Quote#Nature
Practised in acts of despotism and cruelty, we become callous to the…
Quote byGeorge Mason · 1725–1792
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Virginia Charters (1773).
English (original)
Practised in acts of despotism and cruelty, we become callous to the dictates of humanity and all the finer feelings of the soul. Taught to regard a part of our own Species in the most abject and contemptible Degree below us, we lose that Idea of the dignity of Man which the Hand of Nature had implanted in us, for great and useful purposes.
— George Mason
More from George Mason
I determined to spend the Remainder of my Days in privacy and Retirement with my Children, from whose Society alone I could expect Comfort.
Our All is at Stake, and the little Conveniences and Comforts of Life, when set in Competition with our Liberty, ought to be rejected not with Reluctance but with Pleasure.
We owe to our Mother-Country the Duty of Subjects but will not pay her the Submission of Slaves.
There is a Passion natural to the Mind of man, especially a free Man, which renders him impatient of Restraint.
The same causes will generally produce the same effects; and it requires no great degree of penetration to foretell that what has happened may happen again.
This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find …