Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/96

Horſe, the Cat, the Bull, nay the Aſs itſelf, have generally a higher Stature, and always a more robuſt Conſtitution, more Vigour, more Strength and Courage in their Foreſts than in our Houſes; they loſe half theſe Advantages by becoming domeſtic Animals; it looks as if all our Attention to treat them kindly, and to feed them well, ſerved only to baſtardize them. It is thus with Man himſelf. In proportion as he becomes ſociable and a Slave to others, he becomes weak, fearful, mean-ſpirited, and his ſoft and effeminate Way of Living at once completes the Enervation of his Strength and of his Courage. We may add, that there muſt be ſtill a wider Difference between Man and Man in a ſavage and domeſtic Condition, than between Beaſt and Beaſt; for as Men and Beaſts have been treated alike by Nature, all the Conveniencies with which Men in-