"Bolingbroke was typical not only in his attempt to define the true interests of the state but also in his use of the analogy between the political society and the family to assert that not unity but discord was the natural relationship between states. The personal needs of men were met by the development of society out of the family. Self-love, which originally assisted this development and produced separate societies, then ensured that the development would spread no further. "The great commonwealth of mankind cannot be brought under one government, nor subsist without any." As Bolingbroke used these views to make himself an early advocate of a maritime, insular, colonial Great Britain, intervening in European affairs only when her interest in the balance of power required it, so the continental writers of his time completely abandoned the traditional belief in Christendom or Europe as a structure above or at least additional to its component states."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Philosophers from EnglandCritics of religionAcademics from the United KingdomPeople from LondonTory (British political party) politicians
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
F. H. Hinsley, Power and the Pursuit of Peace: Theory and Practice in the History of Relations between States (1963), p. 161
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Henry_St_John%2C_1st_Viscount_Bolingbroke
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
1678 – 1751
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (September 16, 1678 – December 12, 1751) was an English statesman and philosopher.
55 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke →
Related Quotes
"The minister [Robert Walpole] preaches corruption aloud and constantly, like an impudent missionary of vice."
"The obligation of submission to both, is discoverable by so clear and so simple an use of our intellectual faculties,…"
"[N]o human institution can arrive at perfection, and the most that human wisdom can do, is to procure the same or gre…"
"I think, and every wise and honest man in generations yet unborn will think, if the history of [thi]s administration …"
"It seems to me, upon the whole matter, that to save or redeem a nation under such circumstances from perdition, nothi…"
"I esteem monarchy above any other form of government, and hereditary monarchy above elective. I reverence kings, thei…"
"[T]he accomplishments of his mind, which was adorned with the choicest gifts that God has yet thought fit to bestow u…"
"My Lord, I have insisted the more on this duty which men owe to their country, because I came out of England, and con…"
"There have been periods when our government continued free, with strong appearances of becoming absolute. Let it be y…"
"It follows, therefore, that he who breaks the laws of his country resists the ordinance of God, that is, the law of h…"