Ineithercase，achaosensues;tillfinite，thoughinnumerablerevolutionsproduceatlastsomeforms，whosepartsandorgansaresoadjustedastosupporttheformsamidstacontinuedsuccessionofmatter。
Suppose（forweshallendeavourtovarytheexpression），thatmatterwerethrownintoanyposition，byablind，unguidedforce;itisevidentthatthisfirstpositionmust，inallprobability，bethemostconfusedandmostdisorderlyimaginable，withoutanyresemblancetothoseworksofhumancontrivance，which，alongwithasymmetryofparts，discoveranadjustmentofmeanstoends，andatendencytoself-preservation。
Iftheactuatingforceceaseafterthisoperation，mattermustremainforeverindisorder，andcontinueanimmensechaos，withoutanyproportionoractivity。Butsupposethattheactuatingforce，whateveritbe，stillcontinuesinmatter，thisfirstpositionwillimmediatelygiveplacetoasecond，whichwilllikewiseinallprobabilitybeasdisorderlyasthefirst，andsoonthroughmanysuccessionsofchangesandrevolutions。Noparticularorderorpositionevercontinuesamomentunaltered。Theoriginalforce，stillremaininginactivity，givesaperpetualrestlessnesstomatter。Everypossiblesituationisproduced，andinstantlydestroyed。Ifaglimpseordawnoforderappearsforamoment，itisinstantlyhurriedaway，andconfounded，bythatnever-ceasingforcewhichactuateseverypartofmatter。
Thustheuniversegoesonformanyagesinacontinuedsuccessionofchaosanddisorder。Butisitnotpossiblethatitmaysettleatlast，soasnottoloseitsmotionandactiveforce（forthatwehavesupposedinherentinit），yetsoastopreserveanuniformityofappearance，amidstthecontinualmotionandfluctuationofitsparts？Thiswefindtobethecasewiththeuniverseatpresent。Everyindividualisperpetuallychanging，andeverypartofeveryindividual;andyetthewholeremains，inappearance，thesame。Maywenothopeforsuchaposition，orratherbeassuredofit，fromtheeternalrevolutionsofunguidedmatter;andmaynotthisaccountforalltheappearingwisdomandcontrivancewhichisintheuniverse？Letuscontemplatethesubjectalittle，andweshallfind，thatthisadjustment，ifattainedbymatterofaseemingstabilityintheforms，witharealandperpetualrevolutionormotionofparts，affordsaplausible，ifnotatruesolutionofthedifficulty。
Itisinvain，therefore，toinsistupontheusesofthepartsinanimalsorvegetables，andtheircuriousadjustmenttoeachother。Iwouldfainknow，howananimalcouldsubsist，unlessitspartsweresoadjusted？Dowenotfind，thatitimmediatelyperisheswheneverthisadjustmentceases，andthatitsmattercorruptingtriessomenewform？Ithappensindeed，thatthepartsoftheworldaresowelladjusted，thatsomeregularformimmediatelylaysclaimtothiscorruptedmatter：andifitwerenotso，couldtheworldsubsist？Mustitnotdissolveaswellastheanimal，andpassthroughnewpositionsandsituations，tillingreat，butfinitesuccession，itfallsatlastintothepresentorsomesuchorder？
Itiswell，repliedCLEANTHES，youtoldus，thatthishypothesiswassuggestedonasudden，inthecourseoftheargument。Hadyouhadleisuretoexamineit，youwouldsoonhaveperceivedtheinsuperableobjectionstowhichitisexposed。Noform，yousay，cansubsist，unlessitpossessthosepowersandorgansrequisiteforitssubsistence：
someneworderoreconomymustbetried，andsoon，withoutintermission;
tillatlastsomeorder，whichcansupportandmaintainitself，isfallenupon。Butaccordingtothishypothesis，whencearisethemanyconveniencesandadvantageswhichmenandallanimalspossess？Twoeyes，twoears，arenotabsolutelynecessaryforthesubsistenceofthespecies。Humanracemighthavebeenpropagatedandpreserved，withouthorses，dogs，cows，sheep，andthoseinnumerablefruitsandproductswhichservetooursatisfactionandenjoyment。IfnocamelshadbeencreatedfortheuseofmaninthesandydesertsofAFRICAandARABIA，wouldtheworldhavebeendissolved？Ifnolodestonehadbeenframedtogivethatwonderfulandusefuldirectiontotheneedle，wouldhumansocietyandthehumankindhavebeenimmediatelyextinguished？ThoughthemaximsofNaturebeingeneralveryfrugal，yetinstancesofthiskindarefarfrombeingrare;andanyoneofthemisasufficientproofofdesign，andofabenevolentdesign，whichgaverisetotheorderandarrangementoftheuniverse。
Atleast，youmaysafelyinfer，saidPHILO，thattheforegoinghypothesisissofarincompleteandimperfect，whichIshallnotscrupletoallow。Butcanweeverreasonablyexpectgreatersuccessinanyattemptsofthisnature？
Orcanweeverhopetoerectasystemofcosmogony，thatwillbeliabletonoexceptions，andwillcontainnocircumstancerepugnanttoourlimitedandimperfectexperienceoftheanalogyofNature？Yourtheoryitselfcannotsurelypretendtoanysuchadvantage，eventhoughyouhaverunintoAnthropomorphism，thebettertopreserveaconformitytocommonexperience。Letusoncemoreputittotrial。
Inallinstanceswhichwehaveeverseen，ideasarecopiedfromrealobjects，andareectypal，notarchetypal，toexpressmyselfinlearnedterms：Youreversethisorder，andgivethoughttheprecedence。Inallinstanceswhichwehaveeverseen，thoughthasnoinfluenceuponmatter，exceptwherethatmatterissoconjoinedwithitastohaveanequalreciprocalinfluenceuponit。Noanimalcanmoveimmediatelyanythingbutthemembersofitsownbody;andindeed，theequalityofactionandreactionseemstobeanuniversallawofnature：Butyourtheoryimpliesacontradictiontothisexperience。Theseinstances，withmanymore，whichitwereeasytocollect，（particularlythesuppositionofamindorsystemofthoughtthatiseternal，or，inotherwords，ananimalingenerableandimmortal）;theseinstances，Isay，mayteachallofussobrietyincondemningeachother，andletussee，thatasnosystemofthiskindoughtevertobereceivedfromaslightanalogy，soneitheroughtanytoberejectedonaccountofasmallincongruity。Forthatisaninconveniencefromwhichwecanjustlypronouncenoonetobeexempted。
Allreligioussystems，itisconfessed，aresubjecttogreatandinsuperabledifficulties。Eachdisputanttriumphsinhisturn;whilehecarriesonanoffensivewar，andexposestheabsurdities，barbarities，andpernicioustenetsofhisantagonist。Butallofthem，onthewhole，prepareacompletetriumphfortheSceptic;whotellsthem，thatnosystemoughtevertobeembracedwithregardtosuchsubjects：Forthisplainreason，thatnoabsurdityoughtevertobeassentedtowithregardtoanysubject。Atotalsuspenseofjudgementishereouronlyreasonableresource。Andifeveryattack，asiscommonlyobserved，andnodefence，amongTheologians，issuccessful;howcompletemustbehisvictory，whoremainsalways，withallmankind，ontheoffensive，andhashimselfnofixedstationorabidingcity，whichheisever，onanyoccasion，obligedtodefend？
PART9
Butifsomanydifficultiesattendtheargumentaposteriori，saidDEMEA，hadwenotbetteradheretothatsimpleandsublimeargumentapriori，which，byofferingtousinfallibledemonstration，cutsoffatoncealldoubtanddifficulty？Bythisargument，too，wemayprovetheinfinityoftheDivineattributes，which，Iamafraid，canneverbeascertainedwithcertaintyfromanyothertopic。Forhowcananeffect，whicheitherisfinite，or，foraughtweknow，maybeso;howcansuchaneffect，Isay，proveaninfinitecause？
TheunitytoooftheDivineNature，itisverydifficult，ifnotabsolutelyimpossible，todeducemerelyfromcontemplatingtheworksofnature;norwilltheuniformityaloneoftheplan，evenwereitallowed，giveusanyassuranceofthatattribute。Whereastheargumentapriori……
Youseemtoreason，DEMEA，interposedCLEANTHES，asifthoseadvantagesandconveniencesintheabstractargumentwerefullproofsofitssolidity。Butitisfirstproper，inmyopinion，todeterminewhatargumentofthisnatureyouchoosetoinsiston;andweshallafterwards，fromitself，betterthanfromitsusefulconsequences，endeavourtodeterminewhatvalueweoughttoputuponit。
Theargument，repliedDEMEA，whichIwouldinsiston，isthecommonone。Whateverexistsmusthaveacauseorreasonofitsexistence;itbeingabsolutelyimpossibleforanythingtoproduceitself，orbethecauseofitsownexistence。Inmountingup，therefore，fromeffectstocauses，wemusteithergoonintracinganinfinitesuccession，withoutanyultimatecauseatall;ormustatlasthaverecoursetosomeultimatecause，thatisnecessarilyexistent：
Now，thatthefirstsuppositionisabsurd，maybethusproved。Intheinfinitechainorsuccessionofcausesandeffects，eachsingleeffectisdeterminedtoexistbythepowerandefficacyofthatcausewhichimmediatelypreceded;
butthewholeeternalchainorsuccession，takentogether，isnotdeterminedorcausedbyanything;andyetitisevidentthatitrequiresacauseorreason，asmuchasanyparticularobjectwhichbeginstoexistintime。Thequestionisstillreasonable，whythisparticularsuccessionofcausesexistedfrometernity，andnotanyothersuccession，ornosuccessionatall。Iftherebenonecessarilyexistentbeing，anysuppositionwhichcanbeformedisequallypossible;noristhereanymoreabsurdityinNothing’shavingexistedfrometernity，thanthereisinthatsuccessionofcauseswhichconstitutestheuniverse。Whatwasit，then，whichdeterminedSomethingtoexistratherthanNothing，andbestowedbeingonaparticularpossibility，exclusiveoftherest？Externalcauses，therearesupposedtobenone。Chanceisawordwithoutameaning。WasitNothing？
Butthatcanneverproduceanything。Wemust，therefore，haverecoursetoanecessarilyexistentBeing，whocarriestheREASONofhisexistenceinhimself，andwhocannotbesupposednottoexist，withoutanexpresscontradiction。
Thereis，consequently，suchaBeing;
thatis，thereisaDeity。
IshallnotleaveittoPHILO，saidCLEANTHES，thoughIknowthatthestartingobjectionsishischiefdelight，topointouttheweaknessofthismetaphysicalreasoning。Itseemstomesoobviouslyill-grounded，andatthesametimeofsolittleconsequencetothecauseoftruepietyandreligion，thatIshallmyselfventuretoshowthefallacyofit。
Ishallbeginwithobserving，thatthereisanevidentabsurdityinpretendingtodemonstrateamatteroffact，ortoproveitbyanyargumentsapriori。Nothingisdemonstrable，unlessthecontraryimpliesacontradiction。Nothing，thatisdistinctlyconceivable，impliesacontradiction。Whateverweconceiveasexistent，wecanalsoconceiveasnon-existent。Thereisnobeing，therefore，whosenon-existenceimpliesacontradiction。Consequentlythereisnobeing，whoseexistenceisdemonstrable。Iproposethisargumentasentirelydecisive，andamwillingtorestthewholecontroversyuponit。
ItispretendedthattheDeityisanecessarilyexistentbeing;andthisnecessityofhisexistenceisattemptedtobeexplainedbyasserting，thatifweknewhiswholeessenceornature，weshouldperceiveittobeasimpossibleforhimnottoexist，asfortwicetwonottobefour。Butitisevidentthatthiscanneverhappen，whileourfacultiesremainthesameasatpresent。Itwillstillbepossibleforus，atanytime，toconceivethenon-existenceofwhatweformerlyconceivedtoexist;norcanthemindeverlieunderanecessityofsupposinganyobjecttoremainalwaysinbeing;inthesamemanneraswelieunderanecessityofalwaysconceivingtwicetwotobefour。Thewords，therefore，necessaryexistence，havenomeaning;or，whichisthesamething，nonethatisconsistent。
Butfurther，whymaynotthematerialuniversebethenecessarilyexistentBeing，accordingtothispretendedexplicationofnecessity？Wedarenotaffirmthatweknowallthequalitiesofmatter;andforaughtwecandetermine，itmaycontainsomequalities，which，weretheyknown，wouldmakeitsnon-existenceappearasgreatacontradictionasthattwicetwoisfive。Ifindonlyoneargumentemployedtoprove，thatthematerialworldisnotthenecessarilyexistentBeing：andthisargumentisderivedfromthecontingencybothofthematterandtheformoftheworld。"Anyparticleofmatter，"itissaid，"maybeconceivedtobeannihilated;
andanyformmaybeconceivedtobealtered。Suchanannihilationoralteration，therefore，isnotimpossible。"22Butitseemsagreatpartialitynottoperceive，thatthesameargumentextendsequallytotheDeity，sofaraswehaveanyconceptionofhim;andthatthemindcanatleastimaginehimtobenon-existent，orhisattributestobealtered。Itmustbesomeunknown，inconceivablequalities，whichcanmakehisnon-existenceappearimpossible，orhisattributesunalterable：Andnoreasoncanbeassigned，whythesequalitiesmaynotbelongtomatter。Astheyarealtogetherunknownandinconceivable，theycanneverbeprovedincompatiblewithit。
Addtothis，thatintracinganeternalsuccessionofobjects，itseemsabsurdtoinquireforageneralcauseorfirstauthor。Howcananything，thatexistsfrometernity，haveacause，sincethatrelationimpliesapriorityintime，andabeginningofexistence？
Insuchachain，too，orsuccessionofobjects，eachpartiscausedbythatwhichprecededit，andcausesthatwhichsucceedsit。Wherethenisthedifficulty？Butthewhole，yousay，wantsacause。Ianswer，thattheunitingofthesepartsintoawhole，liketheunitingofseveraldistinctcountriesintoonekingdom，orseveraldistinctmembersintoonebody，isperformedmerelybyanarbitraryactofthemind，andhasnoinfluenceonthenatureofthings。DidI
showyoutheparticularcausesofeachindividualinacollectionoftwentyparticlesofmatter，Ishouldthinkitveryunreasonable，shouldyouafterwardsaskme，whatwasthecauseofthewholetwenty。Thisissufficientlyexplainedinexplainingthecauseoftheparts。
Thoughthereasoningswhichyouhaveurged，CLEANTHES，maywellexcuseme，saidPHILO，fromstartinganyfurtherdifficulties，yetIcannotforbearinsistingstilluponanothertopic。Itisobservedbyarithmeticians，thattheproductsof9，composealwayseither9，orsomelesserproductof9，ifyouaddtogetherallthecharactersofwhichanyoftheformerproductsiscomposed。Thus，of18，27，36，whichareproductsof9，youmake9byadding1to8，2
to7，3to6。Thus，369isaproductalsoof9;andifyouadd3，6，and9，youmake18，alesserproductof9。23Toasuperficialobserver，sowonderfularegularitymaybeadmiredastheeffecteitherofchanceordesign：butaskilfulalgebraistimmediatelyconcludesittobetheworkofnecessity，anddemonstrates，thatitmustforeverresultfromthenatureofthesenumbers。Isitnotprobable，Iask，thatthewholeeconomyoftheuniverseisconductedbyalikenecessity，thoughnohumanalgebracanfurnishakeywhichsolvesthedifficulty？Andinsteadofadmiringtheorderofnaturalbeings，mayitnothappen，that，couldwepenetrateintotheintimatenatureofbodies，weshouldclearlyseewhyitwasabsolutelyimpossibletheycouldeveradmitofanyotherdisposition？Sodangerousisittointroducethisideaofnecessityintothepresentquestion！andsonaturallydoesitaffordaninferencedirectlyoppositetothereligioushypothesis！
Butdroppingalltheseabstractions，continuedPHILO，andconfiningourselvestomorefamiliartopics，Ishallventuretoaddanobservation，thattheargumentapriorihasseldombeenfoundveryconvincing，excepttopeopleofametaphysicalhead，whohaveaccustomedthemselvestoabstractreasoning，andwho，findingfrommathematics，thattheunderstandingfrequentlyleadstotruththroughobscurity，and，contrarytofirstappearances，havetransferredthesamehabitofthinkingtosubjectswhereitoughtnottohaveplace。Otherpeople，evenofgoodsenseandthebestinclinedtoreligion，feelalwayssomedeficiencyinsucharguments，thoughtheyarenotperhapsabletoexplaindistinctlywhereitlies;acertainproofthatmeneverdid，andeverwillderivetheirreligionfromothersourcesthanfromthisspeciesofreasoning。
PART10
Itismyopinion，Iown，repliedDEMEA，thateachmanfeels，inamanner，thetruthofreligionwithinhisownbreast，and，fromaconsciousnessofhisimbecilityandmisery，ratherthanfromanyreasoning，isledtoseekprotectionfromthatBeing，onwhomheandallnatureisdependent。
Soanxiousorsotediousareeventhebestscenesoflife，thatfuturityisstilltheobjectofallourhopesandfears。Weincessantlylookforward，andendeavour，byprayers，adoration，andsacrifice，toappeasethoseunknownpowers，whomwefind，byexperience，soabletoafflictandoppressus。Wretchedcreaturesthatweare！whatresourceforusamidsttheinnumerableillsoflife，didnotreligionsuggestsomemethodsofatonement，andappeasethoseterrorswithwhichweareincessantlyagitatedandtormented？
Iamindeedpersuaded，saidPHILO，thatthebest，andindeedtheonlymethodofbringingeveryonetoaduesenseofreligion，isbyjustrepresentationsofthemiseryandwickednessofmen。Andforthatpurposeatalentofeloquenceandstrongimageryismorerequisitethanthatofreasoningandargument。Forisitnecessarytoprovewhateveryonefeelswithinhimself？Itisonlynecessarytomakeusfeelit，ifpossible，moreintimatelyandsensibly。
Thepeople，indeed，repliedDEMEA，aresufficientlyconvincedofthisgreatandmelancholytruth。Themiseriesoflife;theunhappinessofman;thegeneralcorruptionsofournature;
theunsatisfactoryenjoymentofpleasures，riches，honours;thesephraseshavebecomealmostproverbialinalllanguages。Andwhocandoubtofwhatallmendeclarefromtheirownimmediatefeelingandexperience？
Inthispoint，saidPHILO，thelearnedareperfectlyagreedwiththevulgar;andinallletters，sacredandprofane，thetopicofhumanmiseryhasbeeninsistedonwiththemostpatheticeloquencethatsorrowandmelancholycouldinspire。Thepoets，whospeakfromsentiment，withoutasystem，andwhosetestimonyhasthereforethemoreauthority，aboundinimagesofthisnature。FromHomerdowntoDr。Young，thewholeinspiredtribehaveeverbeensensible，thatnootherrepresentationofthingswouldsuitthefeelingandobservationofeachindividual。
Astoauthorities，repliedDEMEA，youneednotseekthem。LookroundthislibraryofCLEANTHES。Ishallventuretoaffirm，that，exceptauthorsofparticularsciences，suchaschemistryorbotany，whohavenooccasiontotreatofhumanlife，thereisscarceoneofthoseinnumerablewriters，fromwhomthesenseofhumanmiseryhasnot，insomepassageorother，extortedacomplaintandconfessionofit。
Atleast，thechanceisentirelyonthatside;andnooneauthorhasever，sofarasIcanrecollect，beensoextravagantastodenyit。
Thereyoumustexcuseme，saidPHILO：LEIBNIZ
hasdeniedit;andisperhapsthefirst24whoventureduponsoboldandparadoxicalanopinion;atleast，thefirstwhomadeitessentialtohisphilosophicalsystem。
Andbybeingthefirst，repliedDEMEA，mighthenothavebeensensibleofhiserror？Foristhisasubjectinwhichphilosopherscanproposetomakediscoveriesespeciallyinsolateanage？Andcananymanhopebyasimpledenial（forthesubjectscarcelyadmitsofreasoning），tobeardowntheunitedtestimonyofmankind，foundedonsenseandconsciousness？
Andwhyshouldman，addedhe，pretendtoanexemptionfromthelotofallotheranimals？Thewholeearth，believeme，PHILO，iscursedandpolluted。Aperpetualwariskindledamongstalllivingcreatures。Necessity，hunger，want，stimulatethestrongandcourageous：Fear，anxiety，terror，agitatetheweakandinfirm。Thefirstentranceintolifegivesanguishtothenew-borninfantandtoitswretchedparent：Weakness，impotence，distress，attendeachstageofthatlife：anditisatlastfinishedinagonyandhorror。
Observetoo，saysPHILO，thecuriousartificesofNature，inordertoembitterthelifeofeverylivingbeing。Thestrongerpreyupontheweaker，andkeeptheminperpetualterrorandanxiety。Theweakertoo，intheirturn，oftenpreyuponthestronger，andvexandmolestthemwithoutrelaxation。
Considerthatinnumerableraceofinsects，whicheitherarebredonthebodyofeachanimal，or，flyingabout，infixtheirstingsinhim。Theseinsectshaveothersstilllessthanthemselves，whichtormentthem。Andthusoneachhand，beforeandbehind，aboveandbelow，everyanimalissurroundedwithenemies，whichincessantlyseekhismiseryanddestruction。
Manalone，saidDEMEA，seemstobe，inpart，anexceptiontothisrule。Forbycombinationinsociety，hecaneasilymasterlions，tigers，andbears，whosegreaterstrengthandagilitynaturallyenablethemtopreyuponhim。
Onthecontrary，itisherechiefly，criedPHILO，thattheuniformandequalmaximsofNaturearemostapparent。Man，itistrue，can，bycombination，surmountallhisrealenemies，andbecomemasterofthewholeanimalcreation：butdoeshenotimmediatelyraiseuptohimselfimaginaryenemies，thedemonsofhisfancy，whohaunthimwithsuperstitiousterrors，andblasteveryenjoymentoflife？Hispleasure，asheimagines，becomes，intheireyes，acrime：hisfoodandreposegivethemumbrageandoffence：hisverysleepanddreamsfurnishnewmaterialstoanxiousfear：andevendeath，hisrefugefromeveryotherill，presentsonlythedreadofendlessandinnumerablewoes。Nordoesthewolfmolestmorethetimidflock，thansuperstitiondoestheanxiousbreastofwretchedmortals。
Besides，consider，DEMEA：Thisverysociety，bywhichwesurmountthosewildbeasts，ournaturalenemies;
whatnewenemiesdoesitnotraisetous？Whatwoeandmiserydoesitnotoccasion？Manisthegreatestenemyofman。Oppression，injustice，contempt，contumely，violence，sedition，war，calumny，treachery，fraud;bythesetheymutuallytormenteachother;andtheywouldsoondissolvethatsocietywhichtheyhadformed，wereitnotforthedreadofstillgreaterills，whichmustattendtheirseparation。
Butthoughtheseexternalinsults，saidDEMEA，fromanimals，frommen，fromalltheelements，whichassaultus，formafrightfulcatalogueofwoes，theyarenothingincomparisonofthosewhicharisewithinourselves，fromthedistemperedconditionofourmindandbody。Howmanylieunderthelingeringtormentofdiseases？Hearthepatheticenumerationofthegreatpoet。
Intestinestoneandulcer，colic-pangs，Demoniacfrenzy，mopingmelancholy，Andmoon-struckmadness，piningatrophy，Marasmus，andwide-wastingpestilence。Direwasthetossing，deepthegroans：despairTendedthesick，busiestfromcouchtocouch。
AndoverthemtriumphantdeathhisdartShook：butdelay’dtostrike，thoughoftinvok’dWithvows，astheirchiefgoodandfinalhope。25
Thedisordersofthemind，continuedDEMEA，thoughmoresecret，arenotperhapslessdismalandvexatious。
Remorse，shame，anguish，rage，disappointment，anxiety，fear，dejection，despair;whohaseverpassedthroughlifewithoutcruelinroadsfromthesetormentors？Howmanyhavescarcelyeverfeltanybettersensations？Labourandpoverty，soabhorredbyeveryone，arethecertainlotofthefargreaternumber;andthosefewprivilegedpersons，whoenjoyeaseandopulence，neverreachcontentmentortruefelicity。
Allthegoodsoflifeunitedwouldnotmakeaveryhappyman;butalltheillsunitedwouldmakeawretchindeed;
andanyoneofthemalmost（andwhocanbefreefromeveryone？）nayoftentheabsenceofonegood（andwhocanpossessall？）issufficienttorenderlifeineligible。
Wereastrangertodroponasuddenintothisworld，Iwouldshowhim，asaspecimenofitsills，ahospitalfullofdiseases，aprisoncrowdedwithmalefactorsanddebtors，afieldofbattlestrewedwithcarcasses，afleetfounderingintheocean，anationlanguishingundertyranny，famine，orpestilence。
Toturnthegaysideoflifetohim，andgivehimanotionofitspleasures;whithershouldIconducthim？toaball，toanopera，tocourt？Hemightjustlythink，thatIwasonlyshowinghimadiversityofdistressandsorrow。
Thereisnoevadingsuchstrikinginstances，saidPHILO，butbyapologies，whichstillfurtheraggravatethecharge。Whyhaveallmen，Iask，inallages，complainedincessantlyofthemiseriesoflife？……Theyhavenojustreason，saysone：thesecomplaintsproceedonlyfromtheirdiscontented，repining，anxiousdisposition……Andcantherepossibly，Ireply，beamorecertainfoundationofmisery，thansuchawretchedtemper？
Butiftheywerereallyasunhappyastheypretend，saysmyantagonist，whydotheyremaininlife？……Notsatisfiedwithlife，afraidofdeath。Thisisthesecretchain，sayI，thatholdsus。Weareterrified，notbribedtothecontinuanceofourexistence。
Itisonlyafalsedelicacy，hemayinsist，whichafewrefinedspiritsindulge，andwhichhasspreadthesecomplaintsamongthewholeraceofmankind……Andwhatisthisdelicacy，Iask，whichyoublame？Isitanythingbutagreatersensibilitytoallthepleasuresandpainsoflife？andifthemanofadelicate，refinedtemper，bybeingsomuchmorealivethantherestoftheworld，isonlysomuchmoreunhappy，whatjudgementmustweformingeneralofhumanlife？
Letmenremainatrest，saysouradversary，andtheywillbeeasy。Theyarewillingartificersoftheirownmisery……No！replyI：ananxiouslanguorfollowstheirrepose;
disappointment，vexation，trouble，theiractivityandambition。
Icanobservesomethinglikewhatyoumentioninsomeothers，repliedCLEANTHES：butIconfessIfeellittleornothingofitinmyself，andhopethatitisnotsocommonasyourepresentit。
Ifyoufeelnothumanmiseryyourself，criedDEMEA，Icongratulateyouonsohappyasingularity。Others，seeminglythemostprosperous，havenotbeenashamedtoventtheircomplaintsinthemostmelancholystrains。Letusattendtothegreat，thefortunateemperor，CHARLESV，when，tiredwithhumangrandeur，heresignedallhisextensivedominionsintothehandsofhisson。Inthelastharanguewhichhemadeonthatmemorableoccasion，hepubliclyavowed，thatthegreatestprosperitieswhichhehadeverenjoyed，hadbeenmixedwithsomanyadversities，thathemighttrulysayhehadneverenjoyedanysatisfactionorcontentment。
Butdidtheretiredlife，inwhichhesoughtforshelter，affordhimanygreaterhappiness？Ifwemaycredithisson’saccount，hisrepentancecommencedtheverydayofhisresignation。
CICERO’sfortune，fromsmallbeginnings，rosetothegreatestlustreandrenown;yetwhatpatheticcomplaintsoftheillsoflifedohisfamiliarletters，aswellasphilosophicaldiscourses，contain？Andsuitablytohisownexperience，heintroducesCATO，thegreat，thefortunateCATO，protestinginhisoldage，thathadheanewlifeinhisoffer，hewouldrejectthepresent。
Askyourself，askanyofyouracquaintance，whethertheywouldliveoveragainthelasttenortwentyyearsoftheirlife。No！butthenexttwenty，theysay，willbebetter：
Andfromthedregsoflife，hopetoreceiveWhatthefirstsprightlyrunningcouldnotgive。26
Thusatlasttheyfind（suchisthegreatnessofhumanmisery，itreconcilesevencontradictions），thattheycomplainatonceoftheshortnessoflife，andofitsvanityandsorrow。
Andisitpossible，CLEANTHES，saidPHILO，thatafterallthesereflections，andinfinitelymore，whichmightbesuggested，youcanstillpersevereinyourAnthropomorphism，andassertthemoralattributesoftheDeity，hisjustice，benevolence，mercy，andrectitude，tobeofthesamenaturewiththesevirtuesinhumancreatures？Hispowerweallowisinfinite：whateverhewillsisexecuted：butneithermannoranyotheranimalishappy：thereforehedoesnotwilltheirhappiness。Hiswisdomisinfinite：Heisnevermistakeninchoosingthemeanstoanyend：ButthecourseofNaturetendsnottohumanoranimalfelicity：thereforeitisnotestablishedforthatpurpose。Throughthewholecompassofhumanknowledge，therearenoinferencesmorecertainandinfalliblethanthese。Inwhatrespect，then，dohisbenevolenceandmercyresemblethebenevolenceandmercyofmen？
EPICURUS’soldquestionsareyetunanswered。
Ishewillingtopreventevil，butnotable？
thenisheimpotent。Isheable，butnotwilling？thenishemalevolent。Ishebothableandwilling？whencethenisevil？
Youascribe，CLEANTHES（andIbelievejustly），apurposeandintentiontoNature。Butwhat，Ibeseechyou，istheobjectofthatcuriousartificeandmachinery，whichshehasdisplayedinallanimals？Thepreservationaloneofindividuals，andpropagationofthespecies。Itseemsenoughforherpurpose，ifsucharankbebarelyupheldintheuniverse，withoutanycareorconcernforthehappinessofthemembersthatcomposeit。Noresourceforthispurpose：nomachinery，inordermerelytogivepleasureorease：nofundofpurejoyandcontentment：noindulgence，withoutsomewantornecessityaccompanyingit。Atleast，thefewphenomenaofthisnatureareoverbalancedbyoppositephenomenaofstillgreaterimportance。
Oursenseofmusic，harmony，andindeedbeautyofallkinds，givessatisfaction，withoutbeingabsolutelynecessarytothepreservationandpropagationofthespecies。Butwhatrackingpains，ontheotherhand，arisefromgouts，gravels，megrims，toothaches，rheumatisms，wheretheinjurytotheanimalmachineryiseithersmallorincurable？Mirth，laughter，play，frolic，seemgratuitoussatisfactions，whichhavenofurthertendency：spleen，melancholy，discontent，superstition，arepainsofthesamenature。
HowthendoestheDivinebenevolencedisplayitself，inthesenseofyouAnthropomorphites？NonebutweMystics，asyouwerepleasedtocallus，canaccountforthisstrangemixtureofphenomena，byderivingitfromattributes，infinitelyperfect，butincomprehensible。
Andhaveyouatlast，saidCLEANTHESsmiling，betrayedyourintentions，PHILO？YourlongagreementwithDEMEAdidindeedalittlesurpriseme;butIfindyouwereallthewhileerectingaconcealedbatteryagainstme。AndImustconfess，thatyouhavenowfallenuponasubjectworthyofyournoblespiritofoppositionandcontroversy。Ifyoucanmakeoutthepresentpoint，andprovemankindtobeunhappyorcorrupted，thereisanendatonceofallreligion。FortowhatpurposeestablishthenaturalattributesoftheDeity，whilethemoralarestilldoubtfulanduncertain？
Youtakeumbrageveryeasily，repliedDEMEA，atopinionsthemostinnocent，andthemostgenerallyreceived，evenamongstthereligiousanddevoutthemselves：andnothingcanbemoresurprisingthantofindatopiclikethis，concerningthewickednessandmiseryofman，chargedwithnolessthanAtheismandprofaneness。Havenotallpiousdivinesandpreachers，whohaveindulgedtheirrhetoriconsofertileasubject;havetheynoteasily，Isay，givenasolutionofanydifficultieswhichmayattendit？Thisworldisbutapointincomparisonoftheuniverse;thislifebutamomentincomparisonofeternity。Thepresentevilphenomena，therefore，arerectifiedinotherregions，andinsomefutureperiodofexistence。Andtheeyesofmen，beingthenopenedtolargerviewsofthings，seethewholeconnectionofgenerallaws;andtracewithadoration，thebenevolenceandrectitudeoftheDeity，throughallthemazesandintricaciesofhisprovidence。
No！repliedCLEANTHES，No！Thesearbitrarysuppositionscanneverbeadmitted，contrarytomatteroffact，visibleanduncontroverted。Whencecananycausebeknownbutfromitsknowneffects？Whencecananyhypothesisbeprovedbutfromtheapparentphenomena？Toestablishonehypothesisuponanother，isbuildingentirelyintheair;andtheutmostweeverattain，bytheseconjecturesandfictions，istoascertainthebarepossibilityofouropinion;butnevercanwe，uponsuchterms，establishitsreality。
TheonlymethodofsupportingDivinebenevolence，anditiswhatIwillinglyembrace，istodenyabsolutelythemiseryandwickednessofman。Yourrepresentationsareexaggerated;
yourmelancholyviewsmostlyfictitious;yourinferencescontrarytofactandexperience。Healthismorecommonthansickness;pleasurethanpain;happinessthanmisery。Andforonevexationwhichwemeetwith，weattain，uponcomputation，ahundredenjoyments。
Admittingyourposition，repliedPHILO，whichyetisextremelydoubtful，youmustatthesametimeallow，thatifpainbelessfrequentthanpleasure，itisinfinitelymoreviolentanddurable。Onehourofitisoftenabletooutweighaday，aweek，amonthofourcommoninsipidenjoyments;andhowmanydays，weeks，andmonths，arepassedbyseveralinthemostacutetorments？Pleasure，scarcelyinoneinstance，iseverabletoreachecstasyandrapture;
andinnooneinstancecanitcontinueforanytimeatitshighestpitchandaltitude。Thespiritsevaporate，thenervesrelax，thefabricisdisordered，andtheenjoymentquicklydegeneratesintofatigueanduneasiness。Butpainoften，goodGod，howoften！risestotortureandagony;andthelongeritcontinues，itbecomesstillmoregenuineagonyandtorture。Patienceisexhausted，couragelanguishes，melancholyseizesus，andnothingterminatesourmiserybuttheremovalofitscause，oranotherevent，whichisthesolecureofallevil，butwhich，fromournaturalfolly，weregardwithstillgreaterhorrorandconsternation。
Butnottoinsistuponthesetopics，continuedPHILO，thoughmostobvious，certain，andimportant;Imustusethefreedomtoadmonishyou，CLEANTHES，thatyouhaveputthecontroversyuponamostdangerousissue，andareunawaresintroducingatotalscepticismintothemostessentialarticlesofnaturalandrevealedtheology。What！nomethodoffixingajustfoundationforreligion，unlessweallowthehappinessofhumanlife，andmaintainacontinuedexistenceeveninthisworld，withallourpresentpains，infirmities，vexations，andfollies，tobeeligibleanddesirable！Butthisiscontrarytoeveryone’sfeelingandexperience：
Itiscontrarytoanauthoritysoestablishedasnothingcansubvert。Nodecisiveproofscaneverbeproducedagainstthisauthority;norisitpossibleforyoutocompute，estimate，andcompare，allthepainsandallthepleasuresinthelivesofallmenandofallanimals：Andthus，byyourrestingthewholesystemofreligiononapoint，which，fromitsverynature，mustforeverbeuncertain，youtacitlyconfess，thatthatsystemisequallyuncertain。
Butallowingyouwhatneverwillbebelieved，atleastwhatyouneverpossiblycanprove，thatanimal，oratleasthumanhappiness，inthislife，exceedsitsmisery，youhaveyetdonenothing：Forthisisnot，byanymeans，whatweexpectfrominfinitepower，infinitewisdom，andinfinitegoodness。
Whyisthereanymiseryatallintheworld？Notbychancesurely。Fromsomecausethen。IsitfromtheintentionoftheDeity？Butheisperfectlybenevolent。Isitcontrarytohisintention？Butheisalmighty。Nothingcanshakethesolidityofthisreasoning，soshort，soclear，sodecisive;exceptweassert，thatthesesubjectsexceedallhumancapacity，andthatourcommonmeasuresoftruthandfalsehoodarenotapplicabletothem;atopicwhichIhaveallalonginsistedon，butwhichyouhave，fromthebeginning，rejectedwithscornandindignation。
ButIwillbecontentedtoretirestillfromthisentrenchment，forIdenythatyoucaneverforcemeinit。Iwillallow，thatpainormiseryinmaniscompatiblewithinfinitepowerandgoodnessintheDeity，eveninyoursenseoftheseattributes：Whatareyouadvancedbyalltheseconcessions？A
merepossiblecompatibilityisnotsufficient。
Youmustprovethesepure，unmixed，anduncontrollableattributesfromthepresentmixedandconfusedphenomena，andfromthesealone。Ahopefulundertaking！Werethephenomenaeversopureandunmixed，yetbeingfinite，theywouldbeinsufficientforthatpurpose。Howmuchmore，wheretheyarealsosojarringanddiscordant！
Here，CLEANTHES，Ifindmyselfateaseinmyargument。HereItriumph。Formerly，whenwearguedconcerningthenaturalattributesofintelligenceanddesign，Ineededallmyscepticalandmetaphysicalsubtletytoeludeyourgrasp。Inmanyviewsoftheuniverse，andofitsparts，particularlythelatter，thebeautyandfitnessoffinalcausesstrikeuswithsuchirresistibleforce，thatallobjectionsappear（whatIbelievetheyreallyare）merecavilsandsophisms;norcanwethenimaginehowitwaseverpossibleforustoreposeanyweightonthem。Butthereisnoviewofhumanlife，oroftheconditionofmankind，fromwhich，withoutthegreatestviolence，wecaninferthemoralattributes，orlearnthatinfinitebenevolence，conjoinedwithinfinitepowerandinfinitewisdom，whichwemustdiscoverbytheeyesoffaithalone。Itisyourturnnowtotugthelabouringoar，andtosupportyourphilosophicalsubtletiesagainstthedictatesofplainreasonandexperience。
PART11
Iscruplenottoallow，saidCLEANTHES，thatIhavebeenapttosuspectthefrequentrepetitionofthewordinfinite，whichwemeetwithinalltheologicalwriters，tosavourmoreofpanegyricthanofphilosophy;andthatanypurposesofreasoning，andevenofreligion，wouldbebetterserved，werewetorestcontentedwithmoreaccurateandmoremoderateexpressions。Theterms，admirable，excellent，superlativelygreat，wise，andholy;thesesufficientlyfilltheimaginationsofmen;andanythingbeyond，besidesthatitleadsintoabsurdities，hasnoinfluenceontheaffectionsorsentiments。Thus，inthepresentsubject，ifweabandonallhumananalogy，asseemsyourintention，DEMEA，Iamafraidweabandonallreligion，andretainnoconceptionofthegreatobjectofouradoration。Ifwepreservehumananalogy，wemustforeverfinditimpossibletoreconcileanymixtureofevilintheuniversewithinfiniteattributes;muchlesscanweeverprovethelatterfromtheformer。ButsupposingtheAuthorofNaturetobefinitelyperfect，thoughfarexceedingmankind，asatisfactoryaccountmaythenbegivenofnaturalandmoralevil，andeveryuntowardphenomenonbeexplainedandadjusted。Alessevilmaythenbechosen，inordertoavoidagreater;
inconveniencesbesubmittedto，inordertoreachadesirableend;
andinaword，benevolence，regulatedbywisdom，andlimitedbynecessity，mayproducejustsuchaworldasthepresent。
You，PHILO，whoaresopromptatstartingviews，andreflections，andanalogies，Iwouldgladlyhear，atlength，withoutinterruption，youropinionofthisnewtheory;andifitdeserveourattention，wemayafterwards，atmoreleisure，reduceitintoform。
Mysentiments，repliedPHILO，arenotworthbeingmadeamysteryof;andtherefore，withoutanyceremony，I
shalldeliverwhatoccurstomewithregardtothepresentsubject。
Itmust，Ithink，beallowed，thatifaverylimitedintelligence，whomweshallsupposeutterlyunacquaintedwiththeuniverse，wereassured，thatitweretheproductionofaverygood，wise，andpowerfulBeing，howeverfinite，hewould，fromhisconjectures，formbeforehandadifferentnotionofitfromwhatwefindittobebyexperience;
norwouldheeverimagine，merelyfromtheseattributesofthecause，ofwhichheisinformed，thattheeffectcouldbesofullofviceandmiseryanddisorder，asitappearsinthislife。Supposingnow，thatthispersonwerebroughtintotheworld，stillassuredthatitwastheworkmanshipofsuchasublimeandbenevolentBeing;hemight，perhaps，besurprisedatthedisappointment;butwouldneverretracthisformerbelief，iffoundedonanyverysolidargument;sincesuchalimitedintelligencemustbesensibleofhisownblindnessandignorance，andmustallow，thattheremaybemanysolutionsofthosephenomena，whichwillforeverescapehiscomprehension。Butsupposing，whichistherealcasewithregardtoman，thatthiscreatureisnotantecedentlyconvincedofasupremeintelligence，benevolent，andpowerful，butislefttogathersuchabelieffromtheappearancesofthings;thisentirelyaltersthecase，norwillheeverfindanyreasonforsuchaconclusion。Hemaybefullyconvincedofthenarrowlimitsofhisunderstanding;butthiswillnothelphiminforminganinferenceconcerningthegoodnessofsuperiorpowers，sincehemustformthatinferencefromwhatheknows，notfromwhatheisignorantof。Themoreyouexaggeratehisweaknessandignorance，themorediffidentyourenderhim，andgivehimthegreatersuspicionthatsuchsubjectsarebeyondthereachofhisfaculties。Youareobliged，therefore，toreasonwithhimmerelyfromtheknownphenomena，andtodropeveryarbitrarysuppositionorconjecture。
DidIshowyouahouseorpalace，wheretherewasnotoneapartmentconvenientoragreeable;wherethewindows，doors，fires，passages，stairs，andthewholeeconomyofthebuilding，werethesourceofnoise，confusion，fatigue，darkness，andtheextremesofheatandcold;youwouldcertainlyblamethecontrivance，withoutanyfurtherexamination。Thearchitectwouldinvaindisplayhissubtlety，andprovetoyou，thatifthisdoororthatwindowwerealtered，greaterillswouldensue。Whathesaysmaybestrictlytrue：
Thealterationofoneparticular，whiletheotherpartsofthebuildingremain，mayonlyaugmenttheinconveniences。
Butstillyouwouldassertingeneral，that，ifthearchitecthadhadskillandgoodintentions，hemighthaveformedsuchaplanofthewhole，andmighthaveadjustedthepartsinsuchamanner，aswouldhaveremediedallormostoftheseinconveniences。Hisignorance，orevenyourownignoranceofsuchaplan，willneverconvinceyouoftheimpossibilityofit。Ifyoufindanyinconveniencesanddeformitiesinthebuilding，youwillalways，withoutenteringintoanydetail，condemnthearchitect。
Inshort，Irepeatthequestion：Istheworld，consideredingeneral，andasitappearstousinthislife，differentfromwhataman，orsuchalimitedbeing，would，beforehand，expectfromaverypowerful，wise，andbenevolentDeity？Itmustbestrangeprejudicetoassertthecontrary。AndfromthenceIconclude，thathoweverconsistenttheworldmaybe，allowingcertainsuppositionsandconjectures，withtheideaofsuchaDeity，itcanneveraffordusaninferenceconcerninghisexistence。Theconsistenceisnotabsolutelydenied，onlytheinference。Conjectures，especiallywhereinfinityisexcludedfromtheDivineattributes，mayperhapsbesufficienttoproveaconsistence，butcanneverbefoundationsforanyinference。
Thereseemtobefourcircumstances，onwhichdependall，orthegreatestpartoftheills，thatmolestsensiblecreatures;anditisnotimpossiblebutallthesecircumstancesmaybenecessaryandunavoidable。Weknowsolittlebeyondcommonlife，orevenofcommonlife，that，withregardtotheeconomyofauniverse，thereisnoconjecture，howeverwild，whichmaynotbejust;noranyone，howeverplausible，whichmaynotbeerroneous。Allthatbelongstohumanunderstanding，inthisdeepignoranceandobscurity，istobesceptical，oratleastcautious，andnottoadmitofanyhypothesiswhatever，muchlessofanywhichissupportedbynoappearanceofprobability。Now，thisIasserttobethecasewithregardtoallthecausesofevil，andthecircumstancesonwhichitdepends。Noneofthemappeartohumanreasonintheleastdegreenecessaryorunavoidable;norcanwesupposethemsuch，withouttheutmostlicenseofimagination。
Thefirstcircumstancewhichintroducesevil，isthatcontrivanceoreconomyoftheanimalcreation，bywhichpains，aswellaspleasures，areemployedtoexciteallcreaturestoaction，andmakethemvigilantinthegreatworkofself-preservation。Nowpleasurealone，initsvariousdegrees，seemstohumanunderstandingsufficientforthispurpose。Allanimalsmightbeconstantlyinastateofenjoyment：butwhenurgedbyanyofthenecessitiesofnature，suchasthirst，hunger，weariness;insteadofpain，theymightfeeladiminutionofpleasure，bywhichtheymightbepromptedtoseekthatobjectwhichisnecessarytotheirsubsistence。
Menpursuepleasureaseagerlyastheyavoidpain;atleasttheymighthavebeensoconstituted。Itseems，therefore，plainlypossibletocarryonthebusinessoflifewithoutanypain。Whythenisanyanimaleverrenderedsusceptibleofsuchasensation？Ifanimalscanbefreefromitanhour，theymightenjoyaperpetualexemptionfromit;anditrequiredasparticularacontrivanceoftheirorganstoproducethatfeeling，astoendowthemwithsight，hearing，oranyofthesenses。Shallweconjecture，thatsuchacontrivancewasnecessary，withoutanyappearanceofreason？
andshallwebuildonthatconjectureasonthemostcertaintruth？
Butacapacityofpainwouldnotaloneproducepain，wereitnotforthesecondcircumstance，viz。theconductingoftheworldbygenerallaws;andthisseemsnowisenecessarytoaveryperfectBeing。Itistrue，ifeverythingwereconductedbyparticularvolitions，thecourseofnaturewouldbeperpetuallybroken，andnomancouldemployhisreasonintheconductoflife。Butmightnototherparticularvolitionsremedythisinconvenience？Inshort，mightnottheDeityexterminateallill，whereveritweretobefound;andproduceallgood，withoutanypreparation，orlongprogressofcausesandeffects？
Besides，wemustconsider，that，accordingtothepresenteconomyoftheworld，thecourseofnature，thoughsupposedexactlyregular，yettousappearsnotso，andmanyeventsareuncertain，andmanydisappointourexpectations。Healthandsickness，calmandtempest，withaninfinitenumberofotheraccidents，whosecausesareunknownandvariable，haveagreatinfluencebothonthefortunesofparticularpersonsandontheprosperityofpublicsocieties;andindeedallhumanlife，inamanner，dependsonsuchaccidents。Abeing，therefore，whoknowsthesecretspringsoftheuniverse，mighteasily，byparticularvolitions，turnalltheseaccidentstothegoodofmankind，andrenderthewholeworldhappy，withoutdiscoveringhimselfinanyoperation。Afleet，whosepurposesweresalutarytosociety，mightalwaysmeetwithafairwind。Goodprincesenjoysoundhealthandlonglife。Personsborntopowerandauthority，beframedwithgoodtempersandvirtuousdispositions。Afewsucheventsasthese，regularlyandwiselyconducted，wouldchangethefaceoftheworld;
andyetwouldnomoreseemtodisturbthecourseofnature，orconfoundhumanconduct，thanthepresenteconomyofthings，wherethecausesaresecret，andvariable，andcompounded。SomesmalltouchesgiventoCALIGULA’sbraininhisinfancy，mighthaveconvertedhimintoaTRAJAN。Onewave，alittlehigherthantherest，byburyingCAESARandhisfortuneinthebottomoftheocean，mighthaverestoredlibertytoaconsiderablepartofmankind。Theremay，foraughtweknow，begoodreasonswhyProvidenceinterposesnotinthismanner;buttheyareunknowntous;
andthoughthemeresupposition，thatsuchreasonsexist，maybesufficienttosavetheconclusionconcerningtheDivineattributes，yetsurelyitcanneverbesufficienttoestablishthatconclusion。
Ifeverythingintheuniversebeconductedbygenerallaws，andifanimalsberenderedsusceptibleofpain，itscarcelyseemspossiblebutsomeillmustariseinthevariousshocksofmatter，andthevariousconcurrenceandoppositionofgenerallaws;butthisillwouldbeveryrare，wereitnotforthethirdcircumstance，whichIproposedtomention，viz。thegreatfrugalitywithwhichallpowersandfacultiesaredistributedtoeveryparticularbeing。Sowelladjustedaretheorgansandcapacitiesofallanimals，andsowellfittedtotheirpreservation，that，asfarashistoryortraditionreaches，thereappearsnottobeanysinglespecieswhichhasyetbeenextinguishedintheuniverse。Everyanimalhastherequisiteendowments;buttheseendowmentsarebestowedwithsoscrupulousaneconomy，thatanyconsiderablediminutionmustentirelydestroythecreature。Whereveronepowerisincreased，thereisaproportionalabatementintheothers。Animalswhichexcelinswiftnessarecommonlydefectiveinforce。Thosewhichpossessbothareeitherimperfectinsomeoftheirsenses，orareoppressedwiththemostcravingwants。Thehumanspecies，whosechiefexcellencyisreasonandsagacity，isofallothersthemostnecessitous，andthemostdeficientinbodilyadvantages;withoutclothes，withoutarms，withoutfood，withoutlodging，withoutanyconvenienceoflife，exceptwhattheyowetotheirownskillandindustry。Inshort，natureseemstohaveformedanexactcalculationofthenecessitiesofhercreatures;and，likearigidmaster，hasaffordedthemlittlemorepowersorendowmentsthanwhatarestrictlysufficienttosupplythosenecessities。Anindulgentparentwouldhavebestowedalargestock，inordertoguardagainstaccidents，andsecurethehappinessandwelfareofthecreatureinthemostunfortunateconcurrenceofcircumstances。Everycourseoflifewouldnothavebeensosurroundedwithprecipices，thattheleastdeparturefromthetruepath，bymistakeornecessity，mustinvolveusinmiseryandruin。Somereserve，somefund，wouldhavebeenprovidedtoensurehappiness;norwouldthepowersandthenecessitieshavebeenadjustedwithsorigidaneconomy。TheAuthorofNatureisinconceivablypowerful：
hisforceissupposedgreat，ifnotaltogetherinexhaustible：noristhereanyreason，asfaraswecanjudge，tomakehimobservethisstrictfrugalityinhisdealingswithhiscreatures。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，werehispowerextremelylimited，tohavecreatedfeweranimals，andtohaveendowedthesewithmorefacultiesfortheirhappinessandpreservation。
Abuilderisneveresteemedprudent，whoundertakesaplanbeyondwhathisstockwillenablehimtofinish。
Inordertocuremostoftheillsofhumanlife，Irequirenotthatmanshouldhavethewingsoftheeagle，theswiftnessofthestag，theforceoftheox，thearmsofthelion，thescalesofthecrocodileorrhinoceros;muchlessdoIdemandthesagacityofanangelorcherubim。Iamcontentedtotakeanincreaseinonesinglepowerorfacultyofhissoul。Lethimbeendowedwithagreaterpropensitytoindustryandlabour;amorevigorousspringandactivityofmind;amoreconstantbenttobusinessandapplication。Letthewholespeciespossessnaturallyanequaldiligencewiththatwhichmanyindividualsareabletoattainbyhabitandreflection;
andthemostbeneficialconsequences，withoutanyallayofill，istheimmediateandnecessaryresultofthisendowment。Almostallthemoral，aswellasnaturalevilsofhumanlife，arisefromidleness;andwereourspecies，bytheoriginalconstitutionoftheirframe，exemptfromthisviceorinfirmity，theperfectcultivationofland，theimprovementofartsandmanufactures，theexactexecutionofeveryofficeandduty，immediatelyfollow;andmenatoncemayfullyreachthatstateofsociety，whichissoimperfectlyattainedbythebestregulatedgovernment。
Butasindustryisapower，andthemostvaluableofany，Natureseemsdetermined，suitablytoherusualmaxims，tobestowitonmenwithaverysparinghand;andrathertopunishhimseverelyforhisdeficiencyinit，thantorewardhimforhisattainments。Shehassocontrivedhisframe，thatnothingbutthemostviolentnecessitycanobligehimtolabour;andsheemploysallhisotherwantstoovercome，atleastinpart，thewantofdiligence，andtoendowhimwithsomeshareofafacultyofwhichshehasthoughtfitnaturallytobereavehim。Hereourdemandsmaybeallowedveryhumble，andthereforethemorereasonable。Ifwerequiredtheendowmentsofsuperiorpenetrationandjudgement，ofamoredelicatetasteofbeauty，ofanicersensibilitytobenevolenceandfriendship;wemightbetold，thatweimpiouslypretendtobreaktheorderofNature;thatwewanttoexaltourselvesintoahigherrankofbeing;thatthepresentswhichwerequire，notbeingsuitabletoourstateandcondition，wouldonlybepernicioustous。Butitishard;Idaretorepeatit，itishard，thatbeingplacedinaworldsofullofwantsandnecessities，wherealmosteverybeingandelementiseitherourfoeorrefusesitsassistance……weshouldalsohaveourowntempertostrugglewith，andshouldbedeprivedofthatfacultywhichcanalonefenceagainstthesemultipliedevils。