work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context
5408,"",Searching Gale's Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO).,2004-01-08 00:00:00 UTC,"Again, I must say to your, that I have put these questions for the sake of entertaining belief, and not because I am inclined to infidelity. Lastly, let me aske you if the Christian religion has not been of temporal disservice to mankind?--Before the propagation of religion of Jesus, the world enjoyed the charming sweets of universal toleration. No Pagan hated Pagan (in their good-tempered religion) because he worshipped other gods; or his own in a different manner form himself. In the course of thousands of years, no man, except amongst the Athenians, suffered death, or even punishment, for the sake of his religious opinions. It was then that meek-ey'd Toleration, as gentle as the dove, sat enthroned upon the benevolent hearts of mankind. But when the gospel of Christ began to be published to the world, that sweet tranquility vanished in a moment--That gospel (in the words of it's great author) sat brother against brother, and nation against nation--That gospel appeared as destructive to the race of man, as war, pestilence, and famine. The time would fail me to speak of the mischied it has occasioned in later days--of the merciless tribunals of the bloody duke of Alva, for the punishment of hereticks in the Low Countries--of the cruel treatment of the hugonots in France--of the horrid persecution there under Lewis the fourteenth.--In short, all the parts of Europe were deluged with the blood of unhappy heretics.--The demon of discord seemd to reign triumphant over this whole quarter of the globe--Persecution, which christianity produced, though not so proud and elate here as in many other parts, yet even here flew like a rapacious Vulture--here gorged her hideous maw--here raised aloft her towering crest, and joyously clapt her crimson wings.
(pp. 64-7, in. 56-8)",,14508,"","Meek-eyed Toleration may, gentle as a dove, sit ""enthroned upon the benevolent hearts of mannkind""","",2009-09-14 19:41:05 UTC,Academicus's letter
6939,"",Reading,2011-06-16 16:41:03 UTC,"The great laws of morality are indeed written in our hearts, and may be discovered by reason: but our reason is of slow growth, very unequally dispensed to different persons, liable to error, and confined within very narrow limits in all. If, therefore, God vouchsafed to grant a particular revelation of his will--if he has been so unspeakably gracious, as to send his Son into the world to reclaim mankind from error and wickedness--to die for our sins--and to teach us the way to eternal life--surely it becomes us to receive his precepts with the deepest reverence; to love and prize them above all things; and to study them constantly, with an earnest desire to conform our thoughts, our words, and actions to them.
(I, p. 21-3)",,18684,p. 11 in PGDP edition,"""The great laws of morality are indeed written in our hearts, and may be discovered by reason: but our reason is of slow growth, very unequally dispensed to different persons, liable to error, and confined within very narrow limits in all.""",Writing,2011-06-16 16:41:03 UTC,"Volume I, Letter 1"
6939,Ruling Passion,Reading,2011-06-16 17:10:36 UTC,"Sullenness, or obstinacy, is perhaps a worse fault of temper than either of the former, and, if indulged, may end in the most fatal extremes of stubborn melancholy, malice, and revenge. The resentment which, instead of being expressed, is nursed in secret, and continually aggravated by the imagination, will, in time, become the ruling passion; and then, how horrible must be his case, whose kind and pleasurable affections are all swallowed up by the tormenting as well as detestable sentiments of hatred and revenge? ""Admonish thy friend, peradventure he hath not done it: or, if he hath, that he do it no more.--Admonish thy friend, peradventure he hath not said it: or, if he hath, that he speak it not again."" Brood not over a resentment which perhaps was at first ill-grounded, and which is undoubtedly heightened by an heated imagination. But when you have first subdued your own temper, so as to be able to speak calmly, reasonably, and kindly, then expostulate with the person you suppose to be in fault--hear what she has to say; and either reconcile yourself to her, or quiet your mind under the injury by the principle of Christian charity. But, if it should appear that you yourself have been most to blame, or if you have been in an error, acknowledge it fairly and handsomely; if you feel any reluctance to do so, be certain that it arises from pride, to conquer which is an absolute duty. ""A soft answer turneth away wrath,"" and a generous confession oftentimes more than atones for the fault which requires it. Truth and justice demand, that we should acknowledge conviction, as soon as we feel it, and not maintain an erroneous opinion, or justify a wrong conduct, merely from the false shame of confessing our past ignorance. A false shame it undoubtedly is, and as impolitic as unjust, since your error is already seen by those who endeavour to set you right; but your conviction, and the candour and generosity of owning it freely, may still be an honour to you, and would greatly recommend you to the person with whom you disputed. With a disposition strongly inclined to sullenness or obstinacy, this must be a very painful exertion; and to make a perfect conquest over yourself at once may perhaps appear impracticable, whilst the zeal of self-justification, and the abhorrence of blame, are strong upon you. But, if you are so unhappy as to yield to your infirmity, at one time, do not let this discourage you from renewing your efforts. Your mind will gain strength from the contest, and your internal enemy will by degrees be forced to give ground. Be not afraid to revive the subject, as soon as you find yourself able to subdue your temper; and then frankly lay open the conflict you sustained at the time: by this you will make all the amends in your power for your fault, and will certainly change the disgust you have given into pity at least, if not admiration. Nothing is more endearing than such a confession; and you will find such a satisfaction in your own consciousness, and in the renewed tenderness and esteem you will gain from the person concerned, that your task for the future will be made more easy, and your reluctance to be convinced will on every occasion grow less and less.
