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Literary
July 10, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
This essay contrasts superstition, born of timidity and lack of self-confidence, with enthusiasm, stemming from presumption and overconfidence. It argues that while both can lead to delusion, a balance is necessary: superstition maintains societal tranquility through adherence to traditions, while enthusiasm drives reform and progress.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE TABLET. NO. CXXX.
"As the Spirit of man is liable to extraordinary degrees of elevation or depression, it should be expected that some will be the slaves of custom, and others the movers of innovation."
THE remarks offered in my last number on Enthusiasm, may, with some propriety be followed by an Essay on the subject of Superstition. Though an aberration from a reasonable faith often proceeds from causes extremely opposite to each other, yet the delusion will principally be confined to people little informed or civilized. Superstition is the offspring of a timid, servile spirit, and argues a want of self-confidence ; while enthusiasm proceeds from a heated, presumptuous mind, and denotes too high a degree of self-confidence. Persons of good sense, and a knowledge of the world, learn to form opinions for themselves on the ground of rational evidence ; from which they will not be diverted by a temper so abject as to feel below the guidance of their own reason ; or, from one, so elevated as to deem their own imaginations superior to any fixed rule of conduct. The superstitious man fears to exercise his reason ; the enthusiast despises to do it. Opposite as these characters may appear, the same man may alternately discover each. It is not owing altogether to natural disposition that a person should do either. Presumptuous feelings no less than abject ones, may result from adventitious causes. Yet I am rather inclined to believe the natural propensity of men participates most strongly of superstition. This conclusion easily offers itself from the consideration,that a great part of mankind have, thro the prevalence of superstition, given a most rigid adherence to forms and ceremonies,of which they could neither comprehend or explain any rational cause.
If the comparative benefits or injuries, that have been occasioned by enthusiasm and superstition, were to be examined, perhaps no satisfactory solution to such an enquiry could be obtained. It seems evident, however, that the peace and prosperity of the world require that, in a general way, the votaries of superstition should be the most numerous. There can be no tranquility in society unless the bulk of mankind pay every sacred regard to established rules and institutions. As enthusiasts are the professed enemies to whatever opposes the suggestions oftheir own fancy. it is obvious that were they to be numerous, society must be extinguished. So on the other hand, as those who are strictly superstitious, are of an implicit adherence to old establishments, it follows, that if there were no men of a contrary character all kind of reformation or improvement would be at an end. Both of these characters therefore are essential ; the one to preserve a tranquil state of affairs, and to prevent continual tumults and insurrections;and, the other to rouse the attention of mankind against the effects of deep-rooted errors, and to awaken a spirit of progressive improvement through the various stages of civilization.
"As the Spirit of man is liable to extraordinary degrees of elevation or depression, it should be expected that some will be the slaves of custom, and others the movers of innovation."
THE remarks offered in my last number on Enthusiasm, may, with some propriety be followed by an Essay on the subject of Superstition. Though an aberration from a reasonable faith often proceeds from causes extremely opposite to each other, yet the delusion will principally be confined to people little informed or civilized. Superstition is the offspring of a timid, servile spirit, and argues a want of self-confidence ; while enthusiasm proceeds from a heated, presumptuous mind, and denotes too high a degree of self-confidence. Persons of good sense, and a knowledge of the world, learn to form opinions for themselves on the ground of rational evidence ; from which they will not be diverted by a temper so abject as to feel below the guidance of their own reason ; or, from one, so elevated as to deem their own imaginations superior to any fixed rule of conduct. The superstitious man fears to exercise his reason ; the enthusiast despises to do it. Opposite as these characters may appear, the same man may alternately discover each. It is not owing altogether to natural disposition that a person should do either. Presumptuous feelings no less than abject ones, may result from adventitious causes. Yet I am rather inclined to believe the natural propensity of men participates most strongly of superstition. This conclusion easily offers itself from the consideration,that a great part of mankind have, thro the prevalence of superstition, given a most rigid adherence to forms and ceremonies,of which they could neither comprehend or explain any rational cause.
If the comparative benefits or injuries, that have been occasioned by enthusiasm and superstition, were to be examined, perhaps no satisfactory solution to such an enquiry could be obtained. It seems evident, however, that the peace and prosperity of the world require that, in a general way, the votaries of superstition should be the most numerous. There can be no tranquility in society unless the bulk of mankind pay every sacred regard to established rules and institutions. As enthusiasts are the professed enemies to whatever opposes the suggestions oftheir own fancy. it is obvious that were they to be numerous, society must be extinguished. So on the other hand, as those who are strictly superstitious, are of an implicit adherence to old establishments, it follows, that if there were no men of a contrary character all kind of reformation or improvement would be at an end. Both of these characters therefore are essential ; the one to preserve a tranquil state of affairs, and to prevent continual tumults and insurrections;and, the other to rouse the attention of mankind against the effects of deep-rooted errors, and to awaken a spirit of progressive improvement through the various stages of civilization.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
Political
What keywords are associated?
Superstition
Enthusiasm
Reason
Society
Reform
Tradition
Progress
Morality
Literary Details
Subject
On The Subject Of Superstition
Key Lines
Superstition Is The Offspring Of A Timid, Servile Spirit, And Argues A Want Of Self Confidence ; While Enthusiasm Proceeds From A Heated, Presumptuous Mind, And Denotes Too High A Degree Of Self Confidence.
The Superstitious Man Fears To Exercise His Reason ; The Enthusiast Despises To Do It.
There Can Be No Tranquility In Society Unless The Bulk Of Mankind Pay Every Sacred Regard To Established Rules And Institutions.
As Enthusiasts Are The Professed Enemies To Whatever Opposes The Suggestions Of Their Own Fancy. It Is Obvious That Were They To Be Numerous, Society Must Be Extinguished.
Both Of These Characters Therefore Are Essential ; The One To Preserve A Tranquil State Of Affairs, And To Prevent Continual Tumults And Insurrections; And, The Other To Rouse The Attention Of Mankind Against The Effects Of Deep Rooted Errors, And To Awaken A Spirit Of Progressive Improvement Through The Various Stages Of Civilization.