Preface.

VII

...made This completes a phrase from the previous page, likely "at least they must not take those passages... in a mocking sense. It is not at all intended to make [them mockery]": here, however, they find, as I believe, sufficiently proven that we are indeed immortal, and are sacredly bound to far more good deeds than the laws demand, even if the Bible were not the Word of God, and some religion were a mere system of ceremonies. Unfortunately, I have learned to my sorrow that all the Voltaireans followers of the French philosopher Voltaire (1694–1778), who were often accused by contemporary critics of moral nihilism and selfishness I have met are not good people, but rather scoundrels, who spare neither friend nor confidant if they can only satisfy their belly, their lust, their greed, or their pride, and can only pass for honest people in the eyes of the common crowd. I speak expressly only of those I have come to know. Perhaps there are some to whom this observation does not apply: but I do not know of them. I have certainly also met many Christian scoundrels: but may God preserve me from mankind if all the Christians I knew were such people as all the Voltaireans who have made themselves known to me! According to their principles, they must indeed be as I have found them, and I would be very happy if some of them would allow themselves to be converted by my book.

To readers of the third class likely referring to clergy or state officials who are bound by oaths to uphold established church doctrines, this book can likewise bring no disadvantage. After all, they have not sworn off the use of their reason, but have merely confirmed by oath to teach nothing publicly that runs contrary to the prevailing religious opinions. My book, however, even shows them the most valid reasons why they should not [teach] against the prevailing...