(pp. 27-32)",,18695,pp. 163-4 in PGDP,"""The resentment which, instead of being expressed, is nursed in secret, and continually aggravated by the imagination, will, in time, become the ruling passion; and then, how horrible must be his case, whose kind and pleasurable affections are all swallowed up by the tormenting as well as detestable sentiments of hatred and revenge?""","",2011-06-16 17:11:02 UTC,"Volume II, Letter 6"
6939,"",Reading,2011-06-16 17:22:09 UTC,"In those dark ages, you will find no single character so interesting as that of Mahomet; that bold impostor, who extended his usurped dominion equally over the minds and properties of men, and propagated a new religion, whilst he founded a new empire, over a large portion of the globe. His life has been written by various hands.
(II, p. 196)",,18699,"• p. 194 in PGDP
• USE IN ENTRY!","""In those dark ages, you will find no single character so interesting as that of Mahomet; that bold impostor, who extended his usurped dominion equally over the minds and properties of men, and propagated a new religion, whilst he founded a new empire, over a large portion of the globe.""",Empire,2011-06-16 17:22:09 UTC,"Volume II, Letter 10"
5452,"","Searching ""mind"" in PGDP",2013-06-21 18:15:38 UTC,"I expect the incomparable fair one of Hamburg, that prodigy of beauty, and paragon of good sense, who has enslaved your mind, and inflamed your heart. If she is as well 'etrennee' as you say she shall, you will be soon out of her chains; for I have, by long experience, found women to be like Telephus's spear, if one end kills, the other cures.
(LONDON, February 2, 1759)",,21113,"","""I expect the incomparable fair one of Hamburg, that prodigy of beauty, and paragon of good sense, who has enslaved your mind, and inflamed your heart.""",Fetters,2013-06-21 18:15:38 UTC,""
5452,"","Searching ""heart"" in PGDP",2013-06-21 18:31:20 UTC,"Pray send for the best operator for the teeth at Turin, where I suppose there is some famous one; and let him put yours in perfect order; and then take care to keep them so, afterward, yourself. You had very good teeth, and I hope they are so still; but even those who have bad ones, should keep them clean; for a dirty mouth is, in my mind, ill manners. In short, neglect nothing that can possibly please. A thousand nameless little things, which nobody can describe, but which everybody feels, conspire to form that WHOLE of pleasing; as the several pieces of a Mosaic work though, separately, of little beauty or value, when properly joined, form those beautiful figures which please everybody. A look, a gesture, an attitude, a tone of voice, all bear their parts in the great work of pleasing. The art of pleasing is more particularly necessary in your intended profession than perhaps in any other; it is, in truth, the first half of your business; for if you do not please the court you are sent to, you will be of very little use to the court you are sent from. Please the eyes and the ears, they will introduce you to the heart; and nine times in ten, the heart governs the understanding.
