The great mistake is that of looking upon men as virtuous or thinking that they can be made so by laws.

Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke

More information about this quote

Topic

Misunderstanding human nature Human nature

Speaker

Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke

Source

Observations, Anecdotes, and Characters

Language

English

Time

1728 1720s 17th century

Occupation

Politician Philosopher

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Lord Bolingbrooke. Quoted in Observations, Anecdotes, and Characters, written by Joseph Spence, edited by Samuel Weller Singer. W. H. Carpenter, 1820.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke about misunderstanding human nature: “The great mistake is that of looking upon…”
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A quote by Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke about misunderstanding human nature: “The great mistake is that of looking upon…”
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A quote by Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke about misunderstanding human nature: “The great mistake is that of looking upon…”
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Related Quotes

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Another quote from the 1720s

Men are never so serious, thoughtful, and intent as when they are at stool.

Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels

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Read Gulliver's Travels at Project Gutenberg
More information about this quote
Topic
Mindfulness Thinking clearly

Author

Jonathan Swift
Source
Gulliver's Travels
Genre
Satire Travel writing
Language
English
Time
1726 1720s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Swift, Jonathan. Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships. London: Benjamin Motte, 1726, pt. 3, ch. 6.

Current Citation

Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels, edited by Albert J. Rivero. W. W. Norton & Company, 2001, pt. 3, ch. 6.

Another quote about Human nature

It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals. They seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.

Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl

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More information about this quote
Topic
Idealism Optimism Human nature

Author

Anne Frank
Source
The Diary of a Young Girl
Medium
Personal journal
Language
Dutch
Time
1944 1940s 20th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Frank, Anne. Journal entry. 15 July 1944.