Biographical Memoirs, of Adam Smith, LL. D., of William Robertson, D. D. and of Thomas Reid, D. D.: Read Before the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Now Collected Into One Volume, with Some Additional Notes

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G. Ramsay, 1811 - 532 pages
 

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Page 432 - There is no question of importance whose decision is not comprised in the science of man; and there is none which can be decided with any certainty before we become acquainted with that science.
Page 82 - Little else is requisite to carry a state to the " highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism, but " peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice ; " all the rest being brought about by the natural course of
Page 425 - The intense view of these manifold contradictions and imperfections in human reason has so wrought upon me, and heated my brain, that I am ready to reject all belief and reasoning, and can look upon no opinion even as more probable or likely than another.
Page 75 - When he cannot establish the right, he will not disdain to ameliorate the wrong; but like Solon, when he cannot establish the best system of laws, he will endeavour to establish the best that the people can bear.
Page 63 - ... a theory of the general principles which ought to run through, and be the foundation of, the laws of all nations.
Page 82 - ... peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice ; all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things. All governments which thwart this natural course, which force things into another channel, or which endeavour to arrest the progress of society at a particular point, are unnatural, and to support themselves are obliged to be oppressive and tyrannical.
Page 257 - TULLOCH. Rational Theology and Christian Philosophy in England in the Seventeenth Century. By JOHN TULLOCH, DD, Principal of St Mary's College in the University of St Andrews ; and one of her Majesty's Chaplains in Ordinary in Scotland. Second Edition. 2 vols. 8vo, 16s. Modern Theories in Philosophy and Religion. 8vo, 15s. Luther, and other Leaders of the Reformation.
Page 432 - Here, then, is the only expedient from which we can hope for success in our philosophical researches ; to leave the tedious, lingering method, which we have hitherto followed ; and, instead of taking, now and then, a castle or village on the frontier, to march up directly to the capital or centre of these sciences, to human nature itself; which being once masters of, we may every where else hope for an easy victory.
Page 23 - When we see a stroke aimed and just ready to fall upon the leg or arm of another person, we naturally shrink and draw back our own leg or our own arm; and when it does fall, we feel it in some measure, and are hurt by it as well as the sufferer.
Page 70 - It is thus that every system which endeavours, either, by extraordinary encouragements, to draw towards a particular species of industry a greater share of the capital of the society than what would naturally go to it; or, by extraordinary restraints, to force from a particular species of industry some share of the capital which would otherwise be employed in it, is in reality subversive of the great purpose which it means to promote.

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