INTRODUCTION.

...liability for which we have all become collectively liable, instead of that hereditary peace original: "paix héréditaire." The innate state of spiritual rest intended for humanity before the Fall. to which we would all have had rights, if we had not allowed our original titles original: "titres originels." Legalistic language used by the author to describe humanity's lost spiritual status and divine inheritance. to go astray.

Oh! How could we know this peace! There is not a single human joy; what do I say, not a single one of man's movements that does not have blindness as its foundation and groans for its results.

Man, recall your judgment for a moment. I am willing to excuse you for a moment for still misjudging the sublime destination original: "destination sublime." The higher purpose or "calling" that the author believes humans are meant to fulfill in the cosmic order. you were meant to fulfill in the universe; but at the very least, you should not blind yourself to the insignificant role you play there during the short interval you travel from your cradle to your grave.

Cast a glance over what occupies you during this journey. Could you believe that it was for such a null destination that you would find yourself endowed with such eminent faculties and properties? Could you have been born so penetrating, so great, so vast in the depths of your desires and your thoughts, only to consume your existence in occupations so tedious by their periodicity; so dark and so limited in their object; finally, so contrary to your noble energy, by the caprice which alone seems to hold them in its dependence and to be their sovereign arbiter?

This privilege of speech original: "privilége de la parole." In this philosophical context, "Speech" or "The Word" is the divine power within man to manifest truth and order., above all, do you believe it was given to you only to daily entertain your fellows with the details of your monotonous occupations and the history of your bestial life original: "vie bestiale." An existence focused purely on physical, animal needs rather than spiritual development.; only to daze them with your noisy eloquence in justifying