The love of liberty that is not a real principle of dutiful behavior to authority is as hypocritical as the religion that is not productive of a good life.
Joseph ButlerRead
There is a much more exact correspondence between the natural and moral world than we are apt to take notice of.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The moral world closely aligns with the natural world, though we often overlook this connection.
Joseph Butler's quote suggests that the relationship between nature and morality is more precise than we typically recognize. It implies that understanding the natural world can provide insights into moral principles, encouraging us to explore the underlying connections between how we behave and the natural laws that govern life.
Themes
MoralityNatureCorrespondenceUnderstandingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about environmental ethics, this quote can highlight the importance of moral responsibility towards nature.
More from Joseph Butler
All quotes βThe 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 ButlerRead
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 ButlerRead
However, without considering this connection, there is no doubt but that more good than evil, more delight than sorrow, arises from compassion itself; there being so many things which balance the sorrow of it.
Joseph ButlerRead
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 ButlerRead
That which is the foundation of all our hopes and of all our fears; all our hopes and fears which are of any consideration; I mean a Future Life.
Joseph ButlerRead
Similar quotes
I don't like the subtle infiltration of 'something for nothing' philosophies into the very hearthstone of the American family. I believe that 'Thou shalt earn the bread by the sweat of thy face' was a benediction and not a penalty. Work is the zest of life; there is joy in its pursuit.
Branch RickeyRead
Death undoes us less, sometimes, than the hope that it will never come.
Pico IyerRead
Human security recognizes the importance of individuals and that the key to ensuring growth in developing countries is to foster individual talent and abilities, build self-reliance, and put people in a position to make a broader contribution to society. Growth must be inclusive, and no one must be left behind.
Shinzo AbeRead
Once the command of the air is obtained by one of the contending armies, the war becomes a conflict between a seeing host and one that is blind.
H. G. WellsRead
We should take care, in inculcating patriotism into our boys and girls, that is a patriotism above the narrow sentiment which usually stops at one's country, and thus inspires jealousy and enmity in dealing with others... Our patriotism should be of the wider, nobler kind which recognises justice and reasonableness in the claims of others and which lead our country into comradeship with...the other nations of the world.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry
Abraham LincolnRead