CHAP. V.
That those are bad Legislators who favour the Vices of the Climate, and good Legislators who oppose those Vice.
Book XIV.
Chap. 5.THE Indians believe that repose and non-existence are the foundation of all things, and the end in which they terminate. They consider therefore the state of intire inaction as the most perfect of all states, and the object of their desires. They give to the supreme Being[1] the title of Immoveable. The inhabitants of Siam believe that their utmost happiness[2] consists in not being obliged to animate a machine, or to give motion to a body.
In those countries where the excess of heat enervates and oppresses the body, rest is so delicious, and motion so painful, that this system of metaphysics seems natural; and[3] Foe the legislator of the Indies followed what he himself felt when he placed mankind in a state extremely passive: but his doctrine arising from the laziness of the climate, favoured it also in its turn; which has been the source of an infinite deal of mischief.
The legislators of China had more sense, when considering men not in the peaceful state which they are to enjoy hereafter, but in the situation proper for discharging the several duties of life,
- ↑ Pananad: See Kircher.
- ↑ La-Loubere, Relation of Siam, p. 446.
- ↑ Foe endeavoured to reduce the heart to a mere vacuum: "we have eyes and ears, but perfection consists in neither seeing nor hearing; a mouth, hands, etc. but perfection requires that these members should be inactive." This is taken from the dialogue of a Chinese philosopher, quoted by father Du Halde Tom. 3.
