THE MANUAL

profit, because the just and good God COULD NOT HAVE PLACED HAPPINESS IN OBJECTS THAT ALL MEN COULD NOT EQUALLY ATTAIN, and that which is indifferent to this happiness—which ALL MEN ARE COMPELLED TO SEEK, and which is the DRIVING FORCE OF ALL THEIR DESIRES, OF ALL THEIR MOTIONS, AND OF EVERYTHING THAT AGITATES THEM—does not deserve even a single glance.

If, when I expand upon the causes of OUR SUCCESSIVE DEVELOPMENT; if, when laying down the HARMONIOUS PRINCIPLES, according to which I establish a system conforming to the nature of our being—such as a confidant of the Eternal The "Eternal" is a common Enlightenment-era term for God, emphasizing His timeless nature. might do—I happen to speak of them like one inspired, and address my words to men; I can give no other reason for it, except that I feel forced to do so: for far from wishing to be believed on my word alone, I warn that man should only yield to the internal assent of the HARMONIOUS point; The "harmonious point" likely refers to a central state of internal balance or conscience that recognizes truth. and that provided he is covered and does not fall, the various ways in which different peoples or different individuals of the same people clothe themselves, support themselves, act...