Essays, Moral and Political (1741-2)

First published 1741–42

begin reading cite

contents

Advertisement. (1741)

Most of these essays were written with a view of being publish'd as Weekly-Papers, and were intended to comprehend the Designs both of the…

Of the Delicacy of Taste and Passion.

Some People are subject to a certain delicacy of passion, which makes them extremely sensible to all the accidents of life, and gives them…

Of the Liberty of the Press.

Nothing is more apt to surprize a foreigner, than the extreme liberty, which we enjoy in this country, of communicating whatever we please…

Of Impudence and Modesty.

I am of opinion, That the common complaints against Providence are ill-grounded, and that the good or bad qualities of men are the causes…

That Politics may be reduced to a Science.

It is a question with several, whether there be any essential difference between one form of government and another? and, whether every…

Of the First Principles of Government.

Nothing appears more surprizing to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are…

Of Love and Marriage.

I know not whence it proceeds, that women are so apt to take amiss every thing which is said in disparagement of the married state; and…

Of the Study of History.

There is nothing which I would recommend more earnestly to my female readers than the study of history, as an occupation, of all others,…

Of the Independency of Parliament.

Political writers have established it as a maxim, that, in contriving any system of government, and fixing the several checks and controuls…

Whether the British Government inclines more to Absolute Monarchy, or to a Republic.

It affords a violent prejudice against almost every science, that no prudent man, however sure of his principles, dares prophesy concerning…

Of Parties in General.

Of all men, that distinguish themselves by memorable atchievements, the first place of honour seems due to Legislators and founders of…

Of the Parties of Great Britain.

Were the British government proposed as a subject of speculation, one would immediately perceive in it a source of division and party,…

Of Superstition and Enthusiasm.

That the corruption of the best things produces the worst, is grown into a maxim, and is commonly proved, among other instances, by the…

'Tis easy to observe, that comic writers exaggerate every character, and draw their fop, or coward with stronger features than are any…

Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature.

There are certain sects, which secretly form themselves in the learned world, as well as factions in the political; and though sometimes…

Of Civil Liberty.

Those who employ their pens on political subjects, free from party-rage, and party-prejudices, cultivate a science, which, of all others,…

Advertisement. (1742)

'Tis proper to inform the Reader, that, in those Essays, intitled, The Epicurean, Stoic, &c. a certain Character is personated; and…

Of Essay-Writing.

The elegant Part of Mankind, who are not immers'd in the animal Life, but employ themselves in the Operations of the Mind, may be divided…

Those, who consider the periods and revolutions of human kind, as represented in history, are entertained with a spectacle full of pleasure…

Of Moral Prejudices.

There is a Set of Men lately sprung up amongst us, who endeavour to distinguish themselves by ridiculing every Thing, that has hitherto…

Of the Middle Station of Life.

The Moral of the following Fable will easily discover itself, without my explaining it. One Rivulet meeting another, with whom he had been…

Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences.

Nothing requires greater nicety, in our enquiries concerning human affairs, than to distinguish exactly what is owing to chance, and what…

The Epicurean: Or, The man of elegance and pleasure.

The intention of this and the three following essays is not so much to explain accurately the sentiments of the ancient sects of…

The Stoic: Or, The man of action and virtue.

There is this obvious and material difference in the conduct of nature, with regard to man and other animals, that, having endowed the…

The Platonist: Or, The man of contemplation, and philosophical devotion.

To some philosophers it appears matter of surprize, that all mankind, possessing the same nature, and being endowed with the same…

I have long entertained a suspicion, with regard to the decisions of philosophers upon all subjects, and found in myself a greater…

Of Polygamy and Divorces.

As marriage is an engagement entered into by mutual consent, and has for its end the propagation of the species, it is evident, that it…

Of Simplicity and Refinement in Writing.

Fine writing, according to Mr. Addison, consists of sentiments, which are natural, without being obvious. There cannot be a juster, and…

A Character of Sir Robert Walpole.

What our author's opinion was of the famous minister here pointed at, may be learned from that essay, printed in the former editions, under…