Of National Characters (1748) [ Concepts ]
… priest are different characters, in all nations, and all ages; and this difference is founded on circumstances, whose operation is eternal and unalterable. The uncertainty of their life makes soldiers lavish and generous, as well as brave: … as is the way of life, from which it is derived. As to physical causes, I am inclined to doubt altogether of their operation in this particular; nor do I think, that men owe any thing of their temper or genius to the air, food, or … depend not on fixed moral causes, proceed from such accidents as these, and that physical causes have no discernible operation on the human mind. It is a maxim in all philosophy, that causes, which do not appear, are to be considered as …
National Character | Animals | Commerce | Greece
Anthology