An enquiry whether a general practice of virtue tends to the wealth or poverty, benefit or disadvantage of a people? : In which the pleas offered by the author of The fable of bees, or private vices publick benefits, for the usefulness of vice and roguery are considered. With some thoughts concerning a toleration of publick stews.

  • Blewitt, George.
Date:
1725
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An enquiry whether a general practice of virtue tends to the wealth or poverty, benefit or disadvantage of a people? : In which the pleas offered by the author of The fable of bees, or private vices publick benefits, for the usefulness of vice and roguery are considered. With some thoughts concerning a toleration of publick stews. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ENQUIRY WHETHER A general Practice oFVirtue tends to the Wealth or Poverty, Benefit or Disadvantage of a People ? In which the Pleas offered by the Author of the Fable of the Bees, or private Vices publick Bene¬ fit s9 for the Ufefulnefs of Vice and Roguery are conddered. With fome Thoughts concerning a Toleration of Publick Stews. u Hoc, de quo nunc agimns, id ipfttm eft, quod Utile appellatur : in quo lapf * Confaetudo deftexit de via, fenftmque eo deduthi eft, nt honeftatem ab nti- litate fecernens, & confticneret hone ft um ejfe aliquid, quod utile non effet; & utile qmd non honeftum \ qua nulla pernicies major hominum vita potuit af- ferri„ /Tull, de Offic. L. 2. 5. I would* willingly ask in what Vice is profitable to The Whole? Not furely in Refpe& of heavenly Things, and fuch as are Divine by Nature: For it would be ridiculous [to fay,] that were there not amongft Men, Malice* and Covetoufnefs, and Lying, or that if we did not rob, plunder, (lander and murther one another, the Sun would not run his appointed Courfe, nor the World enjoy its Sea(ons. It remains then that the Exiftence of Vice muft be profitable for us and our Affuirss-^-[But] are we the more healthy for being vicious, or do we more abound wich Neceflaries? Or does Vice eontributeany thing to our Beauty and Strength ? Plutarch, of common Notions againft the Stoicks. Eng. Tranf. London 1704. *=->—What Difference is there between fuch Triflersand'Ravers, andthofe who fay, that Intemperance was not brought forth unprofitably for Continence* nor Injuftice for Juftice? That fo we may pray to the Gods, there may be always Wickednefs: Ibid. LONDON: Printed for R. Wilkin at the King's Head in S|. Paul's Church Far d. 1725*.