Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/106

likewiſe univerſally allowed to be greatly indebted to the Human Underſtanding. It is by the Activity of our Paſſions, that our Reaſon improves; we covet Knowledge merely becauſe we covet Enjoyment, and it is impoſſible to conceive, why a Man exempt from Fears and Deſires ſhould take the Trouble to reaſon. The Paſſions, in their turn, owe their Origin to our Wants, and their Increaſe to our Progreſs in Science; for we cannot deſire or fear any Thing, but in conſequence of the Ideas we have of it, or of the ſimple Impulſes of Nature; and Savage Man, deſtitute of every Species of Knowledge, experiences no Paſſions but thoſe of this laſt Kind; his Deſires never extend beyond his Phyſical Wants; (11) He knows no Goods but Food, a Female, and Reſt; he fears no Evils but Pain, and Hunger; I ſay Pain, and not Death; for no Animal, merely as ſuch, will ever know