itself a form of propaganda - a deliberate scheme to outfit the pupil, not with the capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-plain-fact-is-that-education-is-itself-a-form-of-propaganda-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You should also eat eggs. Not “one egg per week” or some such non-physiologic restriction. Eat what your body tells you to eat, since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davis/you-should-also-eat-eggs-not-one-egg-per-week-or-some-such-non/) [William Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davis/) > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/when-passions-and-appetites-are-stronger-than-the-intellect-men-are/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of-self-mastery-th-e-strength/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-commonest-and-cheapest-sounds-as-the-barking-of-a-dog-produce-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 994 Appetite quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man upon crossing his Appetites and subduing his dearest Inclinations, but the skilful Management of wary Politicians; and the nearer we search into human Nature, the more we shall be convinced, that the Moral Virtues are the Political Offspring which Flattery begot upon Pride.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bernard de Mandeville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-heathen-religion-or-other/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Appetite" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-heathen-religion-or-other/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/bernard-de-mandeville-25947_appetite_it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-h_2679938.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is visible then that it was not any Heathen Religion or other Idolatrous Superstition, that first put Man…” — Bernard de Mandeville", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bernard de Mandeville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-mandeville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is visible then that it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-heathen-religion-or-other/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-mandeville/it-is-visible-then-that-it-was-not-any-heathen-religion-or-other/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```