(II.cl, LONDON, May 15, O. S. 1749)",,21115,"","""Please the eyes and the ears, they will introduce you to the heart; and nine times in ten, the heart governs the understanding.""","",2013-06-21 18:31:20 UTC,""
5452,"","Searching ""heart"" in PGDP",2013-06-21 19:59:03 UTC,"MY DEAR FRIEND: It is a very old and very true maxim, that those kings reign the most secure and the most absolute, who reign in the hearts of their people. Their popularity is a better guard than their army, and the affections of their subjects a better pledge of their obedience than their fears. This rule is, in proportion, full as true, though upon a different scale, with regard to private people. A man who possesses that great art of pleasing universally, and of gaining the affections of those with whom he converses, possesses a strength which nothing else can give him: a strength which facilitates and helps his rise; and which, in case of accidents, breaks his fall. Few people of your age sufficiently consider this great point of popularity; and when they grow older and wiser, strive in vain to recover what they have lost by their negligence. There are three principal causes that hinder them from acquiring this useful strength: pride, inattention, and 'mauvaise honte'. The first I will not, I cannot suspect you of; it is too much below your understanding. You cannot, and I am sure you do not think yourself superior by nature to the Savoyard who cleans your room, or the footman who cleans your shoes; but you may rejoice, and with reason, at the difference that fortune has made in your favor. Enjoy all those advantages; but without insulting those who are unfortunate enough to want them, or even doing anything unnecessarily that may remind them of that want. For my own part, I am more upon my guard as to my behavior to my servants, and others who are called my inferiors, than I am toward my equals: for fear of being suspected of that mean and ungenerous sentiment of desiring to make others feel that difference which fortune has, and perhaps too, undeservedly, made between us. Young people do not enough attend to this; and falsely imagine that the imperative mood, and a rough tone of authority and decision, are indications of spirit and courage. Inattention is always looked upon, though sometimes unjustly, as the effect of pride and contempt; and where it is thought so, is never forgiven. In this article, young people are generally exceedingly to blame, and offend extremely. Their whole attention is engrossed by their particular set of acquaintance; and by some few glaring and exalted objects of rank, beauty, or parts; all the rest they think so little worth their care, that they neglect even common civility toward them. I will frankly confess to you, that this was one of my great faults when I was of your age. Very attentive to please that narrow court circle in which I stood enchanted, I considered everything else as bourgeois, and unworthy of common civility; I paid my court assiduously and skillfully enough to shining and distinguished figures, such as ministers, wits, and beauties; but then I most absurdly and imprudently neglected, and consequently offended all others. By this folly I made myself a thousand enemies of both sexes; who, though I thought them very insignificant, found means to hurt me essentially where I wanted to recommend myself the most. I was thought proud, though I was only imprudent.
(BATH, November 11, O. S. 1752)",,21121,"","""It is a very old and very true maxim, that those kings reign the most secure and the most absolute, who reign in the hearts of their people.""","",2013-06-21 19:59:03 UTC,""
5452,Ruling Passion,"Searching ""passion"" in PGDP",2013-06-21 20:24:21 UTC,"MY DEAR FRIEND: What success with the graces, and in the accomplishments, elegancies, and all those little nothings so indispensably necessary to constitute an amiable man? Do you take them, do you make a progress in them? The great secret is the art of pleasing; and that art is to be attained by every man who has a good fund of common sense. If you are pleased with any person, examine why; do as he does; and you will charm others by the same things which please you in him. To be liked by women, you must be esteemed by men; and to please men, you must be agreeable to women. Vanity is unquestionably the ruling passion in women; and it is much flattered by the attentions of a man who is generally esteemed by men; when his merit has received the stamp of their approbation, women make it current, that is to say, put him in fashion. On the other hand, if a man has not received the last polish from women, he may be estimable among men, but will never be amiable. The concurrence of the two sexes is as necessary to the perfection of our being, as to the formation of it. Go among women with the good qualities of your sex, and you will acquire from them the softness and the graces of theirs. Men will then add affection to the esteem which they before had for you. Women are the only refiners of the merit of men; it is true, they cannot add weight, but they polish and give lustre to it. 'A propos', I am assured, that Madame de Blot, although she has no great regularity of features, is, notwithstanding, excessively pretty; and that, for all that, she has as yet been scrupulously constant to her husband, though she has now been married above a year. Surely she does not reflect, that woman wants polishing. I would have you polish one another reciprocally. Force, assiduities, attentions, tender looks, and passionate declarations, on your side will produce some irresolute wishes, at least, on hers; and when even the slightest wishes arise, the rest will soon follow.
(LONDON, April 15, O. S. 1751)",,21126,"","""Vanity is unquestionably the ruling passion in women; and it is much flattered by the attentions of a man who is generally esteemed by men; when his merit has received the stamp of their approbation, women make it current, that is to say, put him in fashion.""","",2013-06-21 20:24:21 UTC,""
7541,"",Reading; text from DocSouth,2013-07-11 21:28:55 UTC,"THERE is something inexpressibly flattering in the notion of your being warmer--from the idea of your much obliged friend's caring for you;--in truth we could not help caring about you--our thoughts travelled with you over night from Bond Street to the Inn.--The next day at noon--""Well, now she's above half way--alas! no, she will not get home till Saturday night--I wonder what companions she has met with--there is a magnetism in good-nature which will ever attract its like--so if she meets with beings the least social--but that's as chance wills!""--Well, night arrives--and now our friend has reached the open arms of parental love--excess of delightful endearments gives place to tranquil enjoyments--and all are happy in the pleasure they give each other.--Were I a Saint or a Bishop, and was to pass by your door, I would stop, and say, Peace be upon this dwelling!--and what richer should I leave it?--for I trust where a good man dwells, there peace makes its sweet abode.--When you have read Boffuet, you will find at the end, that it was greatly wished the learned author had brought the work down lower--but I cannot help thinking he concluded his design as far as he originally meant.--Mrs. Sancho thank Heaven, is as well as you left her, and your godson thrives--he is the type of his father--fat--heavy--seepy--but as he is the heir of the noble family, and your godson, I ought not to disparage him.--The Dutchess of K---- is so unwell, that she has petitioned for a longer day--they say that her intellects are hurt;--tho' a bad woman, she is entitled to pity.--Conscience, the high chancellor of the human breast, whose small still voice speaks terror to the guilty--Conscience has pricked her--and, with all her wealth and titles, she is an object of pity.--Health attend you and yours!--Pleasure of course will follow.--Mrs. Sancho joins me in all I say, and the girls look their assent.--I remain--God forgive me! I was going to conclude, without ever once thanking you for your goodness in letting us hear from you so early--there is such a civil coldness in writing, a month perhaps after expectation has been snuffed out, that the very thought is enough to chill friendship--but you, like your sister Charity, as Thomson sweetly paints her (smiling thro' tears), delight in giving pleasure, and joy in doing good.--And now farewell--and believe us in truth, our dear Miss L----'s [...]
(I.xxxii, pp. 87-90; pp. 69-70 in Carretta)",,21676,"","""Conscience, the high chancellor of the human breast, whose small still voice speaks terror to the guilty--Conscience has pricked her--and, with all her wealth and titles, she is an object of pity.""",Court and Inhabitants,2013-07-11 21:29:08 UTC,"Vol. I, letter xxxii"
7541,"",Reading; text from Doc South,2013-07-11 21:53:44 UTC,"I AM truly sorry to address this letter to you at this season in the English channel--the time considered that you have left us, you ought in all good reason to have been a seasoned Creole of St. Kitt's;--but we must have patience--what cannot be cured--must be endured.--I dare believe you bear the cruel delay with resignation--and make the best and truest use of your time--by steady reflection and writing.--I would wish you to note down the occurrences of every day--to which add your own observation of men and things--the more you habituate yourself to minute investigation, the stronger you will make your mind--ever taking along with you in all your researches the word of God--and the operations of his divine providence.--Remember, young man--nothing happens by chance.--Let not the levity of frothy wit--nor the absurdity of fools break in upon your happier principles--your dependence upon the Deity--address the Almighty with fervor--with love and simplicity--carry his laws in your heart--and command both worlds;--but I meant mere fatherly advice, and I have wrote a sermon.--Dear boy, 'tis my love preaches; N--begged me to write a line for him, as he said you wanted news.--I have none but what you know as well as myself--such as the regard and best wishes of Mrs. Sancho--the girls and myself--such as wishing a happy end to your long-protracted voyage--and a joyful meeting with your worthy and respectable family;--and in order to leave room for friend N--, I here assure you I am your affectionate friend, [...]
(II.xxiii, pp. 56-7; pp. 158-9 in Carretta)",,21694,"","""Let not the levity of frothy wit--nor the absurdity of fools break in upon your happier principles--your dependence upon the Deity--address the Almighty with fervor--with love and simplicity--carry his laws in your heart--and command both worlds;--but I meant mere fatherly advice, and I have wrote a sermon.""","",2013-07-11 21:53:44 UTC,"Vol. II, letter xxiii"