The first thought is often the best. Joseph Butler More Quotes by Joseph Butler More Quotes From Joseph Butler Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of them will be what they will be: why then should we desire to be deceived? Joseph Butler fate action desire Compassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unhappy as hunger is a natural call for food Joseph Butler nursing compassion nurse Every man is to be considered in two capacities, the private and public; as designed to pursue his own interest, and likewise to contribute to the good of others. Joseph Butler capacity men two But to us, probability is the very guide of life. Joseph Butler guides statistics life Virtue, as such, naturally procures considerable advantages to the virtuous. Joseph Butler virtuous advantage virtue It is not at all incredible, that a book which has been so long in the possession of mankind should contain many truths as yet undiscovered. Joseph Butler biblical bible book People habituate themselves to let things pass through their minds, as one may speak, rather than to think of them. Thus by use they become satisfied merely with seeing what is said, without going any further. Review and attention, and even forming a judgment, becomes fatigue; and to lay anything before them that requires it, is putting them quite out of their way. Joseph Butler philosophical people thinking Happiness does not consist in self-love. Joseph Butler self happy happiness Both our senses and our passions are a supply to the imperfection of our nature; thus they show that we are such sort of creatures as to stand in need of those helps which higher orders of creatures do not. Joseph Butler imperfection passion order The sum of the whole is plainly this: The nature of man considered in his single capacity, and with respect only to the present world, is adapted and leads him to attain the greatest happiness he can for himself in the present world. Joseph Butler happiness men world Remember likewise there are persons who love fewer words, an inoffensive sort of people, and who deserve some regard, though of too still and composed tempers for you. Joseph Butler temper remember people The satisfaction that accompanies good acts is itself not the motivation of the act; satisfaction is not the motive, but only the consequence. Joseph Butler motivation satisfaction happiness God Almighty is, to be sure, unmoved by passion or appetite, unchanged by affection; but then it is to be added that He neither sees nor hears nor perceives things by any senses like ours; but in a manner infinitely more perfect. Joseph Butler affection passion perfect Happiness or satisfaction consists only in the enjoyment of those objects which are by nature suited to our several particular appetites, passions, and affections. Joseph Butler affection passion satisfaction Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness; and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects. Joseph Butler passion desire men The tongue may be employed about, and made to serve all the purposes of vice, in tempting and deceiving, in perjury and injustice. Joseph Butler deceit vices lying People might love themselves with the most entire and unbounded affection, and yet be extremely miserable. Joseph Butler affection might people The private interest of the individual would not be sufficiently provided for by reasonable and cool self-love alone; therefore the appetites and passions are placed within as a guard and further security, without which it would not be taken due care of. Joseph Butler passion taken self Pain and sorrow and misery have a right to our assistance: compassion puts us in mind of the debt, and that we owe it to ourselves as well as to the distressed. Joseph Butler pain compassion mind 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
