Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/194

rived at the utmoſt Bounds of that Perfection it is capable of. Behold all our natural Qualities put in Motion; the Rank and Condition of every Man eſtabliſhed, not only as to the quantum of Property and the Power of ſerving or hurting others, but likewiſe as to Genius, Beauty, Strength or Addreſs, Merit or Talents; and as theſe were the only Qualities which could command Reſpect, it was found neceſſary to have or at leaſt to affect them. It was requiſite for Men to be thought what they really were not. To be and to appear became two very different things, and from this Diſtinction ſprang Pomp and Knavery, and all the Vices which form their Train. On the other hand, Man, heretofore free and independent, was now in conſequence of a Multitude of new Wants brought under Subjection, as it were, to all Nature, and eſpecially to his Fellows, whoſe Slave in ſome ſenſe he became,