The Epistles in the New Testament have all of them a particular reference to the condition and usages of the Christian world at the time they were written. Joseph Butler More Quotes by Joseph Butler More Quotes From Joseph Butler 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 deliberation is itself dishonesty; as it was in Balaam upon the second message. Joseph Butler views doubt firsts The love of liberty that is not a real principle of dutiful behavior to authority is as hypocritical as the religion that is not productive of a good life. Joseph Butler good-life liberty real Thus self-love as one part of human nature, and the several particular principles as the other part, are, themselves, their objects and ends, stated and shown. Joseph Butler human-nature principles self 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 love or hatred of anything else. Joseph Butler self-love hatred self Self-love then does not constitute THIS or THAT to be our interest or good; but, our interest or good being constituted by nature and supposed, self-love only puts us upon obtaining and securing it. Joseph Butler interest self doe 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: particular affections rest in the external things themselves. Joseph Butler principles self mean 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 interested or disinterested, because the objects of them all are equally self or somewhat else. Joseph Butler self heart love-is That which is the foundation of all our hopes and of all our fears; all our hopes and fears which are of any consideration; I mean a Future Life. Joseph Butler consideration foundation mean 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 it, requires various systems of means, as well as length of time, in order to the carrying on its several parts into execution. Joseph Butler nature science mean 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 is supernatural or miraculous does to effect it for once. Joseph Butler intelligent doe science Thus there is no doubt the eye was intended for us to see with. Joseph Butler no-doubt eye doubt As this world was not intended to be a state of any great satisfaction or high enjoyment, so neither was it intended to be a mere scene of unhappiness and sorrow. Joseph Butler sorrow satisfaction world Man may act according to that principle or inclination which for the present happens to be strongest, and yet act in a way disproportionate to, and violate his real proper nature. Joseph Butler principles real men Every one of our passions and affections hath its natural stint and bound, which may easily be exceeded; whereas our enjoyments can possibly be but in a determinate measure and degree. Joseph Butler degrees passion may Virtue is not to be considered in the light of mere innocence, or abstaining from harm; but as the exertion of our faculties in doing good. Joseph Butler innocence light action There is a much more exact correspondence between the natural and moral world than we are apt to take notice of. Joseph Butler moral hair world Every thing is what it is, and not another thing. Joseph Butler For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Joseph Butler office body christ Consequently it will often happen there will be a desire of particular objects, in cases where they cannot be obtained without manifest injury to others. Joseph Butler happen without will desire However, without considering this connection, there is no doubt but that more good than evil, more delight than sorrow, arises from compassion itself; there being so many things which balance the sorrow of it. Joseph Butler good balance compassion evil
