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advice, and help in every need of life? Do they profess to have delighted us
by telling us that they hold our soul to be only a little wind and smoke,
especially by telling us this in a haughty and self-satisfied tone of voice?
Is this a thing to say gaily? Is it not, on the contrary, a thing to say
sadly, as the saddest thing in the world?
If they thought of it seriously, they would see that this is so bad a
mistake, so contrary to good sense, so opposed to decency, and so removed in
every respect from that good breeding which they seek, that they would be
more likely to correct than to pervert those who had an inclination to
follow them. And, indeed, make them give an account of their opinions, and
of the reasons which they have for doubting religion, and they will say to
you things so feeble and so petty, that they persuade you of the contrary.
The following is what a person one day said to such a one very appositely:
"If you continue to talk in this manner, you will really make me religious."
And he was right, for who would not have a horror of holding opinions in
which he would have such contemptible persons as companions!
Thus those who only feign these opinions would be very unhappy, if they
restrained their natural feelings in order to make themselves the most
conceited of men. If, at the bottom of their heart, they are troubled at not
having more light, let them not disguise the fact; this avowal will not be
shameful. The only shame is to have none. Nothing reveals more an extreme
weakness of mind than not to know the misery of a godless man. Nothing is
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