Joseph Butler Quotes

A collection of quotes by Joseph Butler.

Joseph Butler (1692-1752) was an eminent English bishop, theologian, and philosopher. He was born in Wantage, Berkshire, England, and showed exceptional intellectual abilities from a young age. Butler began his education at the prestigious Oxford University, where he studied and excelled in various subjects, including philosophy, divinity, and classics.

His most renowned work, "The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature," was published in 1736 and established him as a leading figure in moral philosophy. In this book, Butler explored the compatibility between religious faith and reason, arguing that there is a natural harmony between the two. He emphasized the importance of analogy in understanding religious principles, highlighting that although faith may not always conform to human reason, it should not contradict it.

Butler's work greatly impacted eighteenth-century philosophy and theology, earning him admirers from different intellectual circles. His ideas on moral psychology and ethics were particularly influential, emphasizing the importance of conscience as a guide for moral judgment. Butler's writings also addressed various ethical issues, such as the nature of virtue and the principles of moral obligation.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Butler served as the Bishop of Bristol (1738-1750) and later as the Bishop of Durham (1750-1752). During his time as a bishop, he made significant efforts to improve the living conditions and welfare of the poor in his dioceses.

Joseph Butler's intellectual legacy continues to be recognized and studied today, with his work remaining essential in the fields of philosophy, theology, and ethics.

Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness and lik

Every man hath a general desire of his own happiness and likewise a variety of particular affections, passions, and appetites to particular external objects.

Joseph Butler


Happiness or satisfaction consists only in the enjoyment of

Happiness or satisfaction consists only in the enjoyment of those objects which are by nature suited to our several particular appetites, passions, and affections.

Joseph Butler

Happiness

Love of our neighbour, then, has just the same respect to, i

Love of our neighbour, then, has just the same respect to, is no more distant from, self-love, than hatred of our neighbour, or than love or hatred of anything else.

Joseph Butler

Respect

Reporters used to be blue-collar at the Globe now, it's prac

Reporters used to be blue-collar at the Globe now, it's practically required that you have a trust fund.

Howie Carr

Life

Compassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unh

Compassion is a call, a demand of nature, to relieve the unhappy as hunger is a natural call for food.

Joseph Butler

Food

The sum of the whole is plainly this: The nature of man cons

The sum of the whole is plainly this: The nature of man considered in his single capacity, and with respect only to the present world, is adapted and leads him to attain the greatest happiness he can for himself in the present world.

Joseph Butler

Happiness

The private interest of the individual would not be sufficie

The private interest of the individual would not be sufficiently provided for by reasonable and cool self-love alone therefore the appetites and passions are placed within as a guard and further security, without which it would not be taken due care of.

Joseph Butler

Alone

The principle we call self-love never seeks anything externa

The principle we call self-love never seeks anything external for the sake of the thing, but only as a means of happiness or good: particular affections rest in the external things themselves.

Joseph Butler

Happiness