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that there is some other defect in human nature； such as
indolence； selfishness； inattention to others； for which luxury；
in some measure； provides a remedy； as one poison may be an
antidote to another。 But virtue； like wholesome food； is better
than poisons； however corrected。
Suppose the same number of men； that are at present in GREAT
BRITAIN； with the same soil and climate； I ask； is it not
possible for them to be happier； by the most perfect way of life
that can be imagined； and by the greatest reformation that
Omnipotence itself could work in their temper and disposition？ To
assert； that they cannot； appears evidently ridiculous。 As the
land is able to maintain more than all its present inhabitants；
they could never； in such a UTOPIAN state； feel any other ills
than those which arise from bodily sickness； and these are not
the half of human miseries。 All other ills spring from some vice；
either in ourselves or others； and even many of our diseases
proceed from the same origin。 Remove the vices； and the ills
follow。 You must only take care to remove all the vices。 If you
remove part； you may render the matter worse。 By banishing
vicious luxury； without curing sloth and an indifference to
others； you only diminish industry in the state； and add nothing
to men's charity or their generosity。 Let us； therefore； rest
contented with asserting； that two opposite vices in a state may
be more advantageous than either of them alone； but let us never
pronounce vice in itself advantageous。 Is it not very
inconsistent for an author to assert in one page； that moral
distinctions are inventions of politicians for public interest；
and in the next page maintain； that vice is advantageous to the
public？ And indeed it seems upon any system of morality； little
less than a contradiction in terms； to talk of a vice； which is
in general beneficial to society。
I thought this reasoning necessary； in order to give some
light to a philosophical question； which has been much disputed
in ENGLAND。 I call it a philosophical question； not a political
one。 For whatever may be the consequence of such a miraculous
transformation of mankind； as would endow them with every species
of virtue； and free them from every species of vice； this
concerns not the magistrate； who aims only at possibilities。 He
cannot cure every vice by substituting a virtue in its place。
Very often he can only cure one vice by another； and in that
case； he ought to prefer what is least pernicious to society。
Luxury； when excessive； is the source of many ills； but is in
general preferable to sloth and idleness； which would commonly
succeed in its place； and are more hurtful both to private
persons and to the public。 When sloth reigns； a mean uncultivated
way of life prevails amongst individuals； without society；
without enjoyment。 And if the sovereign； in such a situation；
demands the service of his subjects； the labour of the state
suffices only to furnish the necessaries of life to the
labourers； and can afford nothing to those who are employed in
the public service。
The End