Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/113

 of Offence or Shame.—Laws which bind little Men, are often too weak for Great ones.—Leisure, when not dignify'd by suitable Accomplishments, ends in Idleness; and Idleness is the Parent and the Nurse of licentious Folly. To such Temptations do the Great stand exposed, in the important Article of Manners.

With Respect to the Principle of Religion, their present Situation is no less unfavourable. Dissolute Opinions flatter their disordered Passions: Nor will they ever want Sycophants, to present this alluring Bait to their Desires.—The Maxims of Irreligion are now so generally established among Those with whom the young Men of Fashion converse, that they must be peculiarly fortunate, if they escape the Infection. Wherever This Taint is given, the Principles of Honour and Conscience become vague and ineffectual, if considered as the Supports of Liberty. Certain Delicacies of personal Conduct they may produce; but can never rise to an