Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/93

word, the numberleſs Pains and Anxieties annexed to every Condition, and which the Mind of Man is conſtantly a Prey to; theſe are the fatal Proofs that moſt of our Ills are of our own making, and that we might have avoided them all by adhering to the ſimple, uniform and ſolitary Way of Life preſcribed to us by Nature. Allowing that Nature intended we ſhould always enjoy good Health, I dare almoſt affirm that a State of Reflection is a State againſt Nature, and that the Man who meditates is a depraved Animal. We need only call to mind the good Conſtitution of Savages, of thoſe at leaſt whom we have not deſtroyed by our ſtrong Liquors; we need only reflect, that they are Strangers to almoſt every Diſeaſe, except thoſe occaſioned by Wounds and old Age, to be in a manner convinced that the Hiſtory of human Diſeaſes might be eaſily compoſed by purſuing that of civil Societies. Such at leaſt was the Opinion of Plato, who