Burke, Edmund (1729-1797)

A Vindication of Natural Society

London

Printed for M. Cooper

1756

"But the Passions which prop these Opinions are withdrawn one after another, and the cool Light of Reason at the Setting of our Life shews us what a false Splendor played upon these Objects during our more sanguine Seasons."

You are, my LORD, but just entering into the World; I am going out of it. I have played long enough to be heartily tired of the Drama. Whether I have acted my Part in it well or ill, Posterity will judge with more Candor than I, or than the present Age, with our present Passions, can possibly pretend to. For my Part, I quit it without a Sigh, and submit to the Sovereign Order without murmuring. The nearer we approach to the Goal of Life, the better we begin to understand the true Value of our Existence, and the real Weight of our Opinions. We set out much in Love with both; but we leave much behind us as we advance. We first throw away the Tales along with the Rattles of our Nurses. Those of the Priest keep their hold a little longer; those of our Governors the longest of all. But the Passions which prop these Opinions are withdrawn one after another, and the cool Light of Reason at the Setting of our Life shews us what a false Splendor played upon these Objects during our more sanguine Seasons. Happy, my Lord, if instructed by my Experience, and even by my Errors, you come early to make such an Estimate of things, as may give Freedom and Ease to your Life. I am happy that it promises me Comfort at my Death.
(pp. 105-6)

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5 entries in ESTC (1756, 1757, 1766, 1780, 1796).

See A Vindication of Natural Society: or, a View of the Miseries and Evils Arising to Mankind from Every Species of Artificial Society. In a Letter to Lord **** by a Late Noble Writer. (London: Printed for M. Cooper, 1756). <Link to ECCO-TCP>

04/08/2014