Page:Four Dissertations - David Hume (1757).djvu/127

 milcar, having formed a conspiracy for assassinating at once the whole senate of Carthage, and invading the liberties of his country, lost the opportunity, from a continual regard to omens and prophesies. Those who undertake the most criminal and most dangerous enterprizes are commonly the most superstitious; as an antient historian remarks on this occasion. Their devotion and spiritual faith rise with their fears. Catiline was not contented with the established deities, and received rites of his national religion: His anxious terrors made him seek new inventions of this kind ; which he never probably had dreamed of, had he remained a good citizen, and obedient to the laws of his country.

which we may add, that, even after the commission of crimes, there arise remorses and secret horrors, which give no rest to the mind, but make it have recourse to religious rites and ceremonies, as expiations of its offences. Whatever weakens or disorders the internal frame promotes the interests of superstition: And nothing is more destructive to them than a manly,