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nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 188 of 810
Table of Contents

XVII

no dependence upon morality without religion;⁠—so, on the other hand, there is nothing better to be expected from religion without morality; nevertheless, ’tis no prodigy to see a man whose real moral character stands very low, who yet entertains the highest notion of himself in the light of a religious man. > > “He shall not only be covetous, revengeful, implacable,⁠—but even wanting in points of common honesty; yet inasmuch as he talks aloud against the infidelity of the age,⁠⸺⁠is zealous for some points of religion,⁠⸺⁠goes twice a day to church,⁠—attends the sacraments,⁠—and amuses himself with a few instrumental parts of religion,⁠—shall cheat his conscience into a judgment, that, for this, he is a religious man, and has discharged truly his duty to God: And you will find such a man, through force of this delusion, generally looks down with spiritual pride upon every other man who has less affectation of piety,⁠—though, perhaps, ten times more real honesty than himself. > > “ This likewise is a sore evil under the sun ; and I believe, there is no one mistaken principle, which, for its time, has wrought more serious mischiefs.⁠⸻For a general proof of this,⁠—examine the history of the Romish church;”⁠—[Well, what can you make of that? cried Dr. Slop ]⁠—“see what scenes of cruelty, murder, rapine, bloodshed,”⁠⸺[They may thank their own obstinacy, cried Dr. Slop ]⁠⸺“have all been sanctified by a religion not strictly governed by morality. > > “In how

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