The System of Nature, Vol. 1: Or, Laws of the Moral and Physical World (Classic Reprint) - Tapa blanda

Excerpt from The System of Nature, Vol. 1: Or, Laws of the Moral and Physical World

Let us then endeavour to disperse those clouds of ignorance, those mists of darkness which impede man on his journey, which obscure his progress, which prevent his marching through life with a firm, with a steady step. Let us try to inspire him with courage - with respect for his reason - with an inextinguishable love for truth-to the end that he may learn to know himself - to know his legitimate rights-that he may learn to consult his experience, and no longer be the dupe of an imagination led astray by authority that he may renounce the prejudices of his childhood - that he may learn to found_his morals on his nature, on his wants, on the real advantage of society - that he may dare to love himself - that he may learn to pursue his true happiness by promoting that of others-fin short, that he may no longer occupy himself with reveries either use less or dangerous - that he may become a virtuous, a rational being, in which case he cannot fail to, become happy.

If he must have his chimeras, let him at least learn to permit others to form theirs after their own fashion since nothing can be more im material than the manner of men's thinking on subjects not accessible to reason, provided those thoughts be not suffered to imbody them selves into actions injurious to others above all; let him be fully per sueded that it is of the utmost importance to the inhabitants of this world to be just, kind, and peaceable.

Far from injuring the cause of virtue, an impartial examination of the principles of this work will Show that its Object is to restore truth to its proper temple, to build up an altar whose foundations shall be consolidated by morality, reason, and justice from this sacred fane, virtue guarded by truth, clothed with experience, Shall shed forth her radiance on delighted mortals; whose homage flowin consecutively Shall open to the world a new era, by rendering genera the belief that happiness, the true end of man's existence, can never be attained but BY promoting that OF his fellow creature.

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The System of Nature, Vol. 1: Or, Laws of the Moral and Physical World

Whenever he spoke of these, his naturally good temper forsook him.

"Among his friends, the Baron d'Holbach numbered the celebrated Heivetius, Diderot, d'Alembert, Naigeon, Condillac, Turgot, Buffon, J.J. Rousseau, Voltaire, &c.; and in other countries, such men as Hume, Garrick, the Abbate Galiani, &c. If so distinguished and learned a society was calculated to give more strength and expansion to his mind, it has also been justly remarked, that those illustrious men could not but learn many curious and useful things from him; for he possessed an extensive library, and the tenacity of his memory was such as to enable him to remember without effort every thing he had once read."

However, the most praiseworthy feature in d'Holbach's character, was his benevolence; and we now conclude this sketch with the following pithy anecdote related by Mr. Naigeon, in the Journal of Paris: -

"Among those who frequented d'Holbach's house, was a literary gentleman, who, for some time past, appeared musing and in deep melancholy. Pained to see his friend in that state, d'Holbach called on him. 'I do not wish,' said d'Holbach, 'to pry into a secret you did not wish to confide to me, but I see you are sorrowful, and your situation makes me both uneasy and unhappy. I know you are not rich, and you may have wants which you have hid from me. I bring you ten thousand francs which are of no use to me. You will certainly not refuse them if you feel any friendship for me; and by-and-by, when you find yourself in better circumstances, you will return them.' This friend, moved to tears by the generosity of the action, assured him that he did not want money, that his chagrin had another cause, and therefore could not accept his offer; but he never forgot the kindness which prompted it, and to him I am indebted for the facts I have just related."

We have no apologies to make for republishing the System of Nature at this time; the work will support itself, and needs no advocate; it has never been answered, because, in truth, it is, indeed, unanswerable. It demonstrates the fallacy as well of the religion of the Pagan as the Jew - the Christian as the Mahometan. It is a guide alike to the philosopher emancipated from religious thraldom, and the poor votary misled by the follies of superstition.

All Christian writers on Natural Theology have studiously avoided even the mention of this masterly production: knowing their utter inability to cope with its powerful reasoning, they have wisely passed it by in silence. Henry Lord Brougham, it is true, in his recent Discourse of Natural Theology, has mentioned this extraordinary treatise, but with what care does he evade entering the lists with this distinguished writer! He passes over the work with a haste and sophistry that indicates how fully conscious he was of his own weakness and his opponent's strength.